Kate Davenport Hilgenberg of Davenport Construction

When Interior Design Meets 1:12 Scale Mastery | Kate Davenport HilgenbergIn this episode of Tiny Worlds, Big Stories, I sit down with miniature artist Kate Davenport Hilgenberg— a retired interior designer whose dollhouses feel so real, you’ll question your eyesight.Kate shares how her journey began with a small black suitcase filled with “little fiddly things,” a father who was a meticulous builder, and a dollhouse rescued from the attic for her granddaughters. One magical moment — LED lights glowing inside a handmade cabinet dollhouse — changed everything.We talk about:• How her background in interior design shapes every build• Why she redraws floor plans like a real contractor• The perfectionism behind her Clue room series• Learning laser cutters and 3D printing in her 70s• Shipping disasters (including a Santorini house lost in transit)• Why photographing your work reveals the gaps• The emotional healing power of miniaturesKate’s Adobe house, Hawaiian beach house, Storm Cove, and Clue rooms show an extraordinary attention to detail — from scratch-built cabinetry to 200 individually wrapped miniature books.If you love miniatures, craftsmanship, or the magic of small things, this conversation is for you.📌 Subscribe for more conversations with master miniaturists.🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.https://www.instagram.com/davenport1_12construction/*******Lara's art:https://www.instagram.com/lara_miniaturisthttps://www.larablairartstudio.com/Small By Design Newsletter Sign-up:https://larablairartstudio.myflodesk.com/smallnews