Miniature Decorating Ideas |Articles on decorating dollhouses and the history of this artform
MyBlog
I have had a life-long love affair with dollhouse miniatures, and careers in art education and interior design. I hope to combine these life experiences to help other miniature enthusiasts get more out of this wonderful hobby we enjoy, a hobby that often reaches the level of an art form.
Susan Downing
William Robertson’s Drafting Classroom – 1:12 Scale
William Robertson’s World in 1/12 Scale
In the world of miniatures, William Robertson’s work is some of the most highly sought after in the world. He has been making a living working full time at this since 1977. Robert’s 1/12 scale classroom is a good example. He works in both wood and metal and creates not only individual pieces but also complete rooms. His work has been displayed by institutions like the Smithsonian and the National Geographic Society. A large body of his work can be seen in the National Museum of Toys and Miniatures in his hometown of Kansas City, Missouri. The display is one which he also helped design. In fact, he has been consulted on the proper display of miniatures at a number of museums and contributed significantly to the design of the Kentucky Gateway Museum in Maysville, Kentucky, which houses the Kathleen Savage Browning Miniature Collection
Dominique’s Maison Garfield on the Humpty Dumpty House website
Humpty Dumpty House and the Harry Potter Dragons
The Humpty Dumpty Dollhouse is a delightful site owned by the French miniaturist Dominique. Her skill in creating miniature items – I especially like her shoes – is amazing. Dominique’s taste in dollhouses goes from the traditional, the Victorian Maison Garfield to the bizarre Voodoo Boat, the Humpty Dumpty Dollhouse and the Harry Potter Dragons, the Asimuthe type. The machine translation from French to English may be a bit clunky. The photography is not. And be sure to check out Dominique’s Tips and Miniatures.
I’m sure the dental floss and water pick are in there someplace.
There are many ways of indicating 1/12 scale in your photos of dollhouse miniatures. I admit to being stuck on shiny pennies and the sharp ends of a #2 pencils. Chris Toledo And The 1/12th Scale shows the imaginative ways he does it. Here are a few of my favorite images
Favorite Era
“When I was 9, I had discovered the world of dollhouse miniatures in a magazine that I found in a doctor’s office,” Chris Toledo told Tallie Spencer, a reporter for Insider, “and instantly became obsessed. These weren’t your typical pink plastic Barbie dream houses; they were hyperrealistic works of art by artists all over the world that spared no detail from their life-sized counterparts. I was hooked.”
How about: l’ingrediente più importante in una cucina italiana! (The most important ingredient in an Italian kitchen)
“When it comes to my work, I pull inspiration from my love of historic architecture and my surroundings,” Chris said. “Having lived in Los Angeles my entire life, I always loved the heavy revival-influenced architecture of the city.
“To ensure complete historical accuracy, I rely on a series of historic books I’ve collected from the early 20th century that outline the designs and building techniques of the period. I like to remind people of a time where architecture was a reigning form of art with my pieces.”
This is kind of creepy. Someones coming through the window. One problem, though Chris. Better if you should have gotten a manicure.
The Lived-In Look
In order to bring his work to life and make the sculptures appear more realistic, Toledo incorporates aspects of “wear and tear” into the rooms, making the interior decor appear aged.
“In real rooms, it’s common to see scuffs along the baseboards, handprints around doorknobs, and cobwebs in the corners of the room. These are the things I love to bring into my miniature pieces.”
I’m going to leave Christmas balls alone.
What’s Next
Chris’s projects can take anywhere from one month to two years to finish. Chris is constantly thinking about what to do next.
“As a full-time artist,” he says, “before I even finish a project, my mind is already teeming with 100 other projects and when it comes to miniatures … the only limit is your imagination,” Chris Toledo said.
To see more of Chris Toledo’s work, follow these links:
Louis XV Drawing room in this Mulvany & Rogers “homage” to the Palace at Versailles
3 Versailles Miniatures, 4 Great Artisans
Kevin Mulvany, Suzie Rogers, Harry Smith, and Robert Dawson are four of my favorite miniature artisans, whose work I never tire of studying. What they have accomplished with the Palace at Versailles for inspiration is truly amazing.
