Why a retired couple dedicated themselves to flipping a dollhouse in the name of high-art

Annie Kampfe and Cliff Donnelly, a retired couple from Kansas City, spent 2020 meticulously constructing a miniature midcentury modern home, dubbed MMH, which is scaled 1 to 12. The project began when Kampfe discovered a miniature needlepoint tiger rug at a craft store, sparking the idea of building a dollhouse. Initially purchasing a dollhouse kit, the couple found it didn't align with their vision for an accurate midcentury modern aesthetic. As a result, they extensively modified the kit, recutting most of its pieces to achieve their desired design. The inspiration for the midcentury modern style came from Kampfe's childhood home, which her parents had built and decorated in the early 1960s. Kampfe, a former interior designer, emphasized the importance of design accuracy, ensuring that every element, from the bricks laid with actual mortar to the carefully selected furniture, adhered to the midcentury modern theme. The project became a full-time endeavor during the COVID-19 lockdown in March, with Kampfe focusing on design and Donnelly on construction. The furniture for the MMH was primarily sourced from vintage German dollhouse pieces, while other items were acquired from online artists specializing in miniatures. The house features fully functional lights, many of which were custom-made by a friend who is also a miniature artist. The couple made a point of seeking out miniature stores during their travels, acquiring unique pieces from various cities including Atlanta, Maine, New York, and Paris. Significant structural modifications were made to the dollhouse kit, including the construction of a basement from plywood to reflect typical Midwestern homes. They also altered the roof shape, added a chimney wall with hand-done brickwork, installed windows, and ensured the entire house had functioning electricity. Donnelly's favorite part of the MMH is the garage, due to the effort involved in making the garage door fully operational. Kampfe's favorite is the master bedroom, notable for its high ceilings and containing the inspirational tiger rug. The house also incorporates personal touches, such as cork wallpaper identical to what Kampfe’s parents had in their den. The couple's nine children initially thought their parents' project was unusual, but upon its completion, they all expressed admiration and encouraged them to build another. The MMH has gained considerable attention, prompting Kampfe and Donnelly to leverage its popularity for a cause close to their hearts. They are encouraging fans of the miniature house to donate to The Alzheimer’s Foundation. This initiative is deeply personal to Kampfe, whose 91-year-old mother suffers from Alzheimer’s, and whose father passed away from dementia. Her grandmother also had the disease. The MMH symbolically shares the address of Kampfe's childhood home, a poignant detail given her mother's inability to recall it due to the disease. The project has become a testament to love and a means to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer's research. #Dollhouse #MidcenturyModern #MiniatureHome #DIYProject #AnnieKampfe #CliffDonnelly #AlzheimersFoundation #HomeDesign #ScaleModel #Dollhouse #MidcenturyModern #MiniatureHome #DIYProject #AnnieKampfe #CliffDonnelly #AlzheimersFoundation #HomeDesign #ScaleModel