Not All Vintage Miniature Wood Furniture Kits Are of Excellent Quality

I had been awarded several miniature kits at different miniature events over the past several years one being a Heritage Collection Miniature Wood Furniture Kit 189 to create furniture for a living room. The box indicates that the kit is by Realife Miniatures and also has the Scientific Models, Inc. logo. The box has not been opened and is in perfect condition. The kit includes all materials to make a 1 inch scale loveseat, desk, wing chair, coffee table and lamp table. A little research revealed that this kit is from the mid to late 1970's. In 1972 Scientific Models, Inc. stopped producing model airplane kits and became the maker of Realife Miniatures, a line of period doll house furniture.

I recently opened the box with all intentions of assembling and finishing the kit items. Oh no. I did not like what I found. This kit was not something that I would want to use. The kit is complete. The instructions are clear and all materials to complete the items are included. There is even sandpaper, a small paint brush, wood stain and varnish. However the materials are not of very high quality. The wood is very soft. The individual kit pieces were stamped onto the wood to be separated by the user. The stamp did not cut all of the way through the wood and in some cases it is even hard to see any lines at all. The "material" to cover the upholstered pieces is actually a sort of rice paper with a design printed on it. No, no , no I would not want to complete this kit. I was very disappointed.

These kits are no longer being produced. (Gee I wonder why?) However I have seen them for sale in antique shops and at some miniature shows. I would definitely not advise buying one of these kits if you want a quality product. I'm sure you could cut the wood pieces, use your own fabric and eventually end up with miniature items that you could be satisfied with. The kit would offer a great pattern and directions.

Other quality vintage kits are available at some antique shops, vintage shops or miniature shows. If you are interested you may read about them.