Many thanks to Dee, your Diorama Diva Instructor for allowing me to once again share my ideas and take you through another Tuesday Diorama Discussion.
If you haven't already guessed by the title, today, we're going to narrow the focus to creative seating options; two that were actually designed as 1:6 scale fashion doll seating, but most that were not.
First up are these fun and functional My Scene ottomans which came out of inexpensive, older My Scene playsets such as the boutique and coffee shop. I absolutely adore the thoughtful styling and decorator details. Here are before and after pics of the same ottoman (previously red, now black):
Not too shabby considering they're just molded plastic, eh? Did you notice those great little feet? Although red is nice, I painted it with flat black paint to make it appear more like black leather instead. Suede look spray paint is another good choice for these pieces if you buy them and plan on painting them. Additionally, though I left the feet as is, they pop out with little or no effort which means no masking prior to painting. Hurray!
Here's another My Scene ottoman which makes a perfect perch for a pampered pooch:
Although I don't have a before picture to show you, in this case, the entire ottoman was solid aquamarine including the feet. Since aquamarine wasn't quite what I had in mind for the diorama I was working on at the time, I gave it several coats of off-white and painted the feet a rich shade of gold. To add some pizzazz, I used double sided tape to attach gold trim that I picked up at Walmart. By using tape instead of glue, I can change the trim color and style quickly and easily.
Next, it's time to look at seating that was never designed to be seating. Thanks to The Dollar Spot at Target, this pretty satin trinket box went from plain to posh with the addition of oversized push pins from Walmart as feet (THANK YOU to whoever it was who posted that fantastic idea) as well as more decorative trim from the fabric store (in this case, JoAnn fabric and Craft):
 
Style AND storage. What's not to love? By the way, although I used silver metallic push pins (because I couldn't find the gold ones), I'll be painting those pale gold to match as soon as I can get my hands on the right shade of paint. I think that on the right box, dark brown or black would work well too, but that's up to you and your individual taste.
If I hadn't told you, would you have guessed that this sleek chair started out life as a trinket box, too?
Although I did share this idea in a previous tutorial (Stylin' Storage) it wasn't the focus of the discussion and I thought this idea was well worth revisiting again. As for the how to, it's really simple: 4 wooden pegs painted black and glued on underneath for legs, and then a seat cushion made from a square of basswood wrapped with fabric. Oh, and for the padding underneath? A small square of 1/4" upholstery foam. (Check your local fabric and craft shops -- it should be sold along side fiberfill stuffing and pillow forms.)
When I cut the cushion base, I made sure the fit was snug, but just to be extra sure that the cushion doesn't drop into the body of the box:
Using that same cushion, I turned a paper clip holder from Staples into yet another ottoman with storage. Four more of those oversized push pins from Walmart would have finished this off beautifully for FR girls, but my Silkstones insist that the height is just right as is. In this case, there was no need to put anything underneath the base of the cushion for support.
And now for Part 3: Seating that looks like it was designed to be seating, but wasn't. I found these gorgeous photo frame chairs at Linens 'N Things:
They retail for about $8.00 each (but don't forget to use your 20% off coupon), and those are just two of the many styles available from fan back peacock chairs to wooden rockers. Due to the fact I've never seen these anywhere else, I have a feeling they are a LNT exclusive brand.
The nice thing about the style I chose is that if you don't like them, you can repaint and/or reupholster them in whatever color or fabric you prefer. If you do reupholster them, for added realism, put a little fiberfill stuffing (or cotton balls) underneath the fabric that will go in the photo frame section.
Since 1:6 scale photo chairs are apparently the latest, greatest trend in home decorating in the US, you can also find them (albeit, in different styles) all over, specifically in stores like Hobby Lobby, Home Goods, TJ Maxx, Ross and Kohls. Even JoAnn Fabrics carries them from time to time.
But cute little chairs aren't just for photos any more. A trip to Claire's (a preteen/teen accessory boutique) at my local mall revealed even more surprises:
That mini Papasan chair was actually designed to be a cell phone holder. Although it's a great fit for Kelly sized dolls, your 11 1/2" fashion dolls can also sit in them (but not quite as comfortably). It comes in a wide range of colors as well as gold or silver sequin varieties and retails for approximately $5. In addition to the Papasan chair, there were some other cell phone holder chair styles available (including a suspended wicker basket chair). Like LNT, those particular styles are quite likely a Claire's exclusive, so if you're into unique seating, it may be worth the trip.
Since at some point or another, you might find yourself in a chain store fabric shop, be sure keep an eye out for these clever collectible pin cushion chairs made by Prym Dritz:
Perfectly scaled to 1:6 size fashion dolls, these collectible chairs have been available for a few years now, though the fabrics (and sometimes the style) changes from year to year. Ranging from traditional (as seen above in evergreen velveteen) to poly/cotton pineapple print, to nubby zebra stripes, one of the great features about these chairs is that they have a flat back. So . . . though they're relatively wide, they're not very deep; a plus when it comes to decorating in small spaces.
Last, but certainly not least, who could pass up this little gem:
No, it's not a fancy his and hers potty chair. Actually, it's a votive candle holder with the clear glass votive holders and votives removed. (Which was easy to do since they were not attached.)
When I saw this at TJ Maxx, I knew I had to have it. What I didn't want, however was the not so mellow yellow paint job. Lordy. Can you say: SUNGLASSES PLEASE!
However, the first order of business was to hide those holes! To do that, I cut a piece of posterboard to size.
Afterwards, it was off to the craft store for paint. Although my first thought was to make it bright white, I decided on this color instead:
Unfortunately, I ran out of time before I got to finish this project and scene. Although it works without it, what I definitely would have added is a one-piece seat cushion in a matching mushroom/biege and off white pinstripe.
Meanwhile, here's one last pic. It's a resin trinket box that I picked up at the Dollar Store recently. (This is the same trinket box that is being used as side table in the garden bench photo above.)
Although I think a plain pillow works nicely in that shot, a pillow with dangling tassles on each corner would have worked equally as well while providing an exotic twist.
That wraps up today's diorama discussion. As always, here's hoping you found it useful, inspiring and FUN!
Best Wishes,
Audrey D. (Diva Details)
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