Tuesday, 16 September 2025

Caroline’s Home – A Vintage Treasure in My Collection

 Hello Everyone,

How are you? I hope that your week is  good. As my glorious Summer is coming to an end, I am extremely busy preparing for the kids to go back to school, while preparing for the Dolls House Nederland Show in Arnhem. But it's not all doom and gloom. 

Every now and then, a very special dolls’ house finds its way into my collection; even when I’m not looking for one! Recently, I was lucky enough to acquire a Caroline’s Home dolls’ house from a lovely Maltese couple, and I couldn’t be more thrilled. 

Caroline’s Home was first introduced in 1975 by the British company A. Barton & Co. Known for their dolls’ house furniture, Barton created this charming line in 1:16 scale, which made it slightly smaller than the standard 1:12 collectors’ houses. Later, in the 1985, the Swedish company Lundby continued the production under their name, introducing even more accessories and the famous low-voltage lighting system.

What set Caroline’s Home apart at the time were its thoughtful details: working shutters, printed wallpapers, opening windows, and the possibility of adding electric lighting. These touches made it stand out as both a toy and a collector’s piece.

Older dolls’ houses carry with them a character and history that newer models simply cannot replicate. Their little marks, faded wallpapers, and quirky imperfections are part of their story. For me, renovation is not the game; preservation is. To over-restore would be to erase the very history that makes them so special. 

This particular house hardly needs any work at all. It just needs a touch of care on the windows and then it will be left as it is, a slice of the past perfectly preserved.

To make this house feel alive again, I’ve added some beautiful vintage furniture pieces that suit its period and scale. The 1:16 size has its own charm, and it’s been such a joy to dress the rooms with items that complement its history. Each little chair, table, or lamp adds to the atmosphere, making Caroline’s Home feel warm and inviting once more. I still need to add more furniture and definitely I need to fix the lighting system.


One of the most talked-about features of Caroline’s Home is its nursery wallpaper. Collectors will often smile when they remember the bold prints . In some houses, the nursery was decorated with oversized motifs of animals such as giant chickens and horses!  These quirky designs gave the dolls’ house an unforgettable personality and made it stand out from other models of the time.

Other charming details include:
  • Back wall windows, unusual for many dollhouses.

  • A distinctive copper strip lighting system (in the Lundby era) which allowed tiny plug-in lamps.

  • A scale of 1:16, which meant specially made furniture which is smaller than standard 1:12, but full of character.

Caroline’s Home is more than just a dolls’ house ,  it’s a piece of toy history. From its origins in the Barton workshop in the UK to the hands of collectors like me today, it carries with it decades of stories, play, and memories.

Sometimes, the best treasures are the ones you don’t go looking for… they simply find you. 

I will be sharing more on Caroline's Home once I furnish it and add more details to it. This is all for today, Make sure to keep tuned for the next updates on the ongoing projects and the latest news.

Take Care and See You Soon.

Hugs,


Rebecca xxx

Sunday, 31 August 2025

7 Years of My Miniature World and Exciting News Ahead

 Hello everyone,

I hope that you are all well and that you are enjoying your weekend. I am so sorry that it has been a while since my last post.

Even though I am still working on my ongoing project The Victorian Miniature Parlour, at the moment I am focusing more on my upcoming event; the Dolls House Nederland Show at the Papendal Hotel, which will be held between the 4th and 5th of October 2025.


It is always such an exciting event as it brings together 53 international participants, all passionate about dolls’ houses, miniatures, and creativity. I am thrilled to be taking part once again and sharing my own work with so many talented artisans and collectors. For me, it is always a wonderful opportunity to showcase what I’ve been working on and to meet so many of you in person who share the same love for this hobby.

This year’s event feels extra meaningful, as it will also mark the first anniversary of my book Designing and Decorating a Period Dolls House. I will be taking part once again with my miniatures, and this time I will be offering a selection of hand-painted miniatures together with my brand-new collection of miniature ceramics.


Below you will find some new miniatures that I have been working on that I'll be taking with me to the Dolls House Netherland Show. 







Today is also a very special day for me, as it marks the 7th Anniversary since the official opening of My Miniature World. Looking back, it fills me with pride and joy to see how far this little dream has come; from the very first dolls’ houses to a museum collection, projects, and even a published book. Most of all, I am grateful to all of you, my loyal followers and friends, who have shared this journey with me throughout the years. Your encouragement and support mean the world. 


I am also very proud to announce that Posy the Tiny Teddy Bear has made a sweet comeback with her charming stories and adventures. Over the past months, Posy has inspired me to create a new collection of miniature books;  Posy Bear’s Tales by Rebecca Micallef. The first three titles are:

  • Posy and the Runaway Hat

  • Posy’s Great Tea Party

  • Posy’s Rainy Day Attic


These little books hold a very special place in my heart, and I can’t wait to share them with you. These will be available soon from My Miniature World's Official Website

Over the coming weeks, I will be sharing more sneak peeks of new miniatures accessories, updates on The Victorian Miniature Parlour, and of course more of Posy’s adorable adventures.

That’s all for today. make sure to keep tuned for the latest news and many more!

Take care and See you soon.

