We’re delighted to welcome Catherine Cuisy from France to the Miniatura blog this week. Catherine lives in the Ile de France region, surrounded by countryside and forests, with her husband Thierry and family, and their two Border Terriers. Catherine has loved all things miniature since she was a child. And from a very young age she longed to create an elegant Victorian house.

“This house was a dream of a little girl bathed in creativity since the age of eight,” said Catherine. “My grandmother taught me how to knit and my mom gave me fabrics to make my creations. I quickly turned to the miniature world which fascinated me.

“I started with shoe boxes that I layered on top of each other and dressed in carpets and furniture. But all the time I was thinking about this Victorian house project. I learned about that time in history, I read books – and I created a plan.”

Catherine explained that she didn’t want a kit that she could put together, and she thought for a long while about what she wanted exactly. Eventually, about ten years ago, the house began to take shape. “Each brick was cut and glued by hand, and all hand patinated,” said Catherine.

She built the house according to the customs of the middle of the Victorian period. “There’s a basement with all the necessary staff – a butler, cook, maid and a nanny, who all have their own rooms. There’s an entrance, an office, kitchen, laundry room and dining room. There’s even a vegetable garden in front of the kitchen for the staff to obtain fresh fruit and veg. And Catherine has plans to make a family garden at the back of the house too.”

The dolls take on lives of their own.

She bought the family of dolls from a miniaturist craftsman – with her making the coats and capes for them. As she’s working, she’s imagining the lives of this little family, picturing what they do and how they live. The father and master of the house is Louis, the mother is Célestine, the little girl is Camille and the little boy is Jules. There’s also a baby and a nurse called Madeleine who you will spot in the park and the nursery. While indoors, Edward the butler is on hand to welcome visitors.

A whole floor is reserved for the children. This is where the nanny has her room – so more convenient for her to care for the little ones. While at roof level, Catherine has plans to install the maid and cook’s chambers as well as a sewing workshop.

“What I like above all is to think about the layout of each room,” Catherine added. “I make almost everything – the parquet, all the tapestries, the clothes, the various accessories, the food, the flowers which takes a lot of my time. I can spend several months embroidering a rug in miniature. And I never start two pieces at the same time.”

As you look around the Victorian house, there’s lots going on in the different rooms. From the children enjoying a snack, to them going out with the parents, all wrapped up against the cold. Or playing in the nursery under the watchful eye of the nurse.

The house is decorated with the changing seasons.

“Last winter, I completed the exterior with the sidewalk and stairs. I decorate my house according to the seasons.” The photographs show the house at Christmas, with lots of Christmas fayre and decorations, Christmas puddings and treats that look good enough to eat, and everywhere bedecked for the festive season.

About a year ago, Catherine created a Victorian Park adjoining the house, with different spaces for different activities: relaxation, a children’s play area, a theatre and tea room. And this too, Catherine decorates according to the season.

“I am sorely lacking the time to be entirely on this project every day since I still have my professional activity. I worked for more than 24 years as a nursery nurse in a crèche, and now I am finishing my career in the field of health for adolescents.”

Catherine is hoping that when she retires from work, she will be able to devote more time to her Victorian house as there is still lots that she wants to do it. She added: “A little nod to my family and in particular my husband who has helped me a lot and who still helps me.”

“Attention to detail, that’s what I love,” said Catherine.