Thursday, August 15, 2013

Victorian Dollhouse Makeover

Well it happened! I drug the dollhouse out from the back of my daughter's closet so I could show it on my Victorian Girls Room post and now I'm hooked! As I said in that post, I was going to take out the divider wall and take out the bathroom so I could have the parlor take up that whole floor. Who needs a bathroom anyway right? :-)
So here is the before shot...

                                     

and this is what it looked like after I removed the divider wall, the wall paper and the carpet...


As with any makeover job, one thing leads to another. So with the wall gone that meant I needed new wallpaper and a bigger piece of carpet. Luckily I had extra of the same material I had used for the previous carpet! So after I got the carpet and wallpaper installed I decided the windows needed some trim and curtains!
So here is a photo of that step...


Close up of wall paper, window trim and the lace curtains. I made the little curtain rods using a little dowel rod and I slid the rod through little bitty eye hook screws that I screwed into the trim and then I glued gold beads on each end of the rod to keep the rod from sliding out of the eye screws.


And once that was done, it was time to fill her up!! And boy did I have fun doing that! I have to admit I got a little carried away. Actually A LOT carried away!
I made LOTS of trips to Hobby Lobby, each time using a 40% off coupon.

I found some fun things just by browsing through Hobby Lobby and Michael's with an open mind and a little imagination you can find lots of things you can make work for a dollhouse. For example, at Michael's I found a hot pink picture frame and by painting it gold and adding a mirror I had an over the mantle mirror! And only for $2.99!
I wanted a bird dome, so I got the yellow and red birds at Treasure Hill, the orange bird and the glass dome (was on the pink lady piece but I took it off to use for the bird dome) from Suzanne's shop. I made the little branch with a twisty tie and glued green glass beads to the base and there's my bird dome complete.
Also from Suzanne's I got the idea to make my own shadow box pieces. I bought the oval pieces in the jewelry section at Hobby Lobby, removed the contents and added a little piece of my hair for a hair wreath (even though it looks like scissors!) and added some tiny seashells to the other one for an ocean/seashell shadow box. I was happy with the way they turned out.



Before I reveal the interior let me show you the outside of this old place. It needs some making over of its own, don't you think? New paint job for sure.


The front door did get some door knobs put on and now the house has it's own number. I gave it the number of what year I'm pretending it was built. Which is 1867.


So let's open those doors and see what she looks like now, shall we?


Below is the Dining Room, looks about the same except for different rug, new cabinet and cherub mirror. Keep in mind, I will still be looking for pieces to add to it.


The kitchen has a work table now (for more stuff!), the Cuckoo Clock is a Hobby Lobby purchase and then the other new items I showed you in an earlier photo. The pie safe and icebox are full of stuff too.


Below is a shelving unit I assembled and use as the pantry. More shelves mean MORE stuff! And I've got empty spaces there! :-)


Moving on up to the 2nd floor is the newly remodeled parlor, shown first is the left side...


and then the right side...


and another right side shot with all of the over the mantle mirror showing and the new wall sconces I added.


Moving on up to the 3rd floor, on the right side is the master bedroom. Nothing too different here, I did add a ceiling light to both bedrooms. Some day I would like to have a Victorian bed in here instead of this 4 poster bed.


And finally, on the right side, is the children's bedroom. I sold the bunk bed and dresser that I used to have in there to put something a little older looking in there. Like the sleigh bed. And I added that lady picture.


So there you have it, my dollhouse makeover. It will never really be done because I will constantly be adding to it I'm sure. I hope you enjoyed my dollhouse and thank you for visiting! Have a great week!

I am joining the following parties...
HOME SWEET HOME with Sherry at THE CHARM OF HOME
SHOW AND TELL FRIDAY with Cindy at MY ROMANTIC HOME
PINK SATURDAY with Beverly at HOW SWEET THE SOUND
AMAZE ME MONDAY with Cindy at DWELLINGS
TEATIME TUESDAY with Sandi at ROSE CHINTZ COTTAGE
WHAT'S IT WEDNESDAY with Patti at IVY AND ELEPHANTS
HOME with Sandi at ROSE CHINTZ COTTAGE
HOME AND GARDEN THURSDAY with Kathy at A DELIGHTSOME LIFE

26 comments:

  1. How adorable is that!! I love it, great job! Have a wonderful weekend Gina.

    Wanda

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  2. Doll Houses can really consume you because there is so
    many items to buy for them
    every time I see a doll House I see something I have never seen in one
    I bet Richard will love your doll house

    it's adorable, love the little silver trays and candleabra

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  3. Fabulous! I love doll houses, a total world in miniature you can decorate just how you want. Happy Pink Saturday from the UK!

