ianandjane
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Registered: 02-2010
Location: Pennsylvania, USA
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Calico Critters Family Room (CC2266)
This was one of the first sets that I wanted when we started buying furniture. I saw it on a web site, on a couple of web sites actually, and none of them really had it. Sold out. Out of stock. And every other way that it can be said. I knew that the set was retired from the Calico Critters line, but felt somewhere had to have one left. I kept looking and finally was able to find one. I'm very glad that I did.
Now, I'm not being cruel writing a review for a product that is hard to find especially a year after I got mine. sylvanianfamilies.com recently listed that the item would be returning and has since returned.
Here's is my set all put together as a tidy room.
The set includes thirty-nine peices. The only silly one is the flooring, but if you don't have a house to put the set in, these flooring pieces in the old sets would be useful to define spaces. The picutre on sylvanianfamilies.com does not show this; I don't know if it's included.
Other than the overall design of the room which really includes each peice being well thoughout to match with all of the others, the real draw to this set for me was the screen. The screen is an amazing peice of furniture with great detailing and it fills the set with such a strong impact. It will definitely come in handy when trying to divide the larger play rooms of a Sylvanian Families house into two sections.
The "wicker" chairs and coffee table match perfectly with the light wicker and darker wicker trim. Actually the small basket with lid also matches making the set tie together even more wonderfully. The blue throw pillows are the right color to be interesting but not standoffish.
The tea set has a nicely designed tea pot with removable lid. The cups are pretty standard as are the saucers, but the spoons are like no other in my collection. They are two-toned with a "wooden" brown handle and a silver spoon. It's not a significant detail, a completely silver spoon would not have ruined the set, but it's a detail that does catch the eye when noticed.
The sideboard or buffet has a little wicker drawer making it match the other pieces. The clock is also pretty standard along with the wicker magazine rack.
The three books and magazines are an amazing quality. I'll have to pull them out of my collection and take some close up pictures or scans. This is an older set and you had to fold them together yourself. This set was the first time my wife and I had that task and we were in disbelief at how easily the folded and how well they stayed together. The details on each magazine page were clear; we were impressed. I definitely think that newer magazines are lacking this quantity. They do not fold as neatly and are not as detailed in my opinion, nor do they stay folded as well as these have.
The lace table runners are always a welcome addition to the Calico Critter room. They make the room feel more friendly and real. The flower basket is also a nice piece; I'm shocked that it hasn't turned up in more sets. The four stickers that are folded into envelopes are nice. You can read that all four are the same though which is a little disappointing but not that match. They say "Calico Critters Village, Mr. (or Ms.) Milk Rabbit, Striped Cat Grandmother" The letter holder is also nice. Simple, sure, but it adds another hidden little detail into the room.
Not pictured are two picture frames, one for the wall and the other for a table. Three large stickers for the wall frame are included: a still life of a bowl of fruit, a landscape of a yellow cottage, and a bunch of red flowers. Two small stickers are included for the small frame: a striped cat mother portrait and a portrait of a milk rabbit sister and baby boy.
The last wicker basket with handles holds a mystery. I really like Calico Critters furniture because written on each box is the contents of the set, but this piece that fits into the basket was not listed. I'm calling it a stack of yarn (in the past I thought they were oranges), but if you have guesses or know what it is, please post!
The set is amazingly detailed, probably the best I've seen from Calico Critters or Sylvanian Families. I know it's my favorite, and I'm hoping that it will be added to your favorite lists. Image the relaxing family moments and friend moments that you could have in this room!
-Eric
Click on the link to is the room inventory for this set:
http://calicocrittersfansite.weebly.com/family-room-inventory.html
Last edited by ianandjane, 9/12/2010, 12:43 pm
--- A Calico Town: a Calico Critters and Sylvanian Families Fan Site: http://calicocrittersfansite.weebly.com
View our other toy collections at: http://ourfamilystoybox.weebly.com.
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9/12/2010, 12:43 pm
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ianandjane
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Registered: 02-2010
Location: Pennsylvania, USA
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Re: Calico Critters Family Room (CC2266)
I showed my wife the large picture of the mystery item, and she suggested cookies. I'm thinking that's better than my thought of a stack of yarn.
I'm also thought that it was some kind of flower...
-Eric
--- A Calico Town: a Calico Critters and Sylvanian Families Fan Site: http://calicocrittersfansite.weebly.com
View our other toy collections at: http://ourfamilystoybox.weebly.com.
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9/12/2010, 12:47 pm
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toukkero
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Registered: 11-2009
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Re: Calico Critters Family Room (CC2266)
Great review!
The mystery objects looke like buns to me The upper one has some green frosting on it.
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9/12/2010, 1:25 pm
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gpwsbeaver
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Re: Calico Critters Family Room (CC2266)
I've always thought that the mystery item is something Japanese. This set (and many others) came out in Japan first, and sometimes they don't change small items that are typical in Japan, but not generally recognizable to the rest of the world. My guess is that it is has some kind of food as well, but I have no idea what kind.
Another example is the veggie stand/market sets, often they include a couple of weird veggies or fruits that are not common in the US or UK. Like that one thing that sort of looks like a cabbage but it has a brown steam. I have no idea what that is supposed to be.
--- http://www.sylvanian-families.net
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9/12/2010, 2:31 pm
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theratpack360
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Registered: 11-2009
Location: New York State, USA
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Re: Calico Critters Family Room (CC2266)
If we're thinking that item(s) is Japanese...maybe it's mochi?
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9/12/2010, 2:54 pm
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ianandjane
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Registered: 02-2010
Location: Pennsylvania, USA
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Re: Calico Critters Family Room (CC2266)
Courtney, I was just coming to post that.
Here's a pretty convincing picture:
I tend to forget that Calico Critters stem from Japan. As soon as Wendy put the idea in my head, I was off looking for a good mochi picture.
I want mochi now.
-Eric
--- A Calico Town: a Calico Critters and Sylvanian Families Fan Site: http://calicocrittersfansite.weebly.com
View our other toy collections at: http://ourfamilystoybox.weebly.com.
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9/12/2010, 3:03 pm
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theratpack360
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Re: Calico Critters Family Room (CC2266)
Next time I'm at the Korean H Mart near me I'll get some for you.
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9/12/2010, 3:36 pm
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duckpuddle
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Registered: 03-2008
Location: South Australia
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Re: Calico Critters Family Room (CC2266)
I've always thought they were just badly done oranges and lemons.
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My blog: Plastic Candy
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9/12/2010, 6:38 pm
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Okasaneko
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Registered: 11-2009
Location: Philippines
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Re: Calico Critters Family Room (CC2266)
When I asked a relative to pick up this CC set for me, she sent me the Family Room with aquarium, which has the same wicker chairs and table, except it has none of the other good stuff, not even the chair cushions. I love this family room set and I'm glad SSK is stocking up on it again. I wish it would also come with the area carpet; it completes the native feel of the room.
Those mochi (the real ones) look yummy! :-) I could use a mochi too. (Oh, wait, I do have mochi in the house right now, heehee! *runs and gobbles a few*)
Pinky
Okasaneko Chronicles
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9/12/2010, 7:03 pm
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lostmymarblz
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Registered: 03-2007
Location: Edmonton Alberta Canada
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Re: Calico Critters Family Room (CC2266)
I love this room set. It's even better than the set with the aquarium. The aquarium is kind of an odd shape and doesn't fit easily into rooms, imo. I have the Family Room Set out on the front porch of the CC Deluxe Village House in my personal collection.
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9/12/2010, 7:27 pm
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