If someone had told you as a child, they could magic your dollhouse into a life-sized version, it surely would've made all of your dreams come true. Canadian artist Heather Benning has done exactly that, in our most Loved post of the week chosen by
If someone had told you as a child, they could magic your dollhouse into a life-sized version, it surely would've made all of your dreams come true. Canadian artist Heather Benning has done exactly that, in our most Loved post of the week chosen by Daisy Woodward. Whilst an artist-in-residence for the community of Redvers, Saskatchewan in 2005, Benning found a derelict farmhouse in a local field, redecorated it with 1960s-style furniture and replaced the back of the house with Plexiglass, allowing for a typical dollhouse viewing. Aptly entitled Dollhouse, the project which took an impressive 18 months, has won fans worldwide – for many conjuring up nostalgic memories of playing with the miniature toy, which can in fact be traced back to the Egyptian tombs of the Old Kingdom created nearly 5000 years ago.
In fashion, numerous designers have paid homage to this childhood pastime. For an exhibition in 1995 Viktor & Rolf built a miniature model of their world: with a photographic studio, a catwalk, boutique and a perfume. And for an exhibition in 2008, celebrating their 15-year anniversary, the duo remade their signature collection pieces as detailed miniatures and showcased them on handmade porcelain dolls in a large dollhouse.
A hark back to Jeanne Lanvin's partaking in the post-war Theâtre de la Mode show – which saw French couturiers presenting their designs on miniature dolls due to the lack of fabric – Alber Elbaz has over the past years also created numerous hand painted porcelain doll figures dressed in the Lanvin collection. And, for the opening of Lanvin’s Madison Avenue women’s boutique Elbaz hosted a dollhouse masquerade dressing pop-coloured drag queens as replicas of his dolls.
Here, we take a trip down memory lane with Woodward and ask her about the dollhouse she owned as a young girl and her favourite childhood pastimes...
What made you choose to Love this Life-sized Dollhouse by Heather Benning?
I just loved the whole idea of it – taking a derelict farmhouse and turning it into something so imaginative. The colours are great too. I also like the fact it openly allows you to be nosey – I’m a shameless voyeur when it comes to other people’s houses and find individual tastes in décor and lifestyle fascinating.
Did you own a dollhouse when you were younger?
I did. Mine was a little black and white doll cottage really – very small, old and rough-and-tumble. The inside was full of Action Force soldiers lounging around on miniature furniture (I have two older brothers and my parents were bored of buying into all the different toy fads by the time I came along).
If you could revive any childhood pastimes (and bring them into adulthood) – what would they be and why?
Playing imaginary games because there was always an escape from boredom, no matter where you found yourself.
Do you have a favourite childhood possession?
Probably my books. My all-time favourites are Roald Dahl (especially The Twits) and this collection I have about a boy called Tim, written and wonderfully illustrated by Edward Ardizzone.
What and where is your dream house?
I’m obsessed with Sir John Soane’s house (now museum) in Holborn, which is beautifully preserved and brimming with all the amazing artworks and antiquities that he collected throughout his lifetime. They do a candlelit evening opening one night every month.
What is the nicest house you have ever been too?
My family’s cottage in mid-Wales (it looks a bit like my dollhouse actually), which is in the middle of a totally secluded valley, surrounded by fields and sheep. My parents bought it as an almost-ruin in the 80s and slowly made it livable in over the years – we used to have baths in a metal tub in front of a fire!
Do you have any home interiors on your wish list?
At the moment I don’t have a house to decorate, just a bedroom which increasingly resembles a hoarder’s lair. But when I do, Baileys home and garden shop in Herefordshire is full of good stuff. They source and recycle lots of vintage furniture and homeware.
What is your favourite online shop?
I’ve got my eye on the beautiful new collection of coats by Brics and am taunting myself with daily visits to their website.
Text by Lucia Davies
