Wednesday, October 7, 2015

DIY Barbie Doll House: Week #1 Planning



Well this is a little different from my usual posts. Grandbaby will be three on Saturday and I will have call her Grandgirl after that. So, since she so loves the little Marx metal dollhouse we have in the basement, we thought we would build a BARBIE DreamingHouse for her for Christmas.

Now we are building the house substantial to last forever, but for the furnishings, I have been collecting things since March. Many items will be altered or handmade. Once a Week I will do a Barbie Post to update you on the progress of this very big project.

Step:1 

Planning-After researching the internet and looking for all the scale 1:6 meaning 1" in real life is 6" in Barbieland, same for Bratz and Monster high. There are some fabulous ideas online...and many, many Barbie DIY's. We decided to adapt an idea based on one bookcase plan. Built from 1/2" plywood this will be a substantial piece of furniture. This is the site I used for FREE PLANS.

Step:2 

My Plans were drawn to scale on grid paper...1 square = 1" or 6" in Barbie scale.

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Here is the original plan we adapted ours from, originally 51 1/2" tall by 45" wide x 12 1/4" deep.
Since Barbie furniture is scaled large we opted to increase the depth to 16" and also to add stairways, so we added to the width to be 48" exterior and that makes it 47" wide inside the house.

Our total height will be 48" which is the size of a 1/2 sheet of plywood for the back.

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Since I have been collecting OLD and used furnishings, I drew the plans---with furniture I had in mind, and some I will still have to make (sink, stove, counters, desk, shelving, side tables, lighting, bed)

My drawing above is the second floor showing kitchen to the left, stairwells, and dining/living room to the right.

I drew plans for each wall, floor and interior wall. Then I placed outlines of furniture on all the plans...to see if I had enough room or needed more items. This kept me from buying too much. The spaces filled  up quickly, and keeping in mind a three year-old playing with it all.


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The middle above is the left side wall, all three floors: bottom/garage, 2nd/kitchen drawn in, 3rd tub and window placement in bathroom. To the right are the interior walls and stairwells. This is very tight and will be steep. I have no idea how I'm making the stairs, yet...the railings will be minimal and will involve acrylic sheets (we have scraps around from some other projects).

Step 3:

Laying out the furniture on the to scale plans.

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The Dune Buggy will be parked in the garage on the lower left. The left wall is shown here, with garage on right, the kitchen on level 2, and the bath on level three(left).

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Today I transferred my plans to the rough cut pieces. To double check placements from my drawings, I set up the furniture roughly according to the plans. I altered windows..etc. to accomodate visuals.
Barbie furniture is scaled so low---I will be adding height to just about everything, except the kitchen
appliances.

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 Ken barely fits in the tub for the upstairs bathroom, that's OK, he will have a shower in his bathroom on level 1.


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Here is a panel I took from the Barbie shopper/vending machine, which I found still full of shoes/accessories for $3.99 at Goodwill, but it didn't work and was abandoned. Anyway I took the back off and am using the filigree panels (REDO) as windows for the bathroom and Barbies' bedroom --how cool is that? The cabinet itself will be the closet in the bathroom.


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Back to Ken's bathroom.

Lower Level 1, on the far right wall. Ken's blue shower is on the bottom with the toilet, and then his closet/wardrobe. Marked on the board are two windows. A narrow partition or screen will be put between the toilet and the wardrobe to give Ken privacy, from his dressing room.

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Here is Ken and his interior wall dividing the 1st floor Mancave and his bathroom. The (Barbie) sink unit was dismantled from the shower unit and will be mounted to the wall. Some towel holders are  removed for painting silver. His bathroom/Mancave will be in blue, brown and beige tones.
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The two plastic doors will be used for a wall cabinet...that will have mirrors on the inside of the doors, maybe. Everything will be manly brown-beige-blue.

Seriously everything I found was hideous pink or purple and needs a REDO.


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Step 4: 

Adjusting the plans to work with the furniture.

Right wall--the second and third floor. In the middle (level 2) the short pink couch will be REDONE and raised 1". The window is marked to scale with the sofa.  To the left is a 12" bed of Barbie's on the third level, she will have a double-bed though, which I am making NEW with that length.


