The Quesda Qangh Cabinet House in Madrid Spain

 Hello Everyone,

How are you? I hope you are well. I can't believe that it has already been two weeks since my visit in Spain. While exploring the Museo Nacional de Artes Decorativas during my visit to Madrid, I stumbled upon an unexpected treasure that absolutely stopped me in my tracks. When you spend your days designing and decorating period dolls' houses, finding a perfectly preserved 19th-century cabinet house in the wild is nothing short of striking gold.

I had absolutely no clue this piece was housed there before my visit, but it instantly captured my imagination. I spent ages taking close-up photos of every single room so I could share this magnificent find with all of you. It is a masterpiece of miniature history, and it is going to provide endless inspiration for my future master-level miniature builds and the exhibits at My Miniature World.

To fully appreciate this cabinet house, we have to look at its roots. Modern dollhouses are the direct heirs to the grand "cabinet houses" crafted in Germany, Holland, and England throughout the 17th century. In their original context, these were absolutely not considered toys for children. Instead, they were highly sophisticated showcases meant to recreate the wealth, social roles, and most refined domestic customs of the era's elite.

This specific house was commissioned by the Quesada Qangh family. They were a wealthy bourgeois family who settled in the bustling trading port of Cádiz after spending time in Britain. The patriarch of the family was a liberal military officer who actually endured exile in the United States before eventually returning to Spain to serve as a government minister under Queen Isabella II.

Commissioned for the family's four daughters, the house perfectly reflects their cosmopolitan life. Because Cádiz was a major hub for international luxury goods, the dollhouse represents a fascinating blend of local craftsmanship and imported opulence.

The cabinet spans three intricately detailed floors, faithfully reproducing the exact architectural layout of a 19th-century Spanish bourgeois home. As I zoomed in with my camera to capture the close-ups, the sheer scale of the historical accuracy blew me away.

The Lower Floor: Service and Dining

In the 19th century, the separation of classes and household duties was strictly enforced through architecture, and this miniature captures that perfectly.

• The Kitchen & Maid's Room: Unlike the rest of the house, the furnishings here, rustic wooden tables and simple storage pieces, were locally crafted in Cádiz. Peering closely, you can spot the tiny maid hard at work, her hair styled in a meticulously accurate high bun characteristic of the 1830s.

• The Dining Room: Interestingly, the dedicated dining room was a relatively new architectural concept, having only gained popularity in the 18th century. Situated on the lower floor, it was kept strictly practical: close enough to the kitchen to serve hot food, but far away from the formal living areas above.

The Middle Floor: Socializing and Status

Moving up to the middle floor, we enter the social heart of the home. The furniture here shifts dramatically from local wood to exquisite, luxury imported pieces, mostly brought over from England's booming miniature industry.

• The Living Room: This space was meant to impress. Filled with heavily ornamented, plush seating, it reflects the grand tastes of a family with international connections and standing.

• The Parlor: Just off the main living area sits a slightly more intimate parlor. In bourgeois society, this room was reserved exclusively for receiving "trusted" visitors, offering a slightly more private space for conversation away from the grander living room.

The Upper Floor: The Private Quarters

The top tier of the cabinet is reserved strictly for the family's private use, hidden away from guests and lower-level staff.

• The Dressing Room: A true luxury of the period, the dressing room is filled with delicate grooming accessories and perfectly scaled mirrors, showcasing the bourgeois emphasis on personal presentation and imported fashion.

• The Bedroom: The most intimate room in the house, featuring a beautifully draped bed. It is up here that you can spot another tiny inhabitant: a little girl doll dressed exactly in the fashion of the 1830s and 40s, wearing the era's signature short skirts layered over long, ruffled pantalettes.

Standing in front of the glass in Madrid, I was completely mesmerized. To see the historical periods we so lovingly try to recreate in our own workshops captured and preserved as a primary source is a profoundly moving experience. The blending of local Spanish miniature work with imported English furnishings gives the whole cabinet an aesthetic richness that rivals the finest full-scale antique furniture.

Every tiny porcelain dish, every carved chair leg, and every piece of period-accurate clothing tells the story of the Quesada Qangh family and the era they lived in. It is a stunning reminder of the power of miniatures: they are not just tiny things; they are perfectly preserved worlds waiting to be explored.

I hope you found this interesting and fascinating as I did. I love history and to think that such a beautiful piece of art belonged to a family, to four girls back in the 19th Century and it stands to be admired gives me goosebumps. 

So this is all for today. Make sure to keep tuned for the latest news and progress on my miniature work.

Take Care and See You Soon.

Hugs,

Rebecca xxx 

An International Artistic Recognition in Madrid

 Hello Everyone,

I can't believe that it has been a week already since I have visited Spain. Last week I had the wonderful opportunity to travel to Madrid to attend the International Prize Caravaggio – Great Master of Art held within the magnificent Palacio de Santoña.

The evening brought together international artists, collectors, curators, journalists, and art lovers within one of Madrid’s most elegant and historic palaces. Surrounded by such beautiful interiors and artistic atmosphere, the entire experience felt incredibly special and memorable.

Palacio de Santoña itself was absolutely breath-taking. Built during the 18th century, the palace is considered one of Madrid’s architectural treasures, admired for its grand Baroque entrance, magnificent marble staircase, and richly decorated interiors. Over the years, it became known for its elegant Neo Baroque salons which beautifully combine influences from the Italian Renaissance, French Rococo, and Oriental decorative styles. Walking through its historic rooms and lavish interiors truly felt like stepping into another era, making the evening even more magical and inspiring.

