Noel& Pat Thomas

1984
1906 California Craftsman Bungalow

1989
Greene + Greene House

Greene + Greene Interior: Living Room Inglenook

Greene + Greene Interior: Dining Room

1994
"Faces of the Moon" Toy Maker's Shop

1981
The Port Townsend Miniature House

More than 20 years after building their first dollhouse (for Noel's daughter Robin) Noel and Pat Thomas are still inspired to create architecture in miniature. Since 1974 they have completed more than fifty structures, including houses, commercial buildings, out buildings, and roadside stands, all built in the conventional dollhouse scale of 1"=1'.

Each project is an original of Noel's design, based on a specific period of architecture, or a particular full-sized structure. After thirty NW Victorian structures, their work evolved into the Bungalow style, including three projects based on the Pasadena, CA works of Charles & Henry Greene. Smaller commissions have included European toy shops, a roadside Airplane Cafe, a Maine motor court cabin, and a theater.

The Thomas's trademark is the aging process--sometimes referred to as "Thomas grunge." Their houses have a history--a patina of age and weather, along with subtly-detailed evidence of human occupation. Their work is more that of painters than of builders, in that they work to create a "feeling," an illusion of reality that evokes memories from those viewing their work. These memories are jogged by such details as broken lattice where a dog might have scratched his way under the house, smudges around doorknobs and stair railings, peeling paint at the back door, and rusted chimney flashing.

Both Noel and Pat are Fellows in the International Guild of Miniatures Artisans (IGMA), and lifetime members of the National Association of Miniature Enthusiasts Academy of Honor. The Thomases and their work have appeared on numerous television programs, including NBC's Today Show , and syndicated Evening-format shows, and their work has been featured in traveling exhibits in Japan. They have taught at the IGMA Guild School for the past 20 years.

In 1992, their Martha's Vineyard-inspired Summer Cottage appeared on the cover of the Spring Hammacher Schlemmer catalog, and articles on their work have appeared in such magazines as Architectural Digest, Elle Decor, Americana, and Historic Preservation. They also speak and present slide programs for museums and civic groups, as well as miniature's conventions and clubs. Before miniatures they were in advertising--Noel an art director, and Pat a copywriter.

Noel is an accomplished watercolor painter, who was recently awarded signature member in the prestigious American Watercolor Society. His paintings have been accepted in and won awards in numerous juried shows. One painting, Cranberry Bogs, was featured in the 1996 edition of Splash, a publication from Northlight Books. Noel graduated With Distinction from Art Center School in Los Angeles, and went on to become an art director with Doyle, Dane, Bernbach, and Jack Tinker & Partners in New York, and later in Los Angeles with Needham, Harper & Steers. His work can be seen at the Riversea Gallery in Astoria, OR.

Pat is a poet and writer with a degree in Theater from Skidmore College. Poems of hers, under the name Patricia Staton, have appeared in such publications as The Iowa Review, Prairie Schooner, Mid-American Review and Pleaides. In 2005, her poem "Walking After Dinner" won a Pushcart Prize. Her poetry-based play, Life with the Dead Man, was selected for a staged reading at Seattle’s Mae West Fest. She also writes a regular column for Miniature Collector magazine. Since moving to the northwest, Pat has worked in a hardware store, a bookstore, produced her own radio program, helped found a chamber music festival, and was awarded a Fellowship in Literature by the Artist Trust--a grant funded by the Washington State Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Together the Thomases build miniatures in their home studio. In addition they teach five-day workshops in their techniques--annually at the IGMA's Guild School in Castine, ME, as well as at miniature shops around the country. They no longer accept commissions. The greater part of their work resides in private collections, but some of the best examples can be seen at the Kansas City Toy & Miniature Museum of Kansas City and Kentucky Gateway Museum Center. Though no longer accepting commissions, Noel and Pat foresee remaining fully involved in the teaching and making of miniatures.

Press Includes:
Dec '91/Jan '92 issue of Elle Decor