Friday 20 April 2018

She, She, She Shine On



Today's the day that my childhood home, The Cottage, finally changes hands but I'm not a bit sad. Do you remember me mentioning that when the sale sign first went up I'd had a visit from a couple who loved the house but their property had only just gone on the market and they were only able to make a low offer? Well, I accepted a higher offer from another couple but, after a few weeks, they started to mess me around, asking for a significant reduction in the original asking price. I told them to sling their hook, after all, the house had been empty for years, what was another few months? In the meantime the lovely couple managed to sell their house to a cash buyer for a lot more than they expected, enabling them to increase their offer - which I accepted - and The Cottage is now their forever home (I was offered a heck of lot more than the asking price by a couple of property development companies but I told them where to go). There's a bottle of fizz and a welcome card awaiting H&D when they cross the threshold later today.


Sorry, squeamish people. My bendy body freaks some people out. You should see my arms.


After an iffy start this morning, the gloriously warm weather continues. We went to our first car boot sale of 2018 yesterday in shorts (Jon) and a sleeveless Hawaiian maxi (me!) I did take photos of our finds as lovely blog reader Shelagh had kindly sent me her son's old camera but somehow managed to delete everything.  It's all packed ready for trading at Moseley Vintage and Retro Fair on Sunday (details HERE). It'll be third time lucky for this fair due to the bastard snow. This weekend's obstacle will be trying to negotiate Birmingham's road network as the council have closed the main route for maintenance. I don't know how long it's going to take us to get there - it's usually only 25 minutes, wish us luck!


My Lundby's starting to look good. Here it is in all its psychedelic '70s glory along with the added downstairs extension (which came with another tatty Lundby doll's house - that's project number three!)


As I'm in pink, orange and yellow today's featured room has to be the living room.....


...and as if by magic, here I am!


 I've seen this space used in other doll's houses as a master bedroom with a kid's bedroom on the mezzanine floor. As you know, my house is child-free so I'm keeping it real with an adult-only space (hence the wine!) Beate, it's German Sekt, ready for when you get here!


I love the idea of the main living area being upstairs. I used to have a school friend with an amazing upside-down house with bedrooms in the basement and a split level lounge upstairs with perspex hanging bubble pod chairs, a white space age circular TV set and a shag pile carpet so thick and luxurious her patents used to have to rake it. The carpet is a small scale doll's house in the same shade of russet as the very threadbare original. The rocket floor lamp that Linda made me fits in a treat, doesn't it?


I found this 1970s Lundby Symphony suite on Ebay complete with a glass topped coffee table which now resides in the dining room (as seen in my last blog post). Despite not being a fan of either three piece suites or Dralon at £4.50 I just had to buy it. I removed the shabby pink fringe and replaced it with some orange picot braiding from off the market, much more psychedelic! The perspex coffee table was another eBay bargain, I'd definitely give it house room in my big house.


Remember the groovy wallpaper in The Cottage's bathroom? When it mentioned it on my post recently Sarah, another fab reader, commented that she'd got a slither of the wallpaper in her stash and that she'd be happy to donate it to the house. There was just enough to make curtains and a matching pelmet (very 1970s!) which I finished off with the leftover braid.


The aquarium, funky table and swivel chairs are all 1970s Lundby originals - eBay is brilliant (and inexpensive) when you're a doll's house fanatic!


The plastic piano and stool were in the bag of furniture that came with the charity shopped doll's house. I trimmed the stool with Indian pom-pom braiding and printed off (and scaled-down) the musical scores from the internet. If you're wondering, the sheet music is Carly Simon's You're So Vain. The picture is classic suburban 1970s, The Wings of Love by S Pearson. The plant's another me-made one.


The fireplace came in a job lot of Lundby furniture. The log basket (complete with logs) was in the sale section of an on-line doll's house shop (£1.25).


These two dressers match the one in the dining room. They were originally mahogany (but I painted them white). The books, magazines and other bits and pieces were free printables from a doll's house website.


The details:
  • The pictures were sized down and printed off the internet. They were framed in more of the charity shop frames that I'd painted and gilded earlier this week.
  • The mustard lampshade is another of the kid's egg toys trimmed with braid and threaded with plug chain.
  • The perspex lampshade is an  unwanted cat toy, trimmed with vintage rik-rak braid.
  • The cushions are handmade by me using 30p a sheet felt from Shaw's Direct and finished off with daisy appliques from Walsall market's haberdashery stall.
  • The "knitting" is cotton thread rolled into balls and speared with two shortened dressmaking pins. The vintage poncho pattern is a scaled-down real one.  
WEARING: Jumpsuit made by me from some 1960s Francis Price screen printed curtains which used to hang in a friend's husband's living room when he was a child; Crazy sunnies (gift from a car boot seller); Jeffrey Campbell Woodies clogs (charity shop), Retro jelly basket (new, retail!)

