Zoolabees Dollhouse Miniatures specializes in a broad selection of 1:12 and 1:24 scale dollhouse miniatures including dollhouse miniature furniture, dollhouse miniature accessories, dollhouse miniature lighting, dollhouse building components, dollhouses, room boxes and of course, dolls!
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Zoolabees Dollhouse Miniatures Blog
October 30, 2007
For dollhouse novices and experts alike, choosing the architectural style of your dollhouse is an important first step in planning your dollhouse miniature project. Here is an overview of some of the popular styles available on the market today as well as the history of where these popular styles originated. This list of dollhouse styles was put together by Real Good Toys, a premier manufacturer of quality dollhouses.
Cape Cod
The Cape Cod style (c.1675 - 1950) reflects the difficult weather and thrifty builders of the early northeastern coastal villages. A traditional Cape Cod has a steep roof with small eaves to protect the house from heavy New England snowfalls and a large central fireplace to keep it cozy. The 1-1/2-story houses have living space in the attic. A Cape Cod has double hung windows with mullions, shutters and is finished with clapboard or shingles on the outside.
Colonial
The Colonial house (c.1700 - present) is an American adaptation of the English “Cotswold” or Free Holder’s cottage. In its earlier version, the Cotswold had an open fire pit inside the house and the smoke would find its own way out through the thatched roof. The fire room was on one end of the house so the residents could keep warm in the loft but still be away from the smoke. This 1/3 and 2/3 division of the house was still reflected in early colonial layouts showing up as offset front doors and non-symmetrical first floor layouts. As the Colonial design spread out from the earliest American villages, the typical features were of a house 1-1/2 or 2-stories tall with approximately a 45 degree roof pitch, narrow eaves (for shedding snow) and a narrow front-to-back so every room could be well lighted by the windows. The windows were small pane double hung with no frivolous ornamentation and had shutters. The doors were also plain and utilitarian. The walls were almost always clapboard or wooden shingles. The Colonial design took on the attributes of other styles that were popular at the time of its building, showing Federal, Greek Revival or Victorian details in their turn.
Mansard
Mansard roofs (c.1550 - 1870) are steeply sloping roofs with a flat or nearly flat top. These became very popular in the 17th century of Paris as they took advantage of the property tax laws, which did not tax attic spaces. The attic of a Mansard house had a fully usable attic and was tax-free! Architect Francois Mansart took advantage of that in his designs. The word “Mansard” comes from his name being on so many designs for houses with this roof design. See our favorite Mansard Dollhouse.
Plantation
The Plantation (c.1803 - 1862) houses reflect the elegance and grandeur of the American south in the early 1800’s. These houses have tall ceilings and a formal layout inside, often with fancy stairways. On the outside, columned verandas with balconies are the dominant feature to shade the interior and catch the breezes. It is the large balcony that differentiates this style from the Greek revival.
Tudor
The Tudor reflects the early English great houses that were made by joining together a frame of hewn timbers, then pounding sticks to jam in-between the beams. Finally, two plasterers would stand, one inside and one outside the wall, and press plaster into the sticks until the plaster squeezed through the holes between the sticks and joined the plaster being pressed into the wall from the other side. More layers of plaster left a masonry wall held in place by jammed lath with the hewn beams showing inside and out. That’s the Tudor look. The diagonal beams are diagonal bracing of the frame. Half-timbered Tudor houses, ones that step out half way up the wall (so that the second floor is bigger than the first floor) became necessary when the wood supply could not keep up with demand, and trees large enough to reach all the way to the top of the wall became scarce. Half timbering allowed the frame to be made from smaller trees. Tudor houses traditionally had the steep pitch and shed dormers of thatched roofs but neo-Tudor houses of the 1890-1920’s had multiple intersecting gables and peak roof dormers. The better roofing materials didn’t automatically mean a leak for every roof valley. Tudor windows were arranged in long rows, often with a row of stained glass transom windows right above. Eave trim often-used scroll cut verge board. Balconies or enclosed screened rooms within the framing of the house were common, although porches (which attach to the outside of the house) were less so. A terrace is a more likely ground floor extension of the living space.
