My Collection


I've been asked many times: how many houses do you have in your collection?

I usually stumble, mainly because I have not compiled them in one post to date. It seems like such a simple thing, considering this hobby entails some level of attention to detail, but...

The Shopping Sherpa compiled all of her houses into a resource page a few years ago when she was preparing for an exhibit of her houses, and this has inspired me to do the same. I often go an drool over her houses and it's nice that they are all accessible for quick viewing!

I decided to create this post and I can add to it when new things enter in my collection. I will put a link on the sidebar of my blog too so that it can be accessed by the curious.

Hope you enjoy my little tour...

Here are my dollhouses in rough order of acquisition, beginning in 2008. I included the year of production--or the closest approximation--for each structure, and I have hyperlinked to the first post on the house. I also note if the house is made from a kit or was a scratch build from plans; if there is no notation, then the house was built by the manufacturer or required assembly.

Please note that I have grouped room boxes, fold away/pop up houses, and vintage school rooms together in one category after the collection listing.

Call of the Small Collection

1. Villa Sibi, 2004


2. Lolly's Citadel, 1980s (kit)












3. Sylvanian by TOMY, early 1980s









4. Lundby Stockholm, 2005









5. Kaleidoscope House, 2001











6. VERO, early 1970s









7. Large VERO, 1966










8. BRIO, 1966









9. A-Frame by Whitman, 1978 (kit)












10. "L" Ranch by Marx, 1953






11. Smaller Home and Garden by TOMY, 1980









12. Bungalow by Haefner & Krullmann, early 1960s







13. BRIO Chalet, 1963 SOLD in October 2014









13. Betsy McCall House, 1950s (build)






14. Highland by Artply, 1980s (kit)








15. House by Moritz Gottschalk, early 1960s







16. Contemporary Dollhouse by Doll Domiciles (under construction), 1970s/80s (build)









17. Bodensee by Bodo Hennig, 1981



18. Seeblick (Sea View) by VERO, 1960s


Room Boxes, Fold Away/Pop Up Houses, Smaller Scale Houses, and Vintage School Houses

IKEA Room Box, 2010











German School Room, 1960s  SOLD in January 2015









Fold Away Dollhouse, 1949



Instant Dollhouse by Winthrop, 1960s












Crate & Barrel Room Box, 2010












Fish Condo by UMBRA, 2010



Lil' House Wonderfull, 1981









Plasticville Structures, 1950s









Room Box by AG Minis, 2000










School Room by Bodo Hennig for F.A.O Schwarz, early 1960s









Tissue Boxes by Crate & Barrel, 2011












Room-in-Miniature Room Box and Furniture by Miner Industries, early 1960s



Cadet Room Box, 2011









Neville House by CB2, 2011












Rad Pad, 2011









Epoch Play House, 1973








Lekman Box by IKEA, 2000s (?)










Jennys Home, 1965









Ben Holiday House by CB2, 2012












Vinyl Modern House by Ideal, 1970


Blue Box House, 1980










Loft to Love, 2015












Anyone have their own mini resource page for their collection?

Dollyhome Furniture by Child Life Toys

Here's a little piece of 1950s dollhouse history to share! It is always great to find vintage pieces in their original boxes, with directions or other literature. You step back in time and get a feel for what it might have been like to open them new. You also get a window on information that might be lacking (for yourself or others), and may even solve a mini mystery!

As I was writing this post, I reminisced on some of my favorite "original box" moments:
Rooms-in-Miniature by Miner Industries

Keystone Village Houses

Instant Doll House by Winthrop Toys
Sigh...!

My latest "original box" moment was this set of Dollyhome furniture by Child Life Toys, which I purchased recently on eBay.




The set is in very good condition and came in its original box with directions and a promotional mailer.




The furniture was made in 1957, specifically to be used with the Dollyhome contemporary ranch, which I actually used to have in my collection:



It was a lovely house, made of cedar and quite sturdy. But, the scale was large and it opened only from above, so I decided to sell it. It was a bear to ship, and I probably lost money on it. Oh well.

But, when I saw the furniture, I was intrigued and bought it even though I knew the scale would be large. I believe it to be closest to 1:6, but after looking through the set, I probably could get away with using a few of the pieces in 1:10 or even 1:12.

Curious what I found in the box? Here's a little visual journey...








One piece is a mystery; and two pieces broke off. The squares on the bed are supports that get glued on the inside top and bottom of the bed frame to hold  up the main bed piece.

Everything looks to be there for the couch, side chair, and four dining chairs

The dresser might work in 1:12
All the pieces are made of heavy duty fiberboard covered in a wood veneer. The couch and side chair are painted with a retro dotted pattern, whereas the dining chairs are salmon colored. The pieces are constructed by sliding the grooved sides together and securing them with glue. I was able to put the chair together by just sliding the pieces together, but the larger couch and side chair need their arms/legs glued. I am not sure when I will get to assembling them; I might do the coffee table and the other dining chairs first.

Hope you enjoyed this mini time travel trip! Let me know if you have any Dollyhome pieces, and I'd love to hear about some of your favorite "original box" moments!

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