 Time to get my bikini on and catch a few rays (and try not to watch the proceedings over the road).

See you soon (hopefully in Moseley on Sunday)!

64 comments:

  1. What a difference in weather. So glad you ended up selling your family home to the people you liked, since they will be neighbors after all and nothing would have been worse than someone buying it and tearing out everything for development. Love the tiny wine glasses and knitting needles/yarn. You don't just do doll houses, they really looked truly lived in

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    1. I can't tell you how much my mood has improved since this weather started! Hopefully you'll have something similar on your trip, I'll keep everything crossed that it stays like this for a while.
      That's the fun bit, adding all those extras - they really do make a house look like a home. xxx

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  2. Pleased to hear the sale has gone through and that someone who loves The Cottage will be living there.

    As for the miniature house I'm not even going to mention the orange, but I love the fireplace! I don't think I could face leaving this house, but if I did I'd love an upstairs living space too.

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    1. Thanks you so much! It's such a relief to know it's gone to the right people. I don't think I could have dealt with seeing a skip across the road with all the original features piled up inside it.
      I love the idea of an upstairs living space, ideally overlooking the sea. Isn't that fireplace fab? I think you need a few mid century Lundby bits in your life (you don't need the house!) xxx

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  3. Dear Vix,
    Your far-out, groovy, & dyn-o-mite pad is only missing one spectacular 70's icon; A VINYL BEANBAG CHAIR! I bet that'd be super easy to stitch up!
    Hang in there baby, xox

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    1. You, my darling, are a bloody genius! I could fill it with lentils! Just what the basement's missing. Thank you. xxx

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  4. What a groovy post Vix! Glad to hear the cottage went to the right people...it's funny how things turn out. Salt is another good one to fill cushions etc in the small world.
    Arilx

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    1. Thanks, Aril! Salt! Now, that's a great idea. I've seen sand suggested by don't have any of that to hand. xxx

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  5. You look like a ray of sunshine!!! Congratulations on the sale of The Cottage - it went to good people! I adore what you've done with this 1973 doll house. The orange and pink rooms are my favorite - such happy colors! The tiny piano is the best!!! <3

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    1. Thanks, Natalia! I'm so happy The Cottage went to deserving people, it's far to close to us not to!
      I was very excited to find that orange piano in the bag of furniture. It looks like something a rock star would have owned! xxx

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  6. Gorgeous photo of you and your lovely twin! I'm glad you're not feeling sad to let The Cottage go, but having found the right buyers must be a relief. I'm all ready to let my parents' house go - it's nothing but a burden now - so I wish my brother, who's currently living there, would get a move on, quite literally. What a marvellous and spacious house the extended Lundy has become! I wouldn't mind moving in! Back in the 70s, I had a friend with an upside-down space age house as well. It was my dream house and I was just a tiny bit jealous. She also had the most amazing Barbie dolls ... xxx

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    1. Thanks, Ann. It does feel like an enormous burden has been lifted. I hope your brother pulls his finger out and allows you to sell your parental home, too. We have to move on, don't we?
      Those up-side houses were so cool, weren't they? It makes far more sense to have a living room with a view. xxx

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  7. Your outfit looks like sunshine! Hasn't it been glorious, I sat in a pub garden eating lunch and blissing out with everyone else today, everyone smiles more. You look fab, I hope you managed to fit in your sunbathing, a bikini in April is quite something.
    Congrats on everything going through with the cottage and how lovely to end up with the neighbours you originally wanted.
    Have fun on Sunday. xxx

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    1. A pub lunch in the sunshine, doesn't that make a nice change? Long may this wonderful weather last, it makes the world a happier place. xxx

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  8. congrats to you and the new owners of the cottage! gorgeous that it went to the people who you like.
    the dollshouse is totally 70´s glam - how cool it would be to sit there with you - drinking "deutschen sekt"
    ;-)
    love your jumpsuit!!
    xxxxx

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    1. I'm so glad they had a sunny day to move in, too! that must have made owning it a lot more special. xxx

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  9. Happy to hear that the sale has gone through and that it was so serendipitous for the new owners. The Lundby house looks amazing and a proper reflection of you. Fabulous.
    Loves ya!
    xxx

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    1. Thanks, darling! Now all that grown-up stuff's out of the way I can play with doll's houses, much easier to deal with that proper sized ones! Love ya! xxx

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  10. Oh sun shine-what a treat. I am happy your home sold to people who will care for it an d love it. Sometimes homes know who they want to buy and make the stars align correctly. I feel like that about our house-seemed meant to be after several crap situations where we were jerked a round three decades ago.

