Finding The Perfect Occupants For Your Dollhouse

Much thought and effort is placed into the design, building, interior decorating and furnishing of a dollhouse. Often, however, the actual dollhouse residents are given little or no thought. While some dollhouses sit as empty and vacant showpieces, many dollhouse owners prefer to add a bit of realism to the dollhouse by adding a doll family. The dolls that you select will depend on the age and interests of the dollhouse owner, as well as the function for which the dollhouse is used. If the dollhouse is for a small child, dolls should definitely be included in the package. It is by playing with the dolls that the child will learn important life lessons. Be sure that the dolls are sturdy and large enough that no pieces will present a choking hazard. Also, be prepared for the dolls to end up in extremely strange locations and situations. Some unexpected occupants will also move in, mostly other dolls that the child owns. A child’s dollhouse should be considered a toy rather than a showpiece. For a display dollhouse, the dolls should fit with the theme of the house. You can custom make dolls, have commissioned pieces made from your own design, or order pre-made dolls. A wide variety of pre-made dolls are available. Most are designed to fit the common 1:12 scale, but you can find dolls in all miniature scales. The number of dolls and their apparent ages will vary according to the style and era of the dollhouse, its size, and the story you are trying to portray. If you wish to show the everyday life of Victorian aristocracy, the dolls you select will be far different from those used to show life during the American Great Depression. Remember that the focus should remain on the dollhouse. Feel free to take artistic license in selecting the dolls. If the average number of children in a family of the era was 12, you do not need to fill the house with 12 individual child dolls. It would be perfectly appropriate to have three or four children of a range of ages. Doll clothes can be either purchased or made by hand. When making doll clothes, remember that scrap fabrics from a variety of sources work extremely well. At the scale of a dollhouse doll, elaborate detailing can be implied more than created outright. A simple scrap of black velvet, for example, can be formed and decorated with a gold pen to create the illusion of a ball gown. Whether you purchase or create your dolls and their clothes, keep in mind that the dolls’ function is to balance the dollhouse and create a sense of life. Do not become so focused on elaborate dolls that you throw the dollhouse out of proportion. Bring the dolls into the overall interior design plan of the dollhouse for the most realistic and harmonious effect. About the Author: Learn more about the fascinating world of miniatures. For a great selection of dollhouse kits and furniture, visit www.TheMagicalDollhouse.com today. Read more articles by: Veronica Scott Article Source: www.iSnare.com Share: Del.icio.us Digg Reddit

Six Steps To Creating The Perfect Dollhouse

Each dollhouse is its own unique creation. No dollhouse will be exactly like another, nor should it be. Nevertheless, there are certain steps to the process that, if followed, will help each dollhouse to become a harmonious and balanced whole. Of course, rules are made to be broken, so any of these tips may not apply to your particular design. Just be aware of the purpose behind these guidelines. That will ensure that your unique ideas work in harmony with the principles of balance and design. 1. Be aware of the purpose and function of the dollhouse. Before you ever begin dollhouse construction or even planning, it is important to make an overall assessment of the project. Who will own the dollhouse? Will it be a toy or a display item? Where will the dollhouse be located? How much space is available for its display? What are the interests of the dollhouse owner and how will these interests be incorporated into the design? What will the style and era of the dollhouse be? If the style is eclectic, what overall theme will tie the individual rooms together? Be sure that you narrow the focus of the project before you begin. 2. Determine the structure and style of the dollhouse. Choose a scale for the miniaturization. The most common scale in the United States today is 1:12, where one inch of dollhouse equals one foot of a full-sized home. The most popular option is to purchase a dollhouse kit. This will give you all the precut pieces necessary to build the model of your choice. If you decide to design the dollhouse yourself, determine which building materials you will use and how large the finished product will be. Now you will need to draw the layout. Dollhouse layouts are can be created on paper or with the help of software. From a simple shareware program to AutoCAD, many programs are now able to give you a three-dimensional layout of the dollhouse before you begin. 3. Design the interior of the dollhouse. Keep in mind the form and function of the dollhouse as well as the architectural style when planning your interior decorating. As with the exterior design, be sure to lay out the interior carefully before you begin decorating. Decide on a cohesive theme for the interior, but design each room individually. Draw up a floor plan on the same scale as the exterior shell. Be certain to mark out existing architectural features such as doors, windows and any special elements. Choose a focal point for each room and design the rest of the room around that focal point. 4. Pre-wire the dollhouse for electricity before furnishing the interior. Lighting can be an exciting part of your interior design plan. Be sure to wire the necessary electricity before adding any other interior features. In this way, the wiring can be hidden behind paint, wallpaper and flooring, creating a much more realistic look. 5. Decorate the interior of the dollhouse. Follow your interior design plan but leave yourself room for inspiration and imaginative creativity. Expect this to be an ongoing process, not something completed in a weekend. Enjoy the process of shopping for just the right furniture, flooring and all the little details. 6. Decide who will live in your dollhouse. Some dollhouses are left empty, functioning strictly as design showcases. However, adding a few doll occupants will give your dollhouse a feeling of warmth and life. Take your time deciding on the perfect doll occupants. About the Author: Add to your miniature collection, or start a new one! Come see our large selection of doll house miniatures and accessories. Visit us online at http://www.TheMagicalDollhouse.com today. Read more articles by: Veronica Scott Article Source: www.iSnare.com Share: Del.icio.us Digg Reddit

