Various iterations of the design

DOLLHOUSE

Immersed in the haunting world of Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Fall of the House of Usher,” the experience of crafting a dollhouse miniature was both a labor of love and a journey into the gothic psyche. Each delicate piece—the creaking walls, the dimly lit corridors, and the intricate furnishings—was meticulously designed to evoke the eerie atmosphere of the poem. As colors bled into darkness and shadows danced across the handcrafted spaces, the dollhouse transformed into a character of its own, embodying the decay and despair that permeate Poe’s narrative. This project was not just about building a miniature; it was about capturing the essence of a tragic tale and breathing life into an artistic homage, creating a visual symphony that resonated with the very themes of isolation and madness that define Usher’s story.

WALLS, WINDOWS & CURTAINS

Even the simplest set piece has to be considered carefully. The interior of the dollhouse was deceptively simple: Flat walls to create long corridors. But even seemingly simple things have their challenges. These were a unique opportunity to make a macabre setting stand out with this Victorian era interior.

LIVING ROOM + FURNITURE

In the heart of the Victorian dollhouse, the living room emerged as a captivating sanctuary of nostalgia, where each meticulously crafted piece of furniture told its own story. The art direction focused on infusing life into miniature armchairs and delicately carved tables, ensuring that the textures and colors resonated with a bygone era. Soft fabrics invited touch, while the play of light and shadow accentuated the intricate details, transforming the space into a stage where memories lingered. With every aspect, from the faded wallpaper to the whimsical trinkets on the mantel, we curated an atmosphere that echoed the rich emotions of Poe’s haunting narrative, allowing the living room to serve not just as a setting, but as a living entity that harmonized with the themes of melancholy and reflection woven throughout the tale.

BEDROOM

Nestled within the shadowy corners of the Victorian dollhouse, the bedroom emerges as one of the moodiest retreats, a canvas of muted tones and haunting elegance. Each sparse prop, from the worn velvet bedspread to a solitary porcelain doll perched on the dresser, carries the weight of unspoken stories, inviting whispers of the past to linger in the air. The dim lighting filters through lace curtains, casting intricate patterns on the creaking floorboards, creating an atmosphere thick with nostalgia and melancholy. Here, every detail is a reflection of solitude and longing, drawing visitors into a space where dreams intertwine with the eerie essence of Poe’s narrative, transforming the bedroom into a hauntingly beautiful sanctuary that encapsulates the soul of the tale.

DINING ROOM

In the dimly lit dining room of the Victorian dollhouse, shadows wove a tapestry of mystery around the long, elegantly set table, where every detail whispered stories of the past. Rich, moody hues enveloped the space, inviting intrigue as the flickering candlelight danced over meticulously crafted china and ornate silverware, each piece echoing the grandeur of a bygone era. Delicate lace curtains framed the foggy windows, filtering the outside world while the ambience thrummed with the weight of unspoken secrets. This was not merely a dining room; it was a portal to another time, an intimate gathering place where the echoes of laughter and the pangs of sorrow intertwined, capturing the essence of Poe’s haunting narrative and beckoning visitors to partake in the elegance and melancholy of the house.

MAUSOLEUM

The mausoleum was a captivating achievement in set dressing, embodying the essence of abstraction through its flat walls and moody paint that seemed to absorb light rather than reflect it. We embraced the somber tones and textures, crafting a space that felt like a melancholic dreamscape, whispering tales of loss and remembrance. Each detail, from the stark angles to the shadowy corners, was curated to evoke a sense of solitude, inviting viewers into a world suspended between reality and the ethereal. This unique environment served not just as a backdrop but as a powerful character itself, enhancing the emotional weight of the narrative while echoing the timeless themes of decay and nostalgia that permeate the haunting story.

MUSIC BOX

Constructing and rigging the oversized music box was a meticulous endeavor that demanded both precision and creativity to mirror the enchanting details of its smaller counterpart. Each intricate element was carefully crafted, ensuring that the delicate aesthetics resonated with the original design while accommodating the technical requirements necessary for the performance. Integrated rigging and dynamic lighting were essential to facilitate a captivating dance for the twelve-inch tall puppets that would enchant the audience within this mechanical wonder. As the puppets twirled in the heart of the music box, the interplay of light and shadow created an atmosphere rich with whimsy, transforming a simple mechanism into a stage that echoed with melodies of nostalgia and artistry.

The Oversized Music Box before paint.

This project proved to be a challenge in the most fun way possible. Bringing a Victorian manor to life in service of Edgar Allen Poe’s famous work was a dream come true. We had a great time getting into the macabre headspace.