Dolls House Furniture
Easy-to-make Projects
August 2011
Dolls House Furniture
Easy-to-make projects in 1/12 scale
An Oldie but Goody for Dolls House Furniture
A look inside the Dolls House Furniture book of my choice: This is an older book, Easy-to-make projects in 1/12 scale however it is packed with information about "how-to" make doll furnishings. It contains a variety of wonderfully imaginative pieces.
It's contents list: a great introduction, tools and equipment, materials, construction basics, easy upholstered accessories, simply balsa, imitation basketwork, basic pieces, dolls house furniture construction, basic cabinet pieces, alternative seating, using ready-turned components, upholstery plus, power tools, types of wood, further uses for turned components, project miscellany, Portuguese-style painted items, trimmings and needlework, conversion tables, acknowledgments, and index.
Some things to Consider about this Awesome Book
- The book I have happens to be a reprinted volume. Though it wasn't just reprinted once, it was reprinted twice. So it obviously has enough great material to warrant two reprints, both in 2003 and 2005.
- As well Amazon readers also have cast their vote with a number of very positive reviews regarding this dolls house furniture book.
- I happen to love this volume, the projects in it are inspiring. Just looking threw it and a person begins to desire creating for their own collection. Or to even start a new structure altogether. Plenty of great ideas for sure.
- But the best news, sellers on Amazon still carry it for an exceptional price. And it wouldn't be worth really mentioning to you if you couldn't get a copy for yourself if you wished. Would it?
Amazon may have the "Temporarily out of stock" warning but it's not them you would be ordering it from. It's any of those other confident marketers they have aligned themselves with. And take it from me, I have bought items threw them before and find them exceptional in their service.
So it is from this instruction manual that I have incorporated a pattern for a dolls house furniture piece in play-scale. My personal favorite scale. One of the main reasons being, I have this text on hand and trust the info presented.
So, hurry on to the next section to see what is in store for you there...
The last four month issues look into other topics related to dolls house furniture creation. Check those issues out here.
More Info on How to Build accessories here...
If you prefer, buy ready made Furnishings here...
Design Tip #11
Imagine Filming a Walkthrough of your Miniature !
Walkthroughs
A 3D Walkthrough is a series of picture files saved in .avi format that can be played like a movie by other applications such as Windows Media Player.
There are two ways to record a walkthrough:
- Draw a path in floor plan view using the CAD tools, then direct the program to record a walkthrough along that path.
- Create a 3D view, then begin recording and use the Move Camera tools to navigate through the view. Quote from Home Designer User's Guide
PROJECT: Entry Vanity Table
Entry Vanity Table (of sorts...)
And no you will not find this project in Freida Gray's Dolls House Furniture book. I have just basically studied the how-to's and then proceeded from there to design my own table.
I am sure Barbie will love it, as do I.
My Materials List:
For your Information: Hovering your mouse over any picture below will display the info for that item. Clicking on the picture will take you to Amazon. A list of all needed materials for this craft can be found below this display.
- Carpenters glue
- Crazy glue
- Balsa wood
- Sanding Sealer
- Stain or acrylic paint
- Ruler and pencil
- Craft knife
- Razor saw
- Mitre box
- Sandpaper from course to fine grade
Instructions:
Step 1
With your Dolls House Furniture Book in hand, make a decision of what pattern you will pick.
Will you make one exactly from the book...? Or, recalculate and do one of your own designs?
If you choose to make any of the patterns outlined in the book, begin by photocopying the pattern you have selected. This will help keep your Dolls House Furniture copy in mint condition.
While you work on your pattern you realize that no two people work alike and accept that your version may not be just as illustrated. And actually I hope for your individual sakes that it is not. That's what makes doing any pattern fun and very rewarding anyway. That you plan on putting something that is totally you into it. The pattern will be used for your own immediate use only.
Step 2
Read all instructions before starting. You don't want any surprises you were not expecting to emerge, lol.
Step 3
Write out any ideas you plan on merging with this dolls house furniture project to help make it your own. (e.g. painting it with a different finish, adding something to it...)
