There’s a certain kind of magic in bringing a miniature house to life and the Crafter's Choice Wooden Dolls House from Spotlight was the perfect blank canvas for my latest DIY adventure. What started as a flat-packed kit is now well on its way to becoming a tiny, whimsical world. Here’s how I gave this little house all the charm of an 18th century French chateau!
Step 1: A Base Coat of Paint
The journey began with a trusty tin of leftover paint from a previous project. I recommend starting with a base coat to create a smooth, even surface that helps all the magic—like glue, wallpaper, and decorations—stick beautifully.
Step 2: Planning the Vision
I let my inner dreams and visions take charge and mapped out the dollhouse's rooms. Each space had its own vibe—paint colours, wallpaper designs, flooring, furniture ideas, and even soft furnishings. This planning phase was key to creating a cohesive final look. I envisioned a formal sitting room, an elegant gold grand bedroom, a charming French country-style kitchen, and of course, the ultimate craft room—my dream retirement crafting haven!
Step 3: Custom Floors and Panels
Flooring was the first big project, and who knew balsa wood and paddle pop sticks could make such charming floorboards? For a decorative touch, I added paneling to some of the walls using the same materials. The kitchen “tiles” were made from scrapbook paper adhered with ModPodge and lightly sanded for texture.
Step 4: Wallpaper Wonders
Scrapbook paper became the star of the walls. Spotlight had so many scrapbook paper books and single sheets to choose from. ModPodge was a great glue and sealer and transformed plain surfaces into rooms bursting with personality. It was so much fun mixing patterns and colours while staying true to the theme of each room. I've linked my favourite scrapbook paper here - Crafter's Choice Paper Collection
Step 5: Embellishments Galore
Air-drying clay opened up endless possibilities for decorative details. Using molds, I crafted tiny wall embellishments and gave them a coat of gold paint. For a touch of glamour, I added gold leaf, which brought an extra sparkle to the interiors.
Step 6: A Magical Exterior
The outside deserved as much love as the interiors! I added panelling and more decorative clay embellishments to give the facade character. Faux greenery became a dainty vine, climbing its way up the side and back of the house. For the roof, balsa wood once again came to the rescue, creating traditional shingles that tied everything together. I used my Cricut to cut Iron on Vinyl and my Mini Press to add to gingham fabric. This served as the fabric awning of the craft room window.
What’s Next?
This dollhouse transformation is far from over! In Part 2, I’ll dive into miniature furniture—think tiny sofa chairs, dining table, and maybe even a bed cornice and sheer! I can’t wait to fill this house with pieces that make it feel lived-in and loved.
Stay tuned for the next step in this tiny DIY journey. Until then, happy crafting! 🌟
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