There’s something magical about a Chicago Victorian—and this handmade shadow box captures it all. Painted a weathered robin's egg blue with deep red trim and a brick basement peeking through garden-level windows, this piece feels like it was pulled straight from a side street in Old Town.
The details are quiet but rich: ornamental molding, lace curtains in tall windows, and a blue steps leading to an inviting door. Every inch is hand-built and painted by the late David “Dick” Dahlstrom, who brought Chicago’s architecture to life in miniature with heart, history, and soul. It’s more than a house—it’s a moment, frozen in time. A love letter to city living, made to hang on your wall.
16" long x 23" high x 8" deep
Chicago-born artist David “Dick” Dahlstrom (1934–2025) channeled his deep-rooted love of drawing and design into handcrafted shadow boxes that double as miniature memories of his hometown. After training at the Art Institute of Chicago and a career in graphic arts, he returned with renewed passion post-retirement to sculpt these nostalgic creations—tiny house-like scenes capturing the soul of Chicago. Each piece carries the charm, whimsy, and attention to detail that made Dick’s work a familiar treasure at Midwest art fairs, galleries, and homes.
