Saturday, April 2, 2011

Queen Mary's Dolls House....








Back in 2006 while we were touring around England, I was lucky enough to have had a visit to Queen Mary's Dolls House. The house itself was very impressive with running water and a working lift....plus many many more amazing features. The above photos are a set of postcards I bought while I was there. I came across them this afternoon while going through some boxes. I adore some of the features.....the crochet threads, the monogrammed linen, the jars of jams.....and those wonderful copper kettles!!!

I am sure that many of our U.K friends have paid this fabulous house a visit, but I thought that those of us further abroad might like to see these photos. I highly recommend a visit for any miniaturist if you ever get the chance......! Even if you are not into miniatures you will be astonished by its grandeur.

28 comments:

Simplement ... said...

C'est un maison que j'adorerai visiter ...
Merci pour les belles images qui font rêver
Belle journée
Marie-Ange

17-17 said...

Thank you Linda for the wonderful photos, this house is perfect...
greetings:o)
Magda

miniacollection said...

I also was lucky to be able to see it. It is stunning and I had to buy a book about it.
Geneviève

Norma Bennett said...

Awesome and inspiring pictures, thanks for sharing :)

Michelle said...

I'm so glad that you go to see this house. This dollshouse is one truly amazing piece (and that's an understatement) and its enormous!! I am equally amazed at the workmanship for the era it was made.

I have the book too, but seeing the actual house is a feast for the eyes and so much more. :o))

Michelle xx

Jennifer Hatt said...

Thanks for posting this, I have never seen these pictures before only the large shot of the makers of the dollhouse with it. What workmanship, i cant believe the printed items, how much work when into those labels and all the little details. Very impressed,I have seen the thorne rooms and they are very impressive too. One day i will get to England and see this in person!!

C said...

Thank you for sharing this Linda. I have never visited it myself but intend to the next time I am in London. I believe that over 1,000 craftsmen and women were involved in this house and that even the tiny records play on the record machine! And there is a flushing toilet.

But even though it is extremely impressive, I think most us will agree that it is not as satisfying as making miniatures ourselves.

Have a great weekend, best wishes, Carol :)

Case di Bambola said...

I've been in Windsor and visited the huge dolls house! I love it and I'd gladly go back to pay another visit. Of course I've bought the same postcards you've bought, plus the book :) And it's such a great inspirational source!
Hugs, Lucia

Heather said...

Thank you for sharing. I've wanted to see this dollhouse since I was a girl. And despite several trips to London, I've never seen it!

Georgie Steeds said...

I live about 5 miles from Windsor, and have seen this amazing house on several occasions. I am extremely proud to say that my Grandfather worked for H.M.V. at the time the house was made, and worked on the gramophone, which does indeed work.
Perhaps I inherited my miniaturist tendencies from him?

rosanna said...

I have seen it first time on 1985. I was young but I could never forget the impression it did on me.
I bought the book too but it was lost in one of our moves :o((( need to go back and buy a new one. Rosanna

Catherine said...

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVe everything about it! Except the metal work. LOL
The copper kettles were cast... You cannot cast copper so they had to have been plated with copper over some other mystery metal.

I am delighted you posted these gorgeous pictures. They are not they usual ones I have seen of the house.

Chris said...

We have visisted the UK many times but I was never able to go to Windsor Castle and see this beautiful dolls house. Thank you for posting the cards, I have really enjoyed looking at them!

LaPouyette said...

Just beautiful and very touching!

Reminds me on my childhood when we had dolls houses, little shops and....

Lovely post!
Greetings from the Périgord
karin

PS. By the way - there was a country auction recently in South of Germany with a lot of dolls house objects!

rose cat cottage said...

Thanks Linda for these beautiful pictures, I have seen it in 1983 during a trip and I was not at all involved in minis at this time but I have kept an impression of all details and stunning pieces as the water running and the cars and the library... I have to get a look to get the book now:))) doei, claude

Jackie said...

Linda these pictures are wonderful, I love the chest in Photo 9 in particular. I'm ashamed to say that although I live in the UK I have never been to Windsor but I must one day. Strangely my interest in miniatures stems from visiting Titania's Palace at Legoland in Denmark !!

Josje said...

What perfect timing! I am planning a trip to London next month (Kensington Dolls House Festival!)and forgot all about this dolls house. I will definitely go and visit it. I already have the book and have seen the website which is also quite wonderful, but now the real thing. Thank you Linda!

Monica said...

Whilst circling the M4/M3 umpteen times trying to get onto the M25, we stopped at Windsor to rest some very frazzled nerves, and once there visited Q.M.'s incredible dollhouse. So happy we didn't drive right on by. Can't imagine how I managed to pass up those wonderful postcards at the time ... probably thought the book was enough, but you've shown me it is not. Love all the closeup details. Love those jam and preserve jars too ... thanks for sharing!

Linda Carswell said...

Monica...Perhaps you can purchase the postcase via their web-site. I also bought the book, but can't find it at present.....I'm sure I have it in a safe place!!!

Monica said...

Thanks Linda ... I'll give it a try. Meant to comment on the water faucets/taps. Apparently they couldn't be made to scale because a single drop of water was too big to pass through, therefore their over-sized appearance ... nevermind the outlandish idea of 'having' running water in a dolls house!

Stéphanie said...

I adore !

Petit Coterie said...

Great postcards Linda! Thank you for your comment and, yes, I am very excited about Martha Stewart!

xx,
Michelle

ChariMini said...

yo tambien la he visitado y es dvina algun dia volvere por que cada visita sera encomtrar detalles que pasam desapercibidosmil besos

Janine Crocker said...

Thank you so much for sharing these wonderful photos Linda. I saw the dollhouse when I was a child but the place was heaving with visitors and we were rushed through so quickly in a line that we barely got to see anything...I could have stayed there all day! We can see so much more detail in your postcards. Best wishes Janine

Eesti said...

Thank you for this blog. Thats all I can say. You most definitely have made this blog into something thats eye opening and important. You clearly know so much about the subject, youve covered so many bases. Great stuff from this part of the internet. Again, thank you for this blog.

Linda Carswell said...

Thank you for the lovely words Eesti. I enjoy my miniatures & my travels and I think they combine very nicely to blog about both subjects....so pleased you like it!!

Marie said...

Beautiful blog!

Miniature Pets By Bridget McCarty said...

Wow, at first I couldn't make out if they were real or miniature.