As I’ve worked on this dollhouse off and on over the course of the last year and a half, I’ve had many comments from readers who say they want a dollhouse of their very own. I say, what are you waiting for? Get one!
Of course, it’s not always as simple as that. In the beginning, I spent a great deal of time looking at ads for new dollhouse kits. I wanted to build my own. However, the ones I was interested in were not cheap. Nor should they be. My thought was that someday I would save up my money and buy a kit. After I paid the bills. And took care of a host of other essentials on our limited budget.
Then I hit on the idea of searching Craig’s List and eBay, either for a kit at a reduced price or a used, finished dollhouse. eBay has lots and lots of listings. I ended up bidding on a kit a few years back and won this:
I think I paid around $30 for it. This has been around MHC longer than the other dollhouse. Frankly, I didn’t have the guts to take it on initially. It intimidated me. The other day I wondered aloud to Don, what am I going to do when the dollhouse is finished? Start another one, was his reply. And then I remembered this kit. After all the work on the dollhouse, I’m not nearly as intimidated as I was. I’m looking forward to it.
And for all of you who say, “But I have no room!” “Bullocks,” I say. (Can you tell I read British murder mysteries?) We live in a 1200 square foot cottage with no basement or attic. I managed to make mine work in this space – in fact, it adds a great deal of charm to our den. As to the next project, when I asked Don where we would put it, his answer was, “We’ll find the space.” If you want one, you will find a way to make it work in your house. So, check out eBay – search Dollhouses, Miniatures and Dollhouse Kits.
On to Craig’s List: I spent a few months periodically checking my local listings for a dollhouse. Most of the listings were for playhouses and real kid’s stuff – sturdy and made of plastic. Every once in a while, I found something that looked promising. It wasn’t until I was away working in California that I found my house. I was in my temporary housing, scanning the local (back home) listings. I saw a listing in a neighboring town and a photo that looked promising. I emailed the seller and had a little conversation. I called Don and in my sweetest, most cajoling tone, asked him if he would do me favor. Would he drive to the neighboring town (about a 30 minute drive) and buy a dollhouse for me? Pretty please? He did. When he got back home, he called me and said, much to my surprise, “This dollhouse is really cool!”
I got it for $35. A steal.
Here’s what it looked like when it first arrived at Mockingbird Hill Cottage:
It had been put together more than a wee bit haphazardly. The upstairs dormer windows were crooked. Shutters were missing and the shutters that were on the house were really just pieces of wood with lines painted on them. The roof was missing shingles. That tower room on the roof was incorrectly placed. The front door wouldn’t close. Some walls were crooked. Here’s what it looked like on the inside:
None of the seams in the three rooms on the left met correctly. There was water damage on the downstairs floors. You can see light coming through the seams in the three rooms on the left. I had to reposition the dormer windows and the tower room. As I’ve worked on the inside, I’ve found ways to disguise the seams that don’t quite meet.
I added new shingles and took off the old shutters, replacing them with real mini shutters. I straightened the windows and repositioned the tower room.
And here’s the wonderful thing. The moment I started to mention my dollhouse on my blog, other dollhouse lovers and talented miniaturists found me. I, in turn, found a whole community of miniaturists who are generous with tips and advice. I’ve learned so much from them. Every step of the way, they have been there, cheering me on.
Believe me, I am not a miniaturist. I am just a girl who had a metal dollhouse when she was a kid. You know the kind – the fireplace and kitchen cupboards were painted on the metal. The rug was painted on the metal floor. It had plastic furniture. Don’t get me wrong, I loved it. But this dollhouse? It’s my girlhood fantasy come to life.
If you want one, do it. Get one. You will have the time of your life working on it. I mean, come on…this baby only cost me $35! If I can find a deal, you can, too. If you have one already and have been thinking of working on it, do it!
I’d love to share some of your dollhouses as you work on them. If you have one in process or are about to start on one, send me some photos and I’ll highlight them in a post.
And don’t give me that excuse about not enough room. If you stood in the middle of Mockingbird Hill Cottage, you would soon realize that where there’s a will, there’s a way. I live in a very small space every day. I have collections. I have lots of books. I have a dollhouse.
