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Sometimes, inspiration strikes when you least expect it. I had no intention of diving into a new DIY project, but when I stumbled upon a miniature fall village on Pinterest, I knew I had to make one for myself.
There’s something about miniatures that brings me back to childhood joy. I used to have a dollhouse as a kid, and just seeing this idea sparked that same creative excitement.
I started with a wooden birdhouse shaped like a brownstone that I found at Michael’s craft store.
I didn’t have a clear plan at first, but the small selection of miniatures at the store made me so happy! I’m trying to use what I have these days—both to save money and declutter—so I took stock of the paints I already owned.
I ended up buying just one new color: a rich, burnt orange, perfect for fall. I also grabbed some mini fall trees, spooky scrapbook paper, and a few decorative fall picks.
I actually bought all of this before going on vacation, but I tucked it away, saving it for when I got back. I wanted something to look forward to—a little treat to help ease the post-vacation blues.
When I returned, I got to work, starting by mapping out a plan. I envisioned each house in the village having its own unique personality while still complementing each other.
I painted the houses first and then moved on to the roofs—one got shingles made from black sandpaper, while the others were covered with scrapbook paper using Mod Podge.
From there, the real fun began. I used pieces from the fall picks to glue glittery ghosts and bats onto the houses, adding pumpkins and candy corn for that extra festive touch.
I also ordered a few tiny decorations online, including porch lights (exact ones linked here), cats (linking the ones I got, they are funny!), and even an owl (linking the set I bought)! To capture the essence of autumn, I cut up faux leaves into smaller pieces and sprinkled them all over the village.
I wanted Franklin Hollow (more on this in a second) to look like a fall wonderland. Hot glue and Mod Podge helped hold everything in place, and I loved watching it all come together.
The final touch was adding tiny fairy lights to the inside of each house. I found a pack that included purple, green, and ivory lights, so I added a strand of each color to the houses.
The lights gave the whole village a magical, warm glow that felt perfect for the season.
I named my village Franklin Hollow—a mix of fall, a bit of spookiness, and a nod to academia.
While I was working on this project, I listened to Benjamin Franklin’s biography, so the name felt fitting. Plus, who doesn’t love a good historical twist?
Creating this village was such a fun and soothing activity. Even though it’s still warm in Austin, working on this little DIY helped me get into the fall spirit. I’m already thinking about how I’ll display Franklin Hollow throughout the season!
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