Making an Entrance !

Greetings All !

I’ve moved on to a smaller, but still important space in my set design project.  You may remember (see previous post below) that I incorporated stairs into the lay out of my retro styled apartment. I did this to,  not only offer a seldom done look, but to give me choices when decorating or creating a space for a photo shoot.

One of those choices, of course, is an entry way. It gives depth to the apartment and creates a realistic atmosphere – With a door present, you can imagine your dolls coming and going or wonder just WHO might be coming through it?

I’ve used one of my original door props (see I keep everything) because of its color and styling. I built a door frame to go around the door and painted that the same color as the walls. I didn’t want the door frame  to be too noticeable, just wanted to give the door more depth and create realism.

The next shot of the entry way is more of an aerial view. I did this to show that there are two levels in this tiny space, and this shot gives you a better feeling of the height. Quite roomy for a doll – eh?

And, from a lower (floor ) perspective, showing you how grand a door can look with a few homey touches such as the floor plant and small table with lamp.

My second choice for this space is to use it as a place to mix cocktails.  If I were to imagine this set as a swank, airline stewardess’ apartment in the 1960′s, I’m  sure  some area in the abode would be dedicated to mixing a social drink or two! 

A totally different look in the same space !

Why green? – You may ask… Again, era appropriate and  the simple fact that I love color! I also rubbed on  a little stain to give the piece an eclectic, aged look.  Believe it or not, I actually saw the metal charms first and they were the inspiration for this piece! 

Seeing this area from another angle, shows just how perfectly this little nook can be used as two completely different spaces!

One more space to go before a complete reveal !  Stay tuned more inspiration. 

“Welcome Home” – bringing another dimension to your doll collecting!

Maryann can be contacted here:  welcomehome@maryannroy.com

 

*Welcome Home is a registered-trade mark business. Welcome Home is an independent company and is not affiliated with any other toy company.

All photos, furnishings, set designs, text and ideals are that of the Artist/Owner, Maryann Roy, and may not be used or copied without written permission.

Making choices

When I am working on a set design that has more than one living space, it’s easier to concentrate on one area at a time. Keeping in mind what the space might be used for, color palette and flexibility are tops on my list.  I love having choices !

Focusing in on the living area of this set, I began at the window. Because of its size, it will have the most impact in the room.

Finally – My drapes!  I mentioned before how I was dying to use this fabric.  It has a large pattern,  which as a whole does not work when designing in miniature, but it works here because the space has height and width.

Already having my main colors as staples in the room, I chose complimentary colors for the  furnishings.  I knew I wanted this area to look a bit eclectic, keeping the 60′s theme in mind.  I wanted it to be young, fresh and lively !  Enter the color palette – DELICIOUS !

Color does not intimidate me.  In fact, the more colors I can mix and match in a space, the more exciting the outcome will be.   My choice for seating was to be two sofas rather than the traditional sofa and chair.  I wanted options, and wrestled with myself as far as a color choice for the two.

LOVED the vintage silk in salmon! So warm and inviting and era appropriate and follows my color scheme!  BUT, the gold fleck glitter knit screams 60′s and is such a fun fabric!

Two sofas give me lots of options. I could use just one sofa  to make the space appear even larger, and easily add chairs later. OR, I could use two sofas and make the area look like one large  space for entertaining.  Oh, but the color…Which would it be?!

As I was trying to decide, I thought what are the rules when designing? Is there any set rule that says I can’t have BOTH colors?  Well – no, there isn’t ! Because design is an opinion, and this opinion is mine!

Yup, you guessed it!  One of each!

When I designed these sofas, I was looking for a touch of glamour. I wanted the space to look feminine as I imagined a couple of single gals (stewardess maybe) inhabiting this apartment.  Yet, even though there is the tufting on the seat cushion, I kept the backs simple and casual so that the look did not get too stuffy.

We definitely need pillows, and so here enters the rest of the color!  Pillows, are a must have accessory and one of my favorite things to make!

I made the coffee table and side tables circular, because it plays off the rooms’ sharp,  square, angles.  Again, wanting to keep the room light and fresh, I painted the tables cream and brushed them with gold giving them a French Provincial look.

The rooms accessories (lamps, pillows, table accessories, wall decorations) are next.  This is my favorite part of decorating my sets because it pulls the whole room together and completes my vision. These are the “jewelry”  in the room.

My signature lamps:

Some wall art.  I did again wrestle with which one of these would work best.  Believe it or not, the flocked leaves look brilliant on the wall because it reflects the drape pattern in just the opposite colors and looks great against the blue wall!   However, the gold metallic won out because it’s softer and picks up the gold from the tables.  You may see that leaf pattern hanging on the wall in the future though.

And so, here is a peek at the finished, be jeweled, color combined outcome !

Sunlight:

And, a colorful night time shot:

Stay with “Welcome Home” for the continuation of “Executing a set design” as I move on to another space in the apartment.   The finale will have a photo shoot with dolls, showing the impact that furniture and decor have on bringing your dolls to life.

“Where does YOUR doll live” ?

Welcome Home!

welcomehome@maryannroy.com

 

*Welcome Home is a registered-trade mark business. Welcome Home is an independent company and is not affiliated with any other toy company.

All photos, furnishings, set designs, text and ideals are that of the artist, Maryann Roy, and may not be used or copied without written permission.

