Does anyone have a dolls house? As a hobby?

[ChocChipOwl]

I'm considering it and wanted to know if there were any enthusiasts out there

I have a lovely set of apothecary drawers on my now spare room and keep envisaging a genuine Edwardian or Victorian dolls house sat on it and then spending time sourcing period bits and pieces for it

Anyway, that's the current day dream and I wondered if anyone had a similar interest?

A friend of mine has a wonderful dolls house her grandfather made her
She used to get some.things through a catalogue called DollsHouse Emporium and I spent many happy hours browsing through it, if the company is still trading it would be a fantastic resource

Yes! My late DH bought me Georgian dolls house kit for my 50th birthday which I customised. Have a mix of Georgian/Victorian furniture with working lights/fireplaces. Still a work in progress since GC came along 😊

There's an annual Dolls house show at the NEC, although haven't been for a while.

@KeziaOAP that's my other option - buying a replica Victorian or Georgian house so I don't have some rickety old wooden thing in need of restoration that I'm just not capable of giving!

But my heart does say to go antique

Thanks for the responses. Lots to think about

I don't but I'm desperate for one!

Look in charity shops for dolls houses before buying new. Quite often dolls houses are donated as children grow out of playing with them, and you can get a real bargain.

I bought my little two up two down Triang 1950's house for a tenner, and a week later, there was a massive 6 bedroom mansion for £35.

I'm happy with my little house for now, but when it's perfect, I shall put it on display and move onto a bigger project.

I'll end up like a character in a horror film, living in a house surrounded by miniature houses...I'm sure I've seen something like that on Netflix

My DH bought me a dolls house kit for Xmas! Am currently working out what era I want to make it in to.

I have a couple, one which is done but in need of some love again and one which I bought second hand, stripped and haven't got any further with, my wreck of a dolls house is based on Charles Ronnie mackintosh Hill House near Glasgow

We're moving soon and I'm desperate to keep them but I don't think we're going to have room

Have seen some amazing modern new London town house ones, laptops on beds, beanbags etc

Sounds like such an absorbing hobby doesn't it?

I'm now veering towards a new build So a replica Victorian or Edwardian build and then I'll furnish it 100% with mini antiques from my chosen era

I just have visions of me spending 100 quid or more on a 120 year old house and it's riddled with woodworm or smells or needs restoration that I'm just not capable of providing

Well maybe bear me in mind @HighlandCowRose

@PacificallyRequested this is what I have, it is 50 years old and was made for me by a neighbour when I was about 4. It has the original furniture bought in the late sixties and early seventies but it’s in the loft and needs doing up.

Yes. I have a 9 roomed house, beach hut and potting shed. It's an expensive hobby, for me anyway because I see better things now than what was available within my budget years ago. I need to restart "playing" with the house.

Ohh, I got a lovely dolls house in early 70s and I absolutely loved it. I can home from school one nightbwhen I was about 14 and found my mam had given it away ! Bloody annoyed about this 45 years later...

This has spurred me on to look for one on Gumtree etc

I’ve had a replica of my actual house made into 1:12 scale and I love it. Inside are 6 rooms over 3 floors and the outside is an exact replica of my home.

@Gatekeeper don't you dare whip mine from under my nose

That sounds brilliant - is it peopled by miniatures of your family?

I have a Doll's House Emporium Georgian 6 roomed house. I love it. I make soft furnishings and look for furniture in charity shops/online.

OK so I've found one maybe. It's a 1940s Triang filled with 1970s furniture which is not my preferred era but it's cheap

Pistols at dawn...

I used to have a couple of triangs as a teenager and had great fun with them.It can become expensive but not so much it done gradually and if there isn't restoration to think about, and furnished and decorated well a traditional dolls house can be incredibly magical.I have a relative who has a wonderful one, has all the intricate details and a full lighting set up and it's just beautiful.

is it peopled by miniatures of your family?
No I have 21 Sparklegirlz dolls from Asda live in it!

I don’t buy furniture anymore as have everything I need but I like to buy new cushions and duvets etc and give it a new look. Also I’ve kept all rooms neutral and often swap all the rooms around.
I have Christmas and Halloween decorations.
It really is the most relaxing hobby.

Don't start!! It's highly addictive