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You are here: Home / DIY / Dollhouse: Staircase Renovation

Dollhouse: Staircase Renovation

October 2, 2011 at 11:37 am by Claudia

What to do on another in a seemingly endless series of rainy days? Work on the dollhouse.

Though I just wrote a post about my aversion to seasonal decorating, apparently my dollhouse is the exception.

I can’t help it. It’s just so much more fun with a mini.

My big (for me) project yesterday was one of the staircases. It came to me like this:

The previous owners didn’t put it in correctly, so it’s a bit off. Since I didn’t want to take it out, adding spindles, newel posts and a railing involved crossing my fingers and hoping for the best.

It works for me. Each time I figure something out, like enlarging the opening for the front door, installing a new door, realigning the upstairs windows or putting in the rest of the staircase, I must admit I do a little dance.

The lighting varies according to the time of day and that is why you see such contrast. I’m basically shooting into a box! As you can see the windows need trimming. I’m going to make a wood floor, using coffee stirrers. I’m thinking about beadboard in the kitchen and maybe in the living room. Any suggestions?

Upstairs. I still have to do the other staircase but I ran out of spindles.

For me, the dollhouse is by far the most challenging thing to photograph. I spend hours trying to get the right shot. Someday, when I have wallpaper and more contrasting colors, I know it will become easier. At the moment, it’s a mass of white. Bear with me.

Have a lovely day.

Filed Under: DIY, dollhouse, photography 27 Comments

Comments

  1. Connie says

    October 2, 2011 at 11:53 am

    What a fun way to “play house”, sweet blogger.

    I had one years ago but never finished it and ended up giving it away. I love doll houses but, unfortunately, don’t have the time or patience to stick with it.

    xoxo,
    Connie

    Reply
  2. Rosamargarita says

    October 2, 2011 at 12:09 pm

    Me4 encanta Claudia, de verdad es una preciosidad.
    Un abrazo

    Reply
  3. Rizzi says

    October 2, 2011 at 12:15 pm

    IT IS JUST BEAUTIFUL CLAUDIA, YOU DO SUCH NICE WORK, AND YOU CAN TELL YOU PUT A LOT OF LOVE INTO IT. WE HAD SUCH A DOWN POUR YESTERDAY, WISH IT WOULD JUST CLEAR UP…….HAVE A GREAT WEEK. RIZZI

    Reply
  4. An Urban Cottage says

    October 2, 2011 at 12:17 pm

    Claudia,
    This just cracks me up, doing a renovation of a dollhouse. The staircase looks amazing! Do they have mini shelter magazines that cover such things?

    Reply
  5. Caseymini says

    October 2, 2011 at 12:32 pm

    Looking good Claudia….Don’t go too far before you do the wallpaper if you are going to do it. It is much easier before you get all of the woodwork and other details in.

    Reply
  6. Deb says

    October 2, 2011 at 12:51 pm

    I can see a lot of time can be spent on a miniature doll-house. It is so cute to look at and I am really enjoying watching you bring it to life. Have fun. Hugs, Deb=^..^=x4

    Reply
  7. Ann says

    October 2, 2011 at 12:52 pm

    Your patience at working in such a small space and your attention to detail is amazing. It’s beyond my realm but fun to watch you at work.

    Reply
  8. Diane Cayton-Hakey says

    October 2, 2011 at 1:36 pm

    Oh jeez….. How fun! I would never get anything else done if I did something like this. The spindles look awesome, and how about that precious front porch!

    Reply
  9. GerryART says

    October 2, 2011 at 2:49 pm

    You certainly have a passel of patience.

    Hey, I don’t mind the whiteness of it all. In fact . . . . . .

    You are really have the knack, Claudia.

    hugs
    Gerry

    Reply
  10. Cozy Little House says

    October 2, 2011 at 3:28 pm

    Oh, Claudia, it’s sooo cute! You must be having so much fun with it. Send that rain here!
    Brenda

    Reply
  11. Joanne says

    October 2, 2011 at 4:12 pm

    I love when you post pictures of your doll house! The stairs look great and I love those seasonal touches!
    Blessings, Joanne

    Reply
  12. Karen says

    October 2, 2011 at 5:14 pm

    I just love this project. Love the spindles!… love the seasonal decor!! …

    Reply
  13. Julia says

    October 2, 2011 at 6:13 pm

    You are amazing!!! This is “unbelievably real” looking. Did that even make sense?
    I love your vintage books!!!

