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Aug 04, 2023

Move Over, Barbie—The Internet Has a New Dream House

Step aside, Barbie Dream House—these mini-homes come with bronze accents and subway tile backsplahes.

Don't get us wrong: We love Barbie and her expansive portfolio of Dream Houses as much as the next design enthusiast. However, with so much pink and plastic floating around the internet these days, you might be itching for a change of pace. (And, yes, perhaps a different palette to ogle.) Fortunately, the Internet has found a whole new world of dreamy digs thanks to Kristine Hanna. The miniature artist, who has spent 13 years perfecting her craft, runs an Instagram account called Paper Doll Miniature, where she showcases her pint-sized doll houses and dioramas.

Unlike the dioramas you might've made in elementary school, Hanna's homes are ridiculously detailed—right down to the the beadboard paneling in one of the bathrooms and a kitchen's microscopic Nespresso pods. "I custom design the structures, the cabinets, and some furniture," shares Hanna, who specializes in 1:12 scale dollhouses and roomboxes—which means that if something is a foot high in the real word, it's an inch high in Mini Land. "I own my own laser cutter and 3D printer so I can design a lot from scratch digitally and then use that tech to help me make pieces, like faucets," says Hanna, explaining how she can shrink everything in style.

These pint-sized pads downright adorable—we mean, who doesn't love to see mini versions of well...everything? But they're also designed to dazzle. "I always try to have something special in a video that has a bit of realism," Hanna explains. "Those surprise elements are what make minis fun!"

It's no wonder that the internet is low-key obsessed with one of Hanna's contemporary kitchens, which boasts a subway tile-clad backsplash, "bronze" pot filler, glass-fronted cabinets, and an accordion door that leads to the fictional backyard. (That's Hanna making a cameo, reaching a supersized hand down from the heavens to open the door.)

"Am I the only one who'd love to wake up in that mini house?!?" asked one fan. "Or am I just losing it?" (They're not.) "When the miniature is nicer than anywhere I've ever or will ever live," another follower posted. A third kept their take simple: "I want to live there." For Hanna, the feelings are mutual. "I love the community," she shares. "I do minis because I like to share them with others, if I didn't have that group to share my creations and ideas with it wouldn't be the same." Now we just need to find the roller blades, sled, camper van, and boat that can take us through the portal into her universe.

Kelsey Mulvey is a freelance lifestyle journalist, who covers shopping and deals for Good Housekeeping, Women's Health, and ELLE Decor, among others. Her hobbies include themed spinning classes, Netflix, and nachos.

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