Dollhouse Decorating Ideas – Victorian Dollhouse Accessories and Furniture

Susan's Note:
Idy Keeler gives a good basic list of the types of accessories and pieces of furniture to use in a Victorian dollhouse. I especially like the open paragraphs where Idy describes how the Victorians got to be so … should I say eclectic with their decorating, inside their home and out. The picture used is of a dollhouse purchased by Malcolm Forbes in the late 1980's
as a Christmas present for his granddaughters.

Here is Idy's article:


VICTORIAN DOLLHOUSE ACCESSORIES AND FURNITURE
By Idy Keeler

The Victorian Era (1837 to 1901) was known for its flamboyant, romantic, and excessive decorating style.  It represented the wealth and opulence during the reign of Queen Victoria.  A Victorian Home was meant to showcase the social standing of the owner . Ornate and excessive touches on everything from furniture to greeting cards marked this period.

Dollhouse Artisans – Meet Mary Payne, Miniaturist

The picture of LoBue's Barber Shop on my newsfeed caught my eye. The caption “A recreation of Mary's grand father's barber shop in Weehawken, NJ.” really got me hooked, because preserving memories in in t form of a room box has always been the key to holding my interest in miniatures all these years.

I contacted Mary Payne and got this reply.


“I don’t have much of a backstory for it.  I never saw that barbershop.  The outside was reproduced from a couple of old family pictures.  We have no family members left that remember the inside so I used elements from several  pictures of old barbershops I found online. If you want to see more of my work go to [or website]. All my work is photographed and posted by my husband.  Most of the stores are memorials [of] family and friends who are gone.”


And what a lot of great work it is. Besides the wonderful barber shop room box, check out the rest of Mary's basement.

I identify with Mary in that memories, and the emotions that flow from them, are the important part of my being a miniature enthusiast. If I can't make everything myself, or don't have the time to learn to be  a renaissance artisan, that's all right. I'll buy the wares of other skilled specialists in the dollhouse miniature universe.

Other enthusiasts have the desire to create museum quality works of art, making all the items themselves. God bless them! I'm glad they have the drive and perseverance to make these wonderful creations. It shows me what can be accomplished and to show the heights craftsmanship it's possible to reach.
There is so much latitude in participating in the wonderful hobby … or art form – pick your spot on the spectrum. And knowing that we can change that niche whenever we want. It just time and effort … and some skills.

Here's a link to Mary's section of the family webpage: http://www.inpayne.com/dollhouse/dollhousefrontpage.html