Samantha Humphreys

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.