Today's dollhouses serve two purposes, the first being a child's play toy, the second being a hobby for collectors and crafters. The oldest known dollhouse in existence is thought to have served a religious purpose; the oldest dollhouse was found in Egypt and displayed miniature servants, boats, pets, inside the pyramids and is thought to be over five thousand years old. The oldest European dollhouses were called "baby houses" and were common in the 16th century. These "baby houses" were not play toys for children though, these were for the enjoyment of the wealthiest adults, and were highly detailed. Until the 1950's dollhouses were wooden and mostly hand made. Metal mass produced dollhouses with plastic
furniture were children's toys produced during the 50's.
For those interested in dollhouses as a hobby, there are two versions to be purchased, a kit with precut pieces, or a
ready-made dollhouse finished to the customer's specifications. Some even choose to build their own, different materials can be used to do so, a bookshelf can house dollhouse rooms as each room is made, old boxes can become dollhouses, or for the more daring you could always build your own from scratch drawing up your own blueprints or scaling down preexisting blueprints of a home. Companies such as Greenleaf offer furniture kits per room, these kits just like the houses can be customized as they are put together by painting and custom upholstery, curtains, and bed linens. Some people who chose dollhouses as a hobby spend their time making each piece no matter how large or small it is for their dollhouse, books can be made from paper and cardboard, other small items such as food, candles, and other decorative items can be made from clay, larger items such as furniture are made from wood or cardboard, cushions are made like life sized cushions with little to no difference in how they are created.
Everyone who starts collecting dollhouses or creating dollhouse pieces have their own reason for starting. Some find it a way to put together their dream home that they'll never be able to actually afford. Some just find the world of miniatures a
fascinating challenge. Whatever the reason its become a popular way to pass the time once again.
*Raven has now taken up a dollhouse project of her own, you can follow her progress at Raven's Dollhouse.
furniture were children's toys produced during the 50's.
For those interested in dollhouses as a hobby, there are two versions to be purchased, a kit with precut pieces, or a
ready-made dollhouse finished to the customer's specifications. Some even choose to build their own, different materials can be used to do so, a bookshelf can house dollhouse rooms as each room is made, old boxes can become dollhouses, or for the more daring you could always build your own from scratch drawing up your own blueprints or scaling down preexisting blueprints of a home. Companies such as Greenleaf offer furniture kits per room, these kits just like the houses can be customized as they are put together by painting and custom upholstery, curtains, and bed linens. Some people who chose dollhouses as a hobby spend their time making each piece no matter how large or small it is for their dollhouse, books can be made from paper and cardboard, other small items such as food, candles, and other decorative items can be made from clay, larger items such as furniture are made from wood or cardboard, cushions are made like life sized cushions with little to no difference in how they are created.
Everyone who starts collecting dollhouses or creating dollhouse pieces have their own reason for starting. Some find it a way to put together their dream home that they'll never be able to actually afford. Some just find the world of miniatures a
fascinating challenge. Whatever the reason its become a popular way to pass the time once again.
*Raven has now taken up a dollhouse project of her own, you can follow her progress at Raven's Dollhouse.