The world of miniature luxury in the form of dolls houses, is one which is starting to take hold across Ireland and coming in on the crest of this emergence is Margaret Harris in Araglin.

Margaret has been working on these little homes for years and just before Christmas, she took her passion and business to a new level by developing a doll house hotel - complete with the characters from Fawlty Towers.

Despite the growth of the doll house industry among adult collectors and those looking for an intricate and artistic hobby, dolls houses are still misconceived as playthings for children and this is a mindset which Margaret is trying to change with her business, Irish Dolls House Grand Designs.

Margaret's daughter Emma (Waddell) in the UK has done a number of high profile doll houses and is well regarded in the field, but in Ireland, the industry is still in its infancy.

"I do hope that people don't dismiss doll houses as being for children, but I'm seeing now that people are beginning to see what I do," Margaret explained.

She added that she is trying to get people to appreciate what's involved in doll houses and she spent eight months working on the doll house hotel, which she is keeping in her home as a display and not selling.

The sheer size of the doll house is the first thing that struck me as I went to do this story. It's taller than most people, standing at almost 6 feet with a large entrance hall, basement for the staff quarters, kitchen and manager's office, then different themes for each of the guest rooms and even a penthouse.

"Because of the themed rooms, it was like doing nine different houses. We had great fun with the penthouse, which you can access, with a working lift of course, and it has it's own luxury ensuite," Margaret told The Avondhu.

Doing a doll house well, is down to getting every tiny detail right and that is something that Margaret has down to a 'T'. Even in the dining room, there are tiny little bottles of gin and champagne, there are little postcards in the reception area and the basement kitchen even has a mincing machine for meat - the possibilities are simply endless with the doll houses and you can take the doll house as far as your imagination will take you.

"They are so detailed that everytime you look into the rooms, you will spot something different," she added.

Such is the detail in the doll house hotel, that Margaret said it would be worth about €5,000 altogether and that's not taking the eight months of labour into account - so, it is something that she wouldn't and couldn't sell, because so much has gone into it.

Speaking about what people end up making when they start working on doll houses, Margaret said that people often end up creating their miniature dream home.

Margaret did a workshop in Ballygiblin last year with families coming in to learn about making their own doll houses or accessories and she said that it is something she would like to do more of, as everyone, no matter what age, can get involved in some way.

She said that she has often seen a flair for architecture, interior design or building, with the children who take to different aspects of the doll house and that the intricate detail involved in the tiny pieces can help to foster such an interest.

Margaret added that those interested in the doll houses would be kids up to the age of 12. Then there would be a gap until they are about 30 and then they become interested again, while grandparents and those in retirement also really enjoy it as a hobby.

"All of the big houses I've sold have gone to adult collectors. Because I run this from my home in Araglin, we don't get passing trade, so when people see us at fairs or shows, they will travel miles to find us," Margaret explained. Just before Christmas, the doll houses were displayed at a number of prominent Christmas fairs and shows.

Irish Dolls House Grand Designs also do doll houses for children and as well as letting people make their own houses in workshops, they can buy them ready made and simply make the accessories and little bits and pieces to make the little house into a little home.

Margaret finished by saying that now she has done her doll house hotel, she would love to look into doing replicas of local 'big houses' or landmark buildings like Doneraile Court, Kingston College or Mallow Castle.

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