Here at Miniatura we are constantly amazed and delighted to see the quality of workmanship of you miniaturists, and we love the fact that you’re sharing your passion for all things miniature with us and fellow dolls house enthusiasts. It’s very inspiring to see so many different styles and creations and to discover the stories behind the makers of these fantastic mini worlds that you conjure up.

Take afternoon tea at the Willow Pattern Tearooms

Today, we are very pleased to share the work of retired cabinet maker Michael Walter of Cambridgeshire. Michael has been involved with wood ever since he was a lad of 15 when he was an apprentice cabinet maker. He went on to have a lengthy career in that industry, and now aged 75 he’s very happy to still be working with wood – although in a smaller capacity!

Sherlock Holmes’ room

“I started making miniatures around 15 years ago,” said Michael. “The miniature models I create are purely for mine and my family’s enjoyment. They are all very interested in all that I do, and my wife Ann in particular is very involved in doing the research for me.”

Michael and Ann have three grown up children and for their fortieth birthdays he made each of them a replica room of their choice. “For my eldest son, James a Sherlock Holmes room; my daughter, Lisa, requested a workshop similar to the one when I was apprenticed; and for my youngest son, Ben, who has always had a great interest in the American Civil War, I made the room where General Ulysses S Grant and Robert E Lee signed the surrender documents.”

Michael also enjoys making shops such as butchers and bakers with all the realistic foodstuffs laid out on the counter, capturing a moment in time from long ago. Michael added, “My inspiration comes from shops I remember from my childhood.”

The Family Butchers

As you’ll see in the photographs, he pays great attention to detail, creating scenes in his room boxes that are packed with atmosphere and realism. You could so easily imagine walking into any one of those rooms or shops and buy some cakes or bacon or order a pint at the bar; or be a fly on the wall and listen to Holmes and Watson discussing their latest case.

Get your bacon and sausages

Michael explained that Ann did a lot of research for the American Civil War room made for son Ben. For Michael it was very important to get the detail right. Everything you see in the room – unless metal or lighting, has been made by him, and made using the correct wood for the period, and built using the same methods and tools as if it were the full sized item of furniture. “Ben is very keen on the American Civil War and has been out there and seen places where things happened in history.”

The US Civil War room box

Michael started making this model when Ben was 38, so it has taken him about two years. “When I hit a snag If I get stuck on anything I can leave off and do something else. I’m always making something that I can drop back on.”

He added, “Everything as much as possible is made out of wood and in some cases the age of the wood is what would have been used at the time. I also use Polymer Clay for making accessories such as meat, fruit, vegetables, bread, cakes etc.”

Another view of Sherlock Holmes’ study

Whilst working as a cabinet maker, Michael had gathered many different pieces of wood, a lot of which dates from different eras of history, so when he made the Sherlock Holmes room for their son James, he was able to make the furniture from wood that was 100 years old – keeping the colour as it would have been too. He based the room on the televised Sherlock series starring Jeremy Brett. “I used to record it and freeze frame to take note of the detail. I was really pleased with this room and I’d say it was one of my best ones really.”

He was slightly surprised when his daughter, Lisa, told him what miniature room box she wanted for her 40^th birthday. Michael said, “She wanted a model of my workshop – with a coffin as I used to make coffins. So, I made one and it’s made exactly as a coffin would be made. Creating the workshop was a case of squashing everything in. The toilet is how it was and it’s the same layout, but in reality, the room was much bigger. But this was a lot of fun to make.”

The Carpenter’s Arms

When Michael began to make miniatures, he found that he could manage using the original tools he’d used for full sized furniture, and he soon got used to making the smaller versions. “It came quite easily, you know how the joints would be, it’s just a matter of scaling it all down.”

Enjoy a pint in the Carpenter’s Arms

Michael and Ann have visited Miniatura at the NEC many times, and love to see the work of other miniaturists. While at home, he is happy to pass the time making his own miniatures, working either at the table, or with a custom-made tray on his lap, and can sit watching the television as he’s working.

The Crusty Loaf Baker’s Shop

His latest project is a model of their village church which he started in May 2019. Michael said, “The church was 1050 years old last year and we had a village ope day where I exhibited some of my models and he church was there as a work in progress. I hope to have it finished by Christmas this year.”

A peep inside The Crusty Loaf bakers shop.

Michael concluded, “I feel very lucky to still be working with wood and enjoying it as much as I did all those years ago. And if I can inspire others to give it a go, that makes me very happy.”