In Tamar Cohen’s miniature worlds, every detail tells a story—from hand-painted tiles to softly glowing lights.
Her work draws from personal memories and architectural beauty, transforming intimate moments into carefully crafted spaces that feel both nostalgic and timeless.
We spoke with Tamar to explore the inspiration and process behind her intricate creations.
Small Beginnings
What first drew you to creating miniature furniture and architectural models?
The art of the miniature has been a lifelong passion of mine, from childhood dollhouses to the museum exhibitions that captivated me as a teenager. While the pandemic led me to find a new path, it ultimately brought me back to what I love. What started as a dollhouse for my young daughter quickly evolved into a professional career and the creation of my first roombox.
What attracts you to working at such a small scale?
I enjoy the challenges small scale presents, and I love it that it doesn't take to much space.
Did your interest begin with design, architecture, or pure curiosity?
To me, making miniatures is the art of solving beautiful problems. Every new project brings a fresh set of challenges and technical puzzles that demand a new solution. This drive to invent, to troubleshoot, and to overcome the 'impossible' is what keeps me at my workbench. It’s not just about building a house; it’s about the thrill of discovery that comes with every new world I find under my fingertips
Could you share your favorite piece of work at this stage and then introduce it or them a little bit?
'The Moroccan Riad' Some of my most cherished memories are from my grandparents' patio. In the middle of a busy urban landscape, that garden felt like a hidden paradise, and I can still vividly remember the scent of jasmine and the sight of lemon blossoms in the air. This miniature patio is my way of capturing that magic. By blending those personal memories with my deep admiration for Moroccan and Middle Eastern architecture, I’ve tried to create a tiny sanctuary that feels both nostalgic and timeless. It’s a piece of my history, reimagined. I spent approximately 160 hours bringing this patio to life, a project that was defined by deep experimentation and a focus on detail. Every floor tile was individually placed and hand-painted using custom stencils I created. I also used this project to "jump into the deep end" of electrical wiring, as I have always been fascinated by how lighting transforms a space. From crafting light fixtures out of metal beads to repurposing a plastic basket into a carved wooden balcony, this piece challenged my creativity. It is a proud reminder of how working with unconventional materials can lead to professional, intricate results.
Building the Details
How do you choose materials for your miniature furniture or structures?
I try to use light materials when I can, since I often ship my work, and try to work with different textures, to make my miniatures realistic looking.
How do you approach proportion and accuracy at a small scale?
Lucky l. I'm very good at understanding proportions, so I don't have to always measure, and using my intuition.
Which details matter most when bringing a space to life?
In this tiny world, proportion is the invisible law that keeps the illusion alive; everything must exist in perfect scale, or the feeling of a real space simply vanishes.
How did Artify make you feel as a creator?
I enjoy using the brushes sets very much, which make me feel very professional.
What challenges come with translating real-world structures into miniatures?
Like any real house, my projects start with the foundation. By building from the floor up, I can plan for the technical challenges that come with lighting. It’s a process of working from the inside out—preparing the surfaces and carving hidden pathways for wiring and connections so that when the walls are finally in place, the mechanics are perfectly invisible.
Expanding the World
How do you see your miniature practice evolving in the future?
It's hard to tell, I hope I'll be able to keep creating handmade miniatures, like I do now.
Do you imagine working at larger installations or keeping things intimate?
Anything is possible
How would you like audiences to interact with your miniature worlds?
I enjoy the comments on social media, the conversations and attention motivates me to keep creating.
What does growth look like for you as a miniature artist?
It means more subscribers on my Patreon.
With “The Moroccan Riad,” Tamar Cohen captures more than a space—she captures a feeling.
Through light, texture, and meticulous craftsmanship, her work turns memory into something tangible, inviting us to step into a world both tiny and deeply personal.
And within these small spaces, entire stories quietly unfold.
If you'd like to explore more of Tamar's work, you can find her here:
Tamam Cohen's linktree
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