You can, too.
I love this story and boy are you up early. Lynda has a huge dollhouse, furnished and with lighting, she needs to sell it. DO you have any ideas how? She tried an in town auction but didn’t get a minimum bid. It is huge, ornate and really a masterpiece. Would you email me ideas for her?
M
Claudia,
I was reading down your post giggling to myself thinking, this sounds like our house. Bad foundation, leaky pipes, water spots on floor, walls that are a wee bit off. LOL & I realized, she’s describing our house!!! Actually your describing any old home. What is about us girls, we love what we love & find a way to make it home. Big or miniature.
Lisa
(thanks for your tips before, I’m on the lookout for a Christmas Cottage)
After reading some of your posts on your dollhouse, I have been reading some other blogs where others have decorated theirs. Some of these people are so talented! I cannot believe how they make some of the most intricate items. I have to tell you, I really enjoyed assembling my dollhouse years ago. I would guess it to be almost 20! I think I will plan on doing a post on it soon. I informed my granddaughter that the dollhouse is getting a “makeover”! I think she is excited too after seeing some of the pics of others. I also wanted to put out there that there are miniature shows around the country and clubs. You can shop and see some really great things!~Hugs, Patti
Hey Girlfriend,
I’m with ya’ on the “if you want it get it” mentality. My father built me a “singular” 3 walls, and a floor room for my Barbies when I was around 9 or 10. He even carpeted the darn thing, but there were no windows, doors or any type of architectural structure to the thing. I still managed to create a proper “living room” for my dolls. I made lamp shades,or waste baskets out of plastic bottle caps. I used scrap wood to build a bed, and sewed a quilt/coverlet and pillow for it. I made miniature food and sundries out of salt dough and then painted them. I had a blast. It wasn’t until the 1990’s that I got a proper doll house. Handed down to me by first my older sister, to my younger sister and then to me. It was a three story victorian that my oldest sister had built from a kit, and totally finished off from flooring to attic beamed ceiling. Our family is known for their craftsmen-ship and I tell you that thing was solid and square and beautifully finished, as my oldest sister is also a perfectionist. I had to sell the house many years ago during hard times, and I wish to this day I still had it. I don’t believe I will ever find the time or money for another one, but I totally encourage anyone else to go for it. Thanks for sharing the memory.
Hugs,
Meri
This would be a wonderful thing to pass down to a grandchild!
Love what you`ve done with it, Claudia.
Sue
xo
I love it.. Wonderful job on the make-over so far. Also an amazing bargin on Craigslist. I love finding other peaople in blog land that love dollhouses. I have a bunch of dollhouse kits still in the box that I bought 10 years ago. One of these days I’ll finish one. I look forward to reading more about your adventure and seeing pictures of the progress.
sounds like a real house, water damage, door wont shut, missing shingles!
I think it is great!
Hello Claudia…my goodness but time flies when your havin’ fun bloggin’ and livin’ life. I’ve been doing lots of both without much time for visiting, so I’m just droppin’ in to say Howdy, and invite you to stop by CollectInTexas Gal.
As times change for all of us, our Blogs seem to reflect those changes in our interests, and CITexas Gal has changed a bit with the addition of Tracks of My Texas Ancestors. Yep, I’ve been bitten by the Genealogy Bloggin’ Bug.
I’d love to share the Blogging Genealogy Community with you. I hope you will have a minute to stop by and see/read the ‘May I Introduce You To’ interview Feature on CollectInTexas Gal/Tracks of My Texas Ancestors by GeneaBlogger.
Sue…CollectInTexas Gal
http://collectintexasgal.blogspot.com/
Claudia, I also had the metal dollhouse with the plastic furniture. Sounds like a twin to yours. I never did outgrow doing minis…I stopped for a while, but never stopped loving them. Now look at me!LOL
BTW, I also have the Fairfield. Mine is built and partially decorated. When you start doing yours, maybe I will start working on mine again…Be aware that that it is a half inch scale house. Completely different furniture and overall size. There is a big advantage. It is a good sized house, room wise, in a quarter the space. The footprint is 16″ by 16 1/4″. It’s 20 inches tall. You can find that much space, I am sure.
