Artists Darren Scala and May Burnett from Westchester County, New York crafted this Charles Dickens-themed miniature storybook filled with tiny treasures with a whimsical fictional tale to go with it!
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Miniaturists Serve Up Magic in Small Scale
This ain't any old dollhouse...this tiny structure features real mini foods, portrait paintings, pottery, furnishings, and layers and layers of surprise, delight, and whimsy.
Two Story 1/12 Scale Townhouse Storybook
The storybook opens to reveal the 2-story home of Charles Dickens (England, circa 1863). The first-floor parlor features random planked flooring made from individual strips of maple hardwood finished with a satin shine. A carved Fleur de Les stamp was used to create the wallpaper design in gold over a custom color acrylic red paint.
First Floor Parlor with Random Planked Flooring and Stenciled Wallpaper
A brass chandelier with incandescent bulbs by Clare Bell hangs from a coffered ceiling with over 40 panels made from 500 individually milled strip wood and connected planks painted in white with a high shine gloss.
A pair of lighted brass candlestick sconces with shades hang under built in-archways highlighting the center wall.
A 9” panel door with brass kick plate and glass cut door knob is ajar and leads to a hand-painted portrait of Mrs. Dickens at the end of a backlit hallway.
Felted Christmas Tree Stands Tall in Parlor Corner
A tall hand-flocked Christmas tree reaches the ceiling twinkling with bright white lights and decorated with hand-tied ribbons, bows, and gold balls sprinkled with glitter.
Tiny Angel with Golden Halo Wears a Silk Robe with Golden Wings
The Christmas tree is topped with a lighted cherub with a golden halo wearing white silk robes and a gold sash.
Parlor Table with Edible Cakes, Cookies and a Ginger Bread House
A round wooden pedestal table with carved empire feet holds a tall dramatic floral arrangement dusted with white snow and red accents inside a decorated polymer vase accented in gold.
Branches Dusted with Snow and Red Berries Fill Center Vase
The table is filled with holiday treats including an edible iced cake, strawberry pie, a gingerbread house, and an assortment of gingerbread cookies on a tiered trio of painted polymer plates.
Gifts Wrapped in Gold Ribbon Are Aplenty Under the Tree
An assortment of Christmas gifts tagged with the names of the honorary children in our story (“A Christmas Past”) with seasons greetings “Happy Christmas, Olive,” Yuletide Blessings, Tim,” Christmas Greetings, David,” and “For the New Year, Nicholas."
Library Bookcase Slides Opens to Reveal a Hidden Room
The second floor features a wood-paneled study with a wood-beamed ceiling, decorative moldings, and random planked wood floor stained with traditional cherrywood with several framed paintings including a floral still life, a landscape, and a portrait of Charles Dickens above a decorative fireplace with flickering flames and logs arrangement atop a faux black granite hearth flanked by a pair of brass hurricane lamps with glass shades by Clare Belle Miniatures.
Secret Portrait Gallery Appears Behind Sliding Bookshelf
Built-in wood bookshelves filled with over 100 books (some opening with pages!) highlights the Dickens study. One bookshelf slides open to reveal a secret gallery lined with 4 framed and painted portraits honoring the Dickens children including Oliver Twist, Nicolas Nickelby, Tiny Tim, and David Copperfield (“A Christmas Future”) as they might appear after a life of dedication and contributions to children’s causes.
Hand-Painted Portraits Line a Secret Gallery Room
First is the portrait of Oliver Twist, now the head of England’s leading children’s advocacy fund. Next, we find the painting of David Copperfield, Britain’s leading journalist who reports on the health and education of immigrant children. Third is Nicholas Nickelby, now a leading figure in the fight for women’s rights and equality and finally we find Dickens's most cherished character, Tiny Tim. This portrait shows Dr. Timothy Cratchit, founder of the European Society for Pediatric and Childhood Illness.
Dickens Writes a New Novel in His Second Floor Study
In Dickens' new book, the children from his previous books are celebrated and given the Christmas they never had.
Replica Dickens Desk has Working Drawers and Lifting Hinged Lid
The hardwood desk mirrors the real desk which is on permanent view at the Charles Dickens Museum in London. This replica has 6 working side drawers, a center drawer with dovetailed joints, and a hinged lid revealing writing tools and accessories.
Artists Darren Scala and May Burnett
Miniaturist Darren and May appear beside their Tiny Dickens Christmas creation.