There's something timeless about a doll's house.
Long before screens and gadgets, children have been drawn to these miniature worlds - tiny rooms to arrange, tiny families to move about, tiny stories to tell. Few brands understand that magic better than Le Toy Van, the award-winning wooden toy company that's been crafting beautifully designed dolls houses (and so much more) since 1995.
We recently chatted with our friend Marie the Creative Director at Le Toy Van, to talk about where it all began, why doll houses matter now more than ever, and an exciting new collaboration for 2026 that's bringing a very famous bear into the mix.
An original Le Toy Van house by George Le Van
1. Let's start at the beginning. How did Le Toy Van come to be?
"Le Toy Van was founded in 1995, and our goal has always been to create high quality wooden toys that inspire children’s imaginations and become treasured pieces that are passed down through generations" - Marie Le Van
2. Is there a childhood memory of your own that still influences the way you design today?
"I always loved playing make believe so we make sure that all our toys offer the magic of open-ended play and give children the freedom to create their own stories and worlds. So a dolls house can become a family home, a hotel, a shop or anything else a child dreams up." - Marie Le Van
3. Is there a piece in the current collection you're proudest of - and why?
"Our Dolls Houses will always be special to us as they are where the business began and have not changed that much over the years. Our founder Georges Le Van was a structural engineer by trade, and the original design he created has stood the test of time!
Our Grand Garage is another standout. It’s a really beautiful example of how we combine play value with design, and it was even described as a “work of art” by The Wall Street Journal!
It’s worth saying that I am genuinely proud of every single product in our collection. We’ve worked hard to offer plastic free packaging, ensure every toy is made sustainably, from FSC wood and designed to look beautiful too." - Marie Le Van
4. Why do you think dolls houses, specifically, have stayed so special to children across generations?
"I think it’s because dolls houses give children a world that is completely their own. They can decide who lives there, what happens and what the story is, and that never really goes out of fashion.
The details might change with the times, but the fundamental appeal remains the same. Children love creating little worlds, copying what they see around them and, importantly, putting their own imagination into it.
There’s also something wonderfully nostalgic about a dolls house. Many parents and grandparents remember playing with one themselves, so there’s a lovely opportunity to share that experience across generations." - Marie Le Van
5. What do you think a doll's house teaches children that other toys might not?
"Dolls houses are incredibly open-ended. They encourage imaginative storytelling, role play and social play, while also helping children develop language, communication and problem-solving skills. There have been countless studies that prove the importance of imaginative play in a child’s emotional development, so being able to create products that have such a positive impact is a real honour. " - Marie Le Van
The story of Le Toy Van’s love for imaginative, timeless play continues with its BRAND NEW Paddington collection. Bringing together the charm of a much-loved British character with Le Toy Van’s signature wooden craftsmanship, the collection feels like a natural extension of the brand’s commitment to creating toys that inspire storytelling and can be treasured for years to come. With Paddington himself having such a special place in the hearts of generations, it’s a lovely new chapter for the family-run brand.
Shop the full toy van paddington wooden toy collection Here.
By Belinda Dibrowa