I thought I'd share more photos of my Dollhouse/Office Corner with you, since you saw a sneak peek of it yesterday over at Viviana's. : )
I've been wanting to create a space for my dolls for ages! I found this vintage one many months ago, but unfortunately the size of the rooms weren't big enough for my Blythes and they'd have to be sitting down all the time. (haha) The only place for it (in our tiny little house) was over my desk in my office "corner". So it would have to be mounted on the wall, but it's so heavy we we weren't too keen on that idea. I love the house (especially the roof!) but it wasn't the *perfect* solution I was looking for. (I'll still keep the house for now, maybe I'll have more room for it one day when/if we move.)
So I spent hours upon hours online searching for the perfect house, or shelf, or whatever that would work. I had seen many people use the IKEA shelves which are perfect with their 12x12 (?) cubbies, but I didn't have room for another one of those in our house (we have two already!) And I really wanted something unique.
I found this one with the super-amazing colored plexi walls.. it had the perfect mod look I wanted, but it was pricey. (sad face)
After hours of surfing, I finally stumbled onto this at Waybasics. I loved the modular look. I bought it in white and we (i.e. Ethan) FINALLY put it together over the holidays. It's made out of completely recyclable materials which I think is pretty cool (basically made out of paper!) After some reconfiguring of the office furniture, we realized we could set the dollhouse directly on the desk. (And hanging one of these Waybasic structures is a bit precarious due to the nature of the materials, i.e. it's not made of hardwood) The rest of the furniture is IKEA.
I loved that the scale of the rooms fit Blythe so well. She can stand up easily without bumping her head on the "ceiling". I also knew I wanted to cover many of the walls with patterned paper (I used vintage wallpaper and vintage wrapping paper, a lot of which was gifted to me by a sweet blog reader, Ngaire!)
I knew I needed to cover up the computer, scanner and other general-cord-ugliness underneath the desk, so I found this vintage bed sheet on Etsy and made it into a curtain (I attached a tension rod underneath). It was super easy and I didn't even have to break out my sewing machine. Since the top of a bed sheet already has that "pocket" of sorts at the top, but it's sewn on the edges... I just took out those edge seems and had an immediate pocket (hopefully that made sense). I cut off the bottom fabric of the sheet and folded over an edge a couple times and used fabric glue to finish off the edge. There's still some cords we need to somehow hide, but it looks much better.
The basket on the wall is a vintage bicycle basket (for cute!) that I found when I thought I was going to be getting a bike. Since we've put that off for a bit, I thought it was too cute not to hang up somewhere. Throw some yarn in it and it makes for a cute little decoration. (I love the plastic flowers on it)
This girl is a new doll that I got from my parents for my birthday... she is quite the beauty and quickly becoming my favorite! (Simply Vanilla Blythe) I got the cute outfit from my sister-in-law (thanks Heather!)
This is another new girl that I got for my birthday (on the left), my first Licca Doll! She's so pretty and I love having such a Japanese looking doll.
The little Pandas are part of the Calico Critters collection that I stumbled onto in a toy store over the holidays. Ethan remembered that I commented on them and got me some for my birthday. ; ) I wasn't so fond of their clothes, so they're naked for now.
I call the room on the right the "Misfit Room" because it's filled with quite the motley crew. The Pet Shop Blythe was bought for me by Ethan as well. Wasn't looking to get one, but she's quite cute. The other mini-pose dolls are from a collection I found on ebay. I figured that I'll never be lucky to score too many of the original mod style cloth pose dolls that go fast on Japan Auctions, etc... so I can settle for the mini-plastic ones. ; )
I like that they are small enough to be dolls for my dolls. (heehee) They are called the "Cutie Doll Collection by Ayumi Uyama" if you're intersted in searching for the set. The large cloth pose doll I found at an antique mall but she was one of the frou-frou looking ones with huge frilly dress, etc. So I re-outfitted her in some Blythe stock clothes I had. She looks much better.
I still need to shop for some rement miniatures/decorative pieces as the rooms are a bit empty, but I'm so happy with how it turned out. Dollhouses are fun!














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Love it all!!!!!!
Posted by: Maribel | February 08, 2011 at 02:45 PM
OOOOOOOH it looks perfect! LOVE it all.:) the papers worked a treat Danielle!
love love love...!!!