Hugs,


Rebecca xxx

Friday, 15 August 2025

Bay Tree Manor – A New Addition to the Workshop

 Hello Everyone,

I hope you’re all doing well. First, I must apologise for not posting sooner. The past weeks have been filled with work travels that kept me away from My Miniature World and working on miniatures. But I’m finally back at my workbench, and I’m very excited to share my latest project with you.


This time, it’s all about a charming new miniature house: Bay Tree Manor. I recently ordered two beautiful 1:144 scale kits from Petite Properties; the Bay Tree Manor and the Pumpkin Cottage. 


So far, I’ve completed Bay Tree Manor, and it now has pride of place in the workshop of The Victorian Miniature Parlour.

The build was an absolute joy, from painting its delicate details to adding its tiny charm. 





To make the scene even more special, I placed three adorable miniature dolls by Italian artist Claudia A. Taigete alongside it. They fit perfectly and bring the whole display to life.



I’m sharing photos and a video so you can see how Bay Tree Manor came together, along with a look at the completed workshop room.








At the same time, I’m busy preparing exciting new miniatures for the Dolls House Nederland Show in Arnhem, taking place on the 4th and 5th of October 2025. This show will be particularly special as it will mark the first anniversary of the launch of my book Designing and Decorating a Period Dolls House. I can’t wait to celebrate this milestone with fellow miniaturists and friends.

Make sure to keep tuned for the next updates and latest news. 

Take care, and see you soon!




Rebecca xxx






Monday, 21 July 2025

The Sewing Cabinet: A Stitch in Time for the Workshop

 Hello everyone!

How are you all? I hope you're doing well. I’m so excited to share the latest update on The Victorian Miniature Parlour! Things are really coming together, and the workshop is now nearly complete.


This week, I finished a lovely new piece of furniture: the sewing cabinet. I painted it in soft ivory and old rose pink to give it that delicate Victorian charm. It’s now fully stocked with miniature fabrics, lace trims, ribbons, and all sorts of tiny craft supplies, just what a mini seamstress would need! I also added a few miniature Victorian magazines for inspiration.



One of the highlights is a miniature swan-neck sewing machine, which came as a kit by Alison Davies. I carefully painted it to match the theme, and it sits perfectly on the cabinet, adding so much character to the scene.

As part of the workshop's decor, I also created a sweet 1:48 scale display featuring a little girl's bed, built using a kit from Melissa’s MiniWereld. To complete the scene, I included two tiny dolls made by the talented Claudia A. Taigete, they bring such charm and warmth to the space.


I’ve also made a short video showing how I decorated the sewing cabinet, along with some close-up photos of the finished piece!



To top it all off, I’m sharing a few photos of the complete sewing cabinet and the workshop so far, now filled with picture frames and other decorative details. There are still a few small touches to be added, but I’m incredibly happy with how it’s all coming together.










Thank you so much for following along. I truly hope you like how the project is progressing. Be sure to stay tuned for the next update, and don’t forget to pop over to www.myminiatureworld.co for more news, products, and to subscribe to the newsletter!

Take Care and See You Soon.


Hugs,


Rebecca xxx

Monday, 30 June 2025

La Petite Maison and The Work Bench

Hello everyone!

How are you all? I hope you had a wonderful weekend. Summer has officially arrived bringing with it long sunny days, moments by the seaside, and treasured time with family. While I’ve certainly been soaking up the season, I’ve also been busy in my own tiny world, continuing work on my much-loved project, The Victorian Miniature Parlour.

Lately, I’ve been focusing on a new section: the first floor workshop, and I’m thrilled to share my latest progress with you!


I began by preparing the workbench, an essential centrepiece for the room. I painted the workbench to match with the other furniture pieces. 

One of the first things I created for the scene was a miniature dolls house, built entirely from scratch! I’ve named it La Petite Maison. I carefully painted the exterior and added wallpaper to the interior walls and flooring. 


It may be small, but it holds so much charm! I thoroughly enjoyed designing this little house, especially knowing that I’ll soon be furnishing it and adding a few of Claudia A. Taigete’s beautiful tiny dolls to bring it to life.


Here’s a little video showing how I created La Petite Maison! 


After La Petite Maison, I moved on to adding some workshop essentials because no creative space is complete without a touch of real-life chaos, right?

I made miniature paint pots, complete with printed labels and tools. 

Tiny paint brushes. A crate filled with wooden planks and rolled wallpaper sheets.


A printed miniature newspaper, placed beneath the paint pots to protect the work surface. Paint brushes and of course, what’s a good workshop without a comforting cup of tea?  I added one to the bench to give the scene that cosy, lived-in feel. Little touches like these help make the space feel personal, like an artist has just stepped away from their work for a moment of rest.


You can also watch a video of how I decorated the workbench below.



I’m incredibly happy with how this part of the project is coming together and it’s only the beginning! There’s still plenty to add and refine in the first floor workshop, and I can't wait to bring even more life and detail into the space.





Thank you for following along on this miniature journey. I hope you’ve enjoyed seeing the latest progress, it means so much to share these tiny milestones with you.

Make sure to stay tuned for the next update and all the latest miniature news. And don’t forget to stop by www.myminiatureworld.co to explore our newest products and subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date with fresh content, sneak peeks, and exclusive releases.

Take Care and See You Soon.

Hugs,

Rebecca xxx