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I created this "Fancy Foyer and Living Room" after taking a class from Ray Whitledge, whom I consider to be the best miniaturist working today.  His sense of style is impeccable; being an interior designer, he has access to amazing fabrics.  His window treatments are "to die for" and he puts things together as only a designer could.

Lessons from a Master Miniaturist

Ray taught us how to create this room using matt board, "faux marble" the columns in the foyer and create a floor from marble wallpaper that looks as though it's cut marble. My projects aren't usually this ornate, but I wanted the room to have the "Ray Whitledge" look.  Imagine my surprise when someone pointed to my box and said they wanted to go over and look at the Ray Whitledge box.  What a compliment!

Elements of the Room

I made the grand piano from a Mini Mundus kit.  My friend Connie Burke made the two chairs (fabric provided by Ray Whitledge); I purchased the sofa from Ray (the fabric on it came from Liberty of London).  There is a Monet painting over the mantel (what else would a Monet-lover like me choose?).