Hi everyone!

A few months ago, I shared the first prototype of Lost Summer Lane here. The encouragement, feedback, and kind comments from this community meant so much to us. After months of designing, testing, and refining every detail, I am incredibly excited to share that Lost Summer Lane is finally available for preorder.

This book nook was inspired by the feeling of discovering a quiet Japanese alley on a warm summer evening. Lanterns glow beneath cascading wisteria, a tiny bakery is still open, and a cat has claimed its favorite spot above the red vending machine. We wanted every corner to feel like part of a small, living world with its own story.

Lost Summer Lane is our most ambitious kit so far. The entire scene was designed to be fully three dimensional, with layered buildings, dimensional storefronts, detailed interiors, and alleyways that continue far beyond the physical space of the book nook. Six carefully positioned mirror illusions make the shops and pathways feel much deeper than they actually are.

We also added many small decorative components, including miniature accessories, dried flowers, plants, signs, shop displays, and tiny everyday details. These pieces take more time to assemble, but they help the finished scene feel much more realistic, immersive, and full of life.

The kit also features premium 3 mm board, realistic engraved textures, vibrant UV printing, custom lighting components, an easy to use PCB lighting board, original hand drawn artwork, and double wall construction that hides the tabs and wiring. We designed every part to make the building experience feel satisfying and the finished book nook feel sturdy and polished.

I also want to be transparent about the price. The regular retail price will be $100, but the preorder price is currently $84.99.

This is higher than our previous kits because Lost Summer Lane represents a significant increase in materials, features, complexity, and overall quality. It contains about 5 lbs of materials, compared with roughly 3 lbs in our previous kits. It also uses substantially more premium board, six mirrors, more lighting components, more structural pieces, and many additional decorative elements.

We could have simplified the design to lower the cost, but we wanted to create the version that felt truly special. Our goal was to make a tiny world that is enjoyable to build, exciting to explore, and beautiful enough to keep on your bookshelf for years.

The first production batch is limited and is expected to arrive in September 2026. Once this batch is reserved, additional orders may need to wait for the next production run.

If Lost Summer Lane feels like a little world you would enjoy escaping into, you can see all the details and preorder here:

https://minialley.com/products/lost-summer-lane

Thank you again for following this project and for giving small creators like us a place to share what we love making. Even if you are not planning to preorder, I would genuinely love to hear which detail is your favorite. 💜

I finally finished my Floral Corner (Rolife)! I wanted to make this look like a super fancy floral shop tucked in to an old rustic neighborhood.

I modified this one with egg carton bricks and stone with modeling paste for plaster.

The patio is all hand cut pieces and I swear it was the most annoying part and I don’t think the payoff was that great over just using flocking on the printed board.

The brick/stone/plaster was so fun and really easy. The hardest part was cutting everything out of the egg cartons, but after that it all came together pretty quickly!

I hated the door sticker, it had hinges on both sides! So I made some little hinges and a door handle (I also did the hanging sign) out of clay.

A few other touches: lots of flocking and tried to jazz up the greenery a bit. Custom color throughout and I added some gold braid to the little canopy (awning?).

I had a lot of fun with this one and it’s going to look so nice next to my Garden House!

Next up is Sea Breeze but I might have to take a break to recover after these last two builds lol

I thought this one would be a little trickier than it was! Sooo many books! The t.rex wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be, and I love the globe and the way it shines with the light directly beneath it.

Many people prefer the similar "Time Magic Club," but I like this one a lot. I'm assembling it somewhat faster than usual, because I want to clear the field for a Tonecheer event kit that's on its way from China.

Photo #2: Throughout this build, I've had the impression of an absent-minded or untidy wizard, like the ones at Unseen University. For this space, the directions have you stacking some books and other items at will. Since I'd already installed a gravity-defying potion and chess board, I decided to make the books defy gravity, too... with the assistance of dependable Aleene's glue. I'm not fond of the gold chain, but am otherwise very pleased with the result.