    Reply
  14. Jill says

    October 2, 2011 at 7:22 pm

    Wow! What a difference that railing makes! Your house is looking great~ it’s so fun to see those familiar accessories finding a home. Don’t you just love that vase?!!

    I just worked an estate sale today so I’m in vintage-mode today… so much fun stuff…

    hugs,
    Jill

    Reply
  15. Crystal Rose Cottage says

    October 2, 2011 at 7:42 pm

    I think it looks great Claudia! The inside of my dollhouse is a mess! My granddaughters have been playing with it when they visit so some things are not as they should be. Maybe one day I will take the time to play with it again. It’s good therapy isn’t it! Good way to occupy your time and mind!~Hugs, Patti

    Reply
  16. bunny says

    October 2, 2011 at 10:14 pm

    So cute…it makes me wanna live there you make it look so comfy. I especially like the pumpkins.

    Have a wonderful week Claudia

    tootles,
    bunny

    Reply
  17. AshTreeCottage says

    October 3, 2011 at 12:43 am

    I love it Claudia! You are a mini architect. Come help me!!

    Hugs,
    Susan and Bentley

    Reply
  18. debi says

    October 3, 2011 at 2:44 am

    Oh, I love it! One of these days, I’m going to find the time to work on my dollhouse.

    Reply
  19. Mary says

    October 3, 2011 at 8:46 am

    Hey dear, you’ve found your true calling I think – fabulous job in miniature. How about doing it full size – hang out your shingle ‘house renovation specialist’!!

    Great job – and my style – love it all.

    Mary ~

    Reply
  20. ImagiMeri says

    October 3, 2011 at 8:58 am

    Hi sweet lady,

    Lookin’ good girlfriend, it’s really comin’ along. I agree with Casymini, don’t get too far along before wallpapering or you’re going to drive yourself crazy trying to cut-in around a bunch of small, unreachable corners and stuff.

    As far as making beadboard, I don’t know how anyone else does it, but I did it years ago using balsa wood, in sheets (4″ wide by 2 ft. long by 1/4″ thick)and scoring lines length-wise. I’d then cut pieces off at the height I wanted the beadboard to be and just glue them on. There’s so many miniature trims now, too. I stained my wood, but you can paint it, too. I don’t know if this helped, but I know they also sell beadboard for dollhouses now, as I’ve seen it at Hobby Lobby. Best of luck.

    Hugs,
    Meri

    Reply
  21. Zuzu says

    October 3, 2011 at 10:23 am

    It’s adorable, Claudia! The staircase came out great!
    Hugs,
    Zuzu

    Reply
  22. Lucille says

    October 3, 2011 at 12:05 pm

    Claudia, you are a woman of action! When you want to do something, you do it! You did a fantastic job on those stairs. I’m looking forward to what comes next.

    Reply
  23. vintagesue says

    October 3, 2011 at 2:45 pm

    that is it, claudia!! i am packing up my stuff one more time and moving into your seasonal doll house…lol.
    those mini pumpkins are so cute and that tote and chair should come in a grown up size!!! all very sweet. thanks for sharing.
    take care and send some of that rain down this way….that said, i do miss those leaves changing. boo hoo.
    sue

    Reply
  24. Norma says

    October 3, 2011 at 4:13 pm

    Cute pumpkins :)

    I’m so happy to see more of your dollhouse that I couldn’t care less about any lighting ‘issues’! Any chance of seeing a closeup of that chest of drawers under the stairs?? – it looks really pretty.

    Reply
  25. Lena says

    October 4, 2011 at 11:48 am

    Your dollhouse is coming along beautifully Claudia. I like it very much.

    xo
    Lena

    Reply
  26. Tammy@Simple Southern Happiness says

    October 4, 2011 at 8:16 pm

    Stupendous job on the stairs!! I cant keep my eyes off your handy work!! Bravo!!!

    Reply
  27. Linda Carole Bloom says

    October 5, 2011 at 1:57 am

    I love your staircase! I think beadboard would be perfect for the kitchen. Love, Linda

    Reply
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I live in a little cottage in the country with my husband. It's a sweet place, sheltered by old trees and surrounded by gardens. The inside is full of the things we love. I love to write, I love my camera, I love creating, I love gardening. My decorating style is eclectic; full of vintage and a bit of whimsy.

I've worked in the theater for more years than I can count. I'm currently a voice, speech, dialect and text coach freelancing on Broadway, off Broadway, and in regional theater.

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