Best in Miniature
| Best in Miniature | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Reality competition |
| Created by | Kelsey Espensen |
| Directed by | Ryan Shaw (2022) Mike Bickerton (2022-present) |
| Presented by | Aba Amuquandoh |
| Judges | Micheal Lambie Emma Waddell |
| Country of origin | Canada |
| Original language | English |
| No. of seasons | 3 |
| No. of episodes | 26 |
| Production | |
| Executive producers | Matthew Hornburg (2022-present) Mark J. W. Bishop (2022-present) Diane Rankin (2022-present) Donna Luke (2022-present) Marike Emery (2022) Carly Spencer (2022-2023) |
| Producers | Jacqui Skeete (2022) Erica Lenczner (2022-present) |
| Running time | 44 minutes |
| Production companies | Blue Ant Media, CBC Television |
| Original release | |
| Network | CBC Gem |
| Release | February 11, 2022 |
Best in Miniature is a Canadian reality competition television series, hosted by Aba Amuquandoh. The series premiered on CBC Gem in 2022.[1][2]
The show features craftspeople skilled in competing to make the best miniature scale model of a dream home. The winner receives a residency with the International Guild of Miniature Artisans and $15,000 (Seasons 1 and 2) or $10,000 (Season 3).[3]
Format
In the first episode, contestants are given 10 hours to build the structure of their dream home. In each subsequent episode, competitors face off in two challenges. In the first "mini challenge," competitors must create one or more small items centred around a theme in a short period of time. The winner of the challenge is given either a ribbon, reward, or advantage. In the second challenge, competitors are given 8 hours to complete one room in their dream house. After judging, one contestant is sent home each episode.
Contestants
Season 1
| Name | Residence | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Antavia Cherry | Charlotte, North Carolina | |
| Cielo Vianzon | Toronto, Ontario | |
| Susete Saraiva | Toronto, Ontario | |
| Tina MacDonald | Edmonton, Alberta | |
| Anica (Kat) Williams | Ocala, Florida | |
| Roxanne Brathwaite | Toronto, Ontario | |
| Susan Mattinson | Truro, Nova Scotia | |
| Tom Brown | Calgary, Alberta | |
| Lewis Bush | Hopkins. South Carolina | |
| Phillip Nuveen | Brooklyn, New York | |
| Stephen Eddleston | London, UK |
Season 2
| Name | Residence | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Michele Barrow-Belisle | London, Ontario | [4] |
| Tracy Ealdama | Vancouver, British Columbia | |
| Alberto Gozzi | Brampton, Ontario | |
| Nigel (Nick) Humes | Kingston, Jamaica | |
| Debra Kirby | Norfolk, England | |
| Hannah Lemon | London, England | |
| Briar Nielsen | Uxbridge, Ontario | |
| Preston Poling | Louisville, Kentucky | |
| Micheline Wedderburn | Toronto, Ontario | |
| Gabbi Whiteley | Vancouver, British Columbia |
Season 3
| Name | Residence | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Susan Canaday Henry | Las Vegas, Nevada | [5] |
| Shelley Acker | Kentville, Nova Scotia | |
| August Riche | Queens, New York | |
| Jen Arnold | Winnipeg, Manitoba | |
| Nalini Sookdeo | Nottingham, Maryland | |
| Mike Fraysher | Hanahan, South Carolina | |
| Tiffany Monk | Sutton, Quebec | |
| Lance Cardinal | Bigstone Cree Nation | |
| Elliott Langford | Cheltenham, UK | |
| Arline Smith | Port Hope, Ontario |
Contestant progress
| SEASON 1 | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Contestant | Home Style | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | |
| Susete | Haunted House | SAFE | SAFE | WIN | SAFE | SAFE | WIN | SAFE | WIN | SAFE | WINNER | |
| Phillip | Ultra Modern New York Townhouse | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | WIN | SAFE | SAFE | WIN | RUNNER UP | |
| Stephen | Victorian Dollhouse | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | WIN | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | RUNNER UP | |
| Cielo | Affordable Shipping Container | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | WIN | SAFE | SAFE | OUT | ||
| Roxanne | Mid-Century Modern Home | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | WIN | WIN | OUT | |||
| Tom | Grandparent's Cottage | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | WIN | WIN | WIN | OUT | ||||
| Tina | Medieval Fantasy House | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | OUT | |||||
| Lewis | Atlanta Mansion | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | OUT | ||||||
| Kat | Modern House | SAFE | WIN | OUT | ||||||||
| Susan | East Coast Family Home | SAFE | OUT | |||||||||
| Antavia | Sleek and Stylish House | OUT | ||||||||||
| SEASON 2 | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Contestant | Home Style | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
| SEASON 3 | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Contestant | Home Style | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
- (WIN) The Contestant won that episode's Mini Challenge.