Maybe go completely wild and design something using the instructions but making your own new item. The sky's the limit if you use your own design with the basic know-how that's supplied in this book.
A word of caution: Some retailers or manufacturers of wood products have put on a marketing sticker. This tells you what size/kind of wood you have purchased. However, they are sticky enough to actually mare your wood piece when removing them. Always make sure you place any such section, if you have to use it, face down so it isn't on the finished side of your dolls house furniture piece.
Step 4
Next measure, calculate and cut all pieces. Maybe even if need be resizing it. After all if you design your own you will be simply using the instructions as to "how-to" make an item.
I will reveal at the end just what I fashioned using the basic know-how found within this volume. So stay tuned.
Step 5
Sand, seal and paint all pieces to help in the finishing stage. So as everything looks the best when you are finished.
The sealing done in this stage is to help the paint stay on the surface of the wood better. So we won't need as many coats of paint.
Step 6
Glue every piece in place. Use clamps to hold. After the glue dries touch up any place needed with paint, then matte varnish.
Make sure you clean up any messy glue spots before you begin painting or varnishing in this finishing stage.
Step 7
Incorporate your own ideas into your dolls house furniture finished piece. Make this your own by adding additional items you want to include.
View or Buy finished Playscale Vanity Table here. 
Step2 Grand Balcony Dollhouse
"Barbie is welcome onto a large front porch with an overlooking grand terrace.
Includes doll bed, full length mirror, dining room table, 2 chairs, couch, entertainment center with TV and stereo decals, coffee table, lamp, decorating details, and kitchen unit with microwave, oven and sink."
by Step 2
"This house is extremely sturdy. My one year old son uses it as a climbing toy when we're not looking and it has held up like it was made for it! The house comes with a good amount of barbie sized accessories that are pretty cute too.
This house is really big but it fits really nicely in my daughters small room pushed up against the wall. She just pulls it out to the middle of her floor to play with it.
Overall, I am really pleased with this product and can see it withstanding years and years of play." Quotes from Amazon.com
Unfortunately Step2 Grand Balcony Dollhouse is no longer available.
What's been Happening At-the-Doll-House.com
We have a brand new look about us these days. Check it out here.
We are always building new pages for you. It seems that the more we build, the more new and exciting ideas come to mind. Some of our newest pages include:
- Miniature Floor Plan. A Simple Solution. Best floor plan. Always dreamed of designing your own mini mansion from scratch? With this simple program you can. If in doubt, try it out. You won't be disappointed.
- A Building Plan that works for you. A building plan is like any other plan you make. Begin by listing all the areas you know you need, then move on from there.
- A Beacon Hill welcome to you. Your Beacon Hill Mansion. Is this type of structure for you or not? It seems to be for all but that's just our opinion. Find out if it will be your next miniature project.
- The Creators Workshop. Getting the Best Information for your Money. A Workshop can give you addition knowledge in taking your hobby to the next level. Research your ideas online today.
For more details about our site check out Our Blog here.
To see more issues of our Newsletter online click here.
Instructions to Build Your Own Victorian Barbie Mansion
Subscription Details:
- To get placed on our monthly email list fill in the form above in the right column.
- To remove your name from our mailing list, please see instructions at the end of monthly Ezine notification email.
- Questions or comments? E-mail us using this convenient form on our Contact Us Page.
- Or call us at: 506-457-9512.
The Toy Shoppe Visit our Dollhouse Store Online for houses, furnishings, dolls, kits, supplies, books..... for ideas on wares, designs and ready-made goods.
Dear Friend at the Doll House:
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. So accordingly any link to Amazon opens in a new window on their site and gives us a commission if you buy. In turn it helps earn a small amount toward maintaining this site. Thank you for helping us keep doing what we enjoy.
- Go to Main Site Page from ›
- The Minis Zine
Find your way Around our Newsletter...
In this section you will find links to our main dollhouse site as well as connections to each part of our ezine.
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16 (KJV)
New! Comments
Have your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below.