Friday, June 28, 2013

Victorian Paper House+Creativity with Paper

Years ago while visiting London, I saw a wonderful museum called the Pollock's Toy Museum and if you like toys of all kinds, both new and old and a step back in time, this is the store to visit.  I bought a book which included a Victorian House, furnishings and descriptions.  The idea was to cut out and construct the home.  The book was put away with other memorabilia from the trip.  Recently, I decided to cut and paste the house together.  I did enjoy doing this more than I thought and it brought back memories of doll houses and special toys from my childhood.  What is amazing, is what you can do with paper and I have noticed from time to time advertising using paper sculpture.  Pop-up books are special too and I have a small collection.  Looking at the photos, the back view shows rickety stairs, but you have the idea of the perfect "Upstairs, Downstairs" view of a Victorian home from the expensively furnished family rooms to the tip top rooms of the servants.

You can enlarge the home's two views by clicking on the photo.


You can twist and mold paper, make paper mache, and make all kinds of models. Encourage your kids to think about architecture/design by making their ideal room in miniature.  All you need is paper, pencil, scissors and glue.

13 comments:

  1. This is exquisite :) I've been to The Toy Museum in London as a child- I'm not sure if it's the same one you mentioned. I remember being in awe and fascination throughout.

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    1. The museum has been there for years, owned by the same family, so it must be the one you saw. The Queen Mary Doll House is another treasure. Something about things in miniature intrigue me, but not boy things -- planes, etc. but trains are OK. Thanks for your comment.

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    1. Thanks, CQ. The problem is once you make them, where do you put them?

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    2. I love the idea of giving it to a care home!

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  3. Never been to the toy museum. As you say, were do you put them? I had a 3D jigsaw once, didn't want to break it down, but didn't know where to put it.

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  4. Hi Tasha .. it's on my list to see and I will get there .. possibly later this year - too many other things going on! We have family connections with toys .. I also bought "The Museum of Lost Wonder" by Jeff Hoke (American) .. there are 7 exhibit halls (7 paper models) .. it describes itself as "a thought-provoking blend of quantum physics, metaphysics, graphic novel, and philosophy all in the coolest activity book ever" ..

    To me it sounded interesting .. and perhaps I need to make time to open it up and explore ..

    Your little house ... could be used by a care home - to remind residents of earlier days .. trigger those memories ... but also for careful kids, who won't destroy it ...

    Wonderful creative thoughts .. I've never been much good at creating things, though again the talent is in the family ... cheers Hilary

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  5. Hi Hilary: I like your suggestions and will look up Hoke's book. Paper is an amazing medium. I was intrigued by the Victorians and I think many in America were introduced to the Victorians by the TV series "Upstairs, Downstairs" which gave all of us here across the pond, a look at an era where everyone's role was clearly defined.

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  6. Hi there! I'm just dropping in to say you've done an awesome job! But I would also like to know if you remember the name of this book? I used to have it and I've been looking for it for years!

    Thanks!

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  7. Hi there!

    I'm just dropping by to say you did an awesome job. Do you happen to remember the name of this book? I used to have it as a child and have been looking for it for years! Thanks!

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  8. (Oops! Sorry! I thought my first post didn't go through. My bad.)

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    1. Hi Manda, I'll try and find it and post it on your blog if I do. I am glad you find this little project interesting, I thought it was so much fun to put together.

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  9. I love it! I also made this model many years ago but it got broken by a workman when I was out. I was upset as it took me a long time to make the model. So lovely to see your completed model.

    Well done.

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