I am designing and making a dollhouse - any tips?

[Shitemum]

Have designed a simple two-storey plus attic house and got the pieces cut in MDF. Have watched the 'masterclasses' on the Dollshouse Emporium site.
Anyone made a dollhouse from scratch or customised a kit? Any tips?

[Shitemum]

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[Shitemum]

the book in the link is the one you have?
am in Spain but you could send to my mum's in Edinburgh, how much do you want for it?

[Shitemum]

ok, thanks anyway. Keep me posted on your dollhouse projects!

[MrsOz]

MY mum designed and built a dolls house for my little girls. ers isn't exactly standard though, and it works really well. Ours folds down flat. But I'm rambling now. Anyway, it's a good idea to use MDF, as it doesn't bend or warp as much as some other types in use. You should Dovetail joints to get it to be a bit sturdier, and glue as well as nail tack if you can. It's also quite good to use real wallpaper and decoration, because then it'll last longer than thin paper or artists paint. I can't think of anything else off the top of my head lol, good luck though!

[Shitemum]

thanks MrsOz, i'm afraid dovetailing is a bit beyond me, i'm just going to glue and nail it and screw it to a baseboard 2 cm bigger all round than the base of the house. It's going to weigh a ton!
Still have to make final decisions about layout of rooms and stairs and whether to make the roof hinged, in which case how do i keep the chimney pots from getting in the way, or make the front half of the roof slide up and right off...

[MrsOz]

I think I'd probably have it slide over and sit on top of the bit of roof at the back. If you have the chimney pots on the bit that slides, then it's no problem

[Shitemum]

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[Shitemum]

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[Winston]

Hi Shitemum (am sure your not!). DH made a dolls house for DD1 a couple years ago. It has a lift up roof and chimney but have no clue how he made it. The chimney actually rests against the wall to stop it falling down. At one point we had a bookcase above it and he put a chain attached from the roof to the bookcase to stop it falling down. If it helps I can email pictures to you of the house and ask DH about any tips he has. He is a carpenter so did a grand job and knows what he's talking about (well most of the time!).

[Shitemum]

thanks Winston - any more tips your DH has would be appreciated. From looking at photos in books and catalogues i think the easiest way to do it is to stick chimney breasts on the gable ends and cut the roof to the same width as the house, then stick the chimney pots on top of the chimney breasts so they dont move when the roof is opened and the roof just folds right over and onto the back roof. iyswim!

[Winston]

Oooooh, way to technical for my little brain to work out. Will see what DH says and keep you posted. Good luck though, its well worth it. Both DD's love it and every kid thats comes over to play goes straight to it!