My dad made me a dollhouse in the '70's. It was not like the Barbie townhouse that my friends had. But, I did find the elevator from the townhouse at a garage sale & used it in sort of in a Charlie & the Chocolate Factory way (just pulled through the air). This thing was huge and housed my Sunshine Family dolls with style. Over the years Barbie & Ken moved in, about the same time I added the elevator, wallpaper, and mini unicorn & rainbow posters. My dad is not really a carpenter and he and a friend made it in a weekend using a little article that my mom had found in "Sunset Magazine", as inspiration. Needless to say, I had many good years playing with it- and I loved that my dad made it just for me. However, the 80's (the teenage years) came and it was then put in my parent's basement and forgotten about.
When my parent's moved 5 years ago, I was faced with what to do with my beloved house. It isn't small or lightweight by any means, but I didn't want to give it away. So we stored it in our basement. When Sayer was on the way, Chris started building an office space in our basement so that the room upstairs, that was currently our office, could become Sayer's nursery. He stumbled on my dollhouse and came up with a brilliant plan. He started a mini house "reno" to make it a little less '70's and something that Sayer could use and enjoy. He extended the balcony to make it long enough for a changing table, took the shag carpet out, painted, scraped wallpaper off, added wood, and added a mirror so that Sayer could make faces at himself while he was being changed.
The finished product turned out better than I could have imagined. I love watching Sayer using it. Now a yellow,wood bus sits in the same garage that my purple, plastic, Barbie Corvette sat and I think that is so cool. Do you have anything from your childhood that you transformed into something different for you child?
I love this! What cool history to pass on to Sayer. You guys rock.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great story. I only wish I had kept some of the items we did have as kids. I love the lift you both brought to this piece, it looks modern, sleek and am sure Sayer will enjoy in his room for years to come and who knows, it might end up in his child's room one day.
ReplyDeleteThis is SOOOOOO cool!!! I love it. Such a clever idea!!
ReplyDeleteI had a home made 70s dollhouse too—and it was also lacking in stairs. It never bugged me but once when my girl frendos came over in 6th grade they totally made fun of me. I remember them making the dolls stand on each others shoulders to get to each floor.
That picture of you is also totally adorable!!!!!
oh my goodness, that is SO cool. love the orange inside. we are actually about to repurpose a large dresser in our basement into a toy shelf by removing the bottom drawers and painting the inside with orange paint! i hope to get it done soon :) i love sayer's room, it is adorable.
ReplyDeleteThat is so INCREDIBLY FREAKIN'FRACKIN' cool!! I want it. lol. Wow, so cool. I am definately NOT showing this photo to my kid. I only wish I'd have had a doll house like this. My parents were 'old' when they had my sister and I and toys were definitely not on their priority list of things to buy. I do remember a few things like those collapsible toys (had the horse), the turnaround moo-ing can, Marie Osmond doll and my Bionic Woman doll complete with computer & chair. haha! The only thing I've kept from those days is a small teddy bear my dad brought home for me when I was about 8. I've kept him all these years and he's hidden away. One day, I'll give him to my girl. This is so awesomely cool, thx for sharing it with us!
ReplyDeleteWoW! Beautiful! Such an AWESOME story. This is quite the heirloom & someday Sayer will proudly share this with his family someday.
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