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On the otherside of the Level 1 interior wall, is Ken's soon to be desk bookcase. I'm just playing here to see the proportions. I found two of these case things for 1.99 each at Savers, a REDO--They were from bead kits. I'm using one as kitchen cupboards and one for Ken's desk...which will be custom built from scraps. Again...nice blue, tan, browns in this room and lots of Chicago BEARS accents.


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He really looks like he wants to work here...LOL. The rest of the ManCave will be shown later.

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 Here is a rough layout of the kitchen. Hmmm, it's going to be tight. The cartons in the back are where the stove and counters will go. The sink will go next to the pink dishwasher (99cents), The refrigerator I bought NEW...$8.99 at Walmart.

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Can you see the stove on the right there? And I'll raise the shelves up to the top of the dishwasher...maybe granite countertops...You never know. Still looking for a stove and sink...but am prepared to build them if necessary. Kitchen will be green and white with appliances in Stainless steel. I found brushed chrome stickum paper at OfficeMax for 99 cents a sheet.

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The Fridge was a good buy, and came with some accessories. I think the pink handles have to go silver though.

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I'm thinking I may make the table drop leaf (REDO). How often will Barbie have company more than Ken? And that will uncramp the kitchen, besides company can be served on the dining table in the next room.

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On to the second floor living room, dining area. Two couches cornered with a round skirted table and lamp. I will raise each of the couches an inch...honestly they are too low for the height of the dolls.
This area will be greens/grays/black and silver.  I'm thinking tailored skirts and a bit of cushions with bolsters and pillows in contemporary prints.


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Here is an inexpensive table and chair set (comes with dinnerware) that I ordered online...was under $17.00 with shipping. The chairs are flexible plastic, and I'm not sure about them...I will be supergluing the table though. I sure don't want to put it together again. It is sturdy, as long as nothing slips out of place, hence the glue.

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The scale of this room is looking good, things to add yet, TV...birdcage, coffeetable, bookcase, lamps, lighting. The room is long and skinny...but that all should work.


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I'm excited about the 3rd floor vaulted ceiling Bathroom/Bedroom. The wood piece on the right will become an upholstered headboard to the double Barbie bed. With fru-fru skirted tables on the sides with lamps, it will fill the far right of the room. This room will be pink and white, and another color.
I have yet to pick out fabrics.

The large dresser is deep 4" and pretty good size. Painted a solid white with some pink handles, maybe a silver front. It will hold much of Barbie's wardrobe. A mirror and her accessories will be on top. A chaise,  side chair and dressing table will finish off this room. 


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Here is the layout at the top of the stairs. Artwork and a clock will be on the high wall of the stairway almost at the peak of vaulted ceiling. The pink dresser will be in front of the railings and banister of the stairs. Again, think silver, and some pink here. Thinking crystal or pearl knobs here.

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This is the bathroom/dressing room. On the right of the sink will be a cutout door to the bedroom

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The sink will be on this wall with a wonderful mirror above it...can't you see it?
The wardrobe (REDO-busted vending machine)....will hold accessories and shoes and hanging clothes and the vending area in the middle will become shelves for towels etc.


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And here is Ken again in the tub...in front of a filigree window...use your imagination. At the foot of the tub will be a tiled planter to finish off the tub. Again, think silver knobs, but this room will be pinkish, but only as much as I can stand.

Step 5:

Make a list of items still needed and shop for moldings.

I hope you weren't bored with all the planning, but this saved a fortune doing it this way. To buy a Barbie House already furnished of this size, would be $300-400 dollars, maybe more. And we will be less than half of that, for sure. Planning does save money and creates a NON-putrid pink haven for Barbie and Ken to live in. Many Barbie houses are 8" deep...which is only enough for a narrow bed along the back.

When Grandbaby turns 10, she can change it all,  however she wants to. That will be fun to do it all over again. I hope I am around to help her.

NEXT POST: Priming, Painting, Windows, Doors, and Electrical.

Dollhouse posts here,

Thanks for Stopping by, I appreciate all your comments and questions.
I will be sharing at these Parties:
Sandi

All the opinions and photographs in this blog are my own, I have not been paid or reimbursed in anyway for my opinions or posts. Please do not use my photos without linking back to this blog without my permission. 
Thank you for your cooperation, Sandi Magle

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Last Week's Find: Cheese grinder to Fairies.



