Dolly LOVE

Isn't she just incredible? The detail is so exquisite.

Most likely she is a Fashion Doll... or a 'Pandora'.

English Doll 1755-1760  via V&A Collection

"Pandoras were used from the 14th century to convey the latest 

fashion among courts of Europe.... by the end of the 18th century 

the pandoras had given way in importance to fashion magazines. 

The figures were not designed as toys, but, after (fulfilling) their 

original purpose they may been given to children to play with."

-words from the V&A Collection website

I love the patina of these beautiful old dolls and doll houses.

The Dollhouse #7

This incredible Doll House, made by Paul Cumbie in 1883, 

was modelled on Petit Chateau (or The Vanderbilt House), 

an amazing chateuesque mansion built between 1878-82.

It was located at 660 Fifth Avenue on the Upper East Side in 

NYC, but sadly demolished in 1926 to make way for offices!

A Beautiful Book

This has to be one of my all time favourite illustrated books but

it comes with a rather hefty price tag. I only own a diary version.

If you are feeling particularly affluent today it is available from

 Amazon.com

...lucky you! xox

stealing beauty

How beautiful is this lace curtain that Elisabeth's

putting together for her little swedish cottage?

I think I might have to steal this idea away

for some corner window in our house...

perhaps this one? The staircase is beautiful, but 

this corner of the room could use a bit of help.

sleeping with rabbits...

Another beautiful and strange Victorian postcard.

Not another montage, but a studio photograph.

I couldn't resist purchasing this one. It's pinned 

to the inspiration board above my beautiful old deco 

worktable. How I do love these old dream-like images.

Hmmm...

Today we are baking Easter biscuits, watching Easter

movies and philosophising about the holiday...

image found via I've had dreams like that

What do bunnies, a holy spirit, chocolate eggs and little girls 

dancing with giant bugs have to do with Easter?  Who knows! 

I did try to research this image... but I got confused. 

I love this beautiful vintage picture postcard though.

It's so surreal, so dream-like.

I hope everyone's enjoying a most lovely Easter break. xo 

Sophie Blackall

I love Sophie Blackall's beautiful and quirky illustrations.

'We Shared a Bear Suit' from Sophie's book 

'Missed Connections' available at Amazon

Recently, I stumbled across an article at 'The Inside Source'

with some wonderful photographs of Sophie's home and lovely 

collection of inspirational objects and fantastical curiosities...

To quote the article...

"Blackall's Brooklyn home and studio are a window into her creative process. 

One step inside, and it’s like you’ve been transported into a Harry Potter novel 

or Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events.  Blackall’s home, which 

she shares with her two children, is filled with carefully-curated, nearly-ghoulish 

oddities that don’t necessarily creep you out, but just like her illustrations, instead 
bring an odd smile to your face ....  in Blackall’s own words, her dwelling is 
something of a “Victorian Natural History Museum....”  you can view more here

Oh, I love it all! xox

Let The Sun Shine

Where are you Mister Sun?

  

WE WANNA PLAY!

Summer a la Prada via MisakoMimoko

Marie I and Marie II from Sedmikrasky (Daisies 1966)

LULA  ...and the ever lovely Zooey Deschanel!

It's been all grey skies and dreary days this week,

but it does look as if it might be warming up...

Beach Holiday Checklist:

Vintage swimsuit. Check. Over-sized sunnies. Check. Beach ball. 

Floppy hat. Pretty sun umbrella and buckets of sunshine....

I think a holiday at the Seaside might be in the making!

xoxox

curiosities

Museum of Black and White No. 5

by Sir Peter Blake

The Dollhouse #3

Wonderful article and links on doll houses

& modern designer minatures  here

apartment love

three wonderful magazine shoots featuring the 

eclectic apartment of Jean-Christophe Aumas  

one...         

via Marie Claire Maison

two....

via Elle Decoration SA

three...

via Elle Decoration UK

 

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE... 

ah, there is so much to love here

Frida

via 

Frida Kahlo for Vogue France, 1938

{ simply beautiful }

The Boudoir

 I found these wonderful 1940s lamps on Etsy

Aren't they beautiful?

They were a little expensive to ship from the US

(the fixtures are cast iron and the hearts are thick glass)

and they need to be rewired but the price was reasonable and

THIS lovely seller let me hold them until I could afford 

them, so I simply couldn't resist purchasing them

The Marie Galant Make-up Trunk

(click here)

And yesterday I spotted the perfect dresser to compliment

those darling little heart-shaped regency boudoir lamps....

It was in an OP shop (and it was cheap) so I bought it!

(No, it's not The Marie Galant. Sigh!)

I couldn't quite place the era my new dresser (perhaps 60s)

so I started doing online research,  just for interest's sake,

& that's when I stumbled upon the gem of a design above...

And isn't it just fabulous?

Ah, the wish list just keeps growing and growing!

(in use via Agent Provocateur)

 I love my dresser, but if I had a few K lying around...

The Marie Galant Make-up Trunk 

is available from 

{|| the conran shop ||}

(I'll post some shots of 'The Boudoir' once it's all pretty-ified)

........................................................................................................

Well.... we've been in our little country house just on a year,

and whilst the house and studio are coming together nicely,

the bedroom could use some TLC (and maybe a lick of paint).

Life is slowly getting back on track around here
after our very sad and sudden trip to Tasmania.

thanks for everyone's love and support xo

..........................................................................................................

the dollybird

You can view all their links via this treasury

which I put together a few days ago,

and you can view my other treasuries here