As a miniature dollhouse builder, you are acting as an architect. Perhaps you are an architect! Whether you’re a long time professional or a first time amateur, it’s vital that you recognize and understand the authentic style of the house you are trying to build. If you’re going to build or decorate a Victorian era doll house, research the construction, architect and design of these homes to ensure that your dollhouse miniatures are as accurate as possible. In any sort of competetive dollhouse event, judges will score very harshly when it comes to accurate reflections of the style.
If you are going to purchase doll house kits rather than building your own, it can still be very helpful to understand the design of the home to aid you in your decorating process. One benefit to purchasing a pre-made kit is that it will have an authentic and accurate design. Doll house miniatures are available from every era and time period so there’s no reason why your miniature dollhouse shouldn’t be authentic.
There are several key facts and techniques to remember when building or decorating a Victorian style doll house. The style was most popular between teh 1840s to the early 1900s and are known to be unique and one-of-a kind. This is due to the creative, free thinking method of construction during that time; architects were free to use whatever materials were available and make decisions according to their individual tastes. There are many variations of this home, primarily because during that period, architecturally speaking, it was “anything goes.”
Victorian style homes are known to have irregular sides, steep roofs, unique chimneys, extensive porches and uneven floor plans. These unique and varied features is what helps this style of home (and dollhouse) be some charming and individual.
The roofs tend to be not only really high, but also pitched with beautifully patterned shingles. Porches often embrace the entire home and it’s not uncommon to have an external or outdoor room and a gazebo on the property. Including at least one fireplace is a must because this style was popular prior to gas and oil heating mechanisms. Wealthier Victorian Home owners generally had more than one fireplace, typically in the kitchen, living room and/or master bedroom. The irregular sides come from a combination of the porches, bay windows and fireplaces.
Not only is the construction of your Victorian dollhouse important, but so is the interior decoration. Families, particularly wealthy women, used home decor as a method of expressing their wealth and style. Wallpapers and furniture was generally elaborate and very decorative. They included a lot of feminine colors and details. Decoration is inspired by the British Empire and Egyptian and Oriental styles. Popular wood included mahogany and teak and furniture was made from thick, heavy, wooden designs and accented with velvet or leather.
These are all important things to consider during your building and decorating process. This may encourage collectors to purchase a dollhouse kit rather than building one from scratch; it helps ensure authenticity. Either way, there are dollhouse miniatures available in retail stores and at many online sites.
