Doll house

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(Originally posted elsewhere 2016)

When our niece mentioned that her daughter (our grand niece) would like a dollhouse, how could we not give it a try. Searched the web for plans and ran across one at www.ana-white.com that looked to be within our skill level. We have adapted some aspects, including:
  • used 1/2 inch baltic birch plywood for the floors (rather than 3/4 inch)
  • since we used 1/2 inch plywood, I made a ledge for the floors on the side pieces (rather than using pocket screws as in the original plan) and glued the plywood in place - added a few supports to ensure it is solid
  • we used 2×4 for the main frame to make it more sturdy as we need this to endure a 600+ mile journey from our home to theirs
  • we did not glue the walls on each floor in place but rather did screws from underneath
  • I made dados to hold the side walls in place and glued in place(rather than nailing)
  • I made the stairs as more of a ladder
  • my husband cut the "roof" on the scroll saw

As in the original plan, I used scrapbook paper as wall paper. Lot's of color and a Disney theme. For some of the left-over scrapbook paper, I ended up making little stands with various Disney characters so she can play with those in addition to whatever dolls or stuffed animals she already has.

2022 FOLLOWUP:  I asked my niece if it had survived and YES it is still part of her playroom.  

12 Comments

Hey Uncle, can you make me some furniture for the doll house?      Nice work 

Ron

A room with a view!

I like the way you did the roof line, nice effect 8^)


Great to hear that it is still alive, but I'd assume little girls take better care of their toys that little boys ( I was one once and took everything apart 8^)
very cool barb,that made her smile i know !

working with my hands is a joy,it gives me a sense of fulfillment,somthing so many seek and so few find.-SAM MALOOF.

Great build Barb, bet she has a blast playing with it. Well done

Main Street to the Mountains

Nice build Barb! Fun to know it is still in use.
Hmm, guess who want's a Dutchy toy plan? 

Suggest you tag it woodentoybuild2022!

If your first cut is too short... Take the second cut from the longer end... LBD

Nice job!

Ryan/// ~sigh~ I blew up another bowl. Moke told me "I made the inside bigger than the outside".

That’s great, Barb! Maybe your grand niece’s future daughter will play with it one day.

I wish I had been active with woodworking when my kids were small. My daughter’s Barbie dollhouse was a four-compartment store-bought melamine bookcase—nothing as cool as this one.
Thanks everyone.  It was a fun one to put together.  

Glad I "overbuildt" a bit.  When we delivered it she was, well, not overly "careful" so I was afraid it might not last! My dollhouse as a kid was metal and not nearly this big.  We could just fit this one in our Jeep to get it there.  
Cute project. I bet someone is going to get a lot of use out of it.  Good job.  Mike
Those stairs dont have a handrail, pretty sure that is code-violation.   No, seriously, I like the sort of "Steiner" minimalism impression of the house, gives kids more freedom to decide how things will be.   And the stairs are a nice touch.

No Bees. No Honey. Bees Lives Matter

Mike - thanks.  Six years of play so far!

Brian- thanks.  I had enough trouble with the stairs!!  The rails are make believe so she can imagine whatever style is desired. 😉  Guessing no walls might also be an inspection issue (they are invisible 🤔).

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