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  4. Love, love, LOVED your dollhouse makeover. Oh, the living room is perfect without the bathroom on the right! You have done an awesome job. Thanks so much for sharing. I'm dollhouse-obsessed and am in the process of doing a combination bakery/candy store set up! Fun fun fun I LOVE this hobby. Susan

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  5. Hi Gina,
    It is just beautiful! I never had a dollhouse when I was a little girl and always wanted one. I love your elegant Victorian theme throughout. So sweet! Thanks for your visit.
    Have a great weekend too!
    Take care,
    Karen

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  6. This is so FUN!! Love the new wall paper and curtains too! And aren't those 40% coupons great? Great job on this sweet makeover!! Catherine (newest follower of your blogging adventures)

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  7. How precious! That's one thing I haven't found yet...a dollhouse! I love that last little room for children. What sweet wallpaper and toys!

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  8. What a labor of love! Why are we so fascinated with miniatures? I love them!

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  9. O.k. now I want a dollhouse. I love seeing all of these tiny little accessories and furniture, so I will be looking at them again. Hobbly lobby is my favorite store for craft items.
    betsy

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  10. i like your post, and thank's for your information !

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  11. I've always been fascinated by doll houses even though I have never had one. This is beautiful. So much miniature detail!

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  12. Love it all!!! I especially like the hair wreath-very creative:)!

    Blessings,

    Kim

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  13. O how adorable, Gina! I find doll houses fascinating and I always wanted one but never did get one. Now my fingers won't do what I want them to so I have to be content to drift away into a fantasy world enjoying yours. Thanks so much for sharing with us and coming to tea. This has been a treat!

    Blessings,
    Sandi

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  14. Hi and so happy I found you at Amaze Me Monday. I love dollhouses and admire what you did. Someday, I am going to do this too. If you want to have this post featured on my blog, I would be happy to have it.

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  15. I love it . Now I want to get busy in my doll house, the dolls have been after me for awhile and knowing they will see your blog post means I have to get cracking !

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  16. OUTSTANDING !!! I love the remake ...All of it. I can't wait till you do the outside of the doll house. I buy some of my mini. from Hobby Lobby too! I use a lot of their mirrors.
    I've always wanted a doll house. When I was a little girl I did have one of the old metal ones.
    Thank you for sharing all your lovely work.
    XXOO Marie Antoinette

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  17. This is just enchanting! I want to live there!

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  18. Oh, Gina, this is amazing! It does seem like any old house, a money pit! But you have really done a great job in furnishing it and making it look so charming. I am afraid to tackle mine, because I know what would happen. It looks like a lot of work, but fun work!!..Happy Thursday..Judy

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  19. Thank you for sharing your wonderful doll house with us at my HOME and have a lovely weekend, Gina.

    Blessings,
    Sandi

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  20. Gina, I just love, love, love your dollhouse! You have found and made so many gorgeous pieces. I've always wanted a doll house, too. Maybe someday .... for now, I happy to enjoy yours, it's a real treat. Have fun!
    Hugs,
    Patti

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  21. Gina,
    How the heck did I miss this post!! I am so embarrassed!! OMG!!! You have done an outstanding job with your doll house! I think we do have the same family!! LOL! Love all the beautiful touches you have added. Makes me want to "play" with mine!!
    Thanks so much for stopping by! As you can see, I am catching up on my return comments....

    Hugs,
    Deb

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  22. What a sweet treasure. That doll house is amazing. So much detail. Great job.

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  23. Wow! This is so amazing! Love the exquisite details! I do appreciate you sharing with Home and Garden Thursday,
    Kathy

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  24. What a delight! You certainly have an eye for detail. Those little gingerbread men are adorable.

    Debra

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  25. Oh how I love your dollhouse! I have a Victorian dollhouse also and really enjoy playing with it. Right now it's still packed from when we moved to downsize but when I get it out I'll let you know so you can see a post of it. Isn't it fun to just "play" with it? It's a great "big" girl's toy!

    Blessings, Edie marie

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  26. Love, love, love this post. Isn't it fun to play? Like you, I've found that scrapbooking embellishments make fabulous miniatures. I'm constantly searching Hobbly Lobby and Michaels for new ideas. I'll have to check out your other resources too. I'll be looking over your pictures again and again.

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