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General => Report & Review => Topic started by: bonniebeth on March 03, 2011, 02:52:01

Title: 4857 Summer House
Post by: bonniebeth on March 03, 2011, 02:52:01
Ok everybody, i promised a review of this set, so here we go. I will warn you though that I'm having serious problems with my camera, so not only is the quality of some of the pics kind of bad, but I wasn't able to take all the pictures I wanted to take. So when I get my new camera, I may add some.

To start off with, here is a picture of the house from the front.
(http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy289/bonniebeth2/100_5620.jpg)

And a close-up of the family.
(http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy289/bonniebeth2/100_5632.jpg)
The little boy's sandals are part of his feet; the rest are removable.

Title: Re: 4857 Summer House
Post by: bonniebeth on March 03, 2011, 02:53:23
Here we have the furniture that came with this set.
(http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy289/bonniebeth2/100_5701.jpg)
You'll notice that we have an indoor table and chairs and an outdoor table and chairs. This is one thing I find a little odd about this set; the whole focus of it seems to be on cooking and eating! There is no living room in the house, no couch, or outdoor lounge chairs, yet we have two dining sets, a full kitchen inside, and a grill for outdoors.

In line with this, here are all the cooking/eating tools that came with the set, including two sets of four plates.
(http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy289/bonniebeth2/100_5695.jpg)
There were four green cups included, but one was missing when I took the picture. The egg in the bottom of the pan is a sticker.
And here we have the food that came with the set, quite a variety.
(http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy289/bonniebeth2/100_5687.jpg)
Interestingly, all the cans and jars, all the food with stickers, came with the stickers already on, rather than on a sheet for you to apply yourself, the way they usually do.

Title: Re: 4857 Summer House
Post by: bonniebeth on March 03, 2011, 02:54:27
One of the tables set for dinner.
(http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy289/bonniebeth2/100_5605.jpg)

An overview of the kitchen, showing the drawers for storing all the dishes.
(http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy289/bonniebeth2/100_5609.jpg)

Title: Re: 4857 Summer House
Post by: bonniebeth on March 03, 2011, 02:54:58
Here are some close-ups of the bathroom interior. I love the 1-inch tiles!  :love:
(http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy289/bonniebeth2/100_5599.jpg)
(http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy289/bonniebeth2/100_5602.jpg)
(http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy289/bonniebeth2/100_5601.jpg)
Notice there are lots of shelves in the bathroom, so you could add lots of accessories here.

Here are the bathroom accessories that came with it:
(http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy289/bonniebeth2/100_5697.jpg)

Title: Re: 4857 Summer House
Post by: bonniebeth on March 03, 2011, 02:55:26
And now the loft/bedroom:
(http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy289/bonniebeth2/100_5613.jpg)
(http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy289/bonniebeth2/100_5614.jpg)

And the things for the bedroom shelves. Not very much there, but there is a lot of shelf space where you could add books, etc.
(http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy289/bonniebeth2/100_5699.jpg)

Title: Re: 4857 Summer House
Post by: bonniebeth on March 03, 2011, 02:55:41
Well, that's about it for the interior of the house. Like I said earlier, there is no living room, and there is only one bedroom, which is rather cramped! I have to say, I don't think I would find a stay in this house very relaxing at all.  :lol:

One last thing, I really love the new plants that are on the trellis.
(http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy289/bonniebeth2/100_5626.jpg)
This section came wrapped around the trellis and held in place with a rubber band in the box, presumably so it would have the right shape.

And here are a couple of pics of how the plant attaches to the trellis, which I found interesting.
(http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy289/bonniebeth2/100_5629.jpg)
(http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy289/bonniebeth2/100_5630.jpg)

Well, I guess that's about it!
Title: Re: 4857 Summer House
Post by: tonguello on March 03, 2011, 03:26:49
I really like this set. the kid and the father are very cool clickies!

