Miami Ink

You can't call Mark Turpin's creations Dollhouses, that would be a gross misnomer.

These are architectural replicas in miniature and they are amazing. Created for private commissions, displays and special events, his work is painstakingly perfect and admirably detailed. He will create replicas of your home, miniature art galleries and more.

Shown in this post are several of his works from his portfolio, unfurnished and then furnished by the owners who wish to remain anonymous.

I'm sharing with you some of the pieces from his contemporary collection and archives, but he has several classic styles and lovely interiors you ought to check out when you can. The text accompanying the images and descriptions are taken directly from Mark Turpin (shown below).

The Aqualina:

Construction is solid pine and poplar. Hinged walls provide access to the interior, which features platinum colored wall coverings, and a two-tone, patterned granite floor. The decorative pool provides a dramatic reflection of the exterior and a cool, inviting view from the interior. Within its wings, the juxtapositional design presents a strong façade on one side, and a narrow entry to a world of brilliant light and height on the other side. Stone textured walls speak of fixed permanence in contrast with the constant motion of the angled space frame, as it chases itself up from the water's edge like soaring doves, higher and higher to the pinnacle of Aqualina.

The Aqualina, furnished and populated by owner:

Our client had amazing things in mind for Aqualina. We designed the structure for flexibility; and here you will see Aqualina providing a museum for a wide range of modern and contemporary miniature art. These new photos show Aqualina in its permanent home — furnished and dressed to the nines by the owner and occupied by the core of the museum's permanent collection: Replicas of Picasso, Botero, Fornasetti, Sabino and originals of contemporary sculptors and painters.

The delicate filigree of the framework creates a soothing interior, which will lift your spirits. The walls are cloaked in soaring, clear acrylic windows to provide views from inside or out. Designed as an art gallery, Aqualina features three levels connected by an unusual floating staircase.

With some solid walls for paintings and niches for sculpture, the intimate gallery is a unique platform for displaying spot lighted miniature art in a setting that is itself bold and artistic rather than simply functional.

Diamante combines grandeur and intimacy, space and light, to provide a unique stage for the display of fine miniature art. The house is 25" wide, 37" deep, 37" high, and is constructed of solid pine with acrylic windows. (sold)

The Bridgeview:

From the cherry stained floors and kitchen cabinets to the terra cotta tiles and pots of the rooftop garden, the details of Bridgeview echo the color of the Golden Gate Bridge and the glorious view of San Francisco Bay. To meet the client's wishes, the walls are neutral, and the rooms are awaiting her new furnishings.

For a contemporary room setting, the spaces are surprisingly warm and inviting. The split level rooms include living room with fireplace, kitchen/dining area, bedroom with skylight, and a large bathroom with oval tub and separate shower. We placed a large tiled balcony off the bedroom, and a terrace behind the living room and kitchen.

The rooftop garden area was designed with interconnected walkways of terra cotta tiles and wood planks, with a hot tub in one corner and space for a Zen garden in the other corner.

We also included plenty of space for plants, a hammock, table and chairs. The garden is accessed from below via a sliding hatch cover. Materials include birch plywood, poplar, basswood, paper, terra cotta, plastic, glass, acrylic and paint. Overall Dimensions: 24"w x 18"d x 26"h (sold)

The Miramonte:

Miramonte is named for the reversed mirror image of its unique floor plan, and for the jagged angular roofline, which resembles the mountain ranges of Southern California. The elevations are identical front to back and left to right, but reversed in direction along the spine.

The walls are alternately stone and glass, forming hard angles at all four corners. A glass ceiling floods the third floor with light, sending light down through the open center stairwell with its single beam staircase. Eighteen spotlights can be moved to focus on the art, and they bathe the interior in warm light each night.

Sections of the exterior walls and window panels are removable to access the collection.

