California Dreaming in Thumbelina’s SoCal Mansion

September 12, 2018

Chris Toledo

There are architects and designers, and then there’s Chris Toledo. For the past two years, the miniatures artist and professional perfectionist has been creating the Spanish Revival home of our dreams, complete with glossy, red-tiled floors and Juliette balconies; vaulted ceilings, hand carved beams, and 1920s-inspired furnishings. He’s crowned it “Casa California,” and it’s the ultimate pad for our Thumbelina sized alter-ego…

Chris Toledo

Chris Toledo

Chris Toledo

Toledo’s nearly finished with the project, which was inspired by his love for the style that’s become so synonymous with the fantasy of relaxed, glamorous SoCal living. “[But] I’ve also had to come to terms with the fact that Casa California has become more of a Mediterranean Revival than a Spanish Revival,” he admitted about the house on his Instagram, which has become a micro-blog of sorts for sharing his triumphs and mishaps.

Chris Toledo

The front yard’s fountain, for example, felt a little too exposed. “After completing the fountain for this courtyard,” he said, “I decided to finish the whole thing off with an enclosing wall to make this patio more private.”

Chris Toledo

Chris Toledo

Chris Toledo

Toledo has just reached the furnishing stage, and while he plans on buying some pieces for the house, he recreates many of them himself (i.e. the 1920s kitchen stove) with the help of a keen eye for vintage furniture, a laser cutter, and a very, very steady hand.

Chris Toledo

“In this old catalogue I came across this stove that I instantly knew I wanted to make,” he told Tastemade Home last month, “It’s essentially like putting together a puzzle.” He even hand oxidised its metal hardware to make it look more authentic. “Ever since I got involved with social media and started putting my work out,” he added, “I get people questioning if it’s an actual miniature. I kind of take that as the biggest compliment.”