I wonder.... is there any fridge and any Playmo kitchen????? I mean I could understand there is no fridge in the victorian serie, but what about the rest?

Thanx bb for the review.... I would get this one!
Title: Re: 4857 Summer House
Post by: bonniebeth on March 03, 2011, 03:30:21
i think there are in most of the modern houses. That's something I forgot to point out, that there is no fridge.

Yeah, I just checked, and these two sets both have refrigerators:
http://store.playmobilusa.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-US-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=4283&cgid=Stadtleben
http://store.playmobilusa.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-US-Site/en_US/Product-Show?pid=5329&cgid=Puppenhaus
Title: Re: 4857 Summer House
Post by: tonguello on March 03, 2011, 03:33:40
cool! I didn't know the first one.
the second one I had seen it but thought that was a cupboard  :D
thanx bb
Title: Re: 4857 Summer House
Post by: bonniebeth on March 03, 2011, 03:34:31
No problem!  :)9
Title: Re: 4857 Summer House
Post by: Bill Blackhurst on March 03, 2011, 04:03:24
Looks like an order to DS bb!
Title: Re: 4857 Summer House
Post by: bonniebeth on March 03, 2011, 04:08:50
Yep, about that time!
Title: Re: 4857 Summer House
Post by: Tiermann on March 03, 2011, 04:18:07
I just got this set also and really like it. I tried ordering at US DS some of the wall parts and the roof and floor pieces to do an expansion, but they were all out of stock except the corners - and the narrow wall section is listed as discontinued. It may be back anyway, I've had that happen with a brand new item before and it was in stock the next time I tried ordering it.
Title: Re: 4857 Summer House
Post by: playmovictorian on March 03, 2011, 04:52:12
This is a great detailed presentation of this product  :)

I like the outdoors look of the house with the pergola and the climbing plants but I am not so keen about the open plan kitchenette overlooking the loo  :hmm:

Karim :)



Title: Re: 4857 Summer House
Post by: bonniebeth on March 03, 2011, 04:59:00
Yes, that is pretty strange! And there are also two HUGE windows into the bathroom....
Title: Re: 4857 Summer House
Post by: Wolf Knight on March 03, 2011, 06:56:38
I like this set! Very colourful and fun!! Thanks for the great review and pics Bonnie!
Title: Re: 4857 Summer House
Post by: CountBogro on March 03, 2011, 09:00:52
I've got the set as well - and I must admit that I love (nearly) the entire theme.
Though I must admit that I found the interior slightly odd too.
No living room
No Head room (in the sleeping room) ...
A look in from the kitchen right into the bathroom and shower ...

very odd indeed.

However - the kids loved it and played with it a lot.
And it was great watching them play.

But watching them play showed me the one great problem of the set.
There isn't actually room inside to play. Try doing that and you'll knock everything over. Even Brynn (my youngest son of 5) with his tiny hands doesn't manage.
So that's really my big disappointment with the set.
But it is a great set!

Bogro

Title: Re: 4857 Summer House
Post by: PrimusPilus on March 03, 2011, 12:16:28
Yes, that is pretty strange! And there are also two HUGE windows into the bathroom....