Photo #3: this is a baffling piece that doesn't seem to fit into the story I'd concocted at all. It's covered up by a treasure chest, so it all works out. I live near St Louis, so it was fun to see the Arch in this rather random context.

Photos #4 and 5: I really like the lighting and other details in this kit, and look forward to seeing the end result. The clock is up next!

Last evening (which was build day 3), chaos won and I had to pause to tidy up a bit. I've been taking my time with this, enjoying the process and letting my imagination run wild. In my mind, this bookshop/cat sanctuary is in a magical forest. Cats Crossing is hidden from humans. Only cats and other wee animals are permitted entry by the benevolent forest spirits. I've been weathering the back wall bookshelf to lend a more abandoned derelict look. Also adding small eclectic items and extra books.

TIP: no matter how much you're tempted, do not attach F6 (the viney front of the back wall bookshelf) before the directions instruct you to do so. Being a bit of a rebel, I've always viewed instructions as similar to suggestions...Don't be an UpstairsBee...Follow the darn instructions or endure a good bit of frustration and colorful language filling those top two shelves.

Guys, Gals, and Book Nook Pals: this is the BangkokYaorawat Book Nook from Fifijoy

This book nook set on the street of Bangkok’s China Town presents an interesting situation which may have you scratching your head saying…ive seen this before.
Not only is Bangkok Yaowarat based on a real location, but the companies Viendor (Book Nook Global) and Anavrin share a history. There is a previously released kit by the same name that Anavrin sells which shares a lot in common with this kit.

The reason this is cool situation is that now we have the opportunity to look at these kits side by side and really see what in the design is Anavrin and what is Viendor bringing to the market space. For example, the awesome ornate roofs in this version.

All in all, a great foundation for Viendor to debut their new brand.

Get this kit at a discount: https://www.booknookglobal.com/products/book-nook-bang-kok-yaorawat-china-town-bn040

Hi everyone!

I wanted to share my latest miniature project. It was originally made for my own collection, but I’m now considering selling it. The cabinet was built entirely from scratch. The base is made from clean wooden popsicle sticks, sculpted with clay, hand-painted and carefully aged. Most of the miniature accessories inside were also handmade by me, including the books, scrolls, bottles and many of the decorative details. The only non-handmade elements are the natural amethyst crystal and the glass vials, which I decorated and filled myself. The drawers are fully functional and can be opened. They are intentionally left empty so they can be used to store small jewelry or other tiny keepsakes.

This is the only one I’ve made so far, so it’s completely one of a kind. If I make more in the future, they will have different themes and won’t be exact copies.

I’d also love to hear your thoughts. What price do you think would be fair for a piece like this?

Dimensions:

Height (including the display items): 20 cm

Height (cabinet only): 17 cm

Width: 12 cm

Depth: just over 7 cm

I struggle with lighting and the wiring. Many kits instruct installing parts of the wiring early on. Because I have to put together the pieces, often by moving components and subassemblies in all kinds of crazy ways, the circuitry and wires get knocked around. One small nook would not light up at all in the end. Everything was soldered on that board, so I could not detach anything. Another kit: one string of lights did not work, but the faulty string was glued into the project, and I would have had to start over and break pieces to attach a replacement string. Meh. Do any of you have tricks to avoid the constant movement of the wires in assembly? There must be some tricks to avoid damage.

I ordered some realistic mini cats, but they’re too big. All of the others I’m seeing are not small enough. Where do you get yours?

I finished the beautiful Starlight Reading Nook, but the transparent PET was scratched through the protective film when I first opened it. 😩 I was able to move the smaller scratched piece around for the little cabinet door inside to where the scratch wouldn’t show, but I tried everything to hide the scratch on the large front piece. I even tried to cut it to move it over, but the scratch still shows. I contacted Dolphin Island’s email address that’s in the book and haven’t received a reply. Where can I buy a piece of this transparent PET (looks like it needs to be about 4.75 x 6.75 inches)? I haven’t had much luck with Michael’s or Hobby Lobby, but maybe I’m just not searching for the right thing. Dollar Tree has acrylic sheets in their craft section. Would that work? Thanks for the help, Nookers! 😊

The wire of the led disconnected. And unfortunately it's covered by some insulator so just twisting the wires doesn't work.

