For The Dollhouse
Lu Garcia aka llamalu
Staff Writer
Isn't it fun to buy or make new accessories for your home? A fresh coat of paint on the walls or something as simple as rearranging furniture is all it takes to give a room a whole new look.
As much as I like to do this with my real life house, I want my dollhouse to keep up with the times too. I've had options to buy or make a new dollhouse but instead of finding a vacant spot in my real life house to put one, I've decided to make over the one I have. Updating everything would just cost too much. But lucky me, simple little things can make a huge difference, even a face lift for one room. Some ideas are:
Electronics. These can really date your house. Streamline televisions, laptop computers, remote controls and cell phones are true updates. Even adding a Wii or Play Station game to the mix of board games brings the house into the 21st century. An iPod is a simple design to duplicate - and tiny seed beads attached to dental floss or thread complete the ear buds.
New Bedding. Making or buying new bedding, throw pillows for couches and rugs is a quick new color theme. I get lots of inspiration from store advertisements for new trends in colors and patterns. A cheap way to dye small pieces of fabric is to make a dye using permanent markers. (Think along the lines of dying Easter eggs.)
New Finishes. Fixtures, trim, doors and walls can really look nice with fresh finishes. New knobs or handles would look great in your mini kitchen just like in real life! Trim unused staples (office or industrial) to make handles and cut off straight pins below the head for knobs for a modernistic silvery shine.
Shrink The Everyday Item. Add in items of real everyday life. A good rule of thumb is to think of 10 things that you have touched today. Are they in your dollhouse? Where are the dog leash and car keys? Travel toothbrush caps with the plastic hinges cut off make great storage totes.
Revamp The Floor Plan. (Okay, this one is more than a simple little thing.) One of the major issues I have with the construction of my dollhouse is that there is just not enough bathroom space. Double sinks, a large tub with separate showering area and storage for towels, make-up and cleaning supplies are what a girl needs nowadays. My dollhouse dwelling is about to lose a bedroom to make space for a master bath!
Many more ideas will emerge as you upgrade your dollhouse. It's okay to change things up a bit and enjoy it. This way you will never get tired of it.
Custom Dolls, Houses & Miniatures / CDHM