Victorian
Victorian architecture (c.1830 - 1900) replaced the Greek and Georgian styles, rebelling against the classical symmetry and orderliness. The Victorian style is flamboyant and exciting with tall, steep pitched roofs; multiple gables and gingerbread stick trim or decorated verge boards accenting the eaves. Roofs are further emphasized with layered chimneys and finials or peak cresting. Windows are varied in size and shape and may project from the house in a bay oriel. The outside finish of a Victorian is multi-textured, multi-hued and uses every material possible including clapboard, stucco, board and baton; often mixing finishes. Colors are strong and varied with each layer of trim being a new opportunity for a change of hue or tone. See our favorite Victorian Dollhouse.
Queen Anne
The Queen Anne (c.1876 - 1915) ranges from the “Painted Lady” row houses of San Francisco to sprawling resort mansions. Queen Anne houses are exuberant and comfortable. Roof lines are steep with multiple and intersecting gables and majestic towers. In every section the windows are different - some narrow, some double, but there are always lots of them. Every surface of a Queen Anne house is interesting with many textures, many colors and lots of decorations. Decorations include shapes or patterns of color in the shingles, brackets, dentil eave moldings, beading under every edge with fans, ornamental plaster, patterned shingles and layers of fascia testifying to the builder’s own imagination. See our favorite Queen Anne Dollhouse.
Zoolabees Dollhouse Miniatures is an on-line retailer of inch scale dollhouse miniatures including miniature furniture, miniature accessories, dollhouse lighting, building supplies, dollhouses and dolls.
October 23, 2007
We are proud to announce that Zoolabees Dollhouse Miniatures is now carrying dollhouse kits manufactured by Vermont-based Real Good Toys.
Just in time for the 2007 holiday season, we are offering a variety of dollhouse kits including kits from Real Good Toys’ historical collection, Batrie collection, Simplicity collection, Sophistikits, Lilliput kits and New Concept collections as well as many others!
Real Good Toys carries a variety 1:12 scale dollhouse kits which feature quality details such as:
• 3/8” plywood construction
• Clapboard siding milled directly into the surface of exterior walls
• Grand entryways, staircases and beautiful moldings
• Exquisite architectural details
• The option to add additions as needed
Each kit features detailed instructions with expertly drafted illustrations. An absolute necessity, if you are a beginner to building dollhouses.
Real Good Toys manufacturers their dollhouse kits using quality materials including smooth plywood, milled plywood, milled MDF (medium density fiberboard) and brick finish. Many dollhouses come in your choice of one or more of these materials.
Consider one of our personal favorites – the Queen Anne Victorian Dollhouse Kit, part of the Historical Collection by Real Good Toys. This ultimate dream dollhouse stands at an impressive 50″ W x 24″ D x 49” H and is the dream house of every girl! This dollhouse comes in your choice of milled plywood or milled MDF.
If you are seeking a more value-priced dollhouse kit, consider one of the many New Concept Collection kits. These charming kits are available in your choice of milled MDF, milled plywood or smooth plywood. Many kits feature front opening access, or the more traditional rear access.
A variety of other miniature dollhouse roomboxes and other structures including log cabins, barns and lighthouses are also available.
If you are seeking a kit manufactured by Real Good Toys that is not currently featured on our website, please contact us as we are able to special order most items from their catalog.
Zoolabees Dollhouse Miniatures also carries a generous selection of 1:12 scale dollhouse miniatures including miniature furniture, accessories and dollhouse lighting.
October 19, 2007
If you’re new to collecting dollhouse miniatures, then you’ve already discovered the vast selection of miniatures available! It can be almost overwhelming the first time you visit a dollhouse miniature shop or dollhouse miniature on-line retailer.
If you’ve decided to enter the wonderful world of miniature collecting, then this article will help get you started. Brainstorming and planning is an essential first step in dollhouse miniature collecting.
Here are 4 basic questions to ask yourself before beginning your collection:
1. Do I have the space? Before you begin your collection, decide which scale of dollhouse miniatures is right for you. Decide where in your home you will display your collection. The amount of space you have to work with will help you decide whether you want to showcase your collection in a room box, dollhouse or in a room filled with display cases!
2. What’s your purpose? Ask yourself why you are motivated to start this miniature collection? Do you enjoy collecting a certain type of miniature (i.e. miniature dogs or miniature vases) or do you have odds and ends of miniatures stored away in a closet that you wish to display in a scene? There are many reasons people love to collect miniatures. Some wish to tell a story with their collection by recreating a scene from their past memories. Others wish to showcase their interior design talents by creating a miniature version of their dream home. Others want to highlight the miniature objects themselves, without necessarily creating a miniature scene.
