I tried to start this from how it began, but there’s really no way to tell this except from where I am now which is far gone–deep in the rabbit hole of dollhousing. Oh, you didn’t know dollhouse was a verb? It is now. Let’s get this over with…
My name is Kelle, and I am addicted to dollhousing. Whew, there. I said it.
Let’s just say a few Calico Critters for Nella’s Christmas present led to a bigger house for them for her birthday. And that’s about where it ends with Nella because I then took over. Lovely house there, girl. Can I have it? In all fairness, I have every intention of giving it back to her. But only after…
…The Renovation®.
This is the house we started with. We don’t have a lot of room for things to go against the wall in our house, and I knew I wanted it to fit against the end of Nella’s bed without rising above the foot board. This one is perfect, and I like the size proportions of each room (the two big rooms are so much fun to decorate!).
It was a perfectly good house to begin with, but as we started arranging the Hedgehog Family into their bedroom and placing Mrs. Hedgehog’s appliances in her new kitchen, I saw some opportunities. These walls would look great with some wallpaper.
Let me tell you something right now. Take it as a general rule in life–dollhouses, real houses: the words “These walls would look great with some wallpaper” never lead to anything good. Wallpaper is the gateway drug to hiring a contractor to rip your entire house apart and redo everything. It’s like swallowing the blue pill. You can never go back.
One trip to Hobby Lobby to “find some wallpaper” later, and I was standing at the checkout with a basket full of things I didn’t even know they made for dollhouses. Itty bitty base trim molding! A teeny tiny working sconce light! A miniature fish bowl with the smallest goldfish you have ever seen!
“Wow!” the sweet girl at the checkout exclaimed as she rang me up. “What are you working on?”
“Oh, just fancying up a dollhouse,” I replied, beginning to own the job like the true obsession it would become.
“Must be for someone really special,” she noted as she scanned 18 scrapbook paper options and a tiny set of drinking glasses.
I locked myself in Nella’s bedroom that night, measuring and cutting scrapbook paper, carefully brushing wallpaper glue and smoothing the new patterns in place.
A strange satisfaction settled in from how quickly and easily I could obtain the kind of room makeover that normally takes weeks and effort and money to obtain in my real home. I don’t have wood beams and crown molding on my own ceiling, but for the small price of $4.95 and a bloody finger from the bread knife I thought would suffice for a miter saw, I have them in my doll house.
And can we talk about the creative joy?! Once the crown molding was in place, my mind started spinning with ideas. And then I searched “modern dollhouse accessories” on the Internet. AND SHIT. GOT. REAL.
It’s been one week since The Renovation® started. I’m now following 13 new dollhouse enthusiast accounts, am waiting on a shipment of miniature kitchen cabinets to arrive from Hong Kong, researched how to make a miniature fireplace from Sculpey clay and actually consulted Brett on the very important decision of “stainless or white?” for the dollhouse fridge.
Every time Heidi calls, she asks what I’m doing, and when I say “nothing,” she says, “You’re lying. You’re working on the dollhouse, aren’t you?”
I’m printing tiny magazine covers to make coffee table books.
Cutting cloth napkins into curtains.
Crocheting tiny baby blankets for the itty bitty crib that now stands in the hedgehog home.
I’ve lost my cool filter. I started talking about the dollhouse renovation at the gym the other day! TO WORKOUT GUYS! I EVEN PULLED UP A PHOTO OF THE NEW CURTAINS ON MY PHONE, WHAT IS HAPPENING?!
As my trainer so eloquently put it, “If you are that balls deep into renovating a doll house, what kind of shit are you avoiding in your real life?” Whatever, go eat a protein bar.
Brett actually gently nudged me the other day, “Babe, do you think we could work on our real house today?”
EXCUSE ME, CAN’T YOU SEE, I’M BUSY FOLDING A TINY KINFOLK COOKBOOK THAT TOOK ME THREE PRINTINGS TO SIZE RIGHT!
I now see dollhouses like that kid in the Sixth Sense saw dead people. Suddenly all the design accounts I follow on Instagram look miniature. I actually zoomed in on a planter the other day, interested in adding it to the dollhouse, and got disappointed when I realized it was life size.
