Modern miniature worlds

1/12th bachelor pad by the Shopping Sherpa

As the Shopping Sherpa so rightly pointed out, “I find it constantly surprising how miniaturists in the late 20th and early 21st century seem to have suddenly reverted to creating Victorian country dolls houses…So why oh why aren’t [our dolls' houses giving] a clear idea of how people actually lived in the times they were constructed?” (ie. reflecting our own worlds, rather than our versions of history?)

As you have seen in other whipup posts, there are some more modern/shabby chic houses about. I haven’t seen, however, many dolls’ houses or roomboxes like her remarkable 1970s living room. And there are quite a few more pictures of her modern miniature rooms and dolls’ houses on her blog (eg. June 27th, June 11th, April 5th, all 2006)

3/4 inch scale 1970s Lundby lounge by the Shopping Sherpa

As more people buy dolls’ houses built or as kits than build them from scratch, taking their creative pleasure in decorating and furnishing, I thought I’d hunt out a few non-Victorian/Georgian ideas to inspire you.

It may be just over a hundred years old, but Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s architecture and interior design at Hill House have a striking modernity about them. Here is a view of Hill House:

And here is a modern dolls’ house design based on several of Mackintosh’s works, including Hill House. While it’s possible to fill with Mackintosh miniatures, it also offers scope for a different view, a house which would reflect 21st century life.

Mackintosh House (Dolls House Emporium)

I’m intrigued to see the future progress of Martin Paling’s dolls’ house, inspired by Antonio Gaudi, another architect who straddled the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. His particular inspiration is Gaudi’s Casa Batllo.

Casa Batllo

Clay model, 1/48th, preliminary for a future 1/12th doll house

If you want a very modern, streamlined doll house, then Villa Sibi could fit the bill.

Villa Sibi Doll House

Other variations on the commonly-found Victorian/Georgian dolls’ houses include a contemporary ranch, beach cottage, Art Deco house, and a pueblo house.