How To Choose the Right Doll House for you

A doll house, if created and finished with care can very well become a family heirloom. With this in mind, you should not rush into the purchase, but should take your time and look at different available models carefully before deciding on the right house for you.

I think the first decision should be whether you want to purchase a house that has already been built, or if you want to purchase a doll house kit and build it yourself. Personally I think the fun and satisfaction realized when building a kit is the only way to go! You may however not feel comfortable in taking on this task, and if this is the case by all means look for a house already assembled.

Once this decision has been made, you should decide what style of house you want to own. There are many styles available, from cottages to grand Victorian style homes, to modern houses. Accessories and doll house furniture for every style of home is available for purchase. Some people choose the style based on their childhood house, or on a full size house that they wish they could own!

Each style of doll house will also be available in a few different sizes. I don't mean the scale of the doll house, but the actual physical size. If you have limited space available for display, you will want to look at the smaller models.

If you plan to have children handle or play with the doll house, you should also take that into consideration when choosing the type and style of doll house you purchase. Some styles are sturdier, and the rooms are more easily accessible than others. Avoid houses with intricate gingerbread trims as these are easily damaged by children.

If you may consider adding to your doll house in the future, look for a model that has additions available. You may decide you are happy with the house as it is, but it is nice to have the option of adding another couple of rooms onto it in the future. There are a number of doll house kits available that allow for this option.

Doll house building, decorating and furnishing is a wonderful hobby, that should be enjoyed for years to come. Take your time each step of the way, beginning with your choice of doll houses and have fun!

The Miniature Doll House Fascination

Over the years I have had the pleasure of meeting and getting to know many miniature enthusiasts. What fascinates them about seeing familiar objects in a tiny, realistic form?


Much more than a child's plaything, building doll houses, and ultimately decorating and furnishing them in a theme of your choice, has become an adult hobby. The only way to improve on that, is to have a daughter or grand-daughter who can share that interest and passion with you.


Personally, my miniature interest lies in antique miniatures and dolls, more so than in modern works. The strange thing about that is the fact that antique pieces were seldom created with a true eye to scale, and scale is of utmost importance to me when viewing modern miniatures.


The craftsmanship involved in creating tiny little porcelain dolls, with jointed limbs, often hand blown inset glass eyes, real mohair wigs is amazing.

Add to that the primitive conditions within the factories that many of these dolls were created in, adds to my amazement. Many of these tiny dolls have lasted in excess of 100 years , they have been handled, and played with, loved and often abandoned, only to turn up years later in an attic somewhere. The furnishings of this same era were often handmade, often primitive, and much did not stand the test of time as well as the little dolls did. To find, own and enjoy these pieces today is a delight.

Manufactured doll house furnishings of this era, were often made in Germany as were the little dolls. I had a dear friend of German origin bring her childhood collection over to me to help her sell. She is in excess of 90 years old, a delightful lady who still teaches piano, runs her own household, and dresses her dolls. She had a story to tell about every piece of furniture, and remembers hours spent with her sister in creating the tiny little bed linens, doll clothes and lampshades. I like to think there are similar stories about every antique piece that comes my way.

Also of importance to me is for miniatures to be made of the material they are in real life.
If a bed is representing one made of wood, I cannot tolerate it in plastic. (sorry Chrysenbon) If bathroom fixtures are representing porcelain pieces, then do not make them in wood! Realism is very important in my own collections.

Some enthusiasts enjoy making all of their own furnishings and accessories, even their own dolls. This exacting craft can only be admired by those of us less talented, but certainly makes their fascination obvious. Some crafters make such exquisite pieces that the prices can command as much as their full size counterparts. There are miniature artists, who paint on tiny canvases each work of art is a one of a kind painting. Other artists paint on tiny plates, even buttons as canvases.

There are miniature artists who do miniature needlepoint, knitting, rug making and pottery as well as wood workers.

One thing I have found is once someone embraces this hobby, it is usually a life long obsession.