Supplies & Materials

I am getting ready to build the shell of my dollhouse. 

The supplies and materials I use will be as light weight I can find without compromising strength and I will list the items. 

Once I get the shell together I will be able to determine the lighting plans.

But first, I will build a small model of the plans.

Clubs for Dollhouse Miniature Enthusiasts

One way to learn about dollhouse miniatures is through clubs comprised of other like minded individuals. There are many throughout the world. 

 

The two clubs I belong two have been a great place for me to learn new building and creating techniques plus meet amazing people.

 

Mini Magic & T.A.M.E Clubs http://www.toledominis.org/Home.html are blue ribbon members of the National Association of Miniature Enthusiasts.

 

I plan to use a lot of skills and techniques I have learned at the club meetings during project time, while building my perfect dollhouse.

Step 6: Back View Design of Dollhouse

This rough sketch is the back view of the dollhouse representing boxes 1, 2, 3 & 4.

Box four is the kitchen, box three is the family/dining room, box two is the bathroom and a closet, and box one is a bedroom.

Step 5: Side Views of Dollhouse Design

These are rough sketches of the dollhouse sides representing boxes 1, 5, 8 & 4 from the floor plan diagram.

Box one and five are bedrooms, box 8 is the garage and box four is the kitchen. The top windows in the peaks are in the attic.

Step 4: Front View Design of Dollhouse

This is a rough sketch of the front view design of the dollhouse showing what the outside of boxes 5, 6, 7 & 8 might look like without the final exterior.

The final exterior and landscaping pieces will cover the individual boxes to make it appear to be one unit.

A separate-detachable roof will hold the wiring for the most of the lighting elements of the dollhouse. The roof will be in two pieces, maybe three depending on the weight as I put it together.

Lighting for Dollhouse

The majority of the wiring will be in the ceiling and roof with L.E.D.

Step 3: Exterior Floor Plan for Dollhouse

Just added the exterior doors and windows on the floor plan.

Weight & Movement Example

Problem:
The photos above are an example why I want to design a lightweight and easy to move dollhouse.  My first 1:12 scale dollhouse kit, now assembled, is very large and impossible for me to move alone because it is heavy and awkward. It is also difficult to redecorate or make changes to the interior, in addition there are limited display locations and vehicles able to transport it.

One Solution:

So, each of the eight boxes I will build, will weigh less than eight pounds (after decorated and furnished) and I will be able to carry/move/transport to wherever I would like to display or store them.

Step 2: Interior Floor Layout for Dollhouse

Each of the eight boxes have been assigned a type of room.

Some of the boxes will have closets, hallways, be a pantry or a half bath. 

I might have to change the interior layout as I begin to build but this plan will help me get started. 

Step 1: Floor Plan for Perfect Dollhouse

 

 

This is the simple base for the floor plan I will use to make the dollhouse. It will consist of eight individual boxes about 16" x 13".  All sides will be viewable, so I have a 6 foot long table to display it on. And because each box will remain separate, it will be easy to store, update and move.

 

The challenge will be to make each box look like it is one piece when displayed.

Accessibility & Flexibility Example

This is an example of the kind of accessibility and flexibility that I will incorporate in the 1:12 scale dollhouse design I am going to make. 

 

It is six stackable rooms with frontal openings to each kitchen. The total display measures about 3' x 9'.

I put the Country Kitchens display together in 2008 for the county fair showing five 'typical' kitchens from the U.S. Midwest and one more with my guess for what one might look like in the future.

 

A variety of kits, purchased items and hand-made pieces representing elements from the periods are shown in the kitchens. Many historical books and other research sources were used to help guide me in this project. 

 

About five hundred fair attendees rated the kitchens with 1950 as the favorite and 2025 as a close second place.

 

Goal

Starting the Process

In the next months, I will add photos and steps of my process to create my perfect dollhouse. When I say perfect I mean the ideal type that fits the criteria I posted on October 5^th.

Celebrating Dollhouse Miniatures

What is the month designated to celebrate miniatures?

October is the answer. Many N.A.M.E. (National Association of Miniature Enthusiasts www.miniatures.org ) mini clubs throughout the U.S. and Canada held special events on Saturday including the two clubs I belong to. 

This is the third year we put-together a kit available in our choice of either: 1:12, 1:24 or 1:48 scales. 

We started the celebration in the morning by placing displays in the library and a local store. Then we went to our regular meeting location to work on our kits. Some of us packed lunches and others ordered out.

I plan to put all of my finished kits into my perfect dollhouse.  The first year project was a hutch, second year a workstation and this year a bench/shelf alcove unit.

Creating the Perfect Dollhouse

What is the perfect dollhouse? 

I have been thinking about this for over four years. My basic criteria includes: one story, light weight, easy access and the ability to enclose it from dust. 

After reviewing thousands of dollhouse plans, reading hundreds of miniature magazines and attending many miniature shows/events/stores, I believe I have a general idea of what might make the perfect dollhouse for me.