Latest Work

The Laundry Room

I’ve been admiring farmhouse-style laundry rooms on Pinterest for months, and I’ve been wanting to create one in miniature for just about as long, so when I saw the roombox kits from ScaledRealmMinis, I immediately knew what my next project was going to be!

After collecting copious inspiration photos on Pinterest, I got to work on creating the mini laundry room of my dreams. Even though the roomboxes from ScaledRealmMinis have awesome laser cut floors, I knew I wanted a tile look in the laundry room, so I found trendy printable patterns from ChloeMiniHome for the floor and for the white brick wall. I printed the tile on glossy photo paper and the brick on matte.

Dollhouse Miniature Laundry Room Scene in 1" Scale

Once the floors and walls were done, I added in the baseboard and a quarter round in the corner. Then, I started with the most important part of any laundry room – the washer and dryer! I used a standard wooden set, but I wasn’t happy with how they looked out of the box, so I decided to get a little creative and make some modifications.

To start, I printed out photos of Speed Queen control panels (in honor of my own Speed Queen washer and dryer). Once I placed those over the existing controls, they looked much better, but they still didn’t have the gloss sheen that you see on real appliances. Rather than try to repaint with a gloss finish, I decided I would try my luck with coating them with UV resin. Several coats later, I was pretty happy with the results! They’re not perfect, but definitely an improvement over the originals!

A modern farmhouse laundry room scene in 1:12 scale

The other main elements I needed to install before I could get to all the fun little details were the lights, the counters and the sink. The awesome sink cabinet, faucet and handles all came from Melvin’s Miniatures.

A modern farmhouse laundry room scene in 1:12 scale

From there, I just cut, stained and painted wood to create all the other countertops – including the L-shape in the corner and the enclosure for the washer/dryer set. I also installed two shelves with brackets from Melvin’s Miniatures above the counter and sink.

I modified an existing ironing board to fit my theme, painting the legs silver and recovering it with black and white checkered fabric. The rolling laundry hamper was inspired by some I saw on Pinterest, as well. I used chip board covered with cotton batting and gray fabric to make the hamper. I sewed an inner liner from white cotton fabric, and I used card stock and beads to make the casters. Then, I just filled it up with dirty laundry!

Barn lights and miniature laundry products in a one-inch scale laundry room scene with farmhouse decor

I was most excited about figuring out how to create my own working set of farmhouse-style sconce lights, but I also knew it was going to be the most challenging to do. After quite a bit of trial and error, I ended up using chip LED lights from Evan Designs along with suction cups, silicone tubing, wire, no hole beads and metal bezel stud settings, all spray painted a satin black. I absolutely LOVE how they turned out!

I also designed all the labels for the various jars and cleaning products myself. I’ve got everything from dryer balls to scent booster! After seeing detergent and softener dispensers on Pinterest, I recreated them in miniature by taking glass jars and gluing on spigots, then filling them with resin. The scrub brush was made from a piece of popsicle stick with little clumps of jute twine glued on for the bristles. I wish my real laundry room was this organized!

A dollhouse miniature vase of eucalyptus in a one-inch scale laundry room scene with farmhouse decor

I had a blast coming up with decorative elements for the laundry room, and I thought eucalyptus would be a perfect fit – it smells nice and it’s very soothing. I made this one from laser cut leaves by SDK Miniatures.

A wall shelf with towels and a laundry sign in a one-inch scale laundry room scene with farmhouse decor

I made these rolled towels and the folded towels next to the washer from white baby wash cloths. They are a little better for scale than standard terry cloth. Then I placed my Wash Dry and Fold sign next to them!

A handmade miniature wreath with cotton and magnolia in a one-inch scale laundry room scene with farmhouse decor

I made this little grapevine wreath with a paper magnolia flower and cotton bolls from my tutorial! There’s also a little pitcher of cotton over on one of the shelves.

Dollhouse miniature cleaning products and paper towels in a one-inch scale laundry room scene with farmhouse decor

A simple wood disc and a toothpick painted black makes for an easy paper towel holder. The sponge was also a cinch: just a piece of green felt glued to a yellow foam sheet.

A dollhouse miniature keep the change jar of coins in a one-inch scale laundry room scene with farmhouse decor

This spare change sign was a last-minute addition after I saw a real one on Pinterest! After all, what else are you supposed to do with all the change that falls out in the wash? I made the mason jar from resin in a mold, and then I made all the coins from black polymer clay dusted with metallic mica powders in silver and copper.

The laundry basket is just filled with scraps of fabric that I saturated with water, scrunched up and arranged until it looked just messy enough to be unfolded laundry. Once it all dried, it looked perfect.

Clothes hangers and folded shirts in a one-inch scale laundry room scene with farmhouse decor

I don’t really sew too frequently, so I definitely wanted a no-sew solution for having a few folded shirts to display, and I followed this helpful tutorial on YouTube to create them!

