Happy New Year!!

Hello Friends . . .

I often wonder. And as many of you know, I often ask, what is your decorating style? It's one way I like to get to know you all better. 
I spoke to Susan the other day. Her style is "French Victorian" in all blue & white - because it's what she loves, she explained - exactly!
Ellen loves everything Teddy Bear . . . She shared photos of rooms from her Bear Cottage   

  and Ursa Manor as well, this home & its residents are dressed up for the holidays.

Some say Victorian. Occasionally I hear mid century modern. Many have said Romantic Shabby Chic which, to me, although I'm eclectic, is a wonderful notion. . . Feminine, soft focus, vintage.

I pictures antiques. . . Actual or replica . . . And charming floral fabrics, tea stained maybe. . .  antique lace. A very live able personal space, Not overly formal - for me anyway lol  . . . But, I digress.

I would really like to know your styles. If romantic shabby chic is you, how do you interpret it?

Some people ask questions to fill space. I'd really love to know your style, your lifestyle & decorating dreams, as you may know, I believe that you can live these out vicariously through your dollhouses, your miniatures. & This will not surprise you - I send a warm welcome to any pictures that you'd like to send!
(Message me through through this blog or the Etsy shop Http://www.MiniatureRoseGarden.etsy.com)

In small scale you don't have to be practical. In materials or thoughts of compromising for your partner's preferences. Budgets. Prices are not the dilemna in 1:12, 1:24, 1:144 or 1:6 scale compared to 100% real life.

This is Maddiiee, 15 1/2. She just got her driving permit. Those are my keys in her hand. She's doing fantastic. I'm grateful!

My daughter Maddiiee & I were in a really interesting shop recently. The decor had such great style. I'm trying to put words to it. Vintage Rocker Chic. It had all the elements that are so popular but it was very edgy with the use of black & platinum. Wrought iron lighting fixtures. Walnut antiques. There was a tin ceiling, the details punctuated by the use of platinum paint. It was so vintage & believable. The whole atmosphere took you in. 

When I spoke with the shop owner, he told me that the replica tin ceiling had been bought at Home Depot. They had personalized it of course. He said it had been very very expensive. 

I'll be putting replica tin ceiling up in the shop this week. This is a great example of how you can get an  element that exudes so much style and helps create your vintage atmosphere yet rather than breaking the bank as in the 100% world, it's very affordable in the dollhouse world.

I know in my household, we are looking forward to the turning over of the clock at midnight and the drop of the ball in Times Square etc. For us, 2013 was a difficult year. So from my family to yours, may we ALL have the happiest, healthiest & most prosperous year ever in 2014 - & for many many years to come!

Reflecting on this today, my husband Greg and I want to kick the new year off by extending a discount to you as a Thank you for your past business & a HAPPY NEW YEAR as well!!

Coupon HAPPY2014 offers you 14% off your total purchase of $40.00 or more. Valid thru January 2nd.
Http://www.MiniatureRoseGarden.etsy.com

XOXOXO Susan

A New Year's dress  - a photo at least - to usher in 2014 with style. . . 
This is one of my favorite stores - even if it's just to look around. Their style is French Boho Chic.  

Please don't be shy. Whether you reply publicly or privately, I would love to hear about your dollhouses. Your styles. I'd love pictures.

I invite you all to come together here to share with each other. I love when you include me by emailing pictures of your dollhouses, rooms and projects. 

Take 2014 to: Live it up. Live out your dreams. Escape into your perfect world.

Visit us on Facebook if you'd like.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Miniature-Rose-Garden/291449770962322?ref=hl

P.S.S.


Isn't this house amazing??

Home is Where You Come From, , , ,

I probably take my decorating "philosophy" from my mother. She is such an interesting woman. Always ahead of her time & a born decorator. 

She decorates in a very innate way. 

Thru her travels with my father at points around the globe, they would pick up pieces over the course of their 55 year marriage! They have bought furniture much the same way. They will choose pieces of furniture in far off places, showrooms around the world. A San Francisco showroom sends a chaise lounge home, an  Idaho artist that worked in a barn sent some very interesting tables, an artist in London who does amazing decoupage of antique pieces for the home, trunks, waste cans etc posts pieces to AZ, showrooms in New York, Paris. . . you name it . . . my mom knows it when she sees it!

