When most people think of dollhouse miniatures, forensics or crime scene investigations are usually the last thing to come to mind.

An interesting and fascinating use of dollhouse miniatures is the creation of dioramas or mini-vignettes representing the details found at a real scene of a crime. The crafter of these tiny crime scenes uses a dollhouse or room box and includes all of the lifelike detail of the life-size scene including furniture, body, weapon and even footprints. No detail is too small and each scene must include important components such as working lights and doors and windows that actually open. The seemingly most inconsequential details must be captured if the dollhouse crime scene is to be effective. These 3-D dollhouse crime scenes aid detectives in studying real clues that should be sought when investigating a real crime scene. They are also used as an important tool in training students and investigators who are interested in entering the fascinating field of forensics.

Thomas Mauriello, Professor of Criminology at the University of Maryland believes that in a world of computer-aided crime scene analysis, there is no substitute for hands-on experience – even if the hands are on a tiny doll representing the corpse of a victim. Mauriello has created 6 tiny crime-scene room boxes or dioramas which include important clues to the cause of death – be it accident, suicide or homicide. Conjuring images up from the scene of a horror flick, Mauriello’s miniature crime scenes include blood-stained walls and tiny death bed figures, many of which can be found lying face down in the garage or face up on the kitchen linoleum floor.

Mauriello reminds his students that the ability to examine the details of a crime scene in miniature form is essential – they cannot do that at a real crime scene as it’s impossible. It’s closed off so they cannot violate the integrity of the crime scene. Mauriello used to re-create his crime scenes by taking over a university house and turning it into a life-size crime scene. A huge undertaking, this would often take him days to prepare. Mauriello prefers the dollhouse miniature dioramas as they take much less time to prepare and are easily portable.

The originator of the dollhouse crime scene investigations was Frances Glessner Lee, an eccentric millionaires in the 1940’s and 1950’s who founded Harvard’s department of legal medicine. Lee spent as much as $3000 per miniature dollhouse crime scene diorama – close to the cost of a real house at that time. Lee was a perfectionist when it came to her dollhouse scenes. Bullets and shotgun shells were perfectly miniaturized and her miniature victims wore clothing carefully knitted by Lee herself. Lee became the honorary captain of the New Hampshire state police force and used her dollhouse crime scene dioramas mimicking real crime scenes to challenge the boys in her unit.

For more great information on this topic, we recommend reading The Dollhouse Murders by Thomas Mauriello.

When deciding which dollhouse miniatures to stock our virtual shelves with at Zoolabees Dollhouse Miniatures, first and foremost is quality. Our favorite manufacturer of miniature dollhouse furniture is Hansson Miniatures located in Santa Clara, CA.

Hansson manufacturers a line of exquisite, top quality 1:12 and 1:24 scale dollhouse furniture pieces for every room in your dollhouse! Each piece of miniature furniture is hand-carved and hand-painted. Hansson uses quality materials including solid mahogany and solid walnut to craft each piece. Their dollhouse furniture pieces feature quality craftsmanship including upholstered seats, working drawers and many other magnificent details! Hansson’s pieces were designed for the discerning collector who only wishes to furnish their dollhouse with the very finest heirloom quality pieces.

Hansson’s miniatures are available in a variety of finishes, although walnut and mahogany are the two main wood finishes. However, be warned that there is not just one shade of mahogany or walnut. Hansson offers subtle variations of each color with minor differences in wood color, warmth and tone. The color differences are done in such a subtle way that all of the walnut pieces can be paired together to create a classic “collected over time” look.

In addition to the popular choices of mahogany and walnut, Hansson offers solid wood pieces in a hand-painted cream finish or hand-painted black finish. Beautifully-detailed, hand-painted chinoise designs are featured on both the black or cream finish. A few other finish choices exist as well as a line of unfinished miniature furniture pieces that act as a blank canvas for the would-be-miniature-furniture-artist.

Hansson also features a wonderful collection of miniature dollhouse upholstered pieces. The selection of fabrics and styles is almost endless! Their arm chairs range in style from a completely upholstered country floral skirted arm chair to the refined mahogany-framed tufted silk arm chair to the distinguished authentic cognac leather wingback chair. These beautiful chairs have coordinating sofas and/or loveseats available as well!

