12.29.2009

The Dollhouse...





So I figure I owe you a few "after" shots of the dollhouse renovation, no?

Actually it was Santa's renovation -- some backstory....

A couple of Christmases ago, Audrey got an unfinished wood dollhouse for Christmas that she adored and then, well, completely lost interest in. Of late, the dollhouse became pretty much a repository for pencil graffiti and doctor's office stickers. It was in a sad state.

Cut to a few months ago when Audrey and I were running errands, and I had to literally drag her out of a kid's store, as she was completely enchanted with a groovy, modern dollhouse...going on and on about how she wished her dollhouse was as pretty as that one.

Of course I took that opportunity to remind her why her dollhouse was in complete disarray, but then I went on to make (what I thought at the time) was the most brilliant move in my parenting career (but would later realize {when I was spewing four letter words at an innocent little can of wallpaper paste with abandon} was actually the most foolish.) I suggested we box up the dollhouse, send it to the North Pole and ask Santa to renovate it for Christmas.

Let's just say it was not an easy task...even for a pro like Santa, but the looks of pure joy on the girlies faces Christmas morning made it all worth it. For sure.

31 comments:

amy williams said...

LOVE LOVE LOVE...So impressed with Santa.
And I might add, love that you came up with such a brilliant idea..one that you will remember, and the girls will treasure forever.
Happy Holidays :)

mb said...

My goodness, Santa did a rockin good job on the girl's doll house. He is one amazing fellow, right? His color palette is so modern and fresh, who knew. Perhaps he was a fan of Domino?

Love the photos and the fabulous effort.
Thanks for sharing.

Samantha said...

Love it! We have the exact same dollhouse stuff, and yours is groovier by a mile.

Heidi Lyn said...

Gorgeous re-vamp! Way to use what you already had to make your girls so excited.

Sarah Bradley said...

Looks wonderful! I adore what a little elbow grease can accomplish!

Polly Rowan said...

Ahhh so lovely! It's gorgeous. I want a dolls house... I'm 18, is that wrong!?
xxx

Elizabeth H. said...

Love it so much! I kind of want to move in.

Unknown said...

Oh my word~!!!! How incredibly charming!!!

Heidi said...

We love modern dollhouses here too. Go Santa!

Katherine Lee said...

wow, santa's been busy! i have to say, even though i'm grown up (kind of...) i still love dollhouses!

xo katherine aka. urban flea :)
http://www.urbanfleadesign.net

Engracia said...

Fabulous renovation, if I were a little girl , would absolutely LOVE this funky dollhouse. Well done to Santa.
Cheers
Engracia

nicole said...

what a fantastic job santa did!

Good + Happy Day said...

This is wonderful, Joslyn! Your girls have the most adorable and hip dollhouse ever! It just so happens we have a similar dollhouse story. We've mounted it on a table and wired it with lights to get the girls more interested in it, but I bet something like this would really get them excited! Are your dollhouse remodeling services available for a fee? : )

Rose said...

wow. wow. wow. go santa!

_ffyona said...

This is utterly adorable!

Anonymous said...

See I KNEW that Santa rocks!

Shinwha said...

That is awesome!

Alison Kinsey said...

What a sweet and modern dollhouse! I love it! That is so thoughtful you put all that work into it... :) Have a Happy New Year and I'd love it if you checked out my blog as well, I'm new to it! xo Kinsey

Kinsey Michaels: The Blog

Taylor said...

so adorable! i had this amazing dollhouse when i was little...my grandmother had crocheted (sp?) all the bedding and tiny table cloths and knitted little rugs...we had life size tablecloths that she had made too. i know your girls will never forget this:)

Our Green Nest said...

AWESOME!!!! It looks beautiful!!! I can't wait to modernize my childhood dollhouse that my Grandpa made someday for Lovebug! TU for the inspiration!

rikshaw design said...

that doll house has such chic style!
adorable!

Unknown said...

The best dollhouse ever! What a great idea...

kate said...

I am in love with the wall paper you chose! Great job, I am sure it will hold many wonderful memories for them!

Kate

velvetcupcakeskvf.blogspot.com

Stephanie said...

Now this is something to be incredibly proud of! Amazing.

p.s. I'm ready to run off to New Orleans after seeing those fun images. Looks like a place I'd like to visit.

p.p.s. can't wait to see you at Alt!

Estelle Hayes said...

I've been meaning to leave a comment here. The dollhouse is amazing. Such beautiful use of color. I'm totally inspired to make one for my daughter in a couple of years. Although, the wallpaper process sounds challenging. You did a fantastic job. Hope it becomes a family heirloom.

Kim in the Cove said...

Joslyn, you're a genius!

Joslyn said...

oooh thanks for the kind words ladies!

stephanie -- can't wait to meet you in person.

adriennep said...

Love! Truly gorgeous. We have the same furniture etc. in our dollhouse, and I've often thought it was in need of some color, I've just never committed. Can you tell me, did you use interior latex paint with gloss? Or acrylic craft paint and sprayed with a sealer? I'm actually getting serious about it over here, but I'd love to know what already worked so beautifully for you!

samia said...

Awww this is the cutest the most girlie thing ever!!

Joslyn said...

Adrienne --
We used rust-oleum painters touch spray paint and then we sealed it with minwax polycrylic (clear semi-gloss.)

Have fun!

rebecca said...

We're decorating a Dad-made dollhouse & I'd love to know where you found the furniture. You did a fabulous job with your girls' dollhouse!