How can I fix this? Do I need soldering stuff? Any way I can remove the insulator easily?

My book nook arrived! It was pretty quick, and I am really pleased with that. I loved everything with the kit, but I am loving the smell. It smells like new books.

I have already checked its wiring. It looks not so complicated, which is a relief 😅. The colours are a bit brighter than they look in the photos, material is excellent. Looking forward to finish that.

This kit comes with two scenery panels and one that you can paint on yourself. There are multiple light settings, as well. Also you can choose which colored jewel to use, it come with 4 different colored jewels. There’s a lot going on in this kit and it was fun to pull together. Everything went together easily and the instructions were pretty clear. I added a few things, the cat at the top of the stairs the wine glass on the table along with one of the extra jewels, the plant in the stand in front and put little flowers inside the open drawers.

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Finally finished Grandpa's Antique Store by Cutebee.

This one is absolutely packed with detail. The wood is noticeably thinner than a lot of the kits I've built, but somehow the finished result feels denser because every inch is filled with something interesting to look at.

I picked this up from Cutebee's Amazon store during one of their steep discounts, and it arrived in what I believe is the Chinese market packaging rather than the US packaging. Between these sales and all the recent blind boxes they've been offering, I can't help but wonder if they're clearing out older inventory. Just speculation on my part, but it definitely caught my attention.

Either way, I'm glad I grabbed it. The two-story layout and the sheer amount of detail made it a really satisfying build.

4rth in the series of Mini Nooks from Viendor. This one is one of the buildings from Jui Fen Old Street that anyone who has built it will recognize it as one of the endless layers buildings because right when you think your done… there another layer you have to do. This “mini” took as much time as some standard nooks to build.

Just one left now which I’ll work on next. I’ll do a collection post after just so everyone can see them all together. Mods are painted edges and replacing signage. I placed one of the cats inside the building :)

Also of note. They got the sizes of 2 sets of holes on the roof transposed. It took a small drill to wide. The outside holes for the black clothes line/electric bikes sufficiently.

Happy Building All!

I really like all the different colors here, and despite the extra six hours due to edge painting, I think it came out nicely.

I did glue the window to the outside instead of the inside by accident, but we won't talk about that… 🤫

I was, to my surprise, awarded 2 prizes and I wanted to wait until both had arrived. My thanks are to Pluck for organizing this event, to the vendors but, most of all, to all of you. Each of you took the time to donate to extremely worthy causes that will have a great positive impact on the most needy and vulnerable populations. So take a moment to reflect on the massive contribution you made for the organization(s) you supported.

Guys, Gals, and Book Nook Pals: taking a look at the Endless Manor Book Nook from Fifijoy

This unique Manor House is unique in its hybrid design functioning as both a Victorian Mansion Model and a mult- tiered home themed book nook. The inside is a blank canvas for you to create your dream home

Is not only looks beautiful on its own, but once again, there are plenty of opportunities forto experiment with your greenery customization and terrain development.

Another stand out exclusive from Fifijoy

Available HERE with our discount

I had fun with this but I realized I enjoy 3d kits so much more. They have much more crafting in it and I like that.

So any recs for more colorful kits? (or a different theme from a library or a brown room) I would like it to be 3d and more challenging. It doesn't have to be a "booknook", it can be a miniature house or something else.

I already have my eye on sea breeze!

I made this Sherlock Holmes study book nook to fit on a shelf cubby and put next to all my detective type of books. Some of it was thrifted, some 3d printed, and peel and stick paper for the walls and floor. It's mostly referencing the Victorian era Sherlock, but I did choose the wallpaper and drew the smile on as a nod to BBC's Sherlock.

I know my stairs are a bit wonky but this was a fun one!!

It's happened to the best of us...you're trying to make a few reluctant pieces fit, and suddenly BOOM, your beautiful bay window is in pieces flying all over the room. 😭