Constructed of solid pine and poplar, with acrylic windows; the faux painted limestone walls, exposed steel beams, and travertine floor all blend in a pleasing color scheme with shades of tan and gray. Miramonte makes an exceptional home for fine miniature paintings and sculpture. Dimensions: 37" long, 25" wide, 37" high.

The Bridgewater:

Bridgewater is a handsome, split-level, contemporary bedroom suite, featuring a lofted sitting room/library and a sunken marble bathroom. A large oval tub and an open marble shower are highlights of the stylish, mirrored bathroom, which also includes a porcelain basin and toilet with a scallop shell motif. Coordinated light fixtures grace all three living areas in this tastefully decorated suite of rooms.

Bespaq and other handmade furnishings are included, as well as a brass tripod telescope from England. The shell accessory was handmade by Marci Trimlett of Florida; Marci also provided the Monkey and Horse statue. Barbara Fales made the champagne glasses.

Constructed of solid pine and poplar, birch plywood, basswood, fabric, paper, and paint. Dimensions: 27" wide, 17" deep, 26" high. Front accessible via hinged locking frame. (sold)

City Loft:

This particular room setting is actually a loft within a loft. The living area features a fireplace and a very tall ceiling with skylight. A half step up from the main room there is another area for the kitchen or another use. A modern staircase leads to a lofted area overlooking the main room. This could be the bedroom or office space.

Our friend and client continued to perfectly develop the theme we each had visualized for City Loft. It is decorated as its permanent resident would wish — casually, but with careful attention to expansive living in a modest space. The roombox itself is constructed of birch plywood and solid pine, painted satin black, and enclosed on the front with a high quality wood frame, which is hinged for easy access to the room. The interior was created using pine, poplar, basswood, acrylic paint, satin ribbon, glass and plexiglass, and stainless steel wire. The loft floors are stained in natural teak. The antique bricks are hand painted using ten colors. Adjustable spotlights and backdrop lighting can be augmented with additional fixtures.

Dimensions: 27" wide, 19.5" deep, 21" high overall; living space is 22" wide, 12" deep, 17" high. (sold)

The Sarayi:

Stylistically, we took some license with this project, therefore, the decorative elements of Sarayi include individually hand laid glass rather than ceramic tiles, in unique patterns using two color schemes of jewel tones, with a distinct palette for each level.

Parallel mirrored walls bounce reflections infinitely of detailed woven trim with threads of gold, and of the crystal and ruby chandelier. Dark fabric covered ceilings of starry skies add to the mystery, and an elegant skylight invites moonbeams to grace the interior.

The lower level "Room with a Fountain" is connected to the upper level by an exterior staircase. The upstairs apartment overlooks a decorative indoor pool below, and also includes a small outdoor terrace.

Construction is solid pine with birch plywood, hand painted. Dimensions: 20" wide, 22" high, 16" deep.

The owner has achieved her goals for Sarayi as a home for the splendid harem figures of James Carrington. The resident characters are comfortably at home in this palatial setting.

The Crystal Arcade:

Like the original structure, this pseudo replica uses glass (and plexi-glass) panels that fit prefabricated sections. This particular interpretation was intended as an arcade of shops, with spaces for four to eight specialty boutiques surrounding a central atrium and staircase, under a barrel vaulted glass ceiling. Ideas for the shops might include a bookseller, flower shop, hat shop, haberdashery, dressmaker, coffee shop, stationers, a toy shop, antiques, or even an ice cream parlor or small café. Whatever the interiors, this unique structure makes an excellent setting in which to view the contents of the collection.

Overall dimensions: 36" wide, 18" deep, 25.5" high
Four shop spaces each measure 18" x 12" and can be subdivided. Construction: birch plywood, solid pine and poplar, basswood, glass, acrylic, metallic paint.

Christmas In The Crystal Arcade:

For this magical winter wonderland, artist Vanessa Tiegs created a crystal tree using 300 tiny mirrors. Overhead, delicate crystal dew drops and icicles reflect the quiet beauty. Brightly wrapped gifts wait amid fresh white snow. Sprays of long stem red and white roses add silent fragrance to this crystal night, where even Tiffany’s would be envious of the lovely, festive scene.