If that wasn’t enough, we’re proud to announce that Hansson makes more than just dollhouse furniture! One of the most unique dollhouse miniature accessories offered by Hansson if their line of Eggshell Porcelain miniatures which includes vases, jars, pitchers, bowls, tea sets and full dish sets. These exquisite dollhouse miniature vases are crafted of porcelain and hand-painted with the most vivid details. These eggshell porcelain pieces make for a magnificent accessory to your dollhouse fireplace mantel, curio cabinet, dining room table or display case.

Hansson also carries a line of miniature dollhouse pictures framed in either mahogany or an ornate, hand-painted gold finish. Each picture features a plexi-glass cover and soft felt backing. We encourage you to visit our site at www.zoolabees.com to see this selection of gorgeous dollhouse miniatures! Please keep in mind that we are also able to special order most any piece available through Hansson’s website. Please contact us at customerservice@zoolabees.com for more details.

A recent article published in Dollhouse Miniatures Magazine asks its readers to provide their most indispensable tools when building dollhouses and other dollhouse miniature projects. Here’s a list of the most important tools to top their list:

One-Inch-Scale Ruler: A standard architect’s ruler is a must-have when working with dollhouse miniatures. This handy ruler will allow you to easily transfer full-sized measurements into scale measurements, instantly! Look for the left end of the 1″ scale which is divided by 1/12″. It’s available at most office supply stores.

Miniature Bench Lighting: When working with tiny items, good lighting is essential. Use an incandescent light at a sharp angle to avoid shadows. Use color-corrected fluorescent lighting for painting when color matters because the incandescent light can drastically affect how colors appear under this type of lighting. A combination of both types of light work well when clear coat finishing furniture.

Plastic Picks for Teeth: These picks are similar to wooden toothpicks, but are made for teeth. Unlike wood, plastic doesn’t encourage things to stick or absorb. These picks are usually shaped somewhat like a hockey stick and can usually be located where toothpaste and floss are sold.

Storage with PVC Pipe: Cut various lengths (6″ to 15″) white PVC pipe, wire or tape them together and attach to a box bottom. These pipes can stand vertically or lay horizontally for storage of wood dowels, molding, metal rods, etc. A larger diameter PVC can attach to your garage wall for larger pieces.

Teflon Pressing Sheet: Teflon pressing sheets can be used while painting, sanding, gluing or even ironing. The dried paint and glue can be washed off or scraped off using an old credit card. These sheets are practically indestructible, but be careful not to cut on them. These are usually found in fabric stores and are available in different sizes.

We hope you will find these tips provided by readers of DH Miniatures magazine useful. Please visit our other blog postings for more helpful tips and suggestions.

For dollhouse novices and experts alike, choosing the architectural style of your dollhouse is an important first step in planning your dollhouse miniature project. Here is an overview of some of the popular styles available on the market today as well as the history of where these popular styles originated. This list of dollhouse styles was put together by Real Good Toys, a premier manufacturer of quality dollhouses.

Cape Cod

The Cape Cod style (c.1675 - 1950) reflects the difficult weather and thrifty builders of the early northeastern coastal villages. A traditional Cape Cod has a steep roof with small eaves to protect the house from heavy New England snowfalls and a large central fireplace to keep it cozy. The 1-1/2-story houses have living space in the attic. A Cape Cod has double hung windows with mullions, shutters and is finished with clapboard or shingles on the outside.

Colonial

The Colonial house (c.1700 - present) is an American adaptation of the English “Cotswold” or Free Holder’s cottage. In its earlier version, the Cotswold had an open fire pit inside the house and the smoke would find its own way out through the thatched roof. The fire room was on one end of the house so the residents could keep warm in the loft but still be away from the smoke. This 1/3 and 2/3 division of the house was still reflected in early colonial layouts showing up as offset front doors and non-symmetrical first floor layouts. As the Colonial design spread out from the earliest American villages, the typical features were of a house 1-1/2 or 2-stories tall with approximately a 45 degree roof pitch, narrow eaves (for shedding snow) and a narrow front-to-back so every room could be well lighted by the windows. The windows were small pane double hung with no frivolous ornamentation and had shutters. The doors were also plain and utilitarian. The walls were almost always clapboard or wooden shingles. The Colonial design took on the attributes of other styles that were popular at the time of its building, showing Federal, Greek Revival or Victorian details in their turn.

Mansard

Mansard roofs (c.1550 - 1870) are steeply sloping roofs with a flat or nearly flat top. These became very popular in the 17th century of Paris as they took advantage of the property tax laws, which did not tax attic spaces. The attic of a Mansard house had a fully usable attic and was tax-free! Architect Francois Mansart took advantage of that in his designs. The word “Mansard” comes from his name being on so many designs for houses with this roof design. See our favorite Mansard Dollhouse.

