Reality Daydream

The Dream is Free, The Hustle Sold Separately

The Dollhouse {Part 2}

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Good morning friends!

My computer has been on the fritz lately, making me nervous to even TRY to compose a blog post… lest it might abruptly go to be with Jesus. But I wanted to at least stop in and quickly show some progress shots on what’s been happening with my childhood dollhouse we’ve been fixing up for the girls’ new room.

My childhood dollhouse transformation for the twins! {Sawdust and Embryos}

Last time, we shared how we added the wood-shim roof shingles, added 3 extra rooms, painted everything white, built a stairway leading to the second floor, and laid some hardwood flooring and carpet.

Progress on heirloom dollhouse transformation! {Sawdust and Embryos}

Since then, we finished the shim roof… complete with trim pieces to cover the ugly seams (genius husband).

Wood-shim roofing shingles on dollhouse {Sawdust and Embryos}

As expected, I decided to paint the ‘trees’ the same colors as the Patchwork Herringbone Accent Wall and did a little design on them to add some whimsy using this design as inspiration. I just used a small brush with black paint, and let it be a little choppy and whimsical.

Customizing my Childhood dollhouse {Sawdust and Embryos}

I found this PERFECT dollhouse door at Hobby Lobby by complete accident. My heart skipped a beat.

Dollhouse Door from Hobby Lobby {Sawdust and Embryos}

I stained the door and built a little stairway for the ‘stoop’ porchy thing. I also added a new ‘bush’ to make the stairs look a bit like there’s a railing and less like a falling hazard (don’t mind that adorable tiny clamp that’s holding the bush onto the stoop). You can see I also painted the shutters and stairs black.

Sawdust and Embryos

The grids of the windowpanes were broken on two of the 3 windows. They’re so tiny and intricate… I was pretty sure we would just have to work around it. But then Nick swooped in and fashioned two tiny windows in 5 minutes flat. His skills are astounding.

dollhouse7

While I was waiting for the windows to be finished, I made a little flower box using some scrap wood! I stained it the same color as the door, and glued in some tiny fake flowers that I stole from my wedding bouquet.

Customizing the perfect dollhouse! {Sawdust & Embryos}

I’m thinking the exterior of this little cottage is DONE! I’ve still got a few things I want to do inside, and we still need to find the perfect ‘family’ to live in our dollhouse. Do you have any recommendations for little dolls? Smaller than Barbies, but larger than Quints. 🙂

Customized dollhouse {Sawdust and Embryos}

Painted and customized dollhouse by Sawdust and Embryos

The girls have been watching me work on/paint their ‘baby house’ and they’re SO EXCITED to play with it.

UPDATE! We finished the inside, and the girls loooooove playing with it! Click here to see the inside reveal!

Dollhouse {Sawdust and Embryos}

Doll House {Sawdust & Embryos}

If you missed any previous installments of this room transformation (for our twin girls!) feel free to click on the links below and explore all the DIY projects we’ve done to make this room perfect… for cheap!

Stenciled-Herringbone-Accent-Wall-Sa[1] DIY-Roman-Shades-Sawdust-and-Embryos[1]
DIY-Tufted-Fainting-Couch-Toddler-Be[1] DIY-Vintage-esque-Starburst-Mirror-T[1]
End-Table-Tulle-Chandeliers-Sawdust- Papasan Chair turned into Dreamy Reading-Nook Canopy for kids room! (Sawdust & Embryos)
Canvas Kids Stencil Artwork {Sawdust and Embryos} DIY Pinwheels using scrapbooking paper and vintage buttons {Sawdust and Embryos}

Have a great weekend!

Sawdust & Embryos

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Comments

  1. 27

    I see the Peanuts gang hanging out there, at least Snoopy. 🙂 Great job! Love the trees on the front.

    Reply
  3. 29

    Check your scale. It is probably 1:1, meaning one foot equals one inch. If so then it is standard doll house sized and will fit any standard dolls. I love dollhouse and this is so sweet!

    Reply
  5. 32

    found this post through Kristen Duke’s FB- I gotta say, it was cute before, but I love the after! Love what you did to the already adorable and unique trees! And I love window boxes. I want to make a doll house!

    Reply
  8. 35

    Love what you’ve done with the dollhouse! So cute! My daughter has the dolls from Plan Toys – they come in all different types of families and their eco-friendly too.

    Reply
  9. 36

    This is darling! LOVE the colored trees; perpetually autumn and yet springlike at the same time AND they match the room already. You’re a genius! But you knew that already, right? Your girls will be 100% lucky to play with such a sentimental treasure.

    As far as dolls, recommend you hunt ones that minimize choking hazards, unless you believe your girls past that stage? Also, is your search limited to people? I’ve seen all kinds of animal families too. Just a thought.

    Reply
  10. 37

    I made some little dolls like this for my son and my niece a few years ago. They both still play with them, I think mostly because I let them pick out the details. They’re very similar to the ones posted above, but this place has some really cute ideas/designs too. I figured you would be into this since you’re such a DIY girl, and the twins could make representations of themselves and family in addition to just fun people. Lots of fun and SUPER cheap. http://littlenannygoat.blogspot.com/2009/11/ask-and-you-shall-receive.html

    Reply
  12. 39

    How cute! I love the heritage of your dollhouse! I recently made a dollhouse for my niece and found patterns for dolls on Etsy–the seller ‘LuckyKorat’ has some Japanese pattern books scanned to pdf. The language was no barrier, their instruction images were SO good. There were even a few different sizes of dolls in one of the books. I used felt to make the dolls and random scraps for their clothes. They were perfect for her tiny (2 year old) hands.

    Reply
  14. 42

    “Smaller than Barbies, but larger than Quints.”

    This made me laugh, but mostly because I knew exactly what you meant. #90skids

    I know Melissa and Doug makes some doll house families, but I’m not sure about size.

    Reply
  16. 45

    Oh my gosh it is soooo cute! I don’t know about finding dolls for it from experience (my girl is too little for a real doll house) but I saw on another blog (awhile ago so I can’t remember which one) that they found fun (vintage in their case) dolls & furniture on ebay.

    I also love the Fisher Price Little People – they are addicting haha and Harper loves them (she is only 1 & 1/2) but my boy (3.5) will sit and play with her too. So something like that might be good until you find what you want more long term.

    Reply
  17. 46

    Omgoodness… I just died a little! Love, love, love!!! OK. Now I’m going to stop thinking about it because it will lead to sappy tears.

    Reply
  19. 48

    I see gingerbread trim on that house. Just sayin’ The best part of this project is the generations of love going into it. I love what you guys have added as your share.

    Reply

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Attention: Almost any do-it-yourself project involves risk of some sort. Your tools, materials, and skills will vary, as will the conditions at your project site. Reality Daydream has made every effort to be complete and accurate in the instructions of the plans on this website. Reality Daydream will not assume any responsibility or liability for damages or losses sustained or incurred in the course of your project or in the use of the item you create. Always follow the manufacturer’s operating instructions in the use of tools, check and follow your local building codes, and observe all commonly accepted safety precautions.