Of course this is appropriately timed with Marie Kondo’s rise. Everyone else is ridding their homes of unneeded clutter, and I’ve accumulated a pocket-sized telephone, a whisk for Mrs. Hedgehog’s kitchen, a cutting board the size of a thumbnail, six miniature Coke bottles, a 3-inch ukulele, a bag of popsicle sticks to make floating shelves, and an itty bitty custom kitchen on its way from Hong Kong. At least I share her rule of thumb….IT SPARKS JOY.
Which brings me to the moral of this unfolding story.
Yes, it started with a gift for my kid; and yes, I kind of took over. But that’s a far better gift than a dollhouse for her…a mom with a passion to make, who gets lost in the creative joy of a hobby, who finds delight in simple tiny things. When I first shared this, I had several ask (most totally in good fun) if Nella would be involved in the decorating choices and renovation process. And my answer is…Nope. I don’t always involve my kids in all my creative passions because I think being witness to my creative endeavors is just as important, if not more, than being invited to be a part of every one. My mom played the piano for herself growing up, sewed dresses and doll clothes without attempting to teach us how, baked brownies and cookies and birthday treats without scooting a “cooking helper stool” by her side for us. She did it to feed her own creative soul, and for that I am thankful because she taught me to do the same. With three kids to take care of, the youngest (ahem-yours truly) who made a habit of climbing in the dishwasher and eating Christmas ornaments, she needed something to stay sane. I don’t worry about inviting my children to be part of all my creative projects because I know they already have enough creative opportunities and choices and freedom to dabble in this home to make them confident happy little artists.
In the end, Nella will be handed a renovated dollhouse, and I’ll have to find a new hobby. But everybody wins.
Especially Mrs. Hedgehog who’s about to have a nicer home than all of us.
Laura says
Absolutely love it! We have 3 Calico houses, and countless families. It started 40 years ago with my Sylvanian Families as a child growing up in Scotland, then 14 yrs ago with my own kiddos and has continued through all 5 children. My heart leapt when my 8 yr old rambunctious boy asked for the chipmunk family for Christmas hah I must go to Hobby lobby check out what they have!
Molly says
Oh yeah, we had Sylvanians too!!
Nicole says
I literally spit my coffee out reading this: “As my trainer so eloquently put it, “If you are that balls deep into renovating a doll house, what kind of shit are you avoiding in your real life?” Whatever, go eat a protein bar.”
I love your wit and humor, Kelle. Thank you for sharing your life and yourself with all of us!
Kylie says
Same. I died. Like laughing so hard and saying “I have to send this to everyone I know.”
Jude says
Brilliant! I’m glad I’m not the only mum to get stupidly obsessed with stuff like this. I’m not even going to talk about setting up a tiny bakery…
Molly says
Ah I love this so much!! I remember at the library near us where we lived in Indiana, they had an awesome dollhouse with working lights and all kinds of teeny tiny accessories; we lived looking at it! Also, the tiny nutella is so perfect!! ? Mrs. Hedgehog looks a little smug though, hahaha! Kidding of course ? xoxo
Rosemary Su says
This is incredible. I think you have a new job just saying if you need one, designing doll houses. You did a fantastic job and I am sure all three kids will appreciate it.
Maria says
OK…this brings back all kinds of memories. When I was a kid, I had a best friend (still a best friend decades later) whose parents, shall we say, were a bit more financially well off than my own. She was an only child. I was the oldest of three. She pretty much got everything she wanted. So did I, but to a lesser extent. She had a 14k gold belt ring with a little buckle that I loved. My mom cut a gold Barbie belt to size, painted the buckle & I had one too. But…the thing I coveted most back then was the three story doll house that, I’m sure, cost the same amount that could have sent my brother, sister & I to camp for a week. One day, I came home from school to find my Mother & two Aunts huddled over a big, strong cardboard box. Long story short, they painted, wallpapered, cut rug remnants, painted pictures, made fruits & vegetables out of play doh, furniture out of left over cardboard, added steps to the upper bedrooms, added a lawn & planted play doh flowers. While they were working on the house, we weren’t allowed anywhere near them. They laughed, conspired, created & in the end, my best friend’s mansion got kicked to the curb & we spent hours & hours playing with my strong, cardboard box filled to the brim with magic.
