living in a small world

I spent hours playing with my doll's house when I was young. No ordinary doll's house, my Dad made it for me. Living room, kitchen dining room, up the stairs to two bedrooms and a bathroom, and two bedrooms in the gabled attic. Wall to wall purple carpet, lino in the kitchen, a brick fireplace, matchstick framed paintings on the wall, one a beaming portrait of my Dad (his sense of humour, I don't remember thinking it funny at the time. Actually I don't remember it at the time. I think it may have sprung up more recently!)

For me it was all about the decorating. I would make my miniature furnishings and objets and then spend forever arranging and rearranging. (Some things never change!) The dolls' house was stored, until recently, under my parent's house. And although the dolls' house itself is in brilliant condition, I have absolutely no idea what has happened to all its furniture. It is as if the owners moved out, leaving only the fixed chattels. Oh yes, they left behind the purple carpet, which has definitely survived 30 plus years under the house.

Anyway, when I saw this beautifully decorated dolls' house in a recent Elle Decoration I was instantly smitten. And I had decorating envy. I wanted to move in. Contemporary-vintage style, and a treasure-trove of design inspiration, it is the work of Emily Chalmers & her friend, wallpaper designer Deborah Bowness. I've been coveting one of Deborah's works for some time. Miniature versions of Deborah's wallpapers which I adore, adorn this house from top to bottom.

Much of the furniture is vintage, and it has real lights. I'm sounding like 'our Else' in my favourite Katherine Mansfield short story 'The Doll's House', when she says 'I seen the little lamp' - but just look at that chandelier.

I'm thinking I might have to move the purple carpet on, and lavish a little love on my dolls' house. Of course I'll keep Dad's portrait. Just perhaps give it a gilt frame. 

Amanda xx

(Images Elle Decoration)

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