Queen Anne Dollhouse Kit by Real Good Toys

Are you considering building a dollhouse to act as an elegant accent piece to display in your home? If so, you are not alone. Many dollhouse miniaturists design, build and decorate dollhouses for just this purpose! Nothing makes a more interesting conversation piece than a custom-built, beautifully decorated dollhouse. It’s a work of art that’s destined to become a focal point in your home for years to come. Before you “dig in” to your worthwhile dollhouse project, carefully consider where you want to display this work of art and how much space will be required.

The smallest 1:12 scale dollhouses run approximately 1 foot wide x 2 feet long. Larger deluxe dollhouses run as large as 4 feet wide x 4 feet long. Keep in mind that a time will come when you’ll need to move the dollhouse out of the room it’s located in. Most standard door openings measure only 30 inches wide. You may need to construct your dollhouse in halves, using your door hinges (with knockout pins) or brackets and screws as connector pieces.

Depending upon where you plan to place the dollhouse in your home, you may not need to finish the complete dollhouse. If the dollhouse’s front will be placed up against a wall showcasing only the backside (or the side with all of your dollhouse rooms), consider a rough finish on the exterior. You can also sand and stain the exterior of the dollhouse to match the finish of furniture pieces throughout your home.

Conversely, if your wish to show off both sides of your dollhouse, find an appropriate display stand or table for your project. Place one side end of the dollhouse up against a wall, so both the front side of the dollhouse and the side with all of the rooms are visible. You can also create an “island” display by placing a couple of bookcases back-to-back in the center of a room. This is a great configuration if you wish to show off the details of the dollhouse including miniature landscaping . You may also want to consider placing the dollhouse on a turntable (assuming the dollhouse isn’t too large to rotate and there is enough clearance to turn your dollhouse). For added protection, a glass display box is an excellent option to help keep your miniature investment from dust, fingerprints and the hands of small children.

Zoolabees Dollhouse Miniatures carries a wide selection of dollhouse miniatures including dollhouse furniture, accessories, lighting, building supplies, dolls and dollhouse kits.

The above blog posting contains excerpts from Robert Schleicher’s Creative Dollhouses from Kits.