Depending on who used the bathroom that's a BIG plus.
Title: Re: 4857 Summer House
Post by: playmojager on March 03, 2011, 13:04:01
Great set and great review BB,
I am already dreaming summer holidays in a Greek island 8-)
Title: Re: 4857 Summer House
Post by: Elric on March 03, 2011, 15:47:15
Great review Bonnie.  I like this set.  A couple of weeks ago I went to my local Learning Express store to get a few specials and other things.  I have gotten to know the store owner pretty well.  As I was looking I noticed he brought out the summer house already put together.  He asked me if I was interested in it and of course I said yes and asked how much he wanted for it.  He said since you come in here and buy alot that I can have it.  It's a complete set without the box.  I was stunned that he would do that.  It's not a set i would have bought because I'm trying to stick to certain themes but my kids love it.
Title: Re: 4857 Summer House
Post by: bonniebeth on March 03, 2011, 15:52:29
Whoa, he gave it to you? That's awesome! Maybe I need to befriend the people at Learning Express a little more.  :P Kidding.
Title: Re: 4857 Summer House
Post by: Rasputin on March 03, 2011, 16:49:20
Thanks for the review  :clap: it is a nice looking set but I agree that it needs to be bigger, a lot bigger. Maybe 2 or 3 of them could be put together. If someone was to have a summer villa is certainly would not be the size of a shack. The one thing at first glance I do not like is the look of the 2nd story window. It just looks odd
Title: Re: 4857 Summer House
Post by: bonniebeth on March 03, 2011, 16:51:39
I did a little creative rearranging of this house last night, and added a privacy wall for the bathroom. It now looks a little better, though it is still small, and it now has an outdoor kitchen! I'll post pics if I can get my camera working.
Title: Re: 4857 Summer House
Post by: toyologist on March 03, 2011, 18:30:43
Thanks for another splendid review! Is that an alarm clock in the loft? That's nice! Does anyone know of other sets that have included an alarm clock? Also, has anyone noticed that the Playmobil people have been coming with a lot of hotdogs/hamburger? We have so many! How about some steaks? They really do need to round out their diets with some other food groups too. :lol:

Title: Re: 4857 Summer House
Post by: bonniebeth on March 03, 2011, 18:40:08
I know, I wish they would have more variety of food, in edible form. i guess that sounds strange. But what I mean is no one is likely to put two heads of cabbage on the table. I would rather something like a bowl of peas. And I wish they had buns for the burgers and hot dogs. But it's ok. Making custom food is fun!
Title: Re: 4857 Summer House
Post by: Elric on March 03, 2011, 20:14:18
Whoa, he gave it to you? That's awesome! Maybe I need to befriend the people at Learning Express a little more.  :P Kidding.

Yes maam!  I have bought ALOT of playmobil from this store.  I go in there so much that all the employees know me on a first name basis.  You don't get that a big store like TRU.
Title: Re: 4857 Summer House
Post by: playmofire on March 03, 2011, 21:55:27
That's an interesting  set, Bonnie, and thank you for an excellent review.  I think I may get some of that crockery etc from DS.
Title: Re: 4857 Summer House
Post by: Justindo on March 06, 2011, 09:18:36
Thanks for the review, bonniebeth! :)  I hope to use some of the parts from this set to create a customized house.  I too really like the trellis and the new plants on it.
Title: Re: 4857 Summer House
Post by: basilsdad on March 06, 2011, 18:01:32
Great review Bonnnie, the pictures you took and your comments were great.  ;D
Joe
Title: Re: 4857 Summer House
Post by: Lindama on March 06, 2011, 22:42:00
Great review Bonnie. I think it looks very nice. Shame about the small interior size.
Title: Re: 4857 Summer House
Post by: Playmoholics on May 13, 2011, 20:34:18
I don't know how I missed this thread. Excellent review, setup and pics bonniebeth!

I am considering buying this set *sigh* (yes, somehow in the last few days I've started collecting the modern vacation theme on top of all the others). Collin and I have been having a blast playing with the 4858 slide with pool, and then today Aaron got home from being out of town and brought us the 4862 speed boat and the 4149 sandcastle thingy. So, what else am I supposed to do? If all these people are out vacationing and having fun, well they need to eat and sleep somewhere, right?  8}

My question is how much do you like this set overall? I think the outside is adorable and I love all the accessories. Do you think you can post some pics of how you rearranged it? BUT I shouldn't be buying anything whatsoever right now.  What should I do?  :thanks:
Title: Re: 4857 Summer House
Post by: bonniebeth on May 14, 2011, 01:23:59
I didn't realize I never posted them! I do like it overall, but I would sort of like to buy another one for it to be big enough. As you say, it's pretty from the outside, but it's difficult to make the interior look like a normal house. Here's some pics of how I arranged it. It has just an outdoor kitchen this way, but at a vacation hime, that might be ok. Here are the pics:

