Thursday, August 4, 2011

New Dollhouse Project: Barbie's Dream Mansion



I'm so excited, I can hardly contain myself.  My birthday gift came early this year.





My hubby bought me this A.M.A.Z.I.N.G custom built Barbie mansion. It is HUGE! Roughly five feet tall by four feet wide by two feet deep.

It is solid and constructed with 1/4 inch plywood. 

Traditional victorian style with bay windows on either side of a main entryway.

This was a previously loved home that has seen a lot of play time over the past ten years. A completely blank slate for me to finish and customize in whatever way I choose! 


The doorway is 12 inches tall so even in heels Barbie clears the opening. I may make the opening just a little bit bigger so I can install an operational door..which I will have to build from scratch since there are no ready-made doors in the 1:6 market large enough to work. 


The stairs are built just like in real life with stringers, risers and treads. Need to build window frames too.


Testing out a dry fit of the kitchen layout. The entire Kenmore Kitchen fits along the outside wall but it makes the eating area a little cramped. With the fridge on the other side there is room to move around the breakfast nook. I can just imagine this kitchen filled with all kinds of re-ment! The ceiling height is 16 inches.


One optional layout for the bedroom.  The room is large enough not only to house a full canopy bed but a sitting area as well.

 **This is a new custom bed I've been working on which will be available for purchase soon! Just need to finish the mattress and sheet.


And a full view of the left side of the dollhouse just because it makes me happy. :-) I have the MOST amazing husband!

Follow along with me as I finish this house! Can't say for sure how long it will take. I have never finished a wooden dollhouse before. 
I would love to hear from anyone who has finished a proper dollhouse for advice! Suggestions? Opinions? I love comments! Don't be shy.

Thanks for stopping by.

Happy Crafting!
Stephiejo



10 comments:

  1. This is amazing and I am so jealous of you right now it isnt even funny! I cant wait to see what you do with it!

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  2. I'm drooling for you right now! The Hubs has scored some major points! Happy Birthday. Have you been to the Zyxoma flickr page? They've been working in a giant 1:6 dollhouse.

    I'm excited for you and can't wait to see what you do!

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  3. Ooh la la. I am as excited as you are. One, because you are going to do an amazing job and we will get to see it from beginning to end. Two, because I am not doing it. LOL. I have been trying to finish a miniature house for so many years I lost count. I am better at simple dios. My attention span is just to short for an intense project like that. The only advice I have is plan all the lighting first, if you are going to do internal lighting.

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  4. Awe...Wdmk...thanks! I'm ready to start!

    Dani..I am friends with Zyxoma on Flickr and have already begun pestering David with questions! His dollhouse is so incredible. And yes...the hubs has scored MAJOR points..but we all know happy wife = happy life!!

    Vanessa-I still think I do my best work in the small vignette dioramas but want to push myself with this GIANT project. This is just one of many projects I'll be working on..I can never just focus on one thing..where's the fun in that? Great suggestion to plan the lighting first!!

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  5. Did he buy it? If he did, could you tell me, pleeeaaase, where?

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  6. Hi Moony! Yes, my husband purchased this dollhouse for me. It was for sale on Craigslist. It was built about 10 years ago and was well loved by two little girls.

    Thanks for stopping by!
    Steph

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  7. So much fun! I can't wait to see what you do. That dollhouse is dreamy.

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  8. would you happen to know where I can get a doll house like that but cheap (as in under $50, $40 and $30? )? Thank you

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  9. Thanks Miranda!

    Anonymous: I am not aware of this house being available anywhere. This was custom built by a craftsman and I lucked out purchasing it 2nd hand. You might be able to build something yourself if your budget is between $30 and $50. Otherwise there are playscale kits available but I believe those run $300-$400. Another option would be to convert a bookcase into a dollhouse. Walmart and other big box stores carry relatively inexpensive ones. Otherwise, scour Craiglist for someone selling theirs. :) Thanks for stopping by the craft room.
    Stephanie

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  10. Wow! Congratulations! I'm so envious to have a static place to keep everything in it's place or move around as you please. I have a Curio cabinet that is very nice and has to make do as my dollhouse and a little staging area that I make dynamic dios with. You have a jewel of a husband to give you this; too cool! :D

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