- (OUT) The Contestant won that episode’s Mini Challenge but was eliminated from the competition during the Room Challenge.
- (OUT) The Contestant was eliminated from the competition.
- (SAFE) The Contestant won neither the Mini Challenge nor Room Challenge, and they were not eliminated.
- (WINNER) The Contestant was named Best in Miniature.
- (RUNNER UP) The contestant was runner up.
Episodes
| Season | Miniaturists | Winner | Runner-up(s) | Episodes | Originally released | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First released | Last released | ||||||
| 1 | 11 | Susete Saraiva | Phillip Nuveen & Stephen Eddleston | 10 | February 11, 2022 | April 15, 2022 | |
| 2 | 10 | & | 8 | February 19, 2023 | April 16, 2023 | ||
| 3 | 10 | & | 8 | December 26, 2023 | December 26, 2023 | ||
Season 1 (2022)
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Original release date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | "Open House" | February 11, 2022 | |
|
The miniaturists head to the workshop and build the structure for their dream homes. | ||||
| 2 | 2 | "Child's Play & Living Room" | February 18, 2022 | |
|
For the mini challenge, the miniaturists make tiny toys. For the room challenge, they build their living rooms. | ||||
| 3 | 3 | "Blooms & Bathroom" | February 25, 2022 | |
|
For the mini challenge, the miniaturists make tiny florals. For the room challenge, they build their bathrooms. | ||||
| 4 | 4 | "Bookworms & Children's Room" | March 4, 2022 | |
|
For the mini challenge, the miniaturists make tiny books. For the room challenge, they build their kid's rooms. | ||||
| 5 | 5 | "Cakes & Dining" | March 11, 2022 | |
|
For the mini challenge, the miniaturists make tiny edible cakes. For the room challenge, they build their dining rooms. | ||||
| 6 | 6 | "Paintings & Office Work" | March 18, 2022 | |
|
For the mini challenge, the miniaturists make tiny paintings inspired by their loved ones. For the room challenge, they build their offices. | ||||
| 7 | 7 | "Pillows & Beds" | March 25, 2022 | |
|
For the mini challenge, the miniaturists make tiny pillows. For the room challenge, they build their master bedrooms. | ||||
| 8 | 8 | "Critters & Kitchen" | April 1, 2022 | |
|
For the mini challenge, the miniaturists make tiny animals. For the room challenge, they build their kitchens. | ||||
| 9 | 9 | "Sweet Surprise & Miniaturist's Choice" | April 8, 2022 | |
|
For the mini challenge, the miniaturists make tiny candies. For the room challenge, they build a last room of their choice. | ||||
| 10 | 10 | "Curb Appeal" | April 15, 2022 | |
|
In the season finale, the miniaturists finish the outside of their homes. A winner is crowned. | ||||
Season 2 (2023)
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Original release date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 1 | "First Impressions" | February 19, 2023 | |
|
The miniaturists head to the workshop and build the structure for their dream homes. | ||||
| 12 | 2 | "All in the Family" | February 26, 2023 | |
|
For the mini challenge, the miniaturists make tiny family heirlooms. For the room challenge, they build their family rooms. | ||||
| 13 | 3 | "Don't Cramp my Style" | March 5, 2023 | |
|
For the mini challenge, the miniaturists make tiny hats and shoes. For the room challenge, they build their master bedrooms and ensuites. | ||||
| 14 | 4 | "Food Glorious Food" | March 19, 2023 | |
|
For the mini challenge, the miniaturists make tiny desert island dishes. For the room challenge, they build their kitchens. | ||||
| 15 | 5 | "It's Party Time" | March 26, 2023 | |
|
For the mini challenge, the miniaturists make tiny party decorations. For the room challenge, they build their dining rooms. | ||||
| 16 | 6 | "Child's Play" | April 2, 2023 | |
|
For the mini challenge, the miniaturists make tiny items inspired by their childhoods. For the room challenge, they build their kid's rooms. | ||||
| 17 | 7 | "Imagination Station" | April 9, 2023 | |
|
For the mini challenge, the miniaturists turn trash into treasure. For the room challenge, they build a last room of their choice. | ||||
| 18 | 8 | "The Finale" | April 16, 2023 | |
|
In the season finale, the miniaturists finish the outside of their homes with a yard sale. A winner is crowned. | ||||