Plantation

The Plantation (c.1803 - 1862) houses reflect the elegance and grandeur of the American south in the early 1800’s. These houses have tall ceilings and a formal layout inside, often with fancy stairways. On the outside, columned verandas with balconies are the dominant feature to shade the interior and catch the breezes. It is the large balcony that differentiates this style from the Greek revival.

Tudor

The Tudor reflects the early English great houses that were made by joining together a frame of hewn timbers, then pounding sticks to jam in-between the beams. Finally, two plasterers would stand, one inside and one outside the wall, and press plaster into the sticks until the plaster squeezed through the holes between the sticks and joined the plaster being pressed into the wall from the other side. More layers of plaster left a masonry wall held in place by jammed lath with the hewn beams showing inside and out. That’s the Tudor look. The diagonal beams are diagonal bracing of the frame. Half-timbered Tudor houses, ones that step out half way up the wall (so that the second floor is bigger than the first floor) became necessary when the wood supply could not keep up with demand, and trees large enough to reach all the way to the top of the wall became scarce. Half timbering allowed the frame to be made from smaller trees. Tudor houses traditionally had the steep pitch and shed dormers of thatched roofs but neo-Tudor houses of the 1890-1920’s had multiple intersecting gables and peak roof dormers. The better roofing materials didn’t automatically mean a leak for every roof valley. Tudor windows were arranged in long rows, often with a row of stained glass transom windows right above. Eave trim often-used scroll cut verge board. Balconies or enclosed screened rooms within the framing of the house were common, although porches (which attach to the outside of the house) were less so. A terrace is a more likely ground floor extension of the living space.

Victorian

Victorian architecture (c.1830 - 1900) replaced the Greek and Georgian styles, rebelling against the classical symmetry and orderliness. The Victorian style is flamboyant and exciting with tall, steep pitched roofs; multiple gables and gingerbread stick trim or decorated verge boards accenting the eaves. Roofs are further emphasized with layered chimneys and finials or peak cresting. Windows are varied in size and shape and may project from the house in a bay oriel. The outside finish of a Victorian is multi-textured, multi-hued and uses every material possible including clapboard, stucco, board and baton; often mixing finishes. Colors are strong and varied with each layer of trim being a new opportunity for a change of hue or tone. See our favorite Victorian Dollhouse.

Queen Anne

The Queen Anne (c.1876 - 1915) ranges from the “Painted Lady” row houses of San Francisco to sprawling resort mansions. Queen Anne houses are exuberant and comfortable. Roof lines are steep with multiple and intersecting gables and majestic towers. In every section the windows are different - some narrow, some double, but there are always lots of them. Every surface of a Queen Anne house is interesting with many textures, many colors and lots of decorations. Decorations include shapes or patterns of color in the shingles, brackets, dentil eave moldings, beading under every edge with fans, ornamental plaster, patterned shingles and layers of fascia testifying to the builder’s own imagination. See our favorite Queen Anne Dollhouse.

Zoolabees Dollhouse Miniatures is an on-line retailer of inch scale dollhouse miniatures including miniature furniture, miniature accessories, dollhouse lighting, building supplies, dollhouses and dolls.

We are proud to announce that Zoolabees Dollhouse Miniatures is now carrying dollhouse kits manufactured by Vermont-based Real Good Toys.

Just in time for the 2007 holiday season, we are offering a variety of dollhouse kits including kits from Real Good Toys’ historical collection, Batrie collection, Simplicity collection, Sophistikits, Lilliput kits and New Concept collections as well as many others!

Real Good Toys carries a variety 1:12 scale dollhouse kits which feature quality details such as:

• 3/8” plywood construction
• Clapboard siding milled directly into the surface of exterior walls
• Grand entryways, staircases and beautiful moldings
• Exquisite architectural details
• The option to add additions as needed

Each kit features detailed instructions with expertly drafted illustrations. An absolute necessity, if you are a beginner to building dollhouses.

Real Good Toys manufacturers their dollhouse kits using quality materials including smooth plywood, milled plywood, milled MDF (medium density fiberboard) and brick finish. Many dollhouses come in your choice of one or more of these materials.

