The Toy House

How it started is a long story:

Once upon a time, I drew an idea for a small dollhouse. It was two story, with a toy shop on the ground floor. That was as far as I got. 

Wind forward 20+ year... I re-discovered the few minis I had collected in a box (Pandora's perhaps?) in the shed during a clean-up.

I just had to make that shop. I looked for kits. I only found a few that could be bashed to suit what I wanted, but it would cost me a small fortune to have them posted to Australia.. besides how hard could it be to just build a little house?

I wanted a little old house, like those you find in every older Danish town (one thing I really enjoy when I am back visiting is wandering the old narrow streets) and rummaged around online (as you do) for ideas and how-to's and found two things that really got it started. 

First, there used to be a large Toy shop in Copenhagen called Legetøjs Huset (The Toy House). I love the name - How appropiate is a name like The Toy House for a doll house toy shop?  

Secondly, the idea for the shop itself.

I looked at endless pictures of new and old shops (oh Pinterest, you are a wonderful rabbit hole) - it was almost confusing, there were so many wonderful things to look at. When I finally came accross this wonderful antique German play shop, I knew exactly how my shop should be. 

I love the colour-scheme, the curved decorative tops of the shelving, the mirrors on the ends, the cheerful blue/white wall paper.. This is not for a toyshop, too many drawers, but the concept is perfect. 

This is my version:

I build a foam-core room box to the right measurements so that I could start making the shelving. The counter, shelves and cupboards are all made from card stock. I have added some scale wooden moldings and turnings for the trims, but for the most part it is just card. The tall sections at the centre of the shelving units have mirrors at the back - I hope it will show off the pieces that will go on display on those shelves.

I am building the house itself as three separate room boxes, stacked on top of one another. The shop floor is finished. The back lit door at the back of the shop is almost my favorite part. 

I made the door from card as well - It is hard to see in the picture but I smeared glue all over a piece of acetate to simulate cathedral glass. 

The wall paper is a free download 'Twenties011' from Jennifers Printables - resized a bit to be more like the one in my inspiration picture. 

The floor is just wide pop-sticks, painted, sanded, painted, sanded, stained, sanded ... and more sanded. I wanted the floor to look well worn and think I got there in the end. 

So far, so good.. I think.