Larrianne's Small Wonders — Local services in Ventura

I found this place by accident, driving past it one day on my way to work. From the name, I had a feeling it just might be a dollhouse/miniatures store and I was not disappointed. They have EVERYTHING you might want in terms of miniatures - not just furniture and accessories, but lighting, wallpaper, trim, paint - everything to finish a dollhouse. There are many exhibits around the store and some dollhouses for sale - ranging from several hundred to several thousand dollars each, depending on size and 'completeness' of the décor.

I particularly loved the little Cro-Magnon 'cave man' display - caveman dollhouse complete with cave paintings. Wonderful!

As is typical with miniatures, most items for sale tend to be from the Victorian time period, but there is a range including pieces that work well in a 50s, 70s, and a completely modern setting. There were some lush items - beds, tapestries, furniture, and so on - that could grace any royal palace in the last five hundred years or so.

Other favorites included the complete range of copper pots for sale, the extensive selection of realistic fruits and vegetables and other edibles, musical instruments, and holiday decorations. They sell plenty of "dolls" to populate your dollhouse - everything from the expected Victorian gentleman and lady in eveningwear to contemporary teens crouched over their laptops while seated on the floor or on their bed.

If you have any interest in dollhouses or miniature scenes or dioramas of any kind, this is a valuable resource. I feel privileged to live eight minutes from the store and I can't...

I have been visiting this store since I bought my first dollhouse from them (a shell for $150) when I was 10 years old and when they were located near Ventura High School. I still go in now with my own 11 year old daughter. The customer service is amazing and the staff is always so eager and willing to give advice and chat about miniatures. Their selection is fantastic and is friendly to any budget. My daughter can buy sets, furniture and accessories that she can play with at a lower price for her own dollhouse (my old dollhouse passed on to her) and I can spend a bit more on my own Queen Anne dollhouse and splurge on more detailed and realistic pieces. I hope they never...

There's no place like Small Wonders within a thousand miles of Ventura. Larrianne's selection of miniatures, dollhouse kits and accessories is fantastic. The miniatures alone make most museums look pale. And she's on-line as well. If you're lucky enough to meet Larrianne herself when you visit the store you're in for a treat. She knows everything about miniatures and dollhouses, and gladly shares her knowledge. Stop by when you're in the area for...