I am deeply honoured to have received the International Prize Caravaggio in recognition of outstanding artistic achievement. As an artist whose work is rooted in storytelling, historical inspiration, interiors, craftsmanship, and miniature detail, it was incredibly meaningful to experience such an artistic evening in a city so rich in culture and artistic heritage.

One of the moments that made me especially proud was discovering that I was the only Maltese artist featured within the official catalogue for this edition, and also the only dolls’ house and miniature artist included amongst the selected international contemporary artists. My artwork Le Château was featured within the publication, making this experience even more meaningful to me.

During the evening, I also had the opportunity to say a few words of thanks to the curators and organisers. I shared how events such as these are not only about awards and recognition, but also about bringing artists together as a community from different countries, cultures, and artistic backgrounds. It was wonderful to experience such a warm international atmosphere where art becomes a way of connecting people beyond borders.

Madrid itself left a lasting impression on me. The city beautifully balances historic grandeur with vibrant modern life. From its elegant architecture and cultural landmarks to its lively atmosphere and artistic spirit, every corner of the city felt full of inspiration and history. It was wonderful to experience such a beautiful and culturally rich city whilst representing my miniature world internationally.

Following the award ceremony, guests gathered for a lovely reception and after-party where artists, curators, and attendees had the opportunity to celebrate together in a warm and elegant atmosphere. It was wonderful meeting fellow creatives from different parts of the world and sharing such a memorable evening together.

A heartfelt thank you goes to Effetto Arte and to the curators Francesco Saverio Russo and Salvatore Russo for this recognition and for organising such a beautiful international event.

Experiences like these continue to remind me how miniature art can connect across borders and how rewarding it is to represent my miniature world internationally.

This is all for today. Make sure to keep tuned for the latest new and progress on my ongoing project.

Take Care and See You Soon.

Hugs,

Rebecca xxx

The Romance between The Stargazer and Starlight.

Hello Everyone,

I hope that you are all doing well and that you are enjoying your Spring time. The weather is getting warmer and that makes me very happy and inspires me to work on different projects and new miniatures. Today I will be sharing something a bit different from usual.

There is a unique kind of magic that happens when the perfect miniature finds its forever home. Sometimes, a single piece doesn't just complete a room, it sparks an entire universe.

Recently, a very special arrival made his way to the My Miniature World museum. He is a tiny, twelve-centimetre exclusive replica from the world-renowned Teddy Bears of Witney, based on a beautifully worn, circa 1908 American antique bear. When I unboxed him, taking in his aged gold mohair, jointed limbs, and traditional amber glass eyes, I knew exactly where he belonged; in the vintage Tri-ang Dollshouse No. 76.

He also arrived carrying a wonderful name already bestowed upon him: The Stargazer.

When I placed him in the green-trimmed window of the half-timbered Tri-ang dollhouse, the reason for his name became abundantly clear. He has this very specific, quiet posture, with his little vintage snout tilted slightly upward.

Peering out from that tiny window into the dark, his story truly came to life. I found myself asking a simple question: What is he looking at with such steadfast longing?

The answer, of course, was the night sky. I imagined a gentle, brave soul that fell completely and unconditionally in love with the distant starlight. Though they are separated by the vastness of the midnight sky one made of antique thread and the other of cosmic fire. I realized their connection was profound, boundless, and entirely true.

This impossible, beautiful romance touched my heart so deeply that it inspired an original poem, The Stargazer and Starlight.

Here is just a glimpse into his midnight vows:

A look from below, a gleam from above,

An ocean of distance, a universe of love. 

They cannot touch in the velvet blue, 

Yet a love so impossible is entirely true.

Of course, in My Miniature World, a story this epic deserves to be bound.

I am incredibly thrilled to share that The Stargazer and Starlight has now been transformed into a fully readable, handmade miniature book! Crafted specifically for the museum, this tiny volume features the complete poem alongside delicate, Beatrix Potter inspired illustrations of our little bear.

Seeing his boundless love for the night sky bound into a real physical book is pure magic. It is a dedication to The Stargazer, and to anyone who believes that true love can bridge even the most impossible distances.

The next time you visit the museum, be sure to peek into the window of the Tri-ang dollhouse. If you look closely, you just might catch him whispering to the stars. 

Here is a short animated video of the Stargazer.

So this is all for today. I hope you like the tiny teddy. Make sure to keep tuned for the next update and latest news.

Take Care and See You Soon.

Hugs,

Rebecca xxx

The Timekeeper’s Shop: Working on the Exterior

 Hello everyone,

How are you all? I hope you are doing well and that you had a great weekend. Today I wanted to share a little update on the progress of my latest project, The Timekeeper’s Shop, which I am currently building live during the TV show on Net TV, Hello min hemm?

During the show, I have the pleasure of working alongside the presenter Malcolm Pisani, who is such a kind and wonderful person. 

Even though we had never met before, we instantly clicked, and it has made the whole experience even more enjoyable.

This time, I focused mostly on the exterior of the shop. I worked on bricking the lower section beneath the display window and shaping the small roof above it, which really started to give the façade its character.

I also paved the pavement using cardboard slabs that I carefully made and painted myself. It is amazing how these small details can completely transform the look of the piece.

I have to say, I am really happy with how everything is coming together. I especially love the colour scheme I chose for the shop, as it gives it a warm and inviting feel.

Working on this project during the show means that the process is a little slower than usual, as I am also explaining each step to the audience and showing how everything is achieved. But at the same time, it makes the journey even more special, as I get to share the creative process in real time.

Below, I am also sharing a short video clip from the show so you can see part of the process and how the project is coming together on screen.

I am so happy how it is turning out.

That is all for today. I hope you enjoyed this little progress update. Make sure to stay tuned for the next steps as The Timekeeper’s Shop continues to take shape.

Take care and see you soon.

Hugs,

Rebecca xxx