Spotlight: A Home in Miniature for a Growing Family

One of the first models we produced was a sentimental one—a project commissioned by Nat and James to immortalise their family home. Over the past few years, they’ve lovingly transformed the property, creating more space while improving energy efficiency.

At Made:Small, our roots run deep in Swindon, a town with an interesting social history that continues to influence us. Swindon grew rapidly in the early 1950s when it was designated a “London overspill town.” This led to the creation of neighbourhoods like Old Walcot, designed to accommodate an influx of residents seeking a fresh start. In fact, to the first-ever Made:Small home model was also in one of these new neighbourhoods (read more about that project here).

The mid-century semi-detached homes of Old Walcot are quintessential examples of UK suburban architecture. Designed in the post-World War One era, these homes were a response to the overcrowded, ‘slum-like’ conditions of tightly packed terraces. Urban planners envisioned wider, tree-lined streets to foster community and create thriving neighbourhoods for families.

What makes these homes so enduringly appealing is their potential for personalisation. From loft conversions to extensions and energy-efficient upgrades, they offer endless possibilities for modern living. Nat and James’ home is a perfect example. Since moving in, they’ve added a thoughtful extension and installed photovoltaic panels to enhance sustainability.

Here’s what Nat and James said about their Made:Small model:

“When our Made:Small home arrived, we were so impressed with the quality of not just the home itself, but the packaging and presentation as well. Chloe and the team’s ability to capture the essence of a house in a scale model such as this is fantastic. The full size version of our home is special to us in so many ways: not only is it our first house, it’s where our two wonderful children were born and where we have worked so hard to make it our forever home. For Made:Small to capture the small details, such as our original feature windows, and even modern touches, such as the solar panels, is brilliant and adds to the high quality of the product. The small version of our home now sits pride of place in our living room and has been a talking point for family and friends who have visited. We would highly recommend getting in touch with the team and ordering a perfectly small version of your own home!”

Want to tell your own story? A miniature model from Made:Small isn’t just a gift; it’s a celebration of a home’s story, its evolution, and the memories within its walls. Whether it’s your family home, a dream renovation project, or a unique gift idea, our bespoke models are crafted with precision and heart.