Author: House Miniatures Blogger

Hi! I'm Jill E. Stark, a miniature house enthusiast! As an artist, I do fixer upper for vintage (doll)houses as well as collect them & share stories!

SWOBODA DEAF CENTER IN CHICAGO

House Miniatures Blogger

So excited to share Swoboda Deaf Center is hosting their annual Winter Deaf Festival this month of December and I’m lending our Christmas miniature house where everyone can see it up close.

According to Swoboda Deaf Center (SDC) website:

SDC is the only Deaf owned community center in the Chicagoland area for the Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing, DeafBlind, CODA (Children of Deaf Adults), and ASL signers to come together.  Swoboda Deaf Center’s mission is to provide resources, educational workshops, social gatherings, and special events including cultural awareness.  

 

LUXURY HANDBAGS….THEY LOOK LIKE HOUSES!

House Miniatures Blogger

So interesting – and stunningly BEAUTIFUL!!! Check them out…

(Please note I’ve connected every article links to each image for references.)

Full-page ad of LOUIS VUITTON in a fashion magazine…
CLICK HERE
Luxury handbag design of Louis Vuitton Maison Vendôme, Paris
CLICK HERE
CLICK HERE
CLICK HERE
CLICK HERE

1964 COLLEEN MOORE’S FAIRY CASTLE SOUVENIR BOOK

House Miniatures Blogger
COLLEEN MOORE’S FAIRY CASTLE IN CHICAGO
MUSEUM OF SCIENCE & INDUSTRY SOUVENIR BOOK FROM 1964
(FRONT COVER)
COLLEEN MOORE’S FAIRY CASTLE IN CHICAGO
MUSEUM OF SCIENCE & INDUSTRY SOUVENIR BOOK FROM 1964
(BACK COVER)
PORTRAIT OF MINIATURIST COLLEEN MOORE

COLUMBIAN HOUSE IN HANCOCK COUNTY

House Miniatures Blogger

In my previous blog post, I mentioned Columbian House miniature which I saw at Hancock County Museum yet decided to elaborate.

The actual Columbian House was built in 1828 as a stagecoach stop and inn. In later years, it was home to a popular restaurant. It sits at the corner of River Road and Farnsworth Road in Waterville, Ohio.

Fun fact: It’s believed to be haunted! There are stories about spirits, roaming their halls through the years.

“There are a lot of ghost stories from here. That’s been going on for about 100 years. It adds to the charm, but it is a very small part of the wonderful story here.” Local news

Columbian House Facebook Page

Columbian House (miniature) at Hancock Historical Museum in Findlay, Ohio

HANCOCK HISTORICAL MUSEUM IN FINDLAY, OHIO

House Miniatures Blogger
 Hull-Flater House at 422 West Sandusky Street 

I visited Hancock Historical Museum in Findlay Ohio today and saw my former teacher, Mrs. Deb Wickerham, who works there as an Education Coordinator.

Teaching is Mrs. Wickerham’s true passion, showcased by the fact that she retired from schooling after 32+ years. I’m very proud to have been taught by a literal Award Winning teacher (Ohio Teacher of the Year in 2008)! Not only that, but Mrs. Wickerham has also done so much for our community, especially for our American Veterans. She served as a fantastic director for Flag City Honor Flight and so forth. Amazing. I’m blessed to have had her as my teacher from 1984 to 1988 at Chamberlin Hill Elementary.

Hancock County Museum is stunning. It showcases the rich history of Findlay, Ohio with a grace I’ve never seen! Please go visit when you can!

I loved the fact that they had this grand display of the Columbian (Doll) House right in the center of the museum.

Education Coordinator Deb Wickerham in front of Columbian House miniature at
Hancock Historical Museum in Findlay, Ohio.
Columbian House miniature at Hancock Historical Museum in Findlay, Ohio
Hancock Historical Museum also has a dollhouse for children where they can learn hands-on.

Thank you, Mrs. W! You are everyone’s teacher and a true role model.

