Playing House

Collector and stylist Justine Wilson feels like a child at heart and to prove it, she admits she still loves doll's houses. Here are her tips on owning and collecting these treasured pieces.

"If you are fascinated by the world of interiors as an adult, it's my guess that you were probably spellbound by doll's houses when you were young. I am basing this mainly on my own experience as it was the sheer enjoyment I felt when decorating and arranging the miniature rooms in my first doll's house that brought out my passion for interior design and the desire to create beautiful spaces. The best bit is that you don't have to be a child to own a doll's house and enjoy it! It's fast becoming an adult hobby, and I see it as a way of indulging your love of decorating without the all the usual constraints. With no limit to your imagination, you can get the satisfaction of renovating your house by practising on a smaller scale, which is also easier on your pocket if you choose the wrong wallpaper or carpet."

Doll's houses have delighted both adults and children since the 17th century and, like fashion, they reflect the fads of each generation. Originating in Europe, they were generally commissioned and owned by wealthy people. The oldest examples were usually incorporated in cabinets and used mainly as decorative pieces. In contrast, Victorian ones were mostly designed for children to play with. Doll's houses came to wider public attention when Queen Mary commissioned her amazing doll's house and sought to create an exact detailed architectural example in miniature. Today, miniature enthusiasts and collectors tend to re-create charming doll's houses that are specific to a certain historical period, but you can also find miniature replicas of castles, famous fantasy buildings and modern-day houses.

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