Consider one of our personal favorites – the Queen Anne Victorian Dollhouse Kit, part of the Historical Collection by Real Good Toys. This ultimate dream dollhouse stands at an impressive 50″ W x 24″ D x 49” H and is the dream house of every girl! This dollhouse comes in your choice of milled plywood or milled MDF.

If you are seeking a more value-priced dollhouse kit, consider one of the many New Concept Collection kits. These charming kits are available in your choice of milled MDF, milled plywood or smooth plywood. Many kits feature front opening access, or the more traditional rear access.

A variety of other miniature dollhouse roomboxes and other structures including log cabins, barns and lighthouses are also available.

If you are seeking a kit manufactured by Real Good Toys that is not currently featured on our website, please contact us as we are able to special order most items from their catalog.

Zoolabees Dollhouse Miniatures also carries a generous selection of 1:12 scale dollhouse miniatures including miniature furniture, accessories and dollhouse lighting.

If you’re new to collecting dollhouse miniatures, then you’ve already discovered the vast selection of miniatures available! It can be almost overwhelming the first time you visit a dollhouse miniature shop or dollhouse miniature on-line retailer.

If you’ve decided to enter the wonderful world of miniature collecting, then this article will help get you started. Brainstorming and planning is an essential first step in dollhouse miniature collecting.

Here are 4 basic questions to ask yourself before beginning your collection:

1. Do I have the space? Before you begin your collection, decide which scale of dollhouse miniatures is right for you. Decide where in your home you will display your collection. The amount of space you have to work with will help you decide whether you want to showcase your collection in a room box, dollhouse or in a room filled with display cases!

2. What’s your purpose? Ask yourself why you are motivated to start this miniature collection? Do you enjoy collecting a certain type of miniature (i.e. miniature dogs or miniature vases) or do you have odds and ends of miniatures stored away in a closet that you wish to display in a scene? There are many reasons people love to collect miniatures. Some wish to tell a story with their collection by recreating a scene from their past memories. Others wish to showcase their interior design talents by creating a miniature version of their dream home. Others want to highlight the miniature objects themselves, without necessarily creating a miniature scene.

3. What’s your budget? There are many price ranges of dollhouse miniatures on the market and budget is an important factor. Ask yourself if you wish to complete your project in a few months time, or over several years. If you are in no hurry, consider beginning with a room box and “upgrading” to a larger scale dollhouse as you add pieces to your collection.

4. How do I want to display my collection? This is perhaps, the most rewarding part of miniature collecting. Interior design is at the heart of miniature collecting. If you’ve decided to display your collection in a dollhouse or roombox, now comes the real planning – choosing the style of your room box or dollhouse (i.e. Victorian, Georgian, Craftsman), planning your interior colors and deciding what type and style of miniatures to add to your display. This final planning step will help you realize what’s most important to you as you begin your collection.

We encourage you to read through our other blog postings for more tips and ideas on what you miniature pieces to add to your dollhouse.

If you’re a dollhouse miniature enthusiast, you will appreciate knowing there are many more out there just like you! Clubs and organizations around the country attract individuals who enjoy the hobby of dollhouse miniatures.

Some unfamiliar with this hobby would believe that building and decorating a dollhouse is a one-time project, but those involved in miniatures know this is not true. It’s an addiction!

The motives behind miniaturists often vary. For some, it really is a one-time project, for others, it is the challenge of constructing a dream house on a miniature scale. I have even seen miniaturists build dollhouses to reconstruct a miniature version of a childhood home or grandmother’s house.

If you are new to this hobby, consider joining a dollhouse miniature club. There are many local dollhouse clubs around the United States (and even around the world).

In addition to dollhouse clubs, there are many other great resources out there. The internet hosts many on-line groups where you can chat with other miniaturists about your dollhouse project. It’s a great way to bounce ideas of others from the comfort of your own home. Both Google and Yahoo host some great groups you can join. Some groups are private, which means you have to request an invite to join, while other groups are public and you can join without request.

Dollhouse miniature shows are another great venue to see the vast array of collectibles available. There are several held around the country. This is a great place to see hand-crafted miniatures from local and national miniature artisans.

Finding others who share the same passion for the miniature dollhouse hobby makes the addiction to dollhouse miniature collecting….well, just that much more addicting.

About us:

Zoolabees Dollhouse Miniatures is a premier on-line retailer of 1:12 scale dollhouse miniatures. We specialize in miniature dollhouse furniture, miniature dollhouse accessories, lamps and lighting, building components, dollhouses and dolls. Zoolabees is also an authorized dealer of Hansson Miniatures.