 Some Junkin', Thriftin', and Craft Show Finds


 Last week was very busy, but everytime I was out, I went to a thrift shop or garage sale, on the hunt for OLD, NEW, GREEN, to REDO.
Sunday, E and I went to a craft show...more on that later.

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 You have already seen my Fall Fairy---she was hanging 
in a chandelier at a thrift store...
she is quite at home here.

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Now here is my OLD ChiPPy-SHaBBy buy from last June. 
I didn't buy it at the Elkhorn Flea, but 
emailed Jeanine and paid her for it afterwards.
Saturday, I schlepped up to Wisconsin to pick it up. 
She had a lovely show in her garage, in the midst of cold temps, rain, and a fierce winds. 
The buying locusts had already descended...but you can see some of her show(s) Here.

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 This will be going in my master bedroom redo...sometime this winter. I'm excited---it works, but I will be softening the green and yellow somehow...a REDO but can't wait.

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 I bought this OLD cheese grater for my husband. The blades looked like it had been barely used.
The wood block fits tight...so I think it just sat on someone's shelf for a long time.
We will sand it down and use it. I will do some more
research on it.



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 I think the green metal is so interesting...apparently a bit of 
manufacturing advertising also with the "V". 
The grater blades are actually two---one for each direction, 
this is for hard cheese or super fine shredding of vegetables.

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 Here is the NEW second fairy---a bit of felted delight purchased at the craft show...adorable. 
I have ordered a matching gnome.
 I'm crafty but realize some things I will just not get around to making, and I purchase those.

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My husband went to an Antique Mall without me...?????
and purchased these OLD small dollhouse furnishings for the 
1950's Marx Metal Dollhouse we have downstairs for Grandbaby to play with. 
The drawers all work on the little bed, mark on bottom says 1994, my gosh that's vintage now.
The stove is wood and I don't know if it will fit in as I do have some Remark furniture, otherwise it will end up in my Etsy shop.

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 I found this gorgeous white throw----Twin size...rayon and cotton. It's perfect with minimal wear...and so textured and lovely. I'm tempted to make a coat of it as a REDO, but we will see.
Hubby bought the doll chairs set in a bag with the checkered chair and pink set below.



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 It's really cute...a little garish...but then that dollhouse needs some color anyway.
One set will go on the patio.

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Hubby again  found this table and chair set BARBIE sized... for the Barbie House (Xmas).
 It was 17.99 but I have seen the same for $45.00 on line +postage. 
This will be the largest purchase for the Barbie house
 as I have been collecting from thriftstores and garage sales since March.
PS...hubby is cutting the dollhouse out today, I have to get out there and photograph it.

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And since we are talking about Christmas....
Smiley Snowman here, may become a smiley ghost for Halloween. 
Found him at the craft show. He is a REDO kettle lid...painted so sweet.
 And oh my gosh, ALL the holdiays are just around the corner.


THANKS for your stop by and I love hearing from you.


Sandi
 


All the opinions and photographs in this blog are my own, I have not been paid or reimbursed in anyway for my opinions or posts. Please do not use my photos without linking back to this blog without my permission. 
Thank you for your cooperation, Sandi Magle


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Monday, October 5, 2015

Heirlooms, Antiques, Finds for Fall Decorating

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The theme for my blog is: Somethings: Old, New, Green, Redo.
 I have tried to stick to this premise in my decorating. New means new here...and not necessarily 'NEW-new', if you know what I mean.

I have inheirited some gorgeous OLD antique and vintage pieces and have vowed to share them with you...through this blog as well as use them periodically, instead of being hid away in boxes. 

I don't have a fireplace mantle, but in our living room, our built-in china cabinet is used 
for entertaining and display.


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 I chose a balanced composition across the back of the buffet,
 with an OLD large silverplate tray (unpolished) as the anchor. 
A vintage dark green lace runner sets a contrasting background for lighter items. 
The floral arrangement container was from Goodwill, its flowers were dismantled, freshened and added to from the stash of flowers from the post, Junkin-in-grannys-garage and a definite REDO.
The OLD porcelain berry bowl was from that stash also.
The OLD antique parrot vase is from Bornholm, Denmark, more on that later.


 
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A NEW satin pumpkin from a craft show...(vintage REDO fabric) is on the right, next to a real pumpkin from our GREEN garden. 
A small faux pumpkin on the left is my favorite, 
very real looking--already 10 years OLD. 
The candlesticks are vintage now--from Williamsburg, Virginia, glass makers. 
The two brass candlesnippers were my mom's antiques and very OLD.


