19th Century Dolls House Source Material 
Introduction To Victorian Miniatura 
For many, the idea of a Victorian nursery containing a dolls house is how it all begins. Although dolls house modellers now enjoy creating houses in a plethora of themes and eras:- Georgian shops, Dockland penthouses, MacIntosh houses, castles and so on, by far the most popular era is still Victorian. Perhaps this is because Victorian clutter and richness of colour scales down so well, particularly into 1/12th scale. Perhaps it is because the images of times gone by and childhood memories strengthen the concept of what Victoriana means to us. It could be because Queen Victoria reigned for so long that the scope for decoration is much greater. Her reign saw a range of interior designs, architectural variety and so on. Whichever it may be Victoriana can be re-created in miniature most effectively.
It is interesting to make a list of quintessential Victorian items:
• Kitchen range
• Scrubbed kitchen table
• Butler sink
• Mangle
• Whatnot
• Gramophone
• Aspidistra
• Mahogany sideboard
• Brass bedstead
• Jug and ewer set
If these things were to be included in a dolls house we would achieve a strong Victorian overtone very quickly.
Happily for the miniaturist, there was no one particular style incorporated into every Victorian home in reality. This means that the Victorian Miniaturist has a certain artistic licence to include things that they have a particular penchant for even if they are not strictly in keeping with the time period, class or property.
Before beginning to furnish and decorate it may help to select a specific date in Victorian history. Having done that, choose a rough location and some idea of the imaginary inhabitants. The house exterior may give some clues as to what is realistic here. Once these lynch pins are in place the task of completing the house in keeping with the parameters of time, class, budget etc is much more focussed.
Wallpaper. mouldings, fireplaces, lighting and building supplies are all readily availale in 1/12th and 1/24th scale Victoriana through miniature fairs, dolls house shops and mail order companies.
The importance of strong and accurate references and source material can not be over emphasised when creating a successful and credible end product.
Click Here to read about making your own Victorian dolls house
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