Monday, October 5, 2009

My Hand-Made Dollhouse - Renovation Part 1

Before you start thinking that I am just the ultimate crafter, I'm not! I am merely the renovator.

My daddy made this dollhouse for me and gave it to me on Christmas Day in 1982. I was 5 years old. Over the last 28 years, this dollhouse has survived myself, my sister and my brother, the cat, dog, dust and years of neglect after I moved away from home.



It is now, safe and sound, back in my possession, getting ready for a full renovation to be placed in my daughter's room....that is should Hurricane Lallie remain hands off (I doubt it). My parents brought it down to me a few weeks ago and it's been in the garage. I cleaned it up last night to bring it inside.

I'm hoping to put another 30 years on it to hand down to my grandchildren. It's in horrible shape right now, but just look at the workmanship my daddy put into it for at least a year, if not longer.

The floors are real wood and shined, the wall paper was all hand picked chosen and installed, the doors all have brass hinges and white door knobs. Even the bathroom has a medicine cabinet, toilet paper and handle bar. It has 5 bedrooms, a living room, dining room and kitchen and brings back loads of memories for me.


Lallie is waving hi and looking at me through the other side of the house in this next picture.



I also still have all the furniture, which I saw some of these pieces in an antique and collectibles store not too long ago. These are not cheap pieces of furniture.



The pictures really do not do this house justice. The best part of all, Lallie is absolutely infatuated with it. This brings a smile to my face and to her Papa Geezer's as well, I'm sure!

I can't wait to post pictures as I start the renovation. I'm thinking Key-West, pink or yellow with white tiles. Thoughts?

~smooches~

14 comments:

  1. What a wonderful gift to be able to give to your daughter! I loved to play with doll houses when I was younger and would rearrange the rooms over and over.

    Jo

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  2. My parents and I put together a similar dollhouse when I was 11. It was so much fun decorating the rooms and furnishing it. You're right, the furniture is not cheap!
    Now my daughter loves to play with my dollhouse which I think is neat!

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  3. Oh I am so jealous...what a fantastic gift to give to Lallie. I don't think it looks in horrible shape. What great craftsmanship and hardwork your dad put in to this.

    I can't wait to see it...you'll do such a fabulous job.

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  4. oh my gosh girl I am drooling! That is the coolest thing you are doing for your little one! Cant wait to see the "final" product! = )

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  5. Beautiful! I especially love the plaque on it.

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  6. I am so channeling you right now. I had my hand built doll house until I realized I was not having a daughter and did not want to continue to store it for a grand daughter. It was wallpapered by hand (using left over from my child hood home). I had a real silver tea service and needle pointed rugs to look like orientals. LOVE the doll house! xoxo

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  7. Oh, that is gorgeous! (just found you through Social Climbers)
    I still have my old doll house too, we keep it on Nantucket,and while my boys love to play with it, it is SO not the same as if I had a girl to share it with. I want to totally renovate though. Maybe a project for next summer....

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  8. OMG your dad MADE that?! wow! i love it! i had the barbie dream house (the old one with the pink roof and 3 parts) and spent hours and hours rearranging the rooms!

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  9. That is so beautiful. I dream of having a daughter one day and being able to give her a hand-made dollhouse.

    I can't wait to see how it looks when you are finished.

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  10. How neat! It will be so fun to renovate it. I love the plaque your dad put on there w/ the date.

    I like your idea of pink or yellow w/ white tiles. Can't wait to see the finished product.

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  11. I always wanted a dollhouse like this. Can't wait to see what updates you make!

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  12. Wow! What an incredible dollhouse! What fun--and so special that your dad made it for you!

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  13. I love dollhouses and this one is spectacular. You are so extremely lucky to have a father who would go to so much trouble for you. You should go ring him now and tell him that other people (me) are way jealous :)

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  14. Did you ever get the house fixed up?

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