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Here is a soft closeup of the acorns and textures of the arrangement. 
I love the dusty grape leaves, how they look this time of the year in the garden.


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 On the left, a NEW pumpkin platter was deep discounted
at the end of the season last year, like 90% off.
The dried gourds are natural GREEN elements.
The OLD lantern I have had forever and is considered vintage now,
the brass candlesticks are very OLD, hallmarked and European.
I have to do some research on these and a few others I have.
The leaves tossed all about my house were from a bundle in a bag from 
a thrift store for fifty cents, a definite REDO.


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The OLD parrot vase is from Bornholm, Denmark and by Ibsen Ceramics, circa 1920.
 Ibsen pottery is highly collectible...like super high $$$.
 These were given to my mother by my great aunt and from her husband's family.


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On the right side of the buffet is two more pieces of Ibsen's pottery and a dried gourd 
echoing the color of the matte glaze. The plate has richly carved grapes and leaves and lots of detail.
A candle from Sassy Primitives, my favorite local candlemaker, nestles in an 
Ibsen incised cherries on the rim of a bowl in the same orange glaze. 
Sassy's NEW potpourri and candles can't be beat. 
She is an OLD com-patriot from the art and craft show circuit from years ago, 
and continues to come up with new products and ideas every year. 


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Details on the platter, the grapes are a rich black/purple matte glaze.
Ibsen Ceramic Works created art pottery from 1843-1955 by many generations of Ibsens and many well known Danish Designers and Artisans.


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Here is the whole buffet with the china cabinet. 
When and if, I find my last tote of Fall and my oil-stained dried gourds, 
I will place them in the china cabinet to 'Fallify' the OLD Royal Copenhagen collection 
from my family. Some heirloom pieces date from the early 1800's. 
I know I need new candles...just haven't been able to find the tote with those in either.


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The table in the front window is also where we decorate for the seasons. 
The oak sofa table is perfect across the front of the room and the huge windows. 
 I used a mix of OLD antiques, NEW and vintage. 


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GREEN Naturals: Indian corn in a vintage glass pitcher, gourds and dried hydrangeas in an OLD silver-plate handled tray, and a fiber pumpkin enhanced with some faux flowers and leaves, 
with a touch of angel hair for glitz on a cobalt blue glass compote finish the left side.


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 I love the glass with the corn, great textural differences here. The antique candleabra is one of an heirloom pair my mom and aunt split from my great grandparents, I think from the 1890's.


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 A New Silk pumpkin and a gourds rest on an OLD bakelite butler's tray.
The large faux pumpkin will get a REDO this week, 
as it was 'decorated' last year by Grandbaby.
I'm sure she will enjoy painting it pumpkin colored.
Maybe a little copper, we will see.
The lamp I have had long enough to have been rewired once. 
When I like something it sticks around forever.

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 A three-tiered metal pumpkin stand from a thrift store 
holds pumpkins, gourds and a vintage sweet Fall Fairy (thrift store). 
She just needed to reside here and work some FALL magic. 
Acorns fill an OLD vintage orange margarita glass and along with her Fall wreath. 
I found her swinging in a chandelier...hiding at the thrft store. 
But not from me, Murahhahhahha!

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My last Fall vignette to share is the top of the bookcase. 
The pine mirror my dad made for us when we moved into this house in 1984. 
The crock was his and I filled with dried (GREEN) Sedum 
and some NEW burlap sunflowers from the Dollar store. 
The statue was a gift from my husband, a flower pot votive from forever ago, 
and the English toffee tin from a garage sale...I just loved the colors to
finish off the small area. I lost the source of the Fall printout on the mirror--my computer has been glitchy this week, anyone having it, please send me so I can post for the creative blogger.

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The tin echoes the colors in the OLD antique, teensy-weensy crosstitches on linen runner from Denmark. I'm not sure which ancestor made this...but it is one of my favorites. 
I hope you enjoyed my Old, New, Green, Redo Fall decorating.

Sharing at these great link parties:



Sandi


All the opinions and photographs in this blog are my own, I have not been paid or reimbursed in anyway for my opinions or posts. Please do not use my photos without linking back to this blog without my permission. 
Thank you for your cooperation, Sandi Magle



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