Okay, so I'm in my local Goodwill...and sitting under a table was this Old Barbie house all folded up---for 499, yes, $4.99 for a mansion.
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A Victorian circa the 90's, 1890's that is....sigh...very much like our first house in N. Wisconsin built in 1902.
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I passed it by---because the Grand already has the NEW Barbie House we built last year for her, you can see the DIY and REDO posts here, HERE.
BUT,
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We play Barbie's at Gramma's, too.
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I passed it by---next time I came around someone had opened it, and I totally fell in love.
It wasn't perfect, but it was in super condition. A fixer-upper, yes, but with great bones!
At home, I left one side open to look at the construction. Quite ingenious as the whole thing folds up, and when open locks in place.
Mattel released this house in a variety of colors over quite a few years, with small decorative changes and different furniture.
I brought it home and Hubby just laughed. He found a board to put it on in the extra bedroom.
I think a total remodel may be in the works.
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Here's the original configuration with the walls where they are supposed to be. The elevator really works, but the Grand can't reach it, so we are going to use it in place for more room and not even tell her it is an elevator. Some information on the internet said it was originally for the handicapped-Barbie that came in a wheel-chair at one time.
I wonder if I could extend that floor forward for more room. Oh dear, construction mess again, lol.
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Elevator going to the lower floor. Notice the built-in fireplace. I love the turret, can just see a Christmas tree in that space. Oh, and a window seat, to the left. The columns are quite nice, along with the stained glass windows.
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The kitchen was in rough shape. Kitchen counter sink and appliances are in dire need of an updates.
Hmm...shopping list, look for compatible kitchen. And the front door is missing, having a hard time finding what it actually looked like?
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The stove was totally trashed.
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Rest of the counter works, but..., it's so 90's.and no refrigerator, and no doors that open. NO STORAGE...lol? The decals in this house are really cute though.
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Above the kitchen is the Bedroom/Bathroom, The turquoise counter is the vanity sink, but...
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...here you can see the dresser/tub as it looks pulled down.
I found a great article on the best Barbie Mansions, and this one is listed as it was originally furnished and set up, OLD Barbie Dream Houses.
I love the the cottage feel to this house. We will keep that, and this one will be furnished with Gramma's taste with a more antique vibe. Except for the kitchen.
Ebay will show a multitude versions of this house in so many different colors...all for quite a pretty penny, too.
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Ahh, at the end of the bedroom is this built-in armoire. The drawers don't work, I may have to remedy that, somehow.
And the elevator area with the elevator in place on the second floor.
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Having the house open this way, makes me think an addition might be the way to go. Extend the upstairs floor under the bathroom and also the downstairs with the bigger kitchen.
The Grand is a major cook and so many mouths to feed...so hmmm.
Also, one thing about Barbie houses, they have no closet space, we could do more sleeping area or closets.
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Here's the front porch, with more stained-glass, all windows in great shape, planter box was empty, all except the mailbox intact. I love the posts and upstairs porch gingerbread.
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But, when the Grand showed up, we dug in my box of Barbie size leftover furniture from the DIY Barbie House, and the girls moved in even before the remodel.
Notice the washer dryer now in the proposed kitchen addition. Our Barbies are very clean.
Currently there are 6 Barbies/Elsa/Anna. It looks like an addition will be absolutely necessary, we/they think. And the Grand says we need to find a toilet, and another sink. A new upstairs floor will allow the bathtub to be used all the time. Like I said, our Barbies stay very clean.
So Where are the boys?
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The 3 boys are lounging on the front porches and in the Tupperware pool. It was hot that day? Now, how do we find a man-cave for them or a bunk house? Another addition? Another house? Maybe they just visit, lol?
Stay tuned for remodeling updates: DIY Victorian Barbie house REDO.
I have some great ideas, a Victorian oval double bunkbed, a new kitchen, chandeliers, closets, a paint refreshening, and someplace for the boys?
Also some vintage Barbie furniture redo's.
Thanks always for visiting.
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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 photos without linking back to this blog without my permission. Thank you for your cooperation, Sandi Magle
