Choosing and Furnishing a Doll's House
Refurbishing and Decorating Miniature Homes for the Beginner
May 26, 2009
When embarking on a new hobby such as collecting or furnishing a miniature house, it is not necessary to rush out and buy all the newest and most expensive tools and materials. It is a good idea to take the time to consider the options of how much one is prepared to spend, what is involved, what materials are necessary and who the doll's house is intended for.
A child's doll-house need not be as elaborate or expensive as a doll's house for a more serious miniature enthusiast, in fact miniature porcelain vases, tables and dolls can be very pricey and delicate and may not be appropriate for a little girl.
For newcomers to the world of miniatures, a good start is to look for a old doll's house that just needs some painting, repairs and decorating. For example, a doll's house can perhaps be found at a garage sale, second hand at a doll's fair or tucked away in the attic.
Miniature Room Boxes
A room box is a wooden plywood box, painted and decorated, which would display just one room in a house such as a kitchen or bedroom. This option is a good place to start since it would enable one to decide whether to continue with the hobby before the expense of purchasing a miniature house or craft tools and furniture.
A room box would allow one to experiment with styles and periods without the restriction imposed by a doll's house where each room is the same period. If four rooms boxes are decorated in the same period, they can be assembled to create a simple doll's house.
Ready Made Doll's Houses and Miniature House Kits
Ready made houses are much cheaper than a house commissioned by a craftsman. There is usually a large variety and choice, usually these houses are found in doll's house magazines and can be customized by adding on a porch, balcony or steps up to the front door or by changing doors and windows.
Some miniature house kits come with add-ons such as attics or conservatories which can be bought at a later date. The kits usually come with full assembly instructions, are relatively quick and simple to put together and can be easily adapted or customized. For example, a standard Victorian house could be transformed into a Tudor house simply by changing windows, doors and interior decor.
Tools and Materials to Create Furnishings and Decor
- Since furniture and interiors usually have either a stained or painted finish, good quality artist's paint-brushes are necessary, as are small pots of craft paint and varnish.
- Simple tools can be found around the home or improvised such as cotton buds, masking tape, sharp pencils or toothpicks, pins, needles, a cutting mat, tweezers and glue.
- Small, sharp scissors and pliers are handy for many miniature decor projects.
From a historical perspective, collecting items for a period doll's house can add a lot to a person's understanding of the lifestyles and fashions of previous centuries. Starting off with projects that are not too ambitious and gradually adding to a collection can provide stimulation and pleasure for the present and heirlooms for the future.
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