Thanks to you, I see another dollhouse in my future! xo
Kelle says
This is beautiful. What a love story. I can’t imagine how much fun they had making it and waiting for you to come home and see it!
Rosemary SULLIVAN says
This is incredible. I think you have a new job just saying if you need one, designing doll houses. You did a fantastic job and I am sure all three kids will appreciate it.
Sara says
“But that’s a far better gift than a dollhouse for her…a mom with a passion to make, who gets lost in the creative joy of a hobby, who finds delight in simple tiny things.”
So you asked her if she’d rather play with her birthday gift now or have you work on it for a few weeks without her input and she chose the latter? I’m genuinely curious bc there’s no way my kids would be cool with that ?. And at age 9 with it being hers I assume she was given a choice. You could definitely turn this into your own hobby with shadowboxes etc, plenty of adults do.
Kelle says
Nope! Didn’t ask her anything. She has lots of things to play with in the meantime. She’s having fun watching it slowly change. She likely may not even be into it when it’s done as she often chooses the floor. We’ll see!
Julia says
How do you consider yourself an advocate for kids with DS when you don’t even give Nella the choice to play with her dollhouse now or after you decorate it? Surely you must understand that a typical-developing 9 year old would want to play with a birthday present right away and it comes off like you take advantage of Nella not fully understanding things to indulge yourself in screwing around with a dollhouse all day. Sorry, used to like you but this whole doll house thing has turned me off. This project had so much potential for Nella to give even a few opinions as to how she wants it to look, but you turned it into the Kelle show.
Kelle says
Nella is a child blessed with many toys, many choices and a rich life of creative opportunities and love. She’s not suffering over not being given the choice for her mother to decorate her dollhouse with beautiful things and personalized touches. But if thinking that she’s been robbed provides fodder for your perception of me, I’m okay with that.
Julie says
I can’t believe you even had to respond to such an ignorant comment. You do you Kelle!
Mar says
Absolutely no need to respond 😉
Anne Brown says
Brilliant, gentle reply. Well done you!
Margaret says
I’ve read this twice. I love your words Kelle. You make me laugh right out loud. The doll house is awesome and it’s so so good you’re having the best time renovating it. It’s inspired me to finish my doll house. I’m going to read this again…
Terry kilgarif says
YOU, are CRAAAAAZY!……
I happen to LOVE your kind of Craaaaazy❤
Elaine says
And don’t pay $10 for a minature donut, it’s probably a Cheerio!
Reenie says
Brett actually gently nudged me the other day, “Babe, do you think we could work on our real house today?” haha!! 😀
Amy says
I love your creativity so much! Where did you find the ukulele? If I ever take up dollhousing again, I hope it’s half as cute as yours.
Kate says
That is soooo Awesome!!!? We have the little bear with the donut shop calico critters in our house and they get played with LOTS!!!! Love the doll house!!!?
Brooke says
I completely understand! For me it’s my kitchen. I love to cook and bake, but it’s all me! My kitchen is my happy place and please don’t enter unless asked. Maybe I should have my kids next me learning as we go, but that sucks the joy out of it for me. My older ones are free to use the kitchen when I am not. I will gladly oversee what they are doing and help when asked. I do at times ask my kids to help(with a bottle of wine in hand?), but most the times I don’t.
My kids really don’t complain. The end result is sweets, treats and happy kids.
Amy young says
When I was 6, my father (a carpenter) built me a dollhouse from scratch. My family couldn’t afford to buy one (they weren’t readily available) and dollhouse accessories were VERY expensive. So he made all of them, by hand. He put in wallpaper, and my grandmother sewed curtains, and pillows, and bedding. I still have it, it’s in the attic of my parents’ house. The memory of it still brings joy.
Rebecca says
Where is this tiny goldfish bowl- I must see!!!
Cindy says
I am right there with you. I started following a bunch of dollhouse enthusiasts on Instagram after I bought the Hearth and Hand dollhouse at Target on clearance after Christmas for $44 buckaroos. I too, have to zoom in on some pics on Instagram because I can’t believe that they are dollhouses. And then I want the real sized rooms to be miniature. p.s. wrapping paper makes great wall paper. no really, seriously!! I have ordered a ton of shit from Hong Kong too, and for some of them, I have to wait until March or April to get them!!!!