Mrs. Deb Wickerham and me at Hancock Historical Museum

TOM BISHOP’S 2024 CHICAGO INTERNATIONAL MINIATURES SHOW

House Miniatures Blogger

I returned to The Chicago International Dollhouse Miniatures Show at Marriott Chicago O’Hare, which was held annually. This general public event (organized by Tom Bishop Productions) is always a great opportunity to explore the world of miniatures; meeting other fellow enthusiasts and make new connections.

Guess who I saw there? Tara Thame of EvaRose Miniatures! I am so proud to share that Tara Thame has her gorgeous miniature room box exclusively selected for a grand display at the convention, “An Evening Soiree in Paris”! Congratulations, Tara!!

Miniaturist Tara Thame of EvaRose Miniatures with her gorgeous miniature room box,
“An Evening Soiree in Paris”.
Miniaturist Tara Thame of EvaRose Miniatures, “An Evening Soiree in Paris”.
Miniaturist Tara Thame of EvaRose Miniatures, “An Evening Soiree in Paris”.
Miniaturist Tara Thame of EvaRose Miniatures, “An Evening Soiree in Paris”.
Miniaturist Tara Thame of EvaRose Miniatures, “An Evening Soiree in Paris”.
Miniaturist Tara Thame of EvaRose Miniatures, “An Evening Soiree in Paris”.

OUR FAMILY HEIRLOOM DOLLHOUSE

House Miniatures Blogger

This special dollhouse was hand built by my husband’s maternal grandfather. Granddad John A. Stock gave it to his granddaughter (my husband’s sister) Karen Stark during the 1970’s. After she unexpectedly passed away few years ago, we are very grateful to have it as our family heirloom today.

Family heirloom is an important legacy, a link to our past. They help us understand our family’s history, culture, traditions and connect with those who came before us.

I would not change anything about this particular house… except for a fresh coat of white paint.

They’re ‘BEFORE’ photos – before I simply painted the exterior with a fresh coat of white paint.

Fresh white paint in progress
Interior layout design

Below is ‘AFTER’ photos after a fresh coat of white paint, yet I decorated it for the holidays. It’s always a showstopper at parties! A great conversational piece for our family and friends.

Gotta love nostalgic Christmas ornaments from Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland in Frankenmuth, MI! It’s my true inspiration.
ASL holiday wrapping paper from Target

MARSHALL FIELD’S: HALL’S LIFETIME TOYS DOLLHOUSE

House Miniatures Blogger

As I live here in Chicagoland for over twenty years, Marshall Field’s Department store on State Street with the iconic clock is one of the Chicago’s highlights. This particular heirloom dollhouse, 1970’s Colonial Mansion by Hall’s Lifetime Toys is believed was created for Marshall Field’s & Co. This one is still sought after by collectors today.

This 1970’s Colonial Mansion may be considered as “plantation style” but it did not have any other trim, like a balcony. It has a Greek revival with the columns and triangular shape on the top front. The painted green roof is plain, sloping on each side. 4 rooms total with a staircase, covered in red suede. A fireplace. 2 rooms upstairs and 2 rooms downstairs, all beautifully wall papered. Each window is plastic stapled with painted white curtains and green wooden shutters.

I love the lithographed front door design as it stands out elegantly. Happy viewing!

Top Floor – two rooms
Bottom floor – two rooms
I scanned in this Hall’s Lifetime Toys label image from the reference book –
along with the other images below
Dollhouse and Furniture Advertising: 1880s-1980s by Dian Zillner
(from Dian Zillner’s book)
(from Dian Zillner’s book)
(from Dian Zillner’s book)
(from Dian Zillner’s book)
Marshall Field’s & Co (now Macy’s) Department store on
State & Washington Street – with its iconic clock
Tiffany Favrile glass ceiling

The iconic Walnut Room at Marshall Field’s (now Macy’s) on 111 N. State St. below

The Walnut Room during the holidays