A dollhouse miniature folded shirt, iron and ironing board in a one-inch scale laundry room scene with farmhouse decor
A handmade washboard wall shelf in a one-inch scale laundry room scene with farmhouse decor

In yet another burst of Pinspiration (that’s a word, right?), I wanted to make a little decorative wall shelf that looked like an old washboard. This was super easy to make, using craft wood matchsticks, balsa wood and corrugated paper painted silver and gunmetal gray. Isn’t it just the thing to display this Sir Thomas Thumb antique flat iron?

Handmade jars of laundry washing soap and clothespins in a one-inch scale laundry room scene with farmhouse decor
A dollhouse miniature dog in a one-inch scale laundry room scene with farmhouse decor

And of course, I just can’t seem to make a scene without an animal, so I tucked a little dog bed under the countertop and added a bag and bowl of food. He looks cozy, right?

A washer and dryer set in a one-inch scale laundry room scene with farmhouse decor

Sources for other special items I didn’t make myself:

  • Old-fashioned clothespins and clothes hangers by Reynold’s Metal
  • Bucket, dustpan and brush by Miniature Corner – Bodo Hennig
  • Wooden clothespins in jar by Dragonfly International
  • Floor vase with branches by IslandTradingCo

Special thanks to my supportive husband, Tom, for helping me with the photos for this feature. I hope you enjoyed this look inside my little farmhouse laundry roombox!

Waiting for Santa – Christmas Roombox

Hello friends and happy New Year! Despite being a little late to share my latest roombox for Christmas, I think it was worth the wait! This piece, which I have titled “Waiting for Santa,” was a ton of fun to make. At first I was a little worried about mixing so many textures, patterns and colors in one space, but I love how it turned out in the end. I hope you love it, too!

Waiting for Santa

Christmas-themed miniature roombox diorama with a Christmas tree and Santa coming down the chimney

The tree is lit, the milk and cookies are out, and the puppy is waiting patiently – albeit a little mischievously – for Santa to arrive! Little does he know the big guy is about to catch him unwrapping one of the presents!

Lighted dollhouse miniature Christmas tree with pine cones, ornaments and ribbons

It was a joy decorating this Christmas tree! I got the bare tree from MrTrain on Etsy, added a set of battery-operated warm white LED lights from Evan Designs, and got to decorating with ribbons, tinsel, ornaments and tiny pine cones.

Dollhouse miniature golden retriever puppy with a Christmas present and bow on his head

The puppy is an artisan piece by JadeMinis I picked up second-hand, and I added the ribbon wrapped around the body and the bow on his head.

Santa's boots coming down the chimney in a dollhouse miniature roombox

Saint Nick just came down the chimney – hopefully he doesn’t track snow all over the wood floors!

Handmade dollhouse miniature Christmas cookies, glass of milk and letter to Santa
Christmas fireplace mantle scene in a Christmas roombox

I used all the same decorative elements from the tree to make the wreath and the garland on the fireplace. I feel like they came together really well!

Black and white buffalo check handmade dollhouse miniature wingback chair with The Night Before Christmas book

I adore this fully illustrated version of The Night Before Christmas that I made from a printable by Ever After Miniatures on Etsy. I made the chair based on a tutorial by Bentley House Minis on YouTube. I couldn’t resist the buffalo check fabric, so I decided to make the stockings and tree skirt match, as well. That’s also a lighted floor lamp in the corner behind the chair! That was quite possibly one of the trickiest elements for me to figure out how to make. Also, how cute are the fuzzy little slippers?

Miniature Scandinavian Christmas gnome

I’ve also become a *wee* bit obsessed with the gnome trend, so I had to make a pair for my mantle. They’re made from a combination of felt, polymer clay and yarn.

Handmade dollhouse miniature female Christmas gnome
Dollhouse miniature cuckoo clock

This is a cuckoo clock by Reutter Porzellan that I repainted and added fake snow to the roofline. The slight modifications made it much more Christmas-y.

Handmade dollhouse miniature Christmas nutcracker

Believe it or not, this little nutcracker was one of the most time-consuming aspects of the whole roombox! He’s sculpted entirely from polymer clay, and I think he’s super charming and sweet!

Christmas presents under the tree in a dollhouse miniature roombox

No Christmas scene would be complete without gifts, so I made all the presents and gift bags. I also snuck a little snowglobe I made under the tree for some magic.

Black and white buffalo check dollhouse miniature Christmas stocking hanging from a garland

I hope you enjoyed this look inside my Christmas roombox! Once again, I’d like to thank my husband, Tom, for helping me with the photos for this. ‘Til next time!

Halloween at the Hag’s Hearth – HBSMiniatures Halloween Challenge 2020

Happy-almost-Halloween, friends! This year, I decided to enter Hobby Builders Supply & Miniatures.com’s 5th Annual Halloween Challenge for the first time ever with a witch’s kitchen-themed roombox I’ve created. It was truly a magnificent experience working on it, and I feel like I’ve learned so much! Voting is open from 10/26/20 through 10/30/20, and you can only cast your vote once, so if you’d like to choose my entry as your favorite, please do so at this link. And now, without further ado, I present to you…

Halloween at the Hag’s Hearth

Witch's Kitchen Themed Roombox - Halloween at the Hag's Hearth - HBSMiniatures Halloween Challenge 2020

Tucked away in a dark, lonely wood, this crone’s kitchen is the envy of every Elphaba in town. At first glance, the hag’s hearth may look like a warm and welcoming country cottage, but peer a little closer, and you might find it’s not quite as innocently inviting as you once thought. 