Emily of The Three Bite Rule says
This is amazing! I hope you’ll continue to share as the renovation continues! I had a pretty elaborate one growing up and i’m curious what remains- once my littles are beyond the stage of putting things in their mouths! I recall many hours of sculpy projects for kitchen food!
Michelle says
We had bought a doll house to decorate, it was from IKEA but similar to the one you purchased. How did you wind up attaching the baseboards… I have them sitting there looking at me and put all of it away for the holidays but you have inspired me to get it back out and finish up. And, I completely applaud you creating this on your own, as a mom of four, I so often get lost in trying to include my kids in every little thing that I wind up not having any creative outlet. I appreciate you for shining a light on that for me, and like you, my children have dozens and dozens of creative outlets at their fingertips so there is no stifling going on. Thanks for leading the way!
Jan Carrion says
My heart is so happy just reading your story! My dad built a wooden doll house for my daughter when she was little and my mom decorated it the same as you are for Nella….Brings back so many wonderful memories.
Thank you Kelle for reminding me that our loved ones truly do live on in our hearts after they have passed on.
Suzan says
My dollhouse was a cardboard box. My daughter’s were given one that was pretty rough and ready. they hated it. I admit I have a small one tucked away for my granddaughter. My eldest girl is renovating one for the same little girl. All things sweet and tiny appeal. I admit to going down the rabbit hole too.
Julia says
Thanks for deleting my comment for daring to question you on this. Stop acting like a DS advocate. First you put up a video of a teen with DS doing the magic mike dance. Then Nella’s party which is all about you showing off. Now your daughters doll house that she has absolutely no involvement in. You suck.
Kelle says
Your comment was actually published, and I responded to it. Can you see it? Sounds like you have a lot of opinions which you are absolutely free to have, and I’m comfortable with how you may perceive me. But saying things like “you suck” is a great way to get blocked here. I suppose you will have to look at birthday party inspiration from some of the other moms “showing off” online now.
Julie says
why so hateful?
Cindy says
there’s always someone…
Sharon b says
If what Hobby Lobby carries is enough for you, or you enjoy making things from scratch, then great. But if you want to absolutely lose your mind to miniatures, may I suggest http://www.miniaturedesigns.com
Veronica says
Ha! I love this so much.
Paula says
Your gift for writing is right up there with your gift for dollhousing, and photography and party planning and mothering and……! Been a longtime reader and never commented but just felt compelled today? You are such a joy to follow! Thank you for sharing your abundant gifts with us!
Jill says
This may be your funniest post of all time. Like the friends episode where Monica got the dollhouse and Phoebe wanted it to fun.
I was laughing out loud. I wish my real house looked like your doll house.
Crown molding for doll houses – who knew!
Michelle says
I once pulled over on the side of the road because I saw that someone was throwing a way a Barbie Dream House. I put the entire Barbie Dreamhouse in the back seat of my small car. I had to put down the seats to get it in there. Those are big!
Just saying.. I feel you.
Cassandra says
You need to get yourself a she shed. I got one in October. I LOVE it! A space all for yourself 5o decorate exactly how you want. Like a grown up play house.
Kay in Cornwall, UK says
I hope I’ll be having a She-Shed for my 60th birthday this summer. Actually, it’s going to look like a summer house/cottage. I love collecting miniatures and this will be where I can home them all!! I get most of my supplies from miniatureworld.com (I live in Cornwall, U.K.). My first purchase from this company was a tray of toffee apples!
Lately, I’ve become fascinated by Lundby houses & furniture. Lundby is a Swedish company and the the figures are fully possible.
I’m so glad for the internet because it’s great to read the vast amount of doll house blogs.
Mimi says
Kelle, I’m a long time sometimes-reader and never-poster, but I had to drop a note to tell you I laughed out loud all the way through this! I’m not a crafter, maker, baker, or party planner, but I absolutely love how much joy this dollhouse has brought you. Thanks for sharing your passion. We all can only hope to find a hobby so fulfilling!
Jac says
literally enjoying the small things! this journey brings me so much joy.
Nichole says
This is hilarious and awesome in every way! You rock, Kelle!!
Vladia says
OMG, is that a tiny picture of Nella hanging on the tiny wall? Your attention to detail is absolutely amazing. Love it!