Executing a set design

Lots of people ask me where I get my ideas, how I’m inspired, and how the process of my set designs come about.

This week, while making a new design for photo and prop purposes, I thought it would be different to take photos of each stage and share it with all of you.  I don’t normally do this because when I finish a product I want you to see the end result – (colorful, sleek and perfect), not  construction and indecision.

So, look at the process this way – It’s a peek at what goes on inside my head while I am working.  Sometimes decisions are made quickly, and sometimes, I have to sit with an idea before it evolves.   But, I’ve learned to trust my instincts.  

As I progress, I will be designing the furniture  and adding that as well, so you will see how the set evolves and changes.  I’ve already made plan changes!  THAT, you will see today!

Let’s take a tour, shall we?

I think what got the ball rolling on this set was the idea of the new TV show, Pan AM, debuting  in a few weeks.  While I’ve not seen anyones dwellings in the promos, I did think it would be cute to create a space that any of the stewardesses could call home.  So, my place was going to have a 60′s vibe!

In the beginning – with a door :

Without a door:

The reason behind not cutting in the doorway was to give me options. At times, I may like to use the stair landing as a separate space. This might be a good place for a credenza or cocktail bar perhaps.   – Ah, thinking ahead !  Isn’t  it wonderful ?

I made all the pieces independent from one another so that I could change them around at will.  It creates a totally new space!  This will come in handy when I take pictures for sales and magazine articles, and oh heck, let’s face it, – just for fun ! 

 

 Not a bad start for the first day.  The majority of my idea was on the table (literally) !

Come morning though, I had some doubts…

Was it too dark in this space? Did I have enough room to incorporate the furniture the way I wanted ?   See, I had already been thinking about furniture placement, and I wasn’t quite certain this setup was going to work.

First thing to go was the fireplace wall.  Not that I don’t like fireplaces – I really do!  I just thought it took up too much room for this space. Swapping out this wall for another also gave me something else – a color change!  An accent wall could be structure (fireplace, shelving, etc) or, an accent wall could be a contrasting color.

Another obvious change was the floor. The original parquet floor was era appropriate, but too dark for the look I wanted. This lighter “wood” floor looks much better! It’s neutral, and blends well with the walls. Speaking of walls, another change was adding a small, window paneled, wall to the right of the stair landing.  This allows more light in that space, and brought the back wall forward a bit, in turn, making the living area  more rectangular to better accommodate the furniture I have in mind.

Incidentally,  that swatch of material just hanging over the window is going to be drapes!  I love this material and have been dying to use it. It’s sort of a spicy pumpkin and cream color with a large  paisley/floral pattern.  It’s also a hint at what the color palette will be!

 

To be continued ! …

 

 

*Welcome Home is a registered-trade mark business. Welcome Home is an independent company and is not affiliated with any other toy company.

All photos, furnishings, set designs, text and ideals are that of the artist, Maryann Roy, and may not be used or copied without written permission.

 

New Lalka to Love !

As the one woman show of a  miniature set design and furniture business, I don’t get too much time these days to enjoy one of my favorite hobbies – Fashion Doll Collecting.

However, there are occasions when friends of mine, (who also collect dolls) and I, can get together and enjoy some much-needed  camaraderie. 

This past Monday was one such occasion. I had created a little set display in case anyone wanted to take photos with their dolls.  As it turned out, my friend Vin, did just that. I’m sure these pictures will turn up on Flickr, or Facebook, and so on.  But since the set was still on my work table as of today, I thought I would take the opportunity to photograph one of my newest acquisitions.  Yet ANOTHER Lilli Lalka from the UK !  This brings my small, but gratifying collection of these beauties to 4. But, that does not mean I’m done! – Heh,heh

I was delighted to see that Lilli Lalka fit right in to her surroundings.  I hope you enjoy these snaps from my photo shoot today.  It was refreshingly  inspirational for me as I gear up for another big project!

Welcome Home – “Where does YOUR doll Live” ? 

 

 

Lilli Lalkas are periodically found on ebay: www.ebay.com

“Wiggle” Dress by Hilda Westervelt: Bellissima-Couture:  hildaewestervelt@gmail.com

Set design and furnishings – Welcome Home, of course!

welcomehome@maryannroy.com

 

 *Welcome Home is a registered-trade mark business. Welcome Home is an independent company and is not affiliated with any other toy company.

All photos, furnishings, set designs, text and ideals are that of the artist, Maryann Roy, and may not be used or copied without written permission.

“Hostess” Chairs for sale!

William Haines designed this stylish seat with modern-day glamour in mind!  Curved back and sleek tailoring make it the perfect place for your “Hostess” to sit! It is purposely designed as a low piece, allowing it to show off your doll in the most regal manner.

 I first attempted these chairs in my article on William Haines style in FDQ magazine (2008).  The shape and construction were a bit challenging to get just right in miniature, but, as you can see, they make the perfect accessory  all by themselves!

Price : $65.00  per chair + shipping.

Limited to only 10 pieces.  Choices are as follows:

Ivory - (2 )      Gold - (2)    Turquoise  – (2)     SOLD OUT !!     Only  2 Camel  left ! (no tufting on these)

Please email me for availability – welcomehome@maryannroy.com

 

For inquiries and availability:

welcomehome@maryannroy.com