(http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy289/bonniebeth2/100_0018.jpg)

(http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy289/bonniebeth2/100_0021.jpg)

(http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy289/bonniebeth2/100_0015.jpg)

(http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy289/bonniebeth2/100_0014.jpg)

I have the downstairs being the master bedroom:
(http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy289/bonniebeth2/100_0020.jpg)

Here's the outdoor kitchen, with the trellis moved around to the side as a covering. I could have finished this out better, I just didn't take much time with it.
(http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy289/bonniebeth2/100_0013.jpg)

(http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy289/bonniebeth2/100_0023.jpg)

And here's poor speedo dad trying to take a bath! :lol:
(http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy289/bonniebeth2/100_0019.jpg)
Title: Re: 4857 Summer House
Post by: gaspodfreud on May 14, 2011, 01:34:14
thanks for your pictures Bonniebeth , the house seem perfect for a roman house but i don't like the furnitures . I like the leg of the kid (boy) . For me it's not a exeptional box but i think i will buy a lot of creepers (translator plant on the top of the house )
Title: Re: 4857 Summer House
Post by: bonniebeth on May 14, 2011, 01:37:55
Yes, I love those plants! And the trellis they attach to. The klickys in these last pictures are not the ones that came with this house, though. In fact the boy is custom; he originally had black hair.
Title: Re: 4857 Summer House
Post by: gaspodfreud on May 14, 2011, 01:42:06
his blue foot will be perfect for a little roman ...
Title: Re: 4857 Summer House
Post by: bonniebeth on May 14, 2011, 01:44:12
Yes, that is true! You mean the one in the first set of pictures, yes?
Title: Re: 4857 Summer House
Post by: Bill Blackhurst on May 14, 2011, 01:45:43
I like the trellis with the plants too.
Title: Re: 4857 Summer House
Post by: bonniebeth on May 14, 2011, 01:46:35
Looks like an italian villa! :love:
Title: Re: 4857 Summer House
Post by: gaspodfreud on May 14, 2011, 01:47:25
yes ! it's late in france ... see you tomorrow  jeremy
Title: Re: 4857 Summer House
Post by: Bill Blackhurst on May 14, 2011, 01:47:43
Could be.
Title: Re: 4857 Summer House
Post by: Wolf Knight on May 14, 2011, 05:59:57
Thanks for the extra pics Bonnie!!
Title: Re: 4857 Summer House
Post by: Playmoholics on May 14, 2011, 12:21:05
Thanks for the pictures.  :thanks: I really like the outdoor kitchen! Growing up I had a friend whose family owned a vacation home on the lake, and we would spend a week or so there every summer. The house was very small and only really had room for a bed, small table and kitchen, and a very tiny living room (in fact, we usually slept in a tent in the yard). It did have a very large deck overlooking the lake. I think that perhaps it was designed to be such a small vacation home because it really isn't for living in; it is really just a place to sleep and eat while your out having fun and doing other things  :love:

I like that in your design you have mad privacy for the poor speedo dad (who, by the way, Collin always plays is Aaron and he always goes to work in his speedo  :lol: ).
Title: Re: 4857 Summer House
Post by: bonniebeth on May 14, 2011, 13:08:32
He has daddy go to work in a speedo? That's so funny! :lol: :lol: :lol:
Title: Re: 4857 Summer House
Post by: Rasputin on May 14, 2011, 13:11:49

I like that in your design you have mad privacy for the poor speedo dad (who, by the way, Collin always plays is Aaron and he always goes to work in his speedo  :lol: ).

