As exciting as it has been to move into this new house, it was certainly sad to say goodbye to our old house and leave behind all of the parts (and projects!) that we couldn’t take with us. The penny tile backsplash. The deck. The fireplace. Wait, scratch that last one.
Let’s zoom in a bit closer on that little item sitting on the mantel. Well, what do we have here?
That, my friends, is an amazing miniature replica of our fireplace. Miniature as in completely portable and yes-it-totally-came-with-us-to-the-new-house. It’s the creation of Lisa Harrold, a recent fine arts graduate in the UK who specializes in miniatures. She emailed us to say that as a fun exercise to keep her skills fresh, she decided to recreate our fireplace – only smaller. Much smaller.
Since it wasn’t of much use to her after it was done, she asked if she could send it to us as a housewarming gift, and once we convinced her to let us pay her for it and the shipping, it immediately became one of our favorite accessories in our new house. It doesn’t have a final resting spot quite yet (it’s a bit too big/delicate for Clara’s dollhouse) although it might end up on the living room built-ins. These photos are more just my (failed) attempt to photograph the amazing detail that Lisa put into it. They don’t come close to doing it justice.
If the darn thing weren’t so awesome, I’d totally film a monster movie where Burger destroys it Godzilla style. Although that would also require Burger working on his destructive monster face. Right now he’s mainly giving me “confused” and “when can I eat the treat you hid behind this tiny fireplace?”
Yep, still just wants that treat. Guess the mini-fireplace is safe from annihilation for now.
Thanks again to Lisa for the awesome and meaningful mini fireplace. We’re so touched to have such a tangible memento of the love that we put into that house, and we thought sharing the goods might even inspire someone else out there to take something they love with them (Sherry wants to buy them as gifts for everyone we know). We may just have to dig up something from our first house that we can hire her to miniaturize. Sherry thinks the laundry nook would be cute. Or maybe we should go with the living room fireplace, to keep with the theme. You know we love a collection…
Joan says
I LOVE the mini fireplace! It might look good in a shadowbox frame. I’ve seen some beautiful minis displayed that way. (Just received my copy of HGTV magazine, featuring YHL. Congratulations!You and your (old) house look amazing.)
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks Joan!
xo
s
Nicole Smith says
Okay, how freaking adorable is that?! Love it.
Tamara S. says
Fun! Reminds me of my college days as a junior and senior (landscape architect/ land planning). We’d spend hours in the studio designing miniature versions of playgrounds, cities, entry features, multi-use neighborhoods etc. Our favorite trick was buying dried yarrow, spray painting it green and you have miniature trees!
Jyl says
Please please please PLEASE make tiny stockings and a wreath for that at Christmas time!!!!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, I love that.
xo
s
Emily says
That is so cool! What a thoughtful, special present for her to give you. With all the crummy stuff that happens in the world, it is really refreshing to see something so creative and kind.
When I was little, my grandma had a series of miniature rooms in her house that I loved. She used to let me carefully dust the furniture. I can still clearly remember a basket of tiny fruits and vegetables she made out of fimo clay. It’s fun to think of your family having a similar tradition for Clara.
YoungHouseLove says
That’s so sweet.
xo
s
Brittany says
Wow. Does she take orders??
YoungHouseLove says
I think if you check out her site (linked in this post) she does take on commissioned projects :)
xo
s
Courtney says
Speaking of older homes, I’m a Richmond native and saw that your first home in back on the market! The pictures and everything are up on Trulia. I am SO TEMPTED to buy that house – you guys did a super job with it.
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Courtney! We hear it sold already (the pics tend to linger online though) and we’re hoping to house crash the sweet new owner!
xo
s
Venia | Organized Bites says
I actually did take the mantle surround from my Grandparents’ home before it was leveled to make room for “progress”. It was built in the thirties. After making a padded insert for the center, it became our headboard.
crunchycake says
That.Is.Awesome. (to the max)
Megan Poletti says
I love that! I am going to have to get a little reminder of my house when I leave it some day. The exterior would be adorable too, but maybe that’s a too obvious choice?
Katy @ The Non-Consumer Advocate says
Okay, that thing is insane!
People start blogging and don’t understand how wonderful the relationship with readers can be.
Perfection.
Katy
YoungHouseLove says
Yes, the single most surprising thing blogging has taught us is how amazingly talented, sweet, and supportive this little “extended family” of ours can be. Best readers ever.
xo
s
holly says
This is a really awesome idea. Of course very sweet and creative…from the student. But what a neat thing to do when you move…pick one thing you love in your house, that you can not take with you….and re create it!
Bella says
Right now I am eagerly awaiting you posting that someone read this post and made a replica of your penny tile backsplay or your deck :P
Julia @ Cuckoo4Design says
I love the photos of burger and the fireplace. So cute!
Destiny says
I love this more than my luggage!
Caroline Gearing says
So sorry to keep buggng you both.
Posts mentions Sponsors but yet no mention under SPONSORS headline. Please advise. I love your post but this inconsistency is there for me, and probably others.
If you have Sponsors then please list them. Otherwise remove the Sponsors headline.
Hope that helps,
Caroline
YoungHouseLove says
Hi Caroline – perhaps you didn’t see our response to your previous comment. We have sponsors, they just must not be showing on your computer (perhaps you have some ad blocking software installed?). Sorry if it look confusing to you.
-John
Sue says
Maybe she could recreate the den from your first house.
YoungHouseLove says
That would be amazing!
xo
s
Lisa Harrison says
ok, so if only i could miniaturize (don’t look that word up in the dictionary) everything in my home, redecorating would be sooooo easy… just like playing with a dollhouse. :-)
Joyce says
This really made me smile! Burger is the best! :-)
Karen says
Ok, S & J, you guys are gonna get me in soooo much trouble! I’m at work, and I’m reading your blogs, and I just bust out laughing cuz you’re hig-larry-us! You’re very entertaining/funny-as-heck! But I want to keep my job. A conundrum. Burger and the treat hidden in the mini-fireplace? Really, you can’t make this stuff up.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, sorry Karen! I blame John. He’s the funny one.
xo
s
Heather says
Love the miniature but must ask the color in your old home. Love it!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks! That’s Colorado Gray (really, it’s blue).
xo
s