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    1. Spring is here, at last!
      Yes, there was a few twists and turns along the way and I'm delighted the people we really wanted to buy the house got it in the end. xxx

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  11. Believe me, you wouldn't want a glass top coffee table in real life. I have the scars on my knees to prove it ;)
    You are making me want an orange and pink bedroom in the worst way! Somehow I doubt Danny would want me to redo his room...

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    1. Our real coffee table is glass topped, it's always filthy - spilt drinks and cat prints! xxx

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  12. I cannot wait till you get your beanbag chair in there! I'm crazy over that plexiglass coffee table. I'd quite like one for my house like that. Our pug broke our original 1960s mod glass top coffee table a while back.

    Maybe your new neighbours will invite you over one day. That'll be interesting.

    Suzanne
    http://www.suzannecarillo.com

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    1. Naughty Zoe! Pets just don't appreciate cool furniture, do they?
      I was so excited about a bean bag I went off and sewed one straightaway. Where would we be without our blogger friends? They're a constant source of inspiration! xxx

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  13. Hi Vix, Congratulations on the sale of The Cottage. It must have been a big weight of your mind and a bit sad at the same time. I hope that your new neighbours love the house and that you and Jon love your new neighbours. :)
    I love your doll's house makeover and your absolutely amazing outfit. Your are so fabulously creative. I remember that "Wings of Love" painting. I am sure that one of the girls from school had this in her house, along with one of those glittery thread pictures. Memories! Xx

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    1. It felt a lot easier selling to people who were in love with The Cottage rather than seeing it as some kind of investment.
      It's so exciting to crack open the summer suitcase and get all my old favourites out, like having a whole new wardrobe.
      I'm excited about how the doll's house is looking. I'm going to get rid of a clunky Victorian chest of drawers cluttering up an alcove soon and replace it with shelves for doll's houses! xxx

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  14. Lovely to see the dolls house in full frontal as it were....lol. It just looks amazing.....and that jump suit....all I can say is WOW.
    Hugs-x-

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    1. Full frontal! Oh, how naughty that sounds!!
      That jumpsuit was such a joy to make, I really out to make more, if I can tear myself away from doll's houses! xxx

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  15. All of the rooms on their own are gorgeous, but seeing the entire collection really looks great. I love the effect as a whole and am not surprised you were able to create such a groovy little world.

    I am so happy about the old house too. What a happy ending to that chapter of your life.

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    1. Thanks, Alex! The doll's house is a proper colour explosion, I can't stop looking at it! xxx

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  16. Congrats on the house being sold to someone you're happy with. You and Jon'd be great neighbours, and I'm sure they'll love the surprise you left there to greet them. Xxx

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    1. Thanks, Jess! I'm excited about having lovely new neighbours. It's going to be hard not to want to help them with the decorating, though! xxx

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  17. Congrats on the house sale going through, I'm glad you were able to sell it to that couple in the end. As for your dolls house - it looks fabulous! I would definitely live in a house like that xx

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    1. Thanks, Sarah! I'm so glad all that grown-up stuff is out of the way and I can play till my heart's content! xx

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  18. I'm so happy you told the property developers where to go, the last thing the UK needs is more bland white boxes! I hate to think what we're taking away from future generations to enjoy, they'll be no history left at this rate. I'm really glad for you that you've found people who really love The Cottage how it is.
    Your school friend's house sounds amazing! Especially the thought of a rake-able shag pile! Love how you've done the living room, orange and pink is my favourite colour combo. I know nothing of dollhouses before you started posting about them, and thanks to your posts was able to recognise a Tri-ang dolls house in a charity shop a few days ago. I didn't get it or anything, but it was just nice to know what I was looking at!

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    1. I hate property developers in general. Those tiny white boxes with balconies too small to sit on and all that grey paintwork. The UK's is being neutral-ised!!
      My friend's house was the stuff of dreams. Such a massive contrast to our traditional Arts & Crafts house.
      I'm going to convert you all to doll's house enthusiasts whether you like it or not. I'm very impressed, you're a quick learner! xxx

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  19. We got our bungalow because they like us, we raved about it. It was ready to move in, the beds made, all clean and the garden smart. We bought it furnished and the owner wanted what could go to the local hospice shop to go there. We did everything she wanted, we love it and are ever grateful for it. I bet the new owners of your house will feel just the same.