Get Organized Before You Begin Building Your Wood Doll House Kit

As with any project, putting together a doll house kit requires some organization before you begin. Perhaps you are like many of us and tend to jump right into projects without taking the time to prepare properly. This may work well for some hobbies, but when putting together a wood dollhouse kit, it is best to develop a few good habits that will enable you to be more efficient and better organized in the end. The first thing is to make sure that you have all of the necessary dollhouse building supplies that you are going to need before you begin. Ensure that your knives are sharp and that you have extra blades. Double check your supply of hot glue sticks and check your marking tools to make sure that they are working properly. Nothing is more frustrating that reaching a crucial point in your project and suddenly discovering that you don’t have what you need. The next step in getting organized is to inspect the kit and make sure that you have all of the proper pieces before you begin. Take the time to label each piece. Use a pencil and erase the mark later. Label the pieces with numbers and create a corresponding list with the instruction diagrams. You will be able to find each piece quickly and easily once you begin the building process. The third idea creates a workspace that is organized and free of clutter. Instead of collecting all of your dollhouse building supplies in a box or a rubber tub, invest in a storage unit that has individual compartments. Your tools should always be in the right place so that you can locate them quickly when you need them. Label some bins for extra parts and supplies so that you can take a quick, glancing inventory of what you have. Fourth, become a good note taker. Buy a notebook to write down any tips that you might want to remember. Keep the notebook handy as you read hobby magazines and take note of any good advice that you read from other wood dollhouse kit builders. You may also want to use the notebook to record any mistakes that you make. This is a great way to ensure that you don’t make the same mistake twice. The fifth step is perhaps the simplest, but most important. When you are ready to assemble your doll house kit, make sure that you read the instructions from beginning to end before you start to build. This is a common mistake. If you do things out of order, it can ruin a project or an expensive wood dollhouse kit. Take the time to read the instructions. You will save yourself time, money, and unnecessary frustration. About the Author: Learn more about the fascinating world of miniatures. Visit TheMagicalDollhouse.com today for a great selection of wood doll house kits and dollhouse accessories from top miniature companies. Read more articles by: Veronica Scott Article Source: www.iSnare.com Share: Del.icio.us Digg Reddit

What Makes Victorian Doll Houses The Most Popular Among Collectors?

Doll houses, whether toys for children or collectible items for adults, come in any architectural style imaginable. From the logical geometric designs of classical and neoclassical architecture to the sometimes confusing subtlety of modern design, miniature houses run the gamut. But what is it about Victorian architecture that is so attractive to doll house collectors? Of all the different architectural styles, the Victorian style is by far the most popular. One of the elements of Victorian design that is of great interest to miniature enthusiasts is the incredibly elaborate, purely ornate character of Victorian architecture. Featuring lofty, gothic spires, enormous wrap around balconies and porches, and majestic double swinging doorways, this type of house provides ample opportunities to indulge in the little details that miniaturists love. In fact, the more nooks and crannys there are, the more most miniaturists love it. Not only is a Victorian dollhouse an enjoyable challenge to their building skills, but an opportunity to create a truly spectacular showpiece. As is the case with almost any style of art or architecture, there are historical reasons for the elaborate nature of Victorian design. The austerity and neoclassicism of British architecture in the years leading up to the reign of Queen Victoria gave way to more spectacular designs during the Victorian era. Fortunately for the more ambitious designers of the era, the industrial revolution was in full swing at that point, and it became possible to mass produce the style elements needed to create the Victorian look and feel. Another factor in the development of Victorian architecture was the advent of the locomotive. This allowed construction materials to be shipped long distances which enabled those in remote areas to build ever more ornate homes. Victorian dollhouses are so charming because, like the full-size houses built in the same style, they have a personality. The romance and elegance of a bygone era can be captured once again in a tiny world. There is a very profound magical quality to Victorian architecture that reminds one of faeries, enchanted gardens, and secret passageways Every Victorian dollhouse has its own character, which the owner can then embelish with colors, furnishings and decorations that add their personal touch to the finished product. Surprisingly enough, doll houses in the Victorian era were used more for instruction than play. Victorian dollhouses served as teaching aids to show young ladies the proper way to behave and how to care for a home. Indeed, some Victorian doll houses were large enough to let the child stand inside and learn how to perform the domestic duties that would some day be expected of her. About the Author: Come visit The Magical Dollhouse and see some of the most popular Victorian Dollhouses available today. You can make that dream a reality with our low prices and great selection of Victorian doll house kits and furnishings. Read more articles by: Veronica Scott Article Source: www.iSnare.com Share: Del.icio.us Digg Reddit