3. What’s your budget? There are many price ranges of dollhouse miniatures on the market and budget is an important factor. Ask yourself if you wish to complete your project in a few months time, or over several years. If you are in no hurry, consider beginning with a room box and “upgrading” to a larger scale dollhouse as you add pieces to your collection.
4. How do I want to display my collection? This is perhaps, the most rewarding part of miniature collecting. Interior design is at the heart of miniature collecting. If you’ve decided to display your collection in a dollhouse or roombox, now comes the real planning – choosing the style of your room box or dollhouse (i.e. Victorian, Georgian, Craftsman), planning your interior colors and deciding what type and style of miniatures to add to your display. This final planning step will help you realize what’s most important to you as you begin your collection.
We encourage you to read through our other blog postings for more tips and ideas on what you miniature pieces to add to your dollhouse.
October 17, 2007
If you’re a dollhouse miniature enthusiast, you will appreciate knowing there are many more out there just like you! Clubs and organizations around the country attract individuals who enjoy the hobby of dollhouse miniatures.
Some unfamiliar with this hobby would believe that building and decorating a dollhouse is a one-time project, but those involved in miniatures know this is not true. It’s an addiction!
The motives behind miniaturists often vary. For some, it really is a one-time project, for others, it is the challenge of constructing a dream house on a miniature scale. I have even seen miniaturists build dollhouses to reconstruct a miniature version of a childhood home or grandmother’s house.
If you are new to this hobby, consider joining a dollhouse miniature club. There are many local dollhouse clubs around the United States (and even around the world).
In addition to dollhouse clubs, there are many other great resources out there. The internet hosts many on-line groups where you can chat with other miniaturists about your dollhouse project. It’s a great way to bounce ideas of others from the comfort of your own home. Both Google and Yahoo host some great groups you can join. Some groups are private, which means you have to request an invite to join, while other groups are public and you can join without request.
Dollhouse miniature shows are another great venue to see the vast array of collectibles available. There are several held around the country. This is a great place to see hand-crafted miniatures from local and national miniature artisans.
Finding others who share the same passion for the miniature dollhouse hobby makes the addiction to dollhouse miniature collecting….well, just that much more addicting.
About us:
Zoolabees Dollhouse Miniatures is a premier on-line retailer of 1:12 scale dollhouse miniatures. We specialize in miniature dollhouse furniture, miniature dollhouse accessories, lamps and lighting, building components, dollhouses and dolls. Zoolabees is also an authorized dealer of Hansson Miniatures.
October 14, 2007
You’ve assembled your dollhouse kit or you’ve finished building your custom-built dream dollhouse. You’ve painted, wallpapered, installed your flooring and now you’re ready for the joy of furnishing and decorating your miniature dollhouse kitchen.
Prior to purchasing any dollhouse miniature furniture or dollhouse miniature accessories, plan in your mind (and on paper) exactly what you want to have in your dollhouse kitchen. Begin by measuring your room and noting where any windows or door entrances are located, so that you can configure your pieces around these obstacles.
Your first decision will be cabinetry and major kitchen appliances. What color of appliance do you want in your miniature kitchen? Many miniaturists opt for traditional a white dollhouse kitchen set. It’s clean, bright and white. Many miniature kitchen sets are also available in oak. White and oak are the most popular woods for miniature kitchen cabinet and appliance configurations, but you can find other colors if you really look. If you are a carpenter-at-heart, consider also making your own cabinetry and appliances. Dollhouse kitchen sets typically include cupboards and cabinetry, a sink, an oven/stovetop combination and sometimes a coordinating table and chairs. Each piece is separate and you can configure your kitchen design any way you prefer.
If you opt to build your own cabinetry, you can purchase miniature building components such as cabinet knobs and sink faucet hardware to complete your pieces. You will also want to consider lighting accents for your dollhouse kitchen. There are many choices out there. If you decided to electrify your dollhouse when you first built it, you will want to seek out lights that are working fixtures.
If you haven’t yet selected a kitchen dining table (and you have the room), now is the time to do this. You can purchase a coordinating table to match your kitchen cabinetry or you can purchase something that will stand out in your miniature kitchen. In a traditional dollhouse, typically more traditional mahogany and walnut sets are reserved for the dining room. Usually, you will want to keep the style of your table and chairs in your kitchen more casual.
Now it’s time to think windows. What style of curtains do you want in your dollhouse? You can opt for café curtains, lace sheers or tie-backs in a variety of patterns or styles.