Beth S says
I think this is your Best Blog Entry Ever.
I’m now thinking about digging out my old dollhouse stuff at my folks’ house to “renovate” for my 25 year old daughter?!?
Thank you for this.
And definitely, we all need More Pictures Please.
Eleanor says
My grandmother contracted polio when her kids were young, and spent the rest of her life in a wheelchair. She had to give up so many things she loved, but instead got very, very good at things she could do with her hands while seated. She cooked and baked, played bridge, read mysteries, smoked a lot of cigarettes, sewed beautiful heirloom quality clothes, and created the most amazing dollhouse. We weren’t allowed to play with it as kids, but I was fascinated by it. I sew professionally now (and still love miniatures), and I am so glad to have had her example to follow. Creating is important, for me and for my kids, and I never want to forget that.
Also, pro tip from my Maw Maw: when your dollhouse is complete, you buy smaller glass display cases and create any room you want and then the dollhouse goes on forever. ?
Yvonne says
If you ever come to Kentucky, there is a Dollhouse Museum in Danville. The tall and small sets will both enjoy it and they have a gift shop full of wonderful things for your own dollhouse!
Johnna Formaro says
You have officially become a “miniature enthusiast” and yes this is a real thing
jesseybell says
I love your world of dollhousing. My dad built me a dollhouse for Christmas in 1975, back when I was 5. He told me it was a fishing rack when I saw something in the basement. It wasn’t a fancy dollhouse but it was huge. Probably 3’x3′ – It had 3 stories (kitchen, dining room, living room, then 2 bedrooms and a bath, then a 3rd bedroom and a large playroom/bedroom).
My mom did a lot of the stuff you did – she knitted, she crocheted, we (really she) made stuff out of flour and water.
As I got older, wallpaper was added, flooring, baseboard, banisters and spidals, crown molding and window casings . The starter rooms of furniture were replaced with much more upscale pieces and beautiful accessories. Annual trips to NYC were not complete without a trip to the dollhouse store.
And then there was electricity! He installed small bulbs in the ceilings of each floor with a control switch (external to the house) for each one. At first there was only lighting in the middle floor so me and my fellow 3rd graders would stay up way too late playing with it, just that floor.
I loved my dollhouse, though I’ll have to say that I was also jealous of my new 5th grade friend, whose parents were loaded, who hired a guy to construct her a dollhouse from one of those kits. What her parents didn’t realize is they had missed the window. Their 10 year old was way more interesting in bras and boys than a dollhouse. I wasn’t still playing with it in the 5th grade, dollhousing was a hobby of mine.
Unfortunately I also found that I didn’t want to spend the $ on fixing it up – he hadn’t built it to scale. It was never going to be as perfect as I had in my mind So by the time I got to the 7th grade my dollhousing days were over.
The dollhouse got moved from my room to the basement where unfortunately it started to mold. I did move it to my townhouse when I was 32 (pretty much my parents told me to move all the stuff out of their house, so I did!). But it didn’t survive the purge of 2011 (ie we were moving again). The structure was beyond repair. But all the accessories and furniture live on.
I did buy a kit when I was 28 years old….and a week later I met a boy who would become my boyfriend for 2 years and the dollhouse never got built (in that week I had started it and quickly realized I really didn’t have the skills needed to build the kit). A few years ago we were decluttering the attic and I came across the kit – by then my daughter was beyond the dollhouse age (and never had an interest in the one that we had bought her when she was 5). So the kit went bye-bye. But I do still have dreams of building another one. Someday.
Should i also mention that people did not live in my house – little dressed up mice did (I did get people when I first got their house by I wanted to be able to change their clothes so I cut them off and then had naked people).
Enjoy the life of dollhousing!
Mar says
Uhmm.. Kelly.. Have you heard about rabbits from Maileg?!?
It’s a nice new project.. I think you will absolutely LOVE it!!
https://habitatkid.typepad.com/blog/2012/02/play-rabbits-from-maileg.html
A world you didn’t no was there.. And I’m totally addicted (while my 10 year old is not interested!)
Jessica says
This is awesome! I also think it would be fun to do some famous art but with hedgehogs in it and hang it (with proper gallery lighting of course)… like the hedgehog Mona Lisa. Oh my gosh, just found out it actually did have a hedgehog in it.Time to go down another rabbit hole.
