Bridging Centuries in Miniature - Deri Terry’s Restful Retreat

by Pam North

Deri Terry’s latest project is a room box she calls, Restful Retreat. She purchased the Empress room box, but initially she wasn't sure how she wanted to design it. After acquiring some furniture pieces from Alison Davies Miniatures, an especially beautifully designed bed immediately became  her favorite of the pieces. “In real life, my husband and I moved to a home on the water just over a year ago, and we have had a lot of company,” Terry explained. “I put a great deal of thought and effort into making our guest room a comfortable and restful place. So, I was inspired to create a miniature bedroom, showcasing the new bed. I have collected dollhouse miniatures most of my life, but recently found creating room boxes to be especially rewarding. In designing vignettes, I hope to capture a feeling or a moment in time. I am most inspired when I design a room in which I would love to live; then the challenge is translating it into a miniature version.”
“I wanted to have some fun with this project, by showcasing different time periods, so I have shown this room box two different ways. The two periods I decided to focus on are the Victorian period and the present. The pictures show the bedroom set as a Victorian room, and also dressed for modern day by changing a few accessories. I included close-up pictures of the bronze Olszewski miniatures, and the dolls designed by Marcia Backstrom, for Falcon Miniatures. I also included a picture of one of my actual Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, ‘Lovey Howl’."
“I began by dressing the bed with antique linens I have collected over the years. Then I made neutral but feminine valances for the windows, to allow the garden view to be highlighted. Soft, muted colors were key to conveying the feeling of restfulness, and since my newly acquired settee and chair were covered in pale blue silk, this was the starting point for my color palette. The flowers in the Aubusson rugs and pillows mirrored the floral designs in the bed, all in shades of neutrals, pinks, and blues. The pillows are filled with beads instead of fiberfill, for a more natural effect. The bookshelves are filled with books, porcelain and statuary, that the imagined resident would have collected over the years, while the vanity is complete with all of the necessities.”
“I can't imagine life without my pets,” Terry continued. “In fact, my husband and I share our home with four sweet Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. So, to make my miniature room a vision of comfort, I chose to add two little canines. I included one of each, a tricolor and a Blenheim. Since we can strive for perfection in miniature projects, I smile knowing that the miniature bedroom is free of dog hair!”
The furniture from Alison Davies Miniatures provided a great foundation for the bedroom, but there are other special pieces that tie it all together. This project contains three of Olszewski Miniatures bronze treasures. The statues are the Cherry Pickers (bedside), Capodimonte (bookshelf), and the Dresden Dancer (vanity). The settee at the end of the bed is designed by Maritza Moran, for Bespaq. The cane back is reflected again in the little vanity chair by Weston Miniatures (Etsy). The color of the cranberry glass accessories by Phil Grenyer, on the vanity, blend beautifully with the pink tones in the Aubusson. “I have used two of my favorite dolls, each representing a different century: Susan, the Victorian lady, and Marilyn, the modern, fun-loving woman. Both dolls were designed by Marcia Backstrom, for Falcon Miniatures. Finally, the cherub lamp was made by Ray Storey, and the pair of lamps were custom-made in England; both were gifts from a dear friend.”
“My goal was to create a beautiful bedroom where a Victorian lady would be comfortable, but, I also envisioned a bedroom that could hold modern day treasures, like my Chanel bag, made by Dollhouse Ara. By choosing classic pieces, it is easy to convey different eras. The French furniture transports us to another century, but it also works as beautiful antiques for today. I was determined to create a room that would be appropriate for two separate centuries, where only the accessories were the determining factor. By placing a doll in period dress, and a few historical decorative items, like the cherub lamp on the bedside table, we are taken back to another time. Then, by simply switching out the dolls, changing the lamps, and adding the contemporary purse and slippers, it is clear that the style is current day.”
A room box can be a budget-friendly way to experiment with different time periods, since it is a relatively small space, and the amount of accessories needed can be kept to a minimum. If furniture and accessories are all classic pieces, then a few key items can establish the period. If a library is  furnished entirely with Georgian pieces, a tiny iPhone on the desk will instantly bring the classical room into this century. “Imagine the possibilities of vacillating seasonally between centuries,” Terry elaborated. “A Victorian living room decorated for Christmas could transform into a modern living room for spring by trading the holiday decorations for a pair of tiny tennis shoes, and a contemporary Easter basket. A miniaturist could broaden a collection without having to create an entirely new space.”
“This was such an enjoyable project; a true exercise in style,” Deri continued. “I was able to practice my skills as an interior designer, and I hope to encourage readers to experiment with different historical periods without having to start from scratch. I look forward to adjusting my scene to my mood in the future. Whether the miniature resident be a well-dressed Victorian lady, or clothed in today's fashion, it is my hope that either should find the bedroom to be a pretty, restful retreat.”