My Collections!: June 2024

I can’t believe that on June 23rd it will be one year since I discovered the space that is now my Tiny Nursery! So I decided to create a blog about it!

When I first started collecting collectible silicone dolls, and then Reborn dolls, I kept my collection on the bottom shelf of my large curio cabinet in one of my spare bedrooms, which is also my home office. It really wasn’t a great place to store them, especially as my collection grew. It was difficult to get them out of the curio cabinet through the narrow side doors without risking damage. I also had to store all clothing and accessories elsewhere in the house, in a bureau located in my other spare bedroom.

I kept searching for better solutions; just about every different type glassed in shelving units, open shelving units, hutches, etc. After months of trying to find a solution, I finally found something that would work well, around the end of February 2023. It didn’t weigh much and would be easier to move around. Furthermore, this particular cubicle system could be assembled in various ways to accommodate more options for locations in the house.

At first I set it up right next to my curio cabinet, which I had to move a few inches to accommodate the new cubicle system, which blocked the outlet I needed for my shredder. I found a better location in my other spare bedroom next to my country hutch. It worked well but it still wasn’t truly what I wanted. I continued to search for new ideas to satisfy my ambition.

After a while I started thinking about a space in the house that was inaccessible. We have a post a beam home and, upstairs, our attic is the same level as our master suite; on the sides where the roof slants down. I always found it strange there was only one attic on one side of the master suite and not on the other side where the roof slants down, too. The area there is shorter as the door and stairway end that space, while on the opposite side, that space is much longer.

Anyway, I kept asking my husband to explore that area but he insisted there could not be a space there like we had on the other side of the room. But, I always knew there had to be. But there were no doors leading to it. Just solid tongue and groove wooden wall boards with no way to see beyond them.

I also wondered that if there was a space there, what it might look like. Our main attic is finished nicely with solid wooden flooring. It looks nice. But I envisioned this small space likely was not finished and was likely a bunch of insulation and would simply be rough and filthy. I felt it would likely not be a good place for my collections.

On evening of June 23, 2023 my obsession with wanting to know whether or not there was a hidden space there got the better of me! I decided to go to my desk area and remove a couple of the top pieces of tongue and groove wall boards in a spot that is not highly visible and I could not believe it!

The area was finished, just like our other attic space! It wasn’t all that dirty either! A bit dusty and a few small pieces of foam insulation. And it even had a ceiling light wired in!

I quickly decided to remove the rest of the tongue and groove wall boards to expose it! I then cut the boards to the length of the first stud and saved the pieces I had cut to make the door! I put the newly cut pieces of wood back in place, which left an opening for the door to the space! I built the door using the tongue and groove boards secured with 2 studs, and using hinges, hung it in place. The door doesn’t blend in perfectly as I’m no craftsman but it wasn’t bad and barely noticeable!

It has been a year since I did this and my husband still has not noticed this door! I have not told him about the door, or about discovering this little space! He has no idea that my collections reside right behind the headboard in our bed or next to my extra little office area overlooking the living room next to the stairway! This space is truly all mine! I don’t have to share it with anyone! Not even my husband! LOL! My very own private place!

Here are photos from June 23, 2023 when I first accessed this space! What a difference!

The modified wall leaving an opening for the doorway! These boards originally covered the entire wall.

Installing the door. Like I said, I’m no craftsman but it has worked so well in this space that my husband hasn’t noticed the door is there, and it has been there almost for one year!

After work was completed and the area was cleaned up and vacuumed!

Initiating the move here with my collections!

Initial set up!

Upon completion with my entire collections! See my previous blogs for details about all of my collections! So much fun!

My miniature nursery wall!

This was where I was initially storing my silicone and Reborn dolls in my curio cabinet, which is in one of my spare bedrooms/home office:

When I initially bought the storage cubicles the end of February 2023 and had them set up next to my curio!

Then I moved them to the other spare bedroom a couple of days later:

I just LOVE my tiny nursery! It is just soooo much better!

I have been collecting Reborns for the last few years and, at one time, I also had a collection of full body silicone dolls.

Here are all of my current and past Reborns and silicone dolls! It has been so much fun to learn about the many sculpts, editions, artistry, what to look for as far as the various materials and paints, as well as features of the design of the dolls along the way! I know so much more today than I did when I first started out!

CURRENT COLLECTION

*No plans to modify anytime soon!