Kelle says
Omg yes!!!
Bobbie Garner says
Love you, love your family and love reading your blog, this one had me laughing. You are a beautiful writer.
Mary Shade says
One of my favorite posts ever Kelle. I saw this come up on Instagram and bookmarked it in my head to come back and read later. This is important. And reading someone who gets me is so validating and reassuring. You go do Renovation® and I can’t wait for Renovation 2®! Nella, you are one lucky little 9-year-old. Peace from Utah!!
Kelly D Henrichs says
Omg! Love this!! Cutest thing ever! You are amazing!! Cutest dollhouse I’ve ever seen!! Seriously, the beams & tiny magazines…:)
Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca) says
This totally makes me want to start dollhousing, and I don’t even have kids 🙂
Allie says
One of your most hilarious posts ever ??♥️♥️
Ann Trabbold says
Love your blog. First time I have ever commented. I love little things, always did, always will. Except diamonds of course. I think I might need to jump on this wagon.
Where did you purchase the dollhouse if you don’t mind me asking.
Thank you for sharing.
Ann
Kelle says
It’s from Amazon. There’s a link in the post for the one we have if it helps. Warning…you might never come back–ha!
Jamie says
Hi Kelle! The link to the dollhouse is broken. Any way to update or let us know what brand it is to search on our own? TIA!
Christina says
How did I miss this post until now? Ah, the memories of my own cardboard box dollhouse–with a kleenex box for an elevator.
I’v been reading, loving, c and sharing your blog for years. And I haven’t commented until last week when I added my two cents about single use plastic snacks. And then I thought that I don’t want to be that person that only ads a critical comment. It’s not reflective of how much joy–and a sense of shared humanity–your blog sparks for me. Thank you for being you and sharing you–single-use plastics and all. 🙂
Kelle says
I love that you left this comment and so insightfully shared your thought process of adding to your other comment (which was also thoughtful!). Thank you.
Kay in Cornwall, UK says
I hope I’ll be having a She-Shed for my 60th birthday this summer. Actually, it’s going to look like a summer house/cottage. I love collecting miniatures and this will be where I can home them all!! I get most of my supplies from miniatureworld.com (I live in Cornwall, U.K.). My first purchase from this company was a tray of toffee apples!
Lately, I’ve become fascinated by Lundby houses & furniture. Lundby is a Swedish company and the the figures are fully possible.
I’m so glad for the internet because it’s great to read the vast amount of doll house blogs.
Maxine Englund says
I loved reading your blog and knew exactly what you were feeling. I designed and made a French Victorian doll house for my 12 year old bonas child in 1982. It is a front opener, 12 inch scale, 30 inches wide and 40 inches high. Now I am ninety years old, in a wheelchair,and have poor shoulders and arms. I need to sell the doll house to someone who will appreciate all the detail .I live in Provo,Utah. Can you help me? Maxine Englund
Phone 801-604-4729
Maxine Englund says
I loved reading your blog and knew exactly what you were feeling. I designed and made a French Victorian doll house for my 12 year old bonas child in 1982. It is a front opener, 12 inch scale, 30 inches wide and 40 inches high. Now I am ninety years old, in a wheelchair,and can’t use my right arm. I need to sell the doll house to someone who will appreciate all the detail .I live in Provo,Utah. Can you help me? Maxine Englund
Phone 801-604-4729
dilly dally dollhouse says
This is pretty much how I started my dollhousing hobby-turned-business. Calico Critters and a dollhouse for my daughter. Not too long afterward, eight (!) dollhouses for me.
June says
I can totally relate!!! My obsession started very innocently too, and it then totally ran away with me!! It started when I renovated a dollhouse for my grandkids- which was my stepdaughter’ dollhouse.
I got into fimo food making and doll-making. Making water and bubbles… if it was a creative challenge I did it!!
Then I had ALL these supplies, paints, glues, left over wallpaper-
And I started making and selling dollhouse rooms on Etsy…
And people bought them!!! My shop is called MiniRealities and I have almost sold out all of my items!!
So what started as an obsession became a business!!
Kelle, don’t underestimate your talents!! Making miniatures is incredibly satisfying!