Season 3 (2023)
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Original release date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 | 1 | "Show Us Your Spirit" | December 26, 2023 | |
|
The miniaturists head to the workshop and build the structure for their dream homes. | ||||
| 20 | 2 | "Making a Grand Entrance" | December 26, 2023 | |
| 21 | 3 | "Give Us the Goodies" | December 26, 2023 | |
| 22 | 4 | "Ready to Rock" | December 26, 2023 | |
|
For the mini challenge, the miniaturists make tiny pop icon mannequins. For the room challenge, they build their bedrooms with a walk-in closets. | ||||
| 23 | 5 | "Making a Scene" | December 26, 2023 | |
| 24 | 6 | "Game Night" | December 26, 2023 | |
|
For the mini challenge, the miniaturists make tiny vases on pottery wheels. For the room challenge, they build their lounges/games rooms. | ||||
| 25 | 7 | "The Devil is in the Details" | December 26, 2023 | |
|
For the mini challenge, the miniaturists make housewarming gifts for their fellow competitors. For the room challenge, they build either a kid's room or a hobby room. | ||||
| 26 | 8 | "Take It Outside" | December 26, 2023 | |
|
In the season finale, the miniaturists finish the outside of their homes. A winner is crowned. | ||||
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Recipient | Results | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Canadian Screen Awards | Best Reality/Competition Series | Best in Miniature | Nominated | [6] |
| Best Photography, Lifestyle or Reality/Competition | Shane Geddes | Nominated | [7] | ||
| 2024 | Canadian Screen Awards | Best Reality/Competition Series | Best in Miniature | Nominated | [8] |
| Best Photography, Lifestyle or Reality/Competition | Shane Geddes | Nominated | [9] | ||
| Best Production Design or Art Direction, Non-Fiction | Tim Luke | Nominated | [10] | ||
| 2025 | Canadian Screen Awards | Best Picture Editing, Reality/Competition | Daniel Cable, Pat Fairbairn, Alexandra Mastronardi, Curtis Rogers, Olivia Shin | Nominated | [11] |
References
- ^ Greg David, "Marblemedia goes big with miniatures in new competition series Best in Miniature for CBC and Discovery+" Archived 2023-03-20 at the Wayback Machine. TV, eh?, June 29, 2021.
- ^ Jen McNeely, "‘Best In Miniature’ explores the current obsession with making things mini" Archived 2023-03-20 at the Wayback Machine. She Does the City, February 22, 2022.
- ^ Dragicevic, Nina (February 16, 2023). "'There are no trolls in miniatures' says this Canadian maker who's found community in her craft". CBC Lite. Retrieved August 12, 2025.
- ^ Reid, Elizabeth (January 19, 2023). "CBC Competition Series Best In Miniature Returns For Season 2 On February 19 With Ten All-new Miniaturists From Canada And The World". CBC Media Centre. Retrieved August 12, 2025.
- ^ "CTiny houses, big talent: CBC's Best in Miniature is back with new micro-sized masterpieces". CBC Television. November 29, 2023. Retrieved August 12, 2025.
- ^ "2023 Canadian Screen Awards. Nominee - Best Reality/competition Program Or Series - Best In Miniature". Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television. April 16, 2023. Retrieved August 12, 2025.
- ^ "2023 Canadian Screen Awards. Nominee - Best Photography, Lifestyle Or Reality/competition - Shane Geddes". Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television. April 16, 2023. Retrieved August 12, 2025.
- ^ "2024 Canadian Screen Awards. Nominee - Best Reality/competition Program Or Series - Best In Miniature". Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television. May 31, 2024. Retrieved August 12, 2025.
- ^ "2024 Canadian Screen Awards. Nominee - Best Photography, Lifestyle Or Reality/competition - Shane Geddes". Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television. May 31, 2024. Retrieved August 12, 2025.
- ^ "2024 Canadian Screen Awards. Nominee - Best Production Design Or Art Direction, Non-fiction - Tim Luke". Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television. May 31, 2024. Retrieved August 12, 2025.
- ^ "2025 Canadian Screen Awards. Nominee - Best Picture Editing, Reality/Competition - Best in Miniature". Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television. June 1, 2025. Retrieved August 12, 2025.