Designers work in miniature for V&A doll’s house exhibition

Designers including Paul Priestman, Dominic Wilcox and Bethan Wood have created miniature rooms for a new doll’s house exhibition set to open at the V&A Museum of Childhood in London.

Kaleidoscope House USA, 2001, by Laurie Simmons, Peter Wheelwright and Boz
Kaleidoscope House USA, 2001, by Laurie Simmons, Peter Wheelwright and Bozart

A total of 20 artists and designers have contributed doll’s houses for the show, which also looks at historical and contemporary designs for the houses.

Priestman has created a never-ending party table, while Wood’s design features scaled-down versions of her own furniture.

If a Budgie Dreamed of being a Magpie, by Bethan Wood
If a Budgie Dreamed of being a Magpie, by Bethan Wood

Dominic Wilcox has created an “offline hideaway” complete with candelabra and a jug of juice, while Donna Wilson has designed a llama’s bedroom.

As well as showcasing the specially designed houses, the Small Stories exhibition will tell the stories of 12 doll’s houses from the past 300 years.

The Longest Party Table in the World by Paul Priestman of PriestmanGoode
The Longest Party Table in the World, by Paul Priestman of PriestmanGoode

The museum says these exhibits will portray a journey through “the history of the home, everyday lives and changing family relationships”.

Each house will be displayed at a particular time of day and visitors can use buttons alongside the showcases to activate the narration and light up each character as they talk.

Hopkinson House - bedroom detail set in 1940s
Hopkinson House – bedroom detail set in 1940s

Small Stories: At home in a doll’s house, is at the V&A Museum of Childhood, Cambridge Heath Road, London E2, from 13 December 2014-6 September 2015.

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