1:144 Scale Dollhouses

(a.k.a. Dollhouse for Dollhouse Scale)

As already mentioned in other guides, the most popular scale for dollhouses is 1:12 (1 inch = 1 foot), also known as One Inch scale, so I will focus on the lesser known 1:144 scale.  It is a very versatile scale, since it is a perfect match for use in your 1:12 scale dollhouses and rooms.  Whether you are interested in a kit, or in a finished item, you will want to make sure that the item you are considering bidding on is in scale.

How big is it?

A dollhouse to be displayed inside your dollhouse is in 1:144 scale (1 inch = 12 feet), also known as Dollhouse for a Dollhouse scale.   That means that a 6-ft person would measure a mere 1/2" tall!  It also means that items are so tiny that you can hold an entire house in the palm of your hand (see photo below).  A typical dollhouse can measure less than four inches wide.  Of course, the kit of a mansion would be larger, but you get the idea of how small things can get.  But do not despair, in spite of their size, these micro dollhouses are available in various architectural styles -- ranging from Victorian to log cabins -- and some are even miniature versions of  popular 1:12 dollhouse kits.  

                         "The Savannah"  and the "Beacon Hill" dollhouse kits by Northeastern Scale Model                                            

To build a kit, or buy assembled?

Most 1:144 scale dollhouses are available as kits, but you can also find some already assembled and furnished.  The kits, of course, are not as expensive as the finished dollhouses, and since you will be doing all the work of assembling and finishing it, they are a great deal of fun (someone did all the figuring out of details for the structure) and insure that you get great results.  And the best part is that, once the dollhouse is assembled and finished, you can then have even more fun furnishing, and decorating it!

Building the dollhouses is not your favorite part, but rather enjoy getting a totally finished item?  Here, again, you have choices.  Some finished dollhouses are available ready to be furnished and decorated by you, while some may come already furnished.  There are further variations here, too, since some of the dollhouses may be furnished with laser cut wood furniture, while others may be furnished with metal furniture -- they are, of course, priced accordingly. 

One word of caution, most of the metal miniature furniture being sold as 1:144 scale is not the right scale!  Only the smallest metal miniatures, called matchbox furniture are close to being in scale, the rest is too large.  The oversized furniture is alright for the Bespaq Babyhouse, though, because the rooms in the cabinet are actually HO scale, not 1:144th.  Metal miniature furniture is usually sold unpainted, although you may also find it already finished.  Laser cut wood furniture kits are, of course, more expensive, and you will need to assemble and finish them but, in my humble opinion, they are worth it.  You will be very pleased with the results if you go the extra mile.  Another alternative is to purchase the finished pieces from an artisan. 

The following kits are by Anita Lahue and are available from SDK Miniatures (they have an EBay store, as well as their own website) 

All the dollhouse kits, such as the "Plantation" and "Casita de las Flores," by Anita Lahue (as well as her furniture kits) are laser cut of quality 1/32" plywood (which is very strong, in spite of its thinness).  With the laser cut furniture kits you can decorate the interior of your micro dollhouse with beautiful wooden furniture pieces. 

Where to find items in scale?

In this scale the caution "buyer beware" is as appropriate as in any other purchase.  Because many more miniaturists are experts in the 1:12 scale, they may have difficulty visualizing the true size of the 1:144 scale and may assume that if a dollhouse is tiny and being advertised as being 1:144 scale, that it actually is so.  Not always!  Don't want to discourage you but, even some manufacturer's offerings (such as those from Laser Tech) are not true to scale!  Grandt Line advertises their dollhouse kits as "suitable for use as 1:144" because their kits are actually "N" scale (which is 1:160 scale) -- it is close to 1:144, but it is slightly smaller. 

So if true scale is important to you, your best bet is to buy from manufacturers and artists who specialize in this particular scale.  When shopping in person, a scale card is an invaluable tool in ascertaining scale.  There is a scale card specifically for use in the 1:144 scale (they have a website), which I treasure -- I could not craft without it!  Well, I could, but could not be as sure of my work being in scale as I am. 

When it comes to dollhouse kits, though, you cannot go wrong if you buy the kits produced by Northeastern Scale Models (I have no connection to the company, but they have a good product and provide clear instructions), or if you purchase dollhouses and kits designed by micro artists such as Anita Lahue, Frances Amstrong (Toys in Miniature), Susan Karatjas (SDK Miniatures), Kathryn Gray, Lucy Hanson (Hanson's Minis), or Nell Corkin, to name a few.   Some samples of their work appear below.  They all (except for Nell Corkin) have websites that you can visit.

              "Georgian" kit from Kathryn Gray                Luci Hanson's "Tudor Townhouse" kit has 3 removable, electrified rooms

         Julia Sensiba's "Crofters' Cottage"             Frances Armstrong's dollhouse               Nell Corkin's EnglishCottage

Taking good measures

One important point to remember when purchasing or bidding on an item is to check the measurements.  If you remember that 1 inch = 12 feet you will be able to figure out if the item is in scale.  If the seller has not provided measurements, don't be shy, e-mail your questions to him (or her) before you place a bid. 

If you need further help you can do a Google search for micro minis or 1:144 scale dollhouse miniatures and it should lead you to the Micro Minis group, an online club of micro mini artists, (some of whom sell on EBay). 

Good luck with your bids and enjoy the hobby!

Microcrafter