A friend of mine decided to move from her present location, down sizing and giving away many of her possessions. Knowing that I have always liked dollhouses, she gave me a partially built dollhouse that she was in the process of putting together from a kit. This is my second, but most difficult effort at working on a dollhouse. I...
A friend of mine decided to move from her present location, down sizing and giving away many of her possessions. Knowing that I have always liked dollhouses, she gave me a partially built dollhouse that she was in the process of putting together from a kit.
This is my second, but most difficult effort at working on a dollhouse. I have, however, taken on the job of finishing this beautiful Victorian house. A few pieces are missing so I have had to improvise.
I spent most of the time during summer’s heat staying indoors, identifying and gluing parts, painting trim, adding clapboards, peeling glue and washing paint off my hands. My dining room table is where I am work. Gradually, I am getting the clutter under control.
The mansard roof parts had to be soaked with wet paper towels in order for them to curve. I added the dormer windows last, as well as shingles to the mansard roof. The chimney was the final project on the outside.
Although there are written instructions for assembling the house, I have done most of the construction by looking at the picture on the outside of the 24-inch by 32-inch-box. The house parts originally came on large, thin wooden sheets, which were to be punched out. These parts were identified by reading the instructions, and then matching them on the wooden sheets.
My big problem was that my friend had already punched out many of the parts, and I had to try to identify them on my own. It was a daunting task.
For several days I sat and stared at the house wondering where to start. Terms in the directions left me confused.
“Glue one verge onto another verge and add trim.”
“What,” I asked myself, “is a verge?” That’s when I decided that looking at the illustration on the box would be easier than reading the instructions.
Now the third floor is about complete, and the house is beginning to take on it Victorian personality.
The former owner came over one night to see what progress I had made. I believe she still feels she holds the “mortgage” on the house. I assume I shall have to complete, and totally furnish the house in order to claim it as truly mine.
To see it finished I shall have to purchase things such as door knobs, light fixtures, furniture, wall paper, and rugs. It may turn out to be an expensive undertaking.
I can even stock the kitchen with miniature food and canned goods, put small dishes on the table, add flowers in vases and hang some more pictures on the wall, if I so desire. I created one miniature landscape, as well as several dozen mini-books for the library.
Some of the books that come with the dollhouse have real pages that are blank. I decided there weren’t enough for the book case, and most had very dark covers. So, I took some of the leftover wood from the dollhouse, and used utility scissors to cut tiny squares. I then covered the squares to look like books. I used holiday wrapping paper as covers, and tried to cut the designs on the paper to look like books when folded across the wood. Would real doll house aficionado approve of my wooden books? I’m not sure.
I have perused catalogues looking at these accouterments. Chandeliers alone range in prices from a few dollars to hundreds of dollars. My budget shall remain on the low end.
I do not plan to electrify the house as it seems too complicated for me to undertake such an endeavor. The house alone has presented enough challenge, and since I don’t know anyone to volunteer to wire the house, the rooms shall stay unlit.
Maybe when the whole project is completed, I shall have an “open house.” My only request on the invitation will be that guests will have to come in their best Victorian outfits.
Betty C. McCann, of Longmeadow, enjoys writing, reading and ballroom dancing.