Hmm, Interesting job Aaron has   :P
Title: Re: 4857 Summer House
Post by: viviana on May 14, 2011, 18:09:50
Thanks Bonniebeth for the nice pictures, you did a nice job too with re arranging the interior! Before I had read your post, i bought the summerhouse too. I had my doubts concerning what my wallet would say about it, but i really couldn't resist and i had set my hopes on it for a while and so i sort of impulsively bought it... i bought it with the intention to make it a house where two students could live. ( small houses for small wallets, right? ) i live in amsterdam, where a lot of students live in even smaller houses than this summer house!
it's a pity that i don't have much 'youngster playmo's' in my collection. and i actually wondered about that, why doesn't playmobil make more klicky's that differ in age? ( maybe because children only think in adults and kids and not in 'in between ages'? )
Title: Re: 4857 Summer House
Post by: bonniebeth on May 14, 2011, 18:16:19
I know, I wish they would make at least one more in between size klicky. They do have adult size klickys made to look like teenagers, with baggy pants and all, but families would look more realistic if the kids were various sizes.
Title: Re: 4857 Summer House
Post by: Playmoholics on May 14, 2011, 22:43:14
That's true. I've never even thought about that. I wold really like to see teenage klickies. Those would make for some pretty interesting specials, I'm sure  :lol:
Title: Re: 4857 Summer House
Post by: bonniebeth on May 14, 2011, 23:03:30
Maybe even two more sizes, one teenage, and the other between the current baby and child sizes would be nice. But I don't think it's gonna happen. :-\
Title: Re: 4857 Summer House
Post by: Playmoholics on May 14, 2011, 23:08:07
Yeah, imagine all the new molds and accessories  ::) Just imagine  :cloud9:
Title: Re: 4857 Summer House
Post by: bonniebeth on May 14, 2011, 23:08:56
 :yup: :cloud9:
Title: Re: 4857 Summer House
Post by: Bill Blackhurst on May 15, 2011, 01:17:13
 :hmm: Women! Wanting to have different sized Klicky children, when there is a feeling of doom looming over Playmobil land due to Made in China substandard sets! :hissyfit:
Title: Re: 4857 Summer House
Post by: Playmoholics on May 15, 2011, 01:18:17
Goodness gracious, life must go on  ::)
Title: Re: 4857 Summer House
Post by: bonniebeth on May 15, 2011, 01:19:01
:hmm: Women! Wanting to have different sized Klicky children, when there is a feeling of doom looming over Playmobil land due to Made in China substandard sets! :hissyfit:

(http://www.mazeguy.net/silly/raspberry.gif)
Title: Re: 4857 Summer House
Post by: Playmoholics on May 15, 2011, 01:19:52
 :lol:
Title: Re: 4857 Summer House
Post by: Bill Blackhurst on May 15, 2011, 01:20:29
Playmobil life may not, if they continue going down the Made in China path!
Title: Re: 4857 Summer House
Post by: bonniebeth on May 15, 2011, 01:21:25
Very true. :-\ Their quality is what they have going for them!
Title: Re: 4857 Summer House
Post by: Playmoholics on May 15, 2011, 01:21:40
That is true. I don't think I would buy the Chinese-made stuff, if not for quality but on a political standpoint.  :hmm:
Title: Re: 4857 Summer House
Post by: Bill Blackhurst on May 15, 2011, 01:22:01
(http://www.mazeguy.net/silly/raspberry.gif)

I've told you before bb,......No thank's, remember? ;)
Title: Re: 4857 Summer House
Post by: bonniebeth on May 15, 2011, 01:23:11
Yes, I remember! (http://www.mazeguy.net/silly/fryingpan.gif)
Title: Re: 4857 Summer House
Post by: Bill Blackhurst on May 15, 2011, 01:24:50
Very true. :-\ Their quality is what they have going for them!

