Furnishing dollhouses was a hobby my daughter and I shared as she was growing up. The first dollhouse was a gift for her which my husband assembled from a kit. We painstakingly finished it off with paint, wallpaper, roofing tiles, and electricity. We were quite pleased with the finished product, as was our daughter who squealed with delight upon seeing it Christmas morning.
The following year my husband’s aunt and uncle visited from California, bringing with them a surprise for our daughter. Driving their trusty trailer the 3,000 miles to our home in Redding, Conncecticut, they eagerly presented her with a dollhouse that uncle had built with pride. He’d built dollhouses for 3 granddaughters as well.
To our great surprise uncle had built the exact same dollhouse that we’d presented to my daughter! There was a slight difference, one that made his more convenient for 360 degree viewing. Attached to its underside was a turntable. This dollhouse could be placed anywhere, unlike the first which had to be situated so that the front of the house and the inside could be seen at the same time. Displaying it took some creativity on my part when trying to incorporate it into our home furnishings. A dilemma not easily solved in a 100-year-old, 1500 square foot, Victorian farmhouse. But I managed.
Now there were 2 dollhouses to display and furnish. Over time, the one built by uncle was furnished with pieces selected by my daughter. She lovingly arranged each as she imagined a house should look…lived in. Miniature food was left out on the table, pumpkin carvings on newsprint on the floor, magazines and games strewn about.
The one my husband had built became a haven for the vintage finds I favored. I was delighted to have another outlet for my insatiable passion for antiques…of any size. Normal size or miniatures, originals or replicas, none of that mattered. The “look” is what I obsessed about. This dollhouse began to resemble the feel of our house…only in miniature.
What fun my daughter and I had creating comfortable dwellings for imaginary people. And she and friends spent countless hours playing house like the wee folk…thanks to 2 creative geniuses…
…her father…and great uncle…
………hugmamma. 🙂
hugmamma's MIND, BODY and SOUL 
Lovely story…thanks for sharing ♥
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Hugs for the comment. 🙂
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What a great project at the time and now it holds so many wonderful memories.
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That’s why when I think of getting rid of some of the pieces…I can’t. Too many wonderful memories. I’ll leave that to my daughter, I think.
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Wonderful! Brings back memories of doing same with my daughters. 🙂
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Wonderful to hear of the shared memories. Wonder if dollhouses are still in fashion these days. Or have girls moved beyond such artifacts?
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I think some still get into them, but the gadgets are winning. 🙂
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Imagination…a lost art?
😦
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Perhaps. 😦
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Welll…you and I still have our memories…and our own imaginations. No one can take those away…they’re not lost.
🙂
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Those are such beautiful beautiful and special memories you both share.
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Very…and thanks for the lovely comment!
🙂
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Adorable. The furnishings, the houses, the story … doubly blessed.
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You are a great friend, always leaving comments that leave me feeling…warm and fuzzy…and loved.
blessings and love right back at you, girlfriend! 🙂
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Why thank you. I feel the same way about you, my friend.
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Nice to have friends…
🙂
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I confess to jealousy…always wanted a dollhouse
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Boy! Wish I could give you one. I’m trying to figure out how to store 3 until my daughter has children. And that’s a mighty long wait, considering she doesn’t yet have a boyfriend. Busy dancing…
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