Artist and photographer Vanessa Tiegs of San Francisco recently acquired Mark Turpin’s Crystal Arcade for her private collection, and she has transformed this unique structure into a kaleidoscope of color. Original works of art featured within the arcade are by artist Kenneth S. MacIntire (1891-1979) and San Francisco artist Maureen Morales.

Note how beautifully Vanessa has blended colors and textures to create a lovely and welcoming setting in which to display her delightful collection of miniatures. The Crystal Arcade is displayed in a place of honor — a spacious bay window in her elegant town home, where the sunlight creates dramatic visual effects reflected from the barrel vaulted glass roof of the arcade. These effects change seasonally as the sun moves across the sky, a rather unexpected surprise when it first occurred during the early summer months.

Crystal Arcade photography: Night shots, furnished. by Vanessa Tiegs — Day shots, furnished, by Tim Turpin.

The Alexandria:

This commissioned work is inspired by and named for the progressive spirit of this ancient city. An original design by Mark Turpin, it incorporates geometry and "free expression" in an internationally styled, three-story house with seven rooms. The exterior is cloaked in limestone like the pyramids.

Unlike the pyramids, this narrow entry leads through the center of the house to reveal an enormous great room with soaring glass walls and ceiling. Three glass pyramids crown the house, a tribute to the master builders of ancient Egypt. Stability and permanence are juxtaposed with bright, airy spaces in an unexpected sculpture called Alexandria.

Stability and permanence are juxtaposed with bright, airy spaces in an unexpected sculpture called "Alexandria".

Lurie Lane:

Lurie Lane was a private commission by the owner as a replica of a South Florida residence, Lurie Lane reflects the reality of that home. This 52"W x 28"D x 24"H replica of the central part of the house shows the open and sparkling personality so valued by the family. It has sliding glass doors and roof access to the loft.

Lurie Lane as furnished by the owner:

The owner of the Lurie Lane replica has spent the past five years collecting and commissioning furnishings and accessories for the miniature house that Mark produced, and she has graciously agreed to share the following photographs with us.

And now he is also making and selling individual pieces of extraordinarily crafted miniature beds. As described on his site: Distinctive modern beds are now available, created at Mark's request by artist Vanessa Tiegs, created in 1:12 scale and signed by the artist. Each bed is constructed with 4" x 5" solid white acrylic bases, and a laser-cut T-shaped platform measuring 10" wide x 7" long. This includes a night table on each side of the bed. The memory foam mattress is fitted with a white cotton sheet with carefully folded hospital corners.
The platform supports a light-weight specially cut mattress of synthetic foam measuring 6" x 7" x 1.5".

Above: Miniarc Bed No. 1: Zebra, White, Black and Grey
A pair of hand-sewn square zebra-pattern pillows rest on a pair of hand-crafted white cotton bolster pillows. At the foot of the bed is a neatly folded grey flannel comforter with a satin decorative trim. This item is sold.

Above: Miniarc Bed No. 2: Leopard, White, Black and Navy Blue,
A pair of hand-sewn square navy blue pillows rest on a pair of hand-crafted white cotton bolster pillows. At the foot of the bed is a neatly folded leopard-pattern cotton comforter. Both are still available

Above: Miniarc Bed No. 3: All White Luxury
A pair of hand-sewn white silk square pillows rest on a pair of hand-crafted white silk bolster pillows. The bed sheet is made of 400 thread count cotton. At the foot of the bed is a neatly folded comforter. The comforter cover is made of a finely woven silk and satin pinstripe fabric. All soft luxurious fabrics. This item is sold.

Price per bed: $180 plus shipping and handling.
Limited time only

Visit Pine Island here.

If miniatures and architectural replicas delight you, like they do me, be sure to see these posts:

Peter Tucker roomboxes: