Samantha Humphreys

Art, Photography, Inspiration & Education

Category: miniature

April 5, 2026

Craftsmanship and Memories

My dollhouse project that was started by my grandad fifty years ago has been coming along nicely this week as I have had a little time off to work on it. I have been working on the interior which I will not be overworking as I want to retain as much as possible of what was there originally, I don’t want to lose the appeal of celebrating the history of the production. I will be giving some considered thought to each and every square inch but the old and unfinished look, particularly to the upstairs working area will be my objective.

I had a thought earlier today that I actually don’t want to rush through finishing this as it makes me so happy to work on it. Each detail I add brings back memories of my grandad’s craftsmanship and the stories he used to tell me about his work. I want to savour every moment spent on this project. I do however see it as an evolving and ongoing activity, with real exhibitions and documentation to bring it to a new audience.

I have decided that I want more of an outside space as I have had so many ideas for what this could involve. The vision I have in my mind is serene and inviting with flowers, plants and the occasional art installation. A place that reflects not only my creative vision, but also the warmth of family traditions passed down through generations. I feel as though I am collaborating with my Grandad.

Happy Easter! May it inspire new art endeavours!

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February 28, 2026

Designing a Creative Space: My Arts Centre Vision

I have had the most productive of days. First of all, I bagged up a load of cardboard for recycling that I have been meaning to do for months. With the recycling sorted, I set about making some important decisions on my soon-to-be miniature arts centre.

I enlisted the help of my husband, as he is the one with the know-how when it comes to using the tools needed for the job, and, come to think of it, he is also the one with the tools themselves!

The roof came off in two pieces, but that was to be expected. Removing it revealed a whole new world of possibilities inside. Once it was off, I started to wonder how I could raise the roof. My Gaga had made a pitched roof to make the house more special, which adds character and charm, so I wanted to retain that essence; yet, I also needed the ceilings upstairs to be higher to look more authentic. I want this miniature arts centre to be as close to 12th scale as possible, and it will be, as long as my inhabitants are no taller than the average height!

The doors were all far too small, which led me to opt for a more open-plan design. This choice is not only practical but also more suited to an art space, allowing for a flow of creativity that echoes the environment I envision. Where doors are necessary, such as for the toilet, I decided it will be a non-opening door, as I want to retain the internal walls as much as I can. This kind of design strategy is integral to the atmosphere I’m trying to create.

As I explained in my previous post, I want this project to represent what my life is now, and the person I have become. An arts centre or an art school is a little pipe dream of mine if I ever won the lottery. Like I said, a dream. Yet, I believe in nurturing dreams, and I decided I would surely need to include a teaching space in my building—after all, sharing creativity and skills is what an arts centre is all about.

I am so looking forward to taking this project forward; my mind is swirling with exciting ideas and also with a growing list of things I need to procure!

I have started to prepare the interior for decoration. The atmosphere is taking shape with paint pots, protective dust sheets, and a tray loaded with fresh white paint sitting in the gallery space, all ready for tomorrow’s ventures. The prospect of bringing colour, life and stories to the interior fills me with inspiration, motivating me to push through each phase of this project with the enthusiasm and passion I am filled with.

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February 27, 2026

The Seventies Dollhouse Built by My Grandad

About fifty years ago, my lovely grandad ( or Gaga as we grandchildren called him) built me a dolls house that remains etched in my memory. It was quite a modern yet distinctly seventies style house, complete with oranges, browns and unique architectural details, and I have always loved it to look at. The intricate features, from the tiny windows to the solid wood front door, added a touch of uniqueness. No body had one of these like mine. Back then, though, I didn’t quite know how to play with it, as it didn’t fit my dolls. Once I had meticulously put the miniature furniture in place, I could only look at it with admiration, enchanted by its working lights and the roaring fire that made it feel warm and inviting.

I have always wanted to give my little house a story. Back in the late nineties, when I got married and moved into my own home, I started cleaning and repainting it. I wanted to restore it, not to its old look, but to something more modern. As an adult, I realized the sizes and shapes weren’t quite right, so normal dollhouse items didn’t fit. At that time, I was pregnant with my first child and dealing with a tough pregnancy condition, which left me with no time or energy for dollhouse projects. I managed to do some painting and fix the lights, which was nice. After that, I put the house away until I had more time to think about it.

A few years later, I started making 1:12 scale miniatures, but I was too busy selling them to focus on my own dollhouse. Plus, I had two more babies, so I had my hands full.

Last week, while walking, I thought about cleaning out the loft, which is full of clutter. Suddenly, I got a great idea. I want to appreciate my dollhouse since it was made for me, and I can’t stand the thought of it being stored away or thrown out after I’m gone. I want to update it and fill it with miniatures that reflect my interests and creativity. I’ll need to make some changes so the upstairs matches the size of the downstairs since it’s a bit smaller. I also need to be able to remove the roof for easy access to the rooms. Once I sort that out, I will turn it into a 1:12 scale arts center with an art gallery downstairs and art studios upstairs.

I plan to document my renovations. I look forward to continuing my Gaga’s artistry in bringing life to my special little building and creating a new story inside it.

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