diy dollhouse

This one’s a little trip down memory lane because it’s one of our favorites. We were thinking in case you’ve never seen it before… here ya go! A DIY dollhouse. 

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There are moments in your life that you’ll always remember as a parent. There’s the day we bring them home. The day they go to school for the first time. When they learn to ride their bike, or lose a tooth. And then there comes the day, so seemingly insignificant that no one really warns you about. It’s when you pack up a toy they no longer play with. It hits you hard. This one, admittedly, was about two years overdue, when it happened. It was time to free up some space, so we lovingly packed up all those little pieces to her handmade dollhouse that we made for her 6th birthday.

You know those moments in motherhood where your brain goes numb because you can’t possibly play Barbies or trucks or fill-in-the-blank, for another round? I think I’d give anything to revisit one of those moments. I kind of miss that stage.

But just for a moment, because this age is pretty great, too.

Don’t blink.

There are projects we’ve poured our whole hearts into, as parents. And this is easily one of those. One of our all time faves we’re revisiting today: The Dollhouse Diaries.

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Once upon a time, Barbie and Ken were looking for a new home.

Literally. They were out in their pink corvette, perusing the town.

Their old apartment was infested by Lego Men and they had no place to go.

When they came upon this house. It had been empty for a while. The contractor never finished said house, because things got crazy in this horrible market when he built it last summer, so it sat abandoned for months.

It was just their luck, because it had great bones, and they fell in love, instantly.

Barbie and Ken had been renting for a few years (and had a nice nest egg in savings) so they moved immediately into their new abode, rolled up their sleeves, and got to work.

Or at least Barbie did, anyway.

Ken did too, after he finished his tea.

Yes, he has a weird propensity for prep school tux/pink tie combos.

But we won’t hold that against him.

They tackled the kitchen first: It had great potential, so they brought in Barbie’s mom’s old vintage furniture.

Then they contrasted a fun graphic pattern with their white washed brick walls, fun peacock blue cabinets, and vintage Frigidaire.

They drink their chamomile tea here in the mornings after their couples’ yoga class.

The second level holds the living room and study.

Where they decided to DIY a few projects of their own, from the curtains to the rugs and wallpaper that they scored thrifting at the local flea market.

They love their granny chic/global modern combos vibe. Visiting friends always comment on how great everything looks.

Barbie credits Ken’s great sense of style.

Barbie is a freelance writer, while Ken does the city scene during the day.

So she needed a space to work, while finding the time to write her first novel.

When they’re not doing their side hobbies, anyway.

You know… the usual stuff: polo and synchronized swimming lessons.

The third level is their master suite.

Their serene bedroom + bath… the ultimate retreat.

Ken painted this abstract watercolor for Barbie on their second anniversary.

It’s symbolic of his undying, ever evolving love for her.

Barbie finished off the top space when she was expecting the twins.

{Doll life spans are way different than humans, so this happened within a week. Tada!}

They’ve kept her so busy, the novel is now on hold for ten years. At least.

Their room has fun polkadot floors, complete with a loft, and sweet colors on the ceiling.

A local artist named Emerson painted an old chest and gave it new life.

It’s the twins’ favorite thing. Next to Chloe the dog, of course.

Barbie even threw in some vintage maps, star charts, and alphabet art because she plans to home school. At least for now, it’s a perfectly good excuse to collect cool vintage things.

And she stalks Ebay.

They’re looking a bit more frazzled these days, but Barbie and Ken are super happy. Right where they are.

(Barbie’s copious amounts of eye makeup = compensate for sleep depravation, along with Ken’s perpetual bed head from driving to the city in their new minivan-they had to trade in the pink vette when the kiddos were born because hey, you can’t have it all…)

The twins are happy too.

Even though one has blue legs. Sometimes those genetics can really surprise you.

And they all lived happily ever after.

When they’re not pondering why Ken prefers tuxes with no socks, or tough questions like their oddly proportioned bodies… of course.

As you can see, we just finished up Emerson’s dollhouse. Today is her birthday (6! – It feels like just yesterday she was the screaming, colicky baby – don’t blink) and it was a really fun project we did together with her. I think this is one of those things I’ve always had on my list when I knew I was having a little girl. Our grandkids will probably play with this and make comments about how retro fab it is. It’s our dream, anyway.

I’m pretty sure it’s a big hit… though I’m not too clear on who had more fun with this.

Can I have that table and chairs in real life?

When we decided to create the inside of this little dollhouse, we were at a loss for great, stylish and affordable options in those in the Barbie variety. Said options were either plastic, or super expensive. So we thought we would share this fun little project as an idea for something to take on with your little ones. We wanted the size to be right for Barbie but flexible in case Emerson wanted to use another doll with it. So with the exception of a few small purchases, we took the handmade route using mostly things around our home (with little girl as the art director, of course).

It pays to be a craft hoarder. Yes, I did just write that. Shhhhh.

Let us know if you have any questions – Check out our entire series of how to’s below!

• How to build a dollhouse
• Floors, windows + walls
• How to build a dollhouse kitchen
• How to make a dollhouse living room + study
• How to make a dollhouse bedroom
• How to build a dollhouse loft

{To see more of Emerson’s room, click here.}

To see the rest of the Dollhouse Diaries, Click here!

Have an inspired day!