Accessories are the same way. . .  wherever she sees them, as long as she loves them, art glass, bookends that are art in themselves, the elaborate front doors and gates of famous authors etc. boxes is a small obsessive collection that has only lost its 1st place position to the art glass in recent years, sets of china were a fascination for a while & with a keen eye & sharp taste, who could argue with her? We went for dinner the other night. I looked at the dish ware & then at her . . ."Ralph Lauren?" "Yes, that's right." , , ,  A simple dinner with family. 

Her tasteful collections that express their personality & good taste are displayed neatly & cleverly everywhere. It must be such a fun place to live, I think.  

Their paintings are the same way. They have the vibe of this special couple who knew each other 5 weeks before marrying! A large pink rose in the hall is from one artist while around the corner,“Blue Dog” by another accomplished artist. 

The blue dog framed & on the wall in my dad's den accompanies the first painting that my parents collected together, on the streets in Paris. Old photos in their frames are on the shelves  too

NW, my father’s initials on the table next to some unique New York art on the table adjacent to the classic black leather Charles Eames chair with accompanying ottoman. 

And the last accessory that makes this house into an exceptional home . . . books!!! My mother loves books most of all. And these are the details that add incredible personality. 

My mother did not set out to be a decorator yet her home would move & inspire the best decorating magazines. But, that was not her goal. 

She made a comfortable home for herself and her husband of now 56 years. It contains all of their memories & reflects their innate good taste. It wasn't planned. It evolved. . .  Naturally . . .  Organically . . .Beautifully.  . . In such a touching way.

I'm their daughter and I feel like I know them even better each time that I visit their home. 

My words don't do their work justice so I will hope to take pics soon. 

Xoxo Susan          Http://www.MiniatureRoseGarden.Etsy.com

Welcome all lovers of Miniatures!

Hi everyone! My name is Susan. I am proud to be wife to my wonderful husband, Greg.
Mother to a fabulous teenager (isn't that an oxymoron??), Maddiie.
Daughter to inspiring parents (married over 56 years - more about them in posts yet to be written).
I have a shop that I love (Http://www.MiniatureRoseGarden.Etsy.com) . . . I aspire to create all of the ideas that my mind keeps kicking out, filling notebook after notebook. . . making me feel behind all the time since I'm working on last year's idea lol - I'll never catch up! However I'm grateful to be more inspired all the time. My enthusiasm never wanes.  
I love the Romantic style but I must say I am eclectic. I think a house . . . And dollhouses are no different. . . Are decorated by choosing all pieces that you really love. When you get them all together and the common theme is you, that you loved them & they are your innate taste, how can you go wrong? I just wouldn't buy items that you have to convince yourself to like. And unless it's going to hurt your family, if a piece is expensive but you LOVE LOVE LOVE it. You won't regret buying it.

Many of you are looking for how to decorate your dollhouse. I would imagine life as it would be if you could have anything you liked & the decor of your dreams . . . You name it!  Whatever your fantasy is. You can't necessary live it in real life but you can do ANYTHING in miniature. Whatever speaks to you. Design to your longtime desires. Many of you have expressed their love of the feminine romantic Shabby Chic look . . translate that into your own private dressing room. . . a space of your own. . .decorated in your specific taste without having to take anyone else into consideration. An inviting chaise perhaps? upholstered in a tea stained floral. . . A soft ballet pink dressing table with a brilliant mirror . . . the frame is surrounded by a garland, shades of graduated pink paper roses on a rope of greenery . . . you feel you're in a garden yet also have the cool elegance of the vintage beveled glass, your favorite family photos tucked into the inner edge of the gilded frame. . .
Have you wanted to try the all white look? My friend Kendall was telling me that she's quite relieved (or was it her children that were relieved?? lol) that she doesn't have to paint her antiques white to bring this desire to fruition.
Let miniatures be your escape. Your relaxing little world. When you go to work on it, let it be play,  let all your troubles melt away.
I have found that I began creating miniatures for the same reason many other people have taken to this charming hobby - something overwhelming was happening in my personal life and somehow/luckily, rather than doing something foolish and self destructive, I looked to the hobby that I enjoyed so much and immersed myself even more. I found comfort and peace in the stroke of the brush. I could lose myself painting and give my mind a rest from all the outside stress and turmoil.
I wish the same for all of you . . . peace. xoxo Susan   Http://www.MiniatureRoseGarden.Etsy.com