December 2010, Issue 11
Book Review
Page 20
Book Review, A Fabulous Dollhouse
Instead, a whole series of 30 dolls were created based on Florine's painting style using wire and cloth batting dolls covered in crepe paper and gesso and featuring wooden bead heads covered in lightly modeled epoxy clay.
Their placement throughout the rooms, as well as the opulent Christmas decorations, lent a warm and inviting quality to the house as depicted in the book. All the other furnishings were either created or modified by Carrie herself over the 19 years of its construction.
The front and back covers of the book offer vivid color photos of the house while the interior features up close black and whites with accompanying text.
The tour begins with the foyer, with a large crystal chandelier above a marble floor and an enclosed elevator with etched glass panels and a caricature of Carrie Stettheimer herself welcoming the Baroness de Meyer.
On to the Chinese-themed library with gold tea-chest wallpaper and mustard yellow carpet and black lacquer furniture. Author Carl Van Vechten and Isabelle Lachaise are set to play Mah-Jongg with a set of tiny tiles made by Carrie.
In the kitchen a jaunty French chef presides over a Delft blue and white room. An interesting historical note included is that "a deliberately decorated kitchen was something new for the 20s."
The nursery is one of the most creative rooms with black carpet setting off mosaic confetti walls topped by a frieze of animals boarding Noah's Ark. A very modern Mrs. Noah and daughters are portrayed with umbrellas - one daring daughter even wears a bathing suit - while Noah himself sports a raincoat and galoshes.
Custom Dolls, Houses & Miniatures / CDHM