This is my hobby! I have several houses (see below)! I prefer older ‘vintage’ houses, and my houses date from two 100 years old Lines Brothers dolls houses, to several Triang dolls houses from the 1940/1950’s. It is a rather additive hobby!
My love of old house is the history contained within them. I love to imagine the children gone before who have played with and loved these houses. Sometimes there are little reminders - a couple of pieces of my furniture have names in child’s writing on the underneath!
Be aware that the older the house, the more expensive, as less of the much older houses (e.g. original Edwardian and Victorian dolls houses) have survived. They are also more sought after, as collectors wish to preserve historical originality.
There are far more of the 1940’s onwards Triang houses that survive, as more affordable to the general public, so were made in much greater numbers.
Many of the houses from this era mimic earlier house designs.
There was a maker called Hobbies, who produced detailed plans to make dolls houses at home. Some of the houses made from these plans still exist (dating from pre WW2), and are often beautifully crafted. The Hobbies houses are the houses that most remind me of the Edwardian ‘look’. Then you would have an original older vintage house in Edwardian style?
Be aware that buying through auction means paying auction fees, so can be an expensive way to purchase. eBay and FB marketplace/local FB groups are good hunting grounds for older houses/vintage dolls house furniture.
An excellent website/group to join is ‘Dolls House Past and Present’. Wonderful database of images of 20th/21st century dolls houses, dolls house furniture, plus so much information from very helpful forum members!
A lovely hobby to have!!