Illustrations of Fantastical Homes for Beloved Fairy Tale Characters

Federico Babina Paints Fairy Tale Architecture

When two seemingly disparate subjects come together, they can produce a visual enchantment we would've never imagined otherwise. Illustrator Federico Babina is known for his creative mashups like Archilife, which paired movie stars with homes designed by famous architects. He’s recently unveiled his latest series called Architale that’s in the same vein—this time, it focuses on fairy tale architecture. Babina describes it as “a tribute to the fairy tale universe where the architectures are reinvented to accommodate the protagonists of the story.”

Architale features 17 charming homes of beloved characters like Peter Pan and Cinderella. If you’re familiar with their original stories, parts of Babina’s architecture will be instantly recognizable. Aladdin's lair has the markings of a giant genie lamp, while the three little pigs are in angular homes made of straw, sticks, and bricks. (There is, of course, the big bad wolf lurking at the base of these elevated bungalows.) Each is painted in retro-inspired style that recalls illustrations of the mid-20th century—they feel simultaneously nostalgic and contemporary.

Babina’s project hearkens his youth, from when these fairy tales transported him to new and mystical places. “The lighted windows in the dark night that hide secrets and surprises,” he told ArchDaily, “the objects that have been transformed and come to life, were for me a prelude to the universe of architecture and design.”

Which house would you live in?

Federico Babina Paints Fairy Tale Architecture

Federico Babina Paints Fairy Tale Architecture

Federico Babina Paints Fairy Tale Architecture

Federico Babina Paints Fairy Tale Architecture

Federico Babina Paints Fairy Tale Architecture

Federico Babina Paints Fairy Tale Architecture

Federico Babina Paints Fairy Tale Architecture

Federico Babina Paints Fairy Tale Architecture

Federico Babina Paints Fairy Tale Architecture

Federico Babina Paints Fairy Tale Architecture

Federico Babina Paints Fairy Tale Architecture

Federico Babina Paints Fairy Tale Architecture

Federico Babina Paints Fairy Tale Architecture

Federico Babina Paints Fairy Tale Architecture

Federico Babina Paints Fairy Tale Architecture

Federico Babina Paints Fairy Tale Architecture

Federico Babina: Website | Instagram | Society6
h/t: [ArchDaily]

All images via Federico Babina.

Sara Barnes

Sara Barnes is a Staff Editor at My Modern Met, Manager of My Modern Met Store, and co-host of the My Modern Met Top Artist Podcast. As an illustrator and writer living in Seattle, she chronicles illustration, embroidery, and beyond through her blog Brown Paper Bag and Instagram @brwnpaperbag. She wrote a book about embroidery artist Sarah K. Benning titled 'Embroidered Life' that was published by Chronicle Books in 2019. Sara is a graduate of the Maryland Institute College of Art. She earned her BFA in Illustration in 2008 and MFA in Illustration Practice in 2013.
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