If you want to see an inferior Playmobil set, get the Made in China fire truck, & compare it to the new versions, then tell me what yoooou think. :-\
Title: Re: 4857 Summer House
Post by: bonniebeth on May 15, 2011, 01:26:31
I wouldn't waste the money. I've seen it at TRU, and even the box looks cheap, like a megablocks package. :loco:
Title: Re: 4857 Summer House
Post by: Playmoholics on May 15, 2011, 01:30:23
Ack. I don't understand why the company would go there  :eh?:
Title: Re: 4857 Summer House
Post by: Robbie on May 15, 2011, 01:32:32
Very detailed review, Bonnie! I really like this set! :)
Title: Re: 4857 Summer House
Post by: playmogal on May 15, 2011, 01:51:15
Thanks for the helpful review and everyone's comments.
I purchased the summer house off eBay when I first saw it, and love the set. Yes, it is very small and lacks a living room and complete kitchen; that requires one to buy another set or two to enlarge it...just like we do with other houses and buildings.
And if you really are lucky, Playmo US parts will have a few pieces of furniture to finish out a set like this when you call. Recently I lucked out getting a few of the light orange sofa/chair combos (from the cabin set 3280 I think), and they look great in all of the modern houses I have built so far.
The arbor and plants are lovely; the overall design of this set is first rate. I used to build Lego houses, but these are so much more entertaining! The furnishings and interiors are so much fun to play with when you add pieces from other sets.
It would be great to see how others have customized the set. Due to remodeling our house, mine is in storage right now. When it comes out, will rebuild it and post a photo.
If you need a present for someone, this is a set that appeals to young and old, which makes it a marvelous gift for anyone who likes to build.
Keep up the great reviews and discussions!!!
Title: Re: 4857 Summer House
Post by: bonniebeth on May 15, 2011, 01:54:57
Some very good suggestions, playmogal. Welcome to the forum! I loooove your profile pic. Be sure and start a topic in the welcome section so we can all properly welcome you!
Title: Re: 4857 Summer House
Post by: Playmoholics on May 15, 2011, 02:14:47
Welcome playmogal  :wave:

Does anyone have any ideas on how to add a story to the home. I think one extra level would be perfect (the floor and stairs perhaps reversed). That way you could have the extra level for a small living room and move the bathroom upstairs to make room for a bigger kitchen  :eh?:



Title: Re: 4857 Summer House
Post by: playmogal on May 27, 2011, 23:08:00
Bonniebeth,
Thanks for the welcome! The wedding topper bride and groom were selected from our PM by my son and his wife after they looked at all of the figures and we did some changing of hair to get the right colors. The guests loved the figures, and each got to put a flower on the cake to decorate it. So the cake looked wonderful with the flowers all over and bride and groom on top.
Not sure where the welcome section is....any hints? ;) Please keep up the great reviews and photos!
Title: Re: 4857 Summer House
Post by: tonguello on May 27, 2011, 23:11:04
Bonniebeth,
Thanks for the welcome! The wedding topper bride and groom were selected from our PM by my son and his wife after they looked at all of the figures and we did some changing of hair to get the right colors. The guests loved the figures, and each got to put a flower on the cake to decorate it. So the cake looked wonderful with the flowers all over and bride and groom on top.
Not sure where the welcome section is....any hints? ;) Please keep up the great reviews and photos!

The welcome section is the first one on the HOME page  ;)
I love your avatar too!
Title: Re: 4857 Summer House
Post by: retronio22 on July 22, 2012, 14:49:40
This house is perfect!Is able to add an extension next to the house to put a living room?And for the second floor to put a bigger baseplate?
Title: Re: 4857 Summer House
Post by: DrDalek6 on July 22, 2012, 20:30:05
Interesting it looks like a very interesting and beautiful building  :) love the exterior and the figures, don't have it myself but, it looks like it could use some more space and a bigger indoor table and more non kitchen accessories wouldn't be a bad idea

Maybe even two more sizes, one teenage, and the other between the current baby and child sizes would be nice. But I don't think it's gonna happen. :-\

I've also thought this but, as you say it would require a lot of money and work to make it happen, I can't help but, think of the teenage figures as just adults trying to look more trendy just looks weird to me as do figures that look like they should be men with womens hair pieces or vice versa may just be me though