Not Your Child’s Dollhouse

Way back when—long before wee hands placed little plates onto teensy tables—dollhouses weren't even meant to be played with. In 17th-century Europe, these intricate "baby houses" sat in the mansions of the wealthy, full of miniature furniture, fine fabrics, and delicate accessories, a status symbol instead of a toy. They weren't so tiny houses but museum-quality displays, showing that the owners had taste, money, and an appreciation for the best—on a smaller scale. Of course, time has a way of reimagining everything, and dollhouses became playthings later, miniaturizing for children to explore tiny worlds of their own. But here's the catch—these days, I still get a thrill out of creating furniture pieces that don't just look like "doll furniture" but are actual real-life designs in miniature. And while the 1/12 scale pieces are gorgeous and the crafter and miniatures are brilliant (I mean, they really are. Some of their designs leave me speechless with serious mouth open wide), I just love posing dolls that are a little bigger. Because while 1/12th scale has ruled the kingdom of realism for centuries, what if you wanted that realism—but just a bit bigger?

That's where 1/6th scale fits in. It's more substantial, more immersive, and ideal for building highly detailed, lifelike scenes that blur the boundaries between play and display. In a way, it's a contemporary return to what those early collectors adored—pretty pieces, made with care, that bring the magic of real-world interiors in a precisely scaled-down way.

So, whether it's a hand-carved wood shelf, beautifully framed fireplace, or sleek minimalist table that would be just as stylish in a full-sized setting, I love bridging the gaps between art, realism, and miniature narrative. I'll be the first to admit that my pieces are nowhere near the museum-quality work of artists who have been handed down traditions and techniques through time and centuries, but I still love figuring out how to make pieces that adults can use in their dioramas and displays. Even if they want to set them on the mantel as a work of art. I am here for it.

Because sometimes, the most wonderful way to evoke a little bit of magic is to make things just big enough to be real.

The chair on the left was digitally sculpted, printed and painted by me. The chair on the right is the Elegant Italian-style carved chair with plush famously featured in Life magazine’s July 1962 photoshoot by Allan Grant. The photo on the right is credited to Julian’s Auction House