This is my aunt Jacquie’s house–the sun room, to be exact. You probably got a good taste of her decorating sense from this post about the Couch Debate of 2011 . . . or this post about the beauty of her garden.

There are lovely little treasures peppering the house.

But it doesn’t give off a feel of overbearing clutter (at least not while her daughter-in-law Kristen is around to extend her Long Arm of Organization and force frequent purgings)–just one of mystery and enchantment.

Of a family history, told in the things hanging on the walls.

Aunt Jacquie has been hard at work re-making her house ever since she bought it a number of years ago. One of the inspirations for her redesign has been a certain group of little tykes.

Go hug that tree!

They are at a very impressionable age, as you can see. In fact, her grandkids are just old enough to start really enjoying everything she’s done.

And I don’t just mean the big yard that they can run in . . .

. . . though they certainly love to run!

You’ll soon see what I mean. In fact, let’s go up the staircase to the second floor . . .

. . . and up to this seemingly blank and innocent wall. With a very innocent tapestry hanging on it.

Or not so innocent.

What’s that? A hidden door behind the tapestry? Yes! I’ll take a step back so that you can see the hidden door in context:

Let’s go in!

Whoa! We’re climbing up into a castle!

Complete with a dragon and a princess!

I think we’ve just wandered into Wonderland.

There are comfy chairs for the adults to sit in . . .

. . . and a whole room full of things to play with!

Like this airplane.

But, being a girl, the most exciting part of the attic is the area solely dedicated to doll things. Because who cares about riding around in little airplanes and fire trucks when there are doll-sized trees? Doll-sized benches? Doll-sized bureaus and desks and chairs?

Here’s their sitting room . . .

. . . their dining room . . .

(would you just look at those miniature golden goblets! and miniature picture on the wall! and miniature rug! and tiny tablecloth! Oh oh oh!)

. . . the General Store where they stock up on their flour and sugar . . .

. . . and their schoolroom, complete with an iron-bellied stove for those cold winter days.

I want to play here for 5 hours, please.

In fact, make that 5 days.

I think if this attic had been in existence when I was a child, I might have had a heart attack at the age of 7. I would have gone completely ga-ga.

And it’s not just the toys–it’s the little doors. The secret rooms.

The perfect size for little people at play!

Or big people who don’t mind getting stiff knees and a crick in their back.

Plus, you can spy on the adults’ goings-on from up here!

Whether they’re in the garden or in this sitting room below, there’s a wonderful bird’s eye view.

It’s all very child-safe–the spiral staircase is guarded by this metal gate so that no children accidentally zoom down in the metal airplane or other contraption on wheels.

This attic brings joy to a lot of children–and also to the children still lurking within us adults.

Aunt Jacquie, you’ve created a magical world!

And now to get some air conditioning up there . . .