Miniatura

My husband had always had model railways as a child and so when our children were old enough we built them a rather large railway layout, so as a family we have always been interested in miniatures. I can remember looking at the buildings thinking ’they could look more realistic’

I first started making miniature cottages eight years ago. I can’t quite remember how I stumbled across Petite Properties but I did and my first make was Hedgerow cottage and from there there was no turning back.

As a family, history has always been an interest of ours and especially old buildings of all periods and we use books, old plans and a little bit of imagination to design our houses We are also Christmas crazy and so our advent houses were created. We didn’t just want an advent calendar, but something that once the doors had been opened could be used as a dolls house. Also we thought’ why does it have to be just for Christmas’ and so the countdown houses are another addition for all different occasions. As you can tell, we are a family business and our name comes from our daughter Abby (Abigail). The only time she would be called Abigail as a child would be when she’d done something she shouldn’t have and then she’d be ‘Miss Abigail’.

As I write this in Spring 2025 we are a new business and have only done one show but it was wonderful talking to customers and getting feedback.

We work from home with me designing (with input from the family) and my husband does the cutting and packaging. We have a laser machine to help with the precision cutting. It can take weeks sometimes months to get a design right. Decorating is my favourite part and I have learnt so much over the years from Bea Broadwood, whom I admire immensely.

Miniatures seem to be a part of our everyday life as a family as we always seem end up with our pets in miniature. We have Chihuahuas, Miniature Shetlands and even a miniature cow.