We love a good dollhouse in our family. When thrifting, if we come upon an old homemade dollhouse, I have a hard time not giving it home. I love all the little handmade appointments and love that has gone into building such a wonderful toy. My husband, Johnny, and I decided we’d like to give that same special gift to our little gal this year. It took quite a bit of planning (and maybe a little fumbling), but I’m so happy with the end result!
Step 1: Start with a 4’x4′ sheet of 1/2″ plywood. Measure to the center and cut in half. You should now have two pieces of wood that measure 2’x4′.
Step 2: Measure and cut one of the sheets down to 2’x2′. You now have the beginning of the back.
Step 3-4: To find the peak, measure to the center of one of your 2’x2′ pieces and mark. Set your square at the center point and mark your sheet at 40 degrees on both sides.
Step 5-6: Cut your peak and sand your edges.
Step 7: To build your box, take your other 2’x4′ sheet of plywood and cut into four 6″x24″ strips. Cut two of those pieces down to 6″x13 1/8″.
Step 8: Screw your box together, with the short pieces (sides) on the insides of the longer pieces (top & bottom).
Step 9: Measure up from the bottom of the box to 6 3/8″. Mark on front and back. This will be where your shelf will sit. Repeat on the other side.
Step 10-11: Cut an additional piece of wood to 6″x23″ and screw in where you just marked. You should now have your box with the shelf and your back piece both finished.
Step 12: For the roof, using your last 2’x4′ piece of wood, cut two 8″x24″ wide strips. Mark each piece at 19″ and tilt your saw at just under a 45 degree angle and cut to get the peaks to meet. Screw the peak pieces into the top of the back piece. Step 13: Paint or stain both pieces of the dollhouse. Once dry, screw the back piece to the box piece and decorate.
To make the dollhouse even sweeter, I added as many personal touches as possible. I marked off windows with washi tape, made some of the furniture from balsa wood and hot glue, and handpainted the wooden people. There are endless possibilities when decorating a dollhouse yourself, so use whatever fabric and supplies you have on hand to make it really special.
Although I was planning to give this as a Christmas gift, I was discovered by a certain two year old as I was photographing the end product. Poesy took it for a test run and I could tell by her gasps and giggles that we hit a home run. I hope it’s something she keeps for years to come. xo. Katie
Credits// Author and Photography: Katie Shelton
How can I get the plans for this dollhouse? I’m a beginner but this looks easy.
I make miniatures and sell them in my Etsy store. Nice to have found your blog for resources!
That is the sweetest possible gift ever for a little girl! And definitely nailed it Katie, it’s so pretty I want the same!! Yes, I’m 27, so?! Haha!!
Many kisses
Melodie
http://sevenlivesandmore.blogspot.fr/
So cute, did you decorate the exterior as well?
this is the cutest thing ever!
xxoo,
nikki
www.dreaminneon.blogspot.com
Very sweet! I love how simple everything is. Just my kind of dollhouse. ^-^
Ahhhh I love this! I’m attempting a DIY Kitchen soon for my daughters birthday, I may have to do this the following year!
Love the details about this doll house! I love that you can personalize it, since it is hand made. Someone made me a doll crib when I was younger, and it was one of my favorite things. This would have been icing on the cake!
Oh I love this so much! Reminds me of the dolls house I had growing up!
Lulu xx
http://luluslittlewonderland.blogspot.com
Awesome! I have to ask though, what is it that makes your tree look gold? Its gorgeous! So is the house, of course!
It’s so cute!
I love everything about that first pic!
This is so adorable! I’d love to make it for my little sister or my own kids one day!
xoxo
Taylor
www.welcomehometaylor.com
My Mom and Dad made a house for me to use with these tiny mice I had as a child. They put special touches like yours in it, and I still treasure it (even though my girls are grown). It is sitting in my attic for the grandchildren — what a gift of love this is!!!
how creative! i love this idea. katie is so amazing.
I wish I still had my dollhouse! It got broken in a move… I still have some of the furniture, though.
If I have a granddaughter someday, I’ll be making her one like this. Wishful thinking!
Wow – this is really impressive. And it will mean even more to your kids someday knowing that you made it for them. This is a very special DIY.
Beautiful! And she looks enchanted by it. That’s what Christmas presents should be about, 🙂 Happy holidays!!!
So precious – My favorites are the Washi tape accents and the doll’s hair. NICE going!
so cute and simple!! and something the kids can help with too i think i will try this in the new year for my daughter <3