An easy tutorial for how to hand-paint an old wooden dollhouse and turn it into a unique and beautiful DIY gift. Affiliate links in post.
My friends, allow me to level with you here: this dollhouse is my secret shame. Okay, shame is a bit harsh – it’s my biggest disappointment, maybe? Two of our friends are pregnant with their first child (super exciting!) so I wanted to make them something special as a gift.
If you followed my old blog, you may remember that I converted a wooden dollhouse into an advent calendar for Christmas . . . without really considering what I was going to do with said dollhouse afterward.
So, when I found out that our friends were having a little girl, a fun way to upcycle the dollhouse popped into my head!
Table Of Contents
The Concept
One: I obviously wanted the dollhouse to be pretty. It’s quite large, so I didn’t want it to be a massive eyesore in their home. However, I also wanted to create something imaginative.
What I settled on was Sienna’s street. Each of the dollhouse rooms is a different shop – and the loft room can work as a home. I remember as a child loving to create my own little “businesses” and having my toys run restaurants – so I thought this could be a fun idea!
One of the shop windows is left blank; my friend had the idea that one day Sienna could draw her own shop in and I just loved that.
The other shops were: a patisserie, a toy shop and (of course) a plant store! Is the plant store my favourite? Of course it is.
What You Need To Recreate This
- A flat wooden dollhouse
- Paint pens in assorted colours
- Base colour paint (either spray paint or wall-paint samples works great for this)
- Twine
- Tassels
- Cardboard
If you’re a serial crafter like I am, you’ll probably have the majority of these materials already!
How I Made It:
Alas, as I said at beginning of the post, this is not a craft I’m entirely happy with.
Due to my rather sudden move to Canada, I didn’t have time to finish anything other than the front of the dollhouse. While I love how that turned out, I would’ve loved to finish all the rooms – and maybe even tried DIY paper furniture. Oh well! It’s the thought that counts.
Anyways, as half complete as this DIY dollhouse is, I still think it made an adorable gift. Whether you have children of your own, or you want to make this for a friend/family member’s kid, I definitely recommend giving it a try.
Enjoying this post? You’ll love these!
With that, my friends, we shall end at the end! I hope you enjoyed this post – would you ever attempt something like this yourself one day? Do you prefer a traditional dollhouse idea or would you create a little street too? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
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Aw that’s so sweet you made your friends’ daughter a dollhouse! Even though you were only able to finish the front, it looks amazing!
Thank you so much! Hopefully Sienna enjoys it 🙂
You are so super creative! I discovered you blog just now and love what I see!
lots of love, Mirihttp://www.meetmiri.com
Thank you so much, Miri 🙂
I love this idea! It looks amazing! xx
Danielle’s Beauty Blog
Thank you so much, Danielle! xx
This looks so beautiful! You did an amazing job with it! I love all the little details!
Eileen | yesmissy.com
Thank you, Eileen 🙂
Do not be hard on yourself about how this turned out!! It still looks great, and it’s such a sweet and thoughtful gift, I’m sure she’ll love it. And the idea of leaving a section for her to do herself was amazing too x
Thank you so much, Sophie! xx
You are far more creative than I am, girlfriend! I think this looks amazing and it’s truly such a thoughtful gift!
Wearing a bright plaid car coat in my new post and would love your thoughts!
-Ashley
Thank you so much for reading, Ashley – it was so fun to create! Excited to see this coat 🙂
I love it! It’s so pretty and lovely, reminds me of Paris!
Marie
https://theflowerduet.blogspot.com/
Thank you, Marie! 🙂
WOW, this is so cool I love it!! So whimsical and charming. Just darling, “What you need to recreate this” YOUR TALENT lol. Is this your cat? I had a cat similar to this but had to give them away as I am selling my moms house and moving to an apartment that does not allow cats. Spoke to my friend who is vet and it was one of her clients that took the cats but they are still hiding under the bed : 0 and it has been 6 weeks.
Allie of
http://www.allienyc.com
It’s so pretty and lovely
This is such a lovely DIY idea. This dolls house looks so pretty. Thank you for sharing how you can make this!
Lauren – bournemouthgirl
This is absolutely gorgeous, friend! Love all of the details on this dollhouse!
Make Life Marvelous
Thank you so much, Ashley! 🙂
I mean, this is just so perfect Mia! It looks amazing, and I love the addition of a patisserie and plant shop!
This is such a cute and creative idea! I’m sure Sienna will love it! (Also your cat is gorgeous!) x
This is a cute idea! xx
Zoey | http://www.zoeyolivia.com
This is so cute! Love it
http://www.claresloves.com/
Thank you, Clare!
You are so creative! Such a sweet dollhouse idea!
Jill – Doused in Pink