My sister and I had the best time last Saturday at the Nokomis neighborhood sales in Minneapolis. We came home with some awesome finds. Let’s begin with the craziest thing I purchased.
Yep, an old dollhouse. I need this like I need a hole in my head. But I just couldn’t walk away from it. There’s something about a vintage dollhouse that really speaks to me. I’m going to hope that it speaks to someone else too, because I can’t keep it. It will most likely end up at my Carriage House sale, unless someone out there wants to purchase it before then (hint, hint).
I’m going to clean it up a bit first. Freshen up the paint, re-attach the doors and re-glue some of the wallpaper. Isn’t it great that there is different wallpaper in every room?
The details on this are just so charming!
The gal who was selling it said it had been in the family for over 40 years, and it had even been used as a prop in a stage play at one time. And it even came with just a few pieces of furniture.
I’m planning to have some fun painting those!
I have to say that many of the things I found on Saturday were just slightly unusual. In addition to the dollhouse, I also bought an old doll bed. It has the most fantastic original paint job.
And those little wooden wheels are just so sweet.
I plan to add a shelf across the bottom, clean it up a little and possibly seal that chippy paint. Then it could be used for a row of potted plants or it could be filled with books. I might try it as a centerpiece on my dining room table filled with ironstone. So many possibilities!
Another fun find was a big ol’ stack of vintage blue books.
I also came home with this old toy sailboat.
You might see it again in a photo shoot or two coming up!
But ‘find of the day’ status at Nokomis definitely goes to my sister who spotted this vintage croquet set ahead of me.
It is fully intact with a complete set of balls and everything!
Did any of you get out to some sales last weekend? What was your ‘find of the day’?
I’d love to know!
q is for quandie 
Linda, your finds are so great. About a month ago I also found a doll bed very similar to yours, in pink, but missing a couple of the wooden wheels. I have been racking my brain on where to find replacements – I keep hoping that one of the junky garages in an estate sale will have something to use. My doll bed has wrapped wire across the bottom in the space where you put a mattress, but it’s not in great shape. I also love the sailboat and your sister’s croquet set, it’s amazingly intact and pretty much pristine. Good job, sisters!
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This doll bed isn’t in the greatest shape either. But I’ve got Ken whipping up a new bottom for it and I think it will be fun for display.
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FYI: Wood wheels can be found at Hobby Lobby or any craft store in the wood section.
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Wow…the doll house is fabulous! I know you’ll find a home for it without any problem. And the croquet set is a find too…love the patina. It was a beautiful day…we were at Back to the Fifties, and enjoyed the day walking around the fairgrounds.
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We saw lots of classic cars headed to the fairgrounds and we wondered if you were going. Glad you had fun there!
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Hi Linda and Debbie !! I went to that sale also. Filled my van. I was two minutes too late on purchasing this cool ornate organ piece with carvings ! Had a fun day!
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I bet Debbie and I didn’t even make it to half of the available sales. We filled up her SUV and had no more room. Sometimes it best to just call it quits at that point because it gets to be frustrating continuing to find things, but not having room for them in the vehicle! I saw a great pair of vintage metal garden chairs for $5, but had to pass on them. Nokomis was definitely the place to be last Saturday!
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Years ago, the now defunked Coutry Home magazine, did a Halloween cover using an old dollhouse transformed into a Haunted House. I was enamored – I am never into ghoulish stuff for Halloween and that dollhouse still hangs in the corner of my mind. I always look for one when combing garage sales. I think you won the mother lode of doll houses! I spent a couple of hours yesterday searching for that Country Home cover but to no avail. All in all looks like you two made out like bandits!
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You had some wonderful finds, Linda…I love the dollhouse especially!
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Thanks Linda! When I was doing some pinterest research on possible ideas for the dollhouse, I found out that Joanna Gaines has the same exact dollhouse (painted all white)! So you know it’s good 😉 You can see it here: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/106045766204489615/
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I have a serious “thing” for doll houses and all things miniature- I will be first in line for that doll house at your sale!!!! Can’t wait!!
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I’m so glad I’m not the only one! What is it about miniatures that is so appealing?
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