Do you want to start a Maileg collection but don't want a doll's house? You could try something like this!
I absolutely love a miniatures display in a cabinet or nook, so this empty IKEA Fabrikor glass cabinet was begging for a Maileg makeover. It turned out even better than I had imagined, and I particularly enjoyed using my POSCA chalk pens to draw my own wallpaper and flooring on the glass.
If you want to see the step by step process of setting this up; I have a playlist on our tiktok of just that here.
Here is a closer look at some of the details to hopefully inspire you to create something similar yourself.
You can add extra shelves to this cabinet if you wanted more rooms for your mice to inhabit, but I wanted to use mostly miniature size furniture so I decided 3 floors was enough for me - I mean them!
Ground floor was the living room, with a miniature dining room to the side, first floor was their kitchen (my absolute favourite dollhouse room the decorate!), and top floor had the mousies bedroom with an ensuite - how posh!
I made my own wallpaper in the living room using my POSCA chalk pens - I just did it free hand, but if you are feeling ambitious you could definitely copy from a template stuck on the outside of the glass.
I also used them to drawer myself a little gallery wall above the miniature fireplace (I think this is my favourite bit of the whole dolls house!) Super cute don't you think?!
Classic Maileg decor with a small merle suitcase acting as a coffee table, & some of our ceramic minis adding interest on the shelves and tables - they are amazing for a grown up maileg display.
I also repurposed some of the bedding from my matchbox mice to use as scatter cushions on the miniature couch - I love how this adds a bit more interest and florals to the fairly simple sofa.
A closer look at my POSCA pen kitchen floor - drawn on the underside of the glass so it doesn't scratch. And a great example of how cute the mice can look with the oversized miniature scale Maileg furniture, using a stool from the stool set as a step for her to reach her toast!
I couldn't resist the humour of buying myself a miniature version of the cabinet that the dollhouse was in for the dollhouse which is from Azuilhomey. And you can just catch the grocery set stocking up the miniature fridge with food - adorable!
On the other side of the kitchen the mouse family have some visitors, patiently waiting for a cup of tea!
The bedroom with its ensuite is super cute (I know I'm so humble!) with a dressing table made from the dance mouse daybed box and a miniature mirror. How cute does the alarm clock look on their, and some more of our ceramic minis.
I love to have my miniature closets open stuffed full of the beautiful maileg patterned pillows and bedding, how whimsical does it look?! I also gave a little pixy mouse a nest in the bottom shelf, with a lantern for a night light, you can just about see him.
For the ensuite bathroom I used the smaller mouse scale maileg furniture, so this room quite nicely illustrates how you can mix the Maileg scales in the same dolls house.
Instead of a bathtub I used the wellness mouse and her tub (I just love her shower cap hung up on the miniature shelf hook with her dressing gown (the mouse dressing gown is sold separately and I think there is only the blue version left now).
Her ears!! I just love em!!
So are you hooked? Have I convinced you that you need a growns ups only dollhouse display in your own home?! You don't have to start with a full cabinet - do a smaller set up on a shelf somewhere, the cabinet will come later - trust me!!
I will be creating new Maileg set ups and displays each month, with a blog post, youtube video, and posts on out instagram & tiktok. So if you don't want to miss any, and fancy a monthly does of maileg inspiration in your inbox; subscribe to our emails to stay in the loop, we would love to have you there.