If you need any help just yell.
Be warned…..If you stop on the other one to start this one, you are officially an addict and there is no help for you….Dollhouses will start inching their way into every available corner of the cottage…Good Luck!
Perhaps you will soon be the dollhouse guru for many or the connecting space for those with dollhouses who wish to sell to those who desire dollhouses?
Another possible earning potential ? hmmm?
It is so wonderful to hear others expressing their enthusiasm for the art form they adore.
WoOt
xx
z
THE METAL DOLL HOUSE….I REMEMBER IT WELL…..I LOVED MINE TOO…..ALONG WITH MY PAPER DOLLS AND JACKS. YOU GOT SOME GREAT BUYS……..I’M GOING TO LOOK AROUND…..I THINK ITS A WONDERFUL HOBBY……AND YOU CAN DESIGN IT ANYWAY YOU WANT TO. HAVE A LOVELY DAY……..RIZZI
Love following the steps on your dollhouse Claudia – it´s so pretty and so much fun to watch
OK. I am convinced. I’m off to Craig’s list. (I’ve never been there before.) I DO have a place for it in my tiny cottage!
Oh, and that metal doll house you spoke of? I had that one, too. and the plastic furniture. As I recall the baby’s room furniture was all pink. Maybe the bathroom fixtures, too!
I agree with everything you said, and Casey too!! I especially love that there are so many other crazy dollhouse lovers out there in Blogland who are so willing to share inspiration and info.
I love your dollhouse. I love seeing what some people do with miniatures. I have a dollhouse that is currently sitting up high on a cabinet in the living room, above the big tv. Right now the only thing living in there is the tv antenna. :-)
Maybe I will take it down and get back to the plans I used to have for it. You’ve inspired me!
~cathy
Hi Claudia! Welcome to the wonderful world of miniatures! I found my first dollhouse at a garage sale. NO, I wasn’t looking for a dollhouse. It found ME! It looked so forlorn sitting there in the corner of that garage. It wasn’t even “for sale!” I inquired about it and the girl who owned it said, “I have no idea what I’ll do with it, would you like it?” In an instant it was paid for ($25) and in the back seat of my car! The rest is history in the making! LOL
Thanks for inspiring others to join in this wonderful hobby. Life will never be the same for me! :D
Blessings,
Kathi
http://beautifulminiblessings.blogspot.com/
That was very much a steal. And you have beautified it with such love!
Brenda
“I love what you’ve done with the place.” He he. Your dollhouse is looking so adorable. You’re going to have me inspired to work on my little house again. I’ve got the beadboard, etc. to install still. Had a little climate control issue in the sunroom where it sits, and my funky cardstock wallpaper warped. Looks like a remodel is order before I even get to pick up where I left off! I’m thinking this could be a good winter project. I’ve got some furniture to paint also…
Hugs,
Jill
PS: You’re so right about the mini community– they’re a great group of people. Casey’s amazing– I love her tutorials! (And that feisty Tessie!)
Neat story! Someday when I’m tired of creating “lifelike baby dolls”, maybe I’ll work on doll houses also. Looks like fun…
Have you ever seen the dollhouse in the Smithsonian? I fell in love with it when I was 12. It is amazing. Huge and has a family of dolls….
Such a precious dollhouse!! Someday I’ll need to post about mine I bought for my granddaughter ~ she is now 15 and the little cousins were starting to tear it up so she “loaned” it back to me for safe-keeping for her!! Yea for me!!
Big TX Hugs,
Stephanie
Angelic Accents
Hello!! I came over bu way of Debi form Life in My Studio who mentioned your doll house.
I am looking through your doll house posts and loving them.
I have a Victorian Doll House that was built for me by an 88 year old man. If you have time, please stop be Debbie-Dabble and take a peak at my doll house, Nelson Crest on my side bar.
Hugs,
Debbie