Crafts Hobbies

Photo Art  by David Squire

So you have tons of pictures in your closet or under your coffee table that you hardly look at anymore. Let's display them and remind ourselves of vacations, a family get-together, friends or family birthdays, or beautiful scenery that you wanted to capture.
Maybe you’ve put together a photo album or have a handful of frames throughout the house. Maybe you have an online photo gallery for all your friends and family to see. All are great ideas, but what about creating a collage.

Accessorizing with Fabrics

Dollhouses contain an enormous potential for miniaturists and hobbyists alike. It is absolutely wonderful to be able to craft and design even the minute details of a doll's house. Fabrics and cloth is one awesome example as you can coordinate colors and have your favorites stand out. If you are looking for an example, or maybe a good starting point then I would recommend the bedroom. Just think of all the fabrics that you use in your own bedroom - Sheets, curtains, blankets, etc.

Adding a Mood

Great designers know that in order to have a good layout and design you need to strive for the appropriate mood. Each room has a mood, meaning that there are some underlying purposes for which you would have that room. A great example is a play room where the sole purpose of the room is to have fun and enjoy oneself. A bedroom would have a personal setting to illustrate the mood of that individual and help them feel comfortable. Those dollhouses that are awe inspiring tap into the settings and mood of each room to design it.

An Addition that can make a Big Difference

As you are building and tweaking your dollhouse you will discover some great time saving secrets. In my last dollhouse building adventure I came across something that I know helped out my interior look tremendously. I simply created a floor board to use for the trim around the floor of the dollhouse. Floor Trim is not a new creation, but what I found is instead of buying it, to use a very thin balsa wood found in most craft stores. I applied this balsa wood to the floor of each of my walls to form a great outline along the bottom.

The secret touch of a great Dollhouse: Lights

Lighting and dollhouses is a little like magic at Christmas time, it adds a tremendous awe factor, but you have to be at the right point to get started. Adding Lights removes your miniature set from being just another toy to a display item that will sit no longer in the toy box, but on the living room mantel. It is really a lot of fun to light your dollhouse and at the same time a challenge to learn new things. In all reality, would we enjoy it if it wasn't a challenge?

Look Down: The Floor in your Kit

There is one design item that is looked over more than anything else is flooring. Undoubtedly Flooring is the foundation of your dollhouse, and as such is the foundation for all of your design choices. Not only that, it adds a very distinct touch that will take your dollhouse and move it to the next level. Carpet, linoleum, tile, stone, and hard wood are the most popular choices in flooring options. Carpet is a really fun choice, because it makes the kit seem like a miniature version of your house.

An Addition that can make a Big Difference

As you are building and tweaking your dollhouse you will discover some great time saving secrets. There are some great things that you can add to your house, and I just simply came across one that helped out a lot. This big discovery was floor trim. You can buy many types of dollhouse trim through stores but what I found to be the cheapest and easiest is purchasing a long thin flat piece of balsa wood. I applied this balsa wood to the floor of each of my walls to form a great outline along the bottom.

Dollhouse Interior Plan Preparation

Every great designer knows to start with a plan. A plan of action is crucial because it will keep you on a track leading to success. The essentials that you will want to have to start are a floor plan and a budget. A floor plan will consist of measurements, color, furniture pieces, and a good rough outline of the room. In order to help you look for some room examples to start on the internet and in local stores. Simply take note of a great room that you saw at a friend's house and make notes on what you liked and what you didn't.

Designing the Outside of Your Dollhouse Kit

Once you have completed your inside design, it is time to look again at the exterior design and some ways to make it look better. You will want to focus on the most eye attracting points first: The paint and the shingles. Three coats of high quality paint, recommended for dollhouses, is the minimum for dollhouse display. Make sure that you draw lines prior to applying shingles to preserve a straight look, most instruction booklets will provide the required measurements.

Dollhouse and the Appropriate Mood

Great designers know that in order to have a good layout and design you need to strive for the appropriate mood. The mood of the room is chosen by the expectations of those that do, or plan to use it. One example of a mood is the dining room should be a place of meeting, where people can relax and talk to one another. Another example would be a bedroom, which is more personal, intimate, and is directly affected by the personality of the resident. Those dollhouses that are awe inspiring tap into the settings and mood of each room to design it.