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    1. That's so sweet! I love that it came fully furnished, too. I'm going to offer the new people a few of the bits I rescued from The Cottage (for free), I think they deserve them. xxx

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  20. How lovely that the house went to those lovely people, sometimes these things are meant to be. xx

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    1. Such a massive relief, it really is! xxx

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  21. You look 'summer ready' as they say on the telly. (I think it means you've shaved your legs and painted your toenails after the long, long winter)
    I love your sunny curtain couture...it Just brings a smile to my face.
    The dolls house is magnificent, loving the aquarium. Xx

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    1. I'm always summer ready - I'm the eternal optimist!!!
      Isn't that aquarium fab? Jon says something about how Lundby have got it wrong as there's tropical and cold water fish in the same tank. Men! xxx

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  22. PS So glad The Cottage eventually went to a couple who appreciate it. X

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  23. There’s something gloriously magical about all the colours in your dolls house, I love looking at it.
    Talking of houses, I’m so pleased your parents house has gone to people who will cherish it and who knows could become good friends and neighbors too.
    Enjoy your fair today, fingers crossed for sunshine for you. Xxx

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    1. Thank you so much! I can't believe how much pleasure it's bringing me, I make something for it every day - Jon's worried it'll end up too cluttered (I haven't mentioned the two extension units I've just bought!) xxx

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  24. All things bright and beautiful
    In houses big and small
    Whatever size is wonderful
    And Vix she made them all!

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  25. Pink, yellow, orange - all these colours just make me so happy. Thank you for spreading your own sunshine to the rest of us, Vix! You look amazing. Brava (for about the hundredth time) on the dolls' house - I love it.

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    1. You should come over in your Firecracker dress, Sheila - you'd fit in beautifully! xxx

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  26. I DO love your beautiful jump suit! I love the fact it is from some curtains!
    The dolls house is looking amazing! I do like it a lot! The fish tank and the glass table are my favourites and how fortunate to gain some wallpaper! The egg toys are a brilliant idea to recycle. I've got a bag of them somewhere I was going to put ballbearings in and make into egg shakers forschool!x

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    1. Isn't the fish tank sweet? I've seen a parrot in a cage on eBay but he seems to be very popular with the doll's house people! I was luck with the wallpaper, wasn't I? Blog readers are so kind.
      It seems such a waste to throw those eggs, they always strike me as looking useful. I like your egg shaker idea! xxx

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  27. You are positively GLOWING in that first photo! The jumpsuit is frickin'fabulous - no wonder you look so happy. We finally had a nice sunny weekend here, with temperatures hovering around 15 degrees celsius (no bikinis here) and it was glorious just not having to wear a coat, hat, etc.

    I wish I could shrink myself small enough to live in that wonderful house. The colours are splendid.

    That is wonderful that the nice couple who loved the family cottage got it. Things do work out for the best!

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    1. That's what the sun does to me, the longer the winter drags on the more diminished I feel. I feel much more alive after that burst of sunshine.
      The more I look at my doll's house, the more I want to add even more colour to my real house! xxx

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  28. That dolls house is so you, it makes me smile just to see it. And it's brilliant that The Cottage is in safe hands. I hope they treasure it as much as your family have, and you enjoy seeing its new life.

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    1. I don't think I've had so much fun with glue, matchsticks, bits of cardboard and beads since I was about six. I love it. I can't believe doll's houses and miniatures are such a big thing either, it's like a whole new world!
      No sooner were the keys handed over than they were in (according to the postman), it's looking more loved already! xxx

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  29. this post is overwhelmingly fabulous!!, I love your jumpsuit, love your attitude, and love that your outfit matches the awesome living room (so cute to see you lounging on the sofá!)
    You've created a job of art!
    besos

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    1. Thank you so much! That sunshine's all gone now but at least I have Friday's photos to remind me! xxx

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  30. how utterly wonderful that The Cottage has become someone's forever home. When we sold our family home I didn't like the new owners, not one little bit, and found it really upsetting that 'they' would be living in 'our' home (that's 17 year olds for you). But how lovely you get to see them turning it into their home from across the street. And you got some of that fabulous wallpaper! Hurrah for the internet!
    xx

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    1. Oh dear, that would have been horrible for you. I'm so happy The Cottage went to nice people, it makes selling it a lot better! xxx

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  31. I’m getting itchy mini make fingers now! I wish I could reach mine but it’s trapped behind my silver cross dolls pram. I love seeing your progress xxx

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    1. I want to see your doll's house! A lady I chatted to at the weekend knows a specialist who makes mini Silver Cross prams for doll's houses and there's a three year waiting list. I think they cost £500! xxx

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  32. So glad you told the property developers to do one, a house should be viewed as a home not an investment item. Sounds like the new owners will cherish it. That jumpsuit just screams summer! xx

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    1. Selling the house to someone who loves it is such a huge relief. The new owner popped over last week and gave me a massive hug - I feel a new friendship coming on! xxx

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Thanks for reading and for leaving a message. Please don't be anonymous, I'd love it if you left a name (or a nom de plume).

Lots of love, Vix