Building My Modern Farmhouse Dollhouse: A Dream Come True

Building this modern farmhouse dollhouse was honestly one of the most fun (and meaningful) projects I’ve ever worked on. It’s more than just a dollhouse to me – it’s a tribute to my grandpa, the person who got me started in this whole dollhouse thing.

Growing Up in Grandpa’s Workshop

My grandpa was always the coolest guy in my life. He spent hours in his basement workshop, building dollhouses from scratch and kits. I loved hanging out with him, learning how to paint doors, windows, and roofs. As I got older, I even got to help with cutting and sanding. It was our thing, and honestly, it was probably the best place to hide from my grandma.

Grandpa built amazing dollhouses – some from patterns he found in dollhouse magazines, others were custom-made for people who wanted a specific style. He’d sell them at craft shows, and my mom and I would tag along. My mom would crochet rugs and make bead lamps, while I played with my Barbies and Hot Wheels under the table (hey, it was the perfect hideaway).

The Dollhouse That Never Got Built

My grandpa and I always talked about my dream dollhouse. It would have all the things I loved: electric lights, a spiral staircase – the works. We kept a binder of ideas and plans, but unfortunately, Grandpa never got the chance to build it before he passed away in 2008.

At his funeral, I dropped my dollhouse plans in his casket. I figured, “If I can’t have my dream dollhouse, no one will!” It was my way of holding onto the dream we had.

Covid Hit – And So Did My Dollhouse Obsession

Honestly, I didn’t think about miniatures for years… but then came Covid. Stuck at home and looking for something to do, I ordered a beach house miniature from Amazon to pass the time. And guess what? I was hooked.

Joining the Columbus Miniature Society

When things got back to normal, I found an awesome community with the Columbus Miniature Society. We meet every month and host a big show once a year. It was great to have a place to share my work and connect with people who totally get my obsession with miniatures.

For a couple of years, I made smaller things like room boxes, but I never had the guts to take on a full-size dollhouse. I was afraid it wouldn’t be perfect. But when the Columbus Miniature Society challenged me to do a year-long project for their show, I decided to go for it.

I picked the Real Good Toys’ Victoria’s Farmhouse kit for my dollhouse. The original kit was nice, but I wanted to make it mine.

Making It My Own: The Modern Farmhouse Transformation

As I built the modern farmhouse dollhouse, I could almost feel Grandpa’s presence guiding me. I’d hear him asking, “Girl, what are you doing?” when I strayed from the instructions (which I totally did). I chose to customize it with features that reflected my style and what I love.

After a lot of hours, some frustration, and probably a few too many swear words, I finally finished my dollhouse just in time for the show. And guess what? I even won the 2024 People’s Choice Award!

Here’s what I did to make it extra special:

• “Metal” roof look (using metallic paint for that realistic feel)
• Bay window was swapped for a sliding glass door
• Board and batten siding for that classic farmhouse look
• Wire spindles replaced the regular staircase spindles (because, why not?)
• Ditched the wall dividers for an open-concept layout
• Made a wood feature wall in the bedroom
• Cut and built several pieces like cabinets, fridge, stove, and shower stall

Grandpa Would Be Proud

Honestly, I’m pretty happy with how my modern farmhouse dollhouse turned out. I think Grandpa would’ve been proud of it too. It’s more than just a project – it’s a tribute to him, to us, and to that dream we shared.

Wrap-Up: Start Your Own Dollhouse Journey

If you’re into miniatures or dollhouses, building your own dream project can be incredibly rewarding. Whether you go with a modern farmhouse dollhouse or something completely different, it’s all about adding your own personality and style. Who knows – maybe my journey will inspire you to start your own!