A modern dollhouse furnished with Karim Rashid, Ron Arad and Robert Kitchen designs, and decorated with Cindy Sherman and Barbara Kruger art, Judy Ross rugs and Jonathan Adler pots sounds like the dream of some design fetishist parent, but this dollhouse actually exists and made it to production for a brief time.
In 2001, Laurie Simmons and architect Peter Wheelwright collaborated with Bozart Toys on the Kaleidoscope Dollhouse. An interactive play environment for kids six and up, the modernist house had sliding transparent walls which could be interchanged and layered for play with color and light.
The dollhouse was discontinued years ago but maintains cult status among design geeks and the dollhouse cognescenti. Several Kaleidoscope Dollhouse items found their way into the products of last year's I'm A Giant challenge. In 2007 Daddy Types blogged in shock as a Kaleidoscope Dollhouse sold on ebay for over $1500, and a quick online scan shows that the collector's market hasn't cooled much. Keep your eyes peeled at garage sales and thrift shops for the coveted dollhouse and accessories.
(Images: Laurie Simmons)
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Okay, I must admit, this is pretty cool!
How cool!
Nifty. When I was dollhouse age, I was prone to doing things like putting my hamsters, lizards or baby bunnies in them. Those things need to be sturdy to withstand kids, so I am not surprised this didn't stay in production long. Even the blessed children of the very affluent and stylish are hard on toys.
I tried to buy one for my daughter back in '05 or '06, just as they were getting out of stock at retailers, and retailers, wise to their collectibility were asking $700. Needless to say, I passed on it...
I have a Kaleidoscope House and I love it! I am so glad I got it back in 2001. I had no idea they'd become such a rare collector's item. It's my prized posession. And when I was in grad school, I did a presentation on Laurie Simmons, one of the artists who helped design it, and brought my dollhouse in as a visual aid.
How well I remember this one!! I LOVED it when I saw it in '01. Really really wanted one but didn't have kids then and couldn't justify giving up so much space to a "toy" for myself. A friend worked at a store that sold it and said I could have their last one for 40% off and I passed! wah.
I can see why it has a cult following and sold for such a high price on ebay. Love all the furniture. I can't believe it has Cindy Sherman and Barbara Kruger art in it. Fantastic!