Nx
Posted by: Ngaire | February 08, 2011 at 04:19 PM
Adorable house, Danielle! So is this going to be known as 'Kitschy Towers' from now on? I love the mod look of the juxtaposed rooms and all the pretty papers you have decorated with. It is fab! Am loving your new dolly family member too - she looks right at home already :)
Posted by: beka*b | February 08, 2011 at 04:42 PM
Oh I love how you present your dolls here in the cubes, just perfect little houses for them. Makes me wish I had a Blythe. I almost got one once but ended up buying a something else then later selling her back on Ebay. I still may go for a Blythe yet they are adorable to photograph and you sure do well with that.
Posted by: Nan | February 08, 2011 at 05:17 PM
SO cute, of course!! I love those teeny tiny dolls!! You always give such good details too!!
Posted by: chinamommy | February 08, 2011 at 05:27 PM
fabulous! I love the variety of your collection and what a great way to display them.
Posted by: kim whitten | February 08, 2011 at 05:39 PM
I LOVE IT!! It is adorable! I am so envious. I have been on the lookout for a cute doll house for my blythes as well. I love all the vintage wallpapers & doll furniture. Love love LOVE it! :)
Posted by: Michelle | February 08, 2011 at 05:41 PM
It's SOOOOO cute! Love love love! When you say your house is small...how small are we talking? I also have a very small house - 1,100 sq ft - and there are 5 of us living here - I feel your pain!
Posted by: Stephanie May* | February 08, 2011 at 05:43 PM
Love it!!!! so inspiring. It's uncanny how many of the same prints/fabric you and I have. I am going to create an area in my studio for my extensive Dawn collection!
Thanks for the inspiration!
Heather
Posted by: heather hauser | February 08, 2011 at 06:24 PM
oh.my.goodness. I'm seriously swooning!!!!!
Posted by: Jana Perenchio | February 08, 2011 at 07:51 PM
Wow, wow, wow! What a dreamy little office! I'm so in love with all your fabrics and wallpapers-- and, of course the dollhouse! It's just perfection! We're in a tiny place too, but you've really made your small space seem so big. Love it!
Posted by: smidge girl | February 08, 2011 at 08:06 PM
How charming! I'd never get any work done there - I'd just play and rearrange your dolls :)
Posted by: Sharon | February 08, 2011 at 08:37 PM
So cute! I am so hooked on dolls right now! I am seeing all the cuteness & want some in my life :) :) :)
Posted by: moe | February 08, 2011 at 09:48 PM
amazing. x hivennn
Posted by: jazzy elizabeth | February 09, 2011 at 05:41 AM
I am in love with your blog, it's absolutely lovely!
Pd: my Blythe is called like you, but in Spanish, Daniela ;)
Posted by: Meri | February 09, 2011 at 09:40 AM
Oh, Danielle! What a *lovely* idea! I totally want that corner in my office! :)
Posted by: Hannah B. | February 09, 2011 at 11:50 AM
Omg - what a dreamy lil doll space!! :) I would totally want to move and pose them and comb their hair all the time, if I had this by my desk - how would I get any work done?? he he. you're a genius, Danielle!
Posted by: Michelle Clement | February 09, 2011 at 12:53 PM
Oh, your dollhouse sends me! What a fantastic idea! You are incredible! xoxo
Posted by: katie runnels | February 09, 2011 at 01:04 PM
This is SO amazing! Where is the chair from?
Posted by: LolaDee | February 09, 2011 at 01:55 PM
Ohh I love your dolls! I have Blythe dolls too (and Pullips, and BJDs, and Holiday Fair..) they're all in storage right now while I travel about but I miss them so much. I used to have a bookshelf that I used for their "apartments", haha.
I think we should be friends. :)
Posted by: Pansy Lane | February 09, 2011 at 04:35 PM
I love your wonderful dollhouse Danielle! Thanks for sharing all of the details! I might have to get some of those awesome shelves for my Blythes.
Posted by: Jennifer Abe | February 09, 2011 at 09:10 PM
Oh my goodness! This is my doll dream world! I just recently received my first Blythe doll from my husband and kids for Christmas. I love them and hope to get more. The house turned out so well! It is sooo cute and I bet so inspiring there next to your office!
xo,
Sena
Posted by: Sena Garrett | February 11, 2011 at 05:59 PM
This is amazing! Absolutely breathtaking!
Posted by: Jenny Star Lor | February 11, 2011 at 06:09 PM
Suffering from serious doll envy right now lol
Posted by: Cassie | February 12, 2011 at 02:00 PM
I love your "Crissy" doll box. Do you have the doll too??
My Crissy doll & Mia doll are stored at my parents house. You made me think of them when I saw the box. Thank you!
Posted by: Lori | February 15, 2011 at 07:39 PM