In this season of giving, Vince Giannotti is proving that “it’s better to give than to receive,” crafting one-of-a-kind dollhouses that brighten the lives of children facing illness. A retired plumber and project manager, Vince began building these miniature homes out of love for his grandchildren. As he saw the joy they brought to the children in his life, he realized they could mean even more to those who need a little extra cheer. Now, Vince spends hours in his workshop, creating whimsical, customized dollhouses for children dealing with health challenges, hoping to bring them a spark of holiday magic and joy.
Vince’s journey into dollhouse building began during the pandemic when he faced a health challenge of his own. Diagnosed with prostate cancer that had metastasized to the bone, he was forced into retirement earlier than he’d anticipated. But even as he coped with his illness, Vince wasn’t ready to let life pass him by. “Death is part of life,” he shared, “but that didn’t stop me.” Instead, he poured his energy into creating something beautiful for his grandchildren, Olive and Poppy, whose joy upon receiving the first dollhouse inspired him to continue building.
The joy these miniature homes brought to his family sparked an idea. Vince realized that his dollhouses could brighten the lives of other children, particularly those who could use a little extra happiness. He soon began crafting dollhouses for kids in his community, especially those battling illnesses. Vince recalls a particular sick little girl who loved Minnie Mouse. “I spent extra time on that one,” he reminisced. “I just wanted her to feel joy, even if just for a little while.”
Since then, Vince’s dollhouses have travelled far and wide. Some have gone to local charities and others to families in need, each uniquely designed to fit the child’s personality and tastes. Every house is a masterpiece with distinctive features—a hand-crafted spiral staircase, tiny tables and chairs, vibrant shutters, stained-glass windows, and doors that open and close. Vince includes the child’s name somewhere on the house, often on the chimney, a small but meaningful touch that adds a personal connection.
“They’re built like real houses,” Vince explains. “I frame them just like you would with a full-sized house.” Vince uses only high-quality wood and carpenter glue to ensure his creations are sturdy. “You can pick them up by the chimney, and they won’t fall apart,” he says proudly.
Vince’s commitment to quality is evident in the materials he uses and the time he invests. Each dollhouse is a labour-intensive project, involving precise measurements, cutting, painting, and assembling. He crafts everything by hand, from the tiny beds and tables to the intricate staircases that become the centrepiece of each house.
Through partnerships with organizations like the Fight Like Mason Foundation and the local Optimist Club, Vince has brought a touch of magic to kids who could use an extra boost. “If these houses can make a child smile and give them a bit of joy, then all my time and effort are worth it,” he says.
As he continues to build, Vince has found new inspiration in his grandchildren, Olive and Poppy, who often offer their ideas for decorating the dollhouses. The two girls enjoy helping him pick out colours and designs, making the creative process a family affair. Vince’s house is filled with their laughter as they paint, glue, and assemble tiny pieces together.
For him, it’s a chance to stay connected to his inner child and keep creating for a personal and deeply meaningful purpose.
Alongside his passion for dollhouse building, Vince hopes to raise awareness about prostate cancer, encouraging men to get regular check-ups. “Men need to be diligent,” he says, hoping his story will inspire others to take their health seriously. Though his cancer diagnosis was a life-altering event, it has only strengthened his resolve to make a difference.
Vince has crafted thirty unique, one-of-a-kind dollhouses, each built without blueprints. He relies on his intuition, starting from a base layout and creating as he goes. Made from premium materials, each dollhouse includes pine wood studs, A-grade plywood floors, around 800 wood pieces, 12 ounces of premium glue, and about 1,600 glued joints with 1,360 cuts made on a table saw. Every dollhouse takes between 130 to 150 hours to complete and costs about $150 in materials. These creations come with a lifetime guarantee when properly cared for.
Vince would like to acknowledge the support of Dr. M. Kanjeekal, Dr F. Demarco, Dr R. Goel, Dr E. Heath, and Dr. B. Mancini from BAMF Health Theranostics Center for their assistance in his medical journey. He’s also grateful to his friend David Batten for his ongoing encouragement, and, most importantly, he expresses deep appreciation for his wife, children, and grandchildren, who are always by his side.