Lastly, now it’s time to accessorize! In my opinion, this is the most fun part of decorating your dollhouse kitchen. What do you put in your kitchen? The options are literally endless. Here is just a sampling of the miniature kitchen accessories available: kitchen utensils, flatware, knife sets, plates, teacups, toasters, pots and pans, canisters, muffins pans, juicers, microwaves, meat grinders, mixing bowls and whisks. This is just a small sample of what’s available. Also, don’t forget to stock your pantry and miniature refrigerator with miniature dollhouse food including fruits and vegetables, canned goods, cereal boxes, snack packs, bottled sodas, ice cream boxes and milk!
October 7, 2007
As a special thank you to our loyal customers and website visitors, we are offering a special discount coupon code good for 20% OFF any of our dollhouse miniatures.
The coupon code is BLG100. This coupon code is good for 20% off your next purchase through our website at www.zoolabees.com.
This discount coupon code is valid through October 31, 2007. We encourage you to browse our site and take advantage of this great offer!
Zoolabees Dollhouse Miniatures carries a variety of dollhouse miniature supplies including dollhouse furniture, miniature dollhouse accessories, dollhouse lighting, dollhouse building supplies, dollhouses and dolls. We specialize in 1:12 scale miniature products. We are also an authorized dealer of Hansson Miniatures.
The zoolabees.com website officially opened for business on September 7, 2007. We have been rapidly adding new products to the site each day since our launch. We encourage you to bookmark our site and visit often as our product selection will continue to expand rapidly throughout the next couple of months and beyond!
Our goal is to become your #1 one-stop-shop for all of your dollhouse miniature needs. If you are looking for something specific and don’t see it on our website, we encourage you to contact us at customerservice@zoolabees.com as we are able to special order many items.
We would like to take this opportunity to again thank all of our loyal customers for your business.
October 4, 2007
You’re building your first dollhouse – either from scratch or using a dollhouse kit. You want to be sure you have a basic understanding of the project as well as all of the right tools before your miniature dollhouse building begins.
Keep in mind that building a dollhouse from a kit is a much simpler task and will include all of the pre-cut pieces in either MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard) or plywood. If you decide to build your own dollhouse from scratch, you will need dollhouse plans, more tools and must have an adequate understanding of how to work with different types of wood and power tools.
If you are planning to build your dollhouse using a kit, this article will provide you with a simple overview of what to expect as well as the basic items and tools you will need to get started.
The type of dollhouse kit you purchase will determine its level of difficulty to assemble. Room boxes, which are simply that – just one room, are the easiest to assemble and a great starting point if this is your first dollhouse project. Single story dollhouses are more difficult, but much easier than multi-story, multi-room dollhouse kits. Also, decide before purchasing your dollhouse if you would prefer one that opens from the front or from the rear.
Before you begin, know what to expect when you open the box that contains your dollhouse kit. Basic dollhouse kits include all of the basic pre-cut pieces. A quality dollhouse kit will include 3/8” thick walls with clapboards milled directly onto the exterior walls. All pieces are designed and built to fit together perfectly. The windows and doors will arrive pre-assembled. Your kit will include roof shingles in either cedar or pine. These will arrive in individual pieces and will be glued to the roof of your dollhouse one shingle at a time. Gingerbread trim is included in the dollhouse kits in strips. Depending upon the actual kit purchased, your kit may also include moldings, railings, staircases, shutters and window boxes, which are more common in the larger, more expensive dollhouse kits. Kits do not include finishing touches such as primer, paint, glue, curtains, landscape materials or miniature dollhouse furniture and miniature dollhouse accessories.
The basic tools needed to build a dollhouse will include a carpenter’s square, carpenter’s glue, tacky glue (found at craft stores), tape measure, exact-o knife, sandpaper and masking tape. Also, be prepared with a hammer and finishing nails.
Since your dollhouse kit will not include paint, you will want to purchase a good quality acrylic latex paint as well as a primer. Small quantities of trim colors should also be purchased (you can find these at a craft store).
Be sure to read through all instructions before you begin. If you opt to electrify your dollhouse, the basic wiring should be installed during the construction phase and completed before decorating your dollhouse. The materials needed for this are included in a wiring kit, sold separately. Cir-kit Concepts makes one of the most popular kits on the market.
Stay tuned to our other blog articles for more in-depth instructions and tips on building a dollhouse!
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