Poison Mushrooms, Herbs and a Pumpkin in Witch's Kitchen Themed Roombox - Halloween at the Hag's Hearth - HBSMiniatures Halloween Challenge 2020

The hag pores over her Cauldron Cuisine cookbook by candlelight, carefully selecting the most harmful herbs, nasty nuts, fatal fungi and savage squash for her elixirs and enchantments.

Green Bubbling Cauldron in Witch's Kitchen Themed Roombox - Halloween at the Hag's Hearth - HBSMiniatures Halloween Challenge 2020

Her trusty iron cauldron bubbles and boils with a perilous potion over the roaring fire in the hearth.

Handmade Miniature Barn Owl in Witch's Kitchen Themed Roombox - Halloween at the Hag's Hearth - HBSMiniatures Halloween Challenge 2020

A witch is nothing without her trusty familiars. Her barn owl and black kitten are her constant companions whilst she toils away at the witching hour.

Magical Mop and Black Cat in Witch's Kitchen Themed Roombox - Halloween at the Hag's Hearth - HBSMiniatures Halloween Challenge 2020

With a mere wave of her hand, the mop jumps to life, sudsing away any spills by the fireplace. Meanwhile, her black kitten observes from her cozy spot in the basket under the table.

Handmade Miniature Frog in Witch's Kitchen Themed Roombox - Halloween at the Hag's Hearth - HBSMiniatures Halloween Challenge 2020

The toad snatches a pesky fly from the air… the dragonfly and spider better beware.

Fireplace Mantle in Witch's Kitchen Themed Roombox - Halloween at the Hag's Hearth - HBSMiniatures Halloween Challenge 2020

The shelves are well-stocked with Crone’s Brand canned goods and copper cookware, but the remains of the hag’s last visitor serve as a warning to anyone who might stay for a bite.

Broom, Autumn Leaves and Acorns in Witch's Kitchen Themed Roombox - Halloween at the Hag's Hearth - HBSMiniatures Halloween Challenge 2020

A harsh wind blew acorns and autumn leaves in through the door, but the crone’s woodpile is stacked high to keep her warm on these cold October nights.

Spiderweb in Witch's Kitchen Themed Roombox - Halloween at the Hag's Hearth - HBSMiniatures Halloween Challenge 2020

A spider weaves its web on high in the wooden beams, almost overtaking the abandoned bird’s nest that rests there.

Rat and Rat Poison in Witch's Kitchen Themed Roombox - Halloween at the Hag's Hearth - HBSMiniatures Halloween Challenge 2020

The witch’s familiars, whilst loyal and true, are not up to the task of keeping the vermin problem under control. Alas, the rats scurry about, helping themselves to tasty morsels.

Flying Bat in Witch's Kitchen Themed Roombox - Halloween at the Hag's Hearth - HBSMiniatures Halloween Challenge 2020

This creature of the night hovers near the ceiling, deciding whether to stay for the night in the warmth of the kitchen and risk becoming an ingredient in the witch’s next concoction, or to fly on to safer sleeping quarters.

Purple Bubbling Cauldron over Roaring Fire in Witch's Kitchen Themed Roombox - Halloween at the Hag's Hearth - HBSMiniatures Halloween Challenge 2020

As the brew continues to bubble, it changes hues… Perhaps it’s just about done.

Black Cat and Grimoire in Witch's Kitchen Themed Roombox - Halloween at the Hag's Hearth - HBSMiniatures Halloween Challenge 2020

The kitten curiously eyes the weathered and worn Grimoire, wondering what kind of mischief she can get up to when the hag isn’t looking.

Witch's Kitchen Themed Roombox - Halloween at the Hag's Hearth - HBSMiniatures Halloween Challenge 2020

Indeed, this witch’s kitchen is wickedly delicious, and I hope you think so, too!

Music: Skeleton Dance by Nicolas Gasparini (Myuu)

I’d like to give a special thanks to the following artisans and suppliers for the fabulous items that helped me complete my vision:

  • TinyNaturals: the perfect herb bundles and dried flowers
  • Bridget McCarty: the adorable black kitten
  • Evan Designs: the LED lights used in the fireplace, cauldron, jack-o’-lantern and lamp
  • And of course Miniatures.com for hosting the challenge and inspiring me to push myself to create this piece!

I’d also like to thank my husband, Tom, for assisting me with the photos and video for this. Normally, I take all my own photos, but the lighting in this piece presented some unique challenges, so I’m very lucky to have a professional photographer in the house!

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Dollhouse Miniature Glittering Gold and White Christmas Table Setting for 4 - 1:12 Dollhouse Miniature Christmas Table in Gold and White

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