Building a Barbie House...

Sleepy

Despite my attempts to turn her into a tomboy Rory got her first Barbie doll at the weekend. The Barbie houses I've seen in shops seem to be flimsy, pink plastic rubbish, not to mention insanely expensive.

So, I've been thinking about picking up some supplies in Woodies and building something myself. Anyone ever done it before? Any tips for a first-timer?

Twee.

I just saw this yesterday, fancy that http://www.thedailybuzz.com.au/2011/09/ikea-hacks-20-ideas-to-try/

They use an Ikea unit, but you could definitely get a smaller one or use the image as a basis for your own build. I like the idea of it on wheels though, could easily be tidied away when not in use. And if she's girlie she might like picking the colours for the walls etc, could get some fabric and carpet scraps too for curtains etc. The Dolls Hospital in town do the little furniture if you wanted some. http://www.dollstore.ie/categories.php

Got a bit carried away there, but I think it's a lovely idea!

cbyrd

That's genius

Sleepy

That's quite clever. I'm going to aim a little higher though. Thinking of trying for a full on Victorian house with working doors, plasti-glass windows with curtains etc.

That dollstore link is excellent, the DIY section has gorgeous bay windows etc you could use to finish off a home-made dollhouse.

Morag

http://miniatures.about.com/gi/o.htm?zi=1/XJ&zTi=1&sdn=miniatures&cdn=hobbies&tm=61&f=10&tt=3&bt=1&bts=1&st=38&zu=http%3A//www.finescrollsaw.com/freepatterns3.htm

http://www.bunnings.co.nz/Files/How%20to%20make%20a%20dolls%20house2006920125654171.pdf

http://miniatures.about.com/gi/o.htm?zi=1/XJ&zTi=1&sdn=miniatures&cdn=hobbies&tm=57&f=10&tt=3&bt=1&bts=1&st=38&zu=http%3A//wayneofthewoods.com/dollhouse%2520plans.html

Twee.

Oh wow, sounds like a great project! Just one thing to keep in mind, the dolls for the Victorian houses wouldn't be as big as Barbies, so the accessories and blueprint dimensions wouldn't be big enough either (door frames, beds etc). Grand though if she gets a few little dolls though, Barbie may have to sleep in the garden!

Sleepy

Aye, will have to scale everything up to "PlayScale"...

Daffodil.d

You're right though. before Christmas in this house we used the bottom 2 shelves in an ikea shelving unit and made furniture for Barbies. My daughter was happy with this. Santa brought Barbies house not realising how big it was and how flimsy! It came fully furnished though. Still she had been content with the previous set up. Advertisements on tv ruined this though. Steffi which is a similar doll to Barbies has a selection which I am petty sure some do furniture but much more reasonably priced than Barbies stuff.
Best of luck with it. when you finish pop up a picture. Love new ideas.

Morag

We had a doll house, it was also the teenage mutant ninja turtles other hang out and Wayne Mannor and Dexters home for imaginary friends and were Ruby Gloom lives.
Why put limits on a kids imagination

Sleepy

The other half is really getting into this, just got sent a load of links for cheap barbie furniture on eBay! lol.

Looks like I'll have to see it through now!

pickarooney

Get Rory to build it with you so she can learn how to swear like a sailor with gout some DIY.

Sleepy

LOL, I think not. Rory and powertools sounds like a "video nasty"!

I think she might have a go at this with Mammy whilst I'm doing the main dollhouse at night when she's in bed: http://seethewoodsandthetrees.blogspot.com/2009/01/recycleables-tutorial-paper-doll-house.html