DIY Simple Cardboard Doll House

Tuesday, May 21, 2019

No comments

I've been dreaming of owning one of these Magnolia dollhouses since I saw them last year. I love the simplicity, the clean lines, and the fact that it looks like when my kid decides to sit on it (because he will) it won't break. But, while reasonably priced for a dollhouse, I can't bring myself to buy one for our family. Without knowing if he would be interested in playing with a house without an attached garage, and, let's be honest, knowing that it would be more for myself, I just couldn't click the "add to cart" button. But make one? That I can do.





Supplies: 
cardboard
duct tape
paint
box cutter
scissors
hot glue gun (optional)

1. Cut off one side of the box and tape it to the bottom to give your house a sturdy base. I taped the bottom flaps of the remaining sides to the underside of the base.

2. Cut the two side flaps at an angle to support the roof. I marked off one using a straight edge, then cut it. I used the first cut off triangle as a template for the remaining 3 edges.

3. Create your roof. I used two pizza boxes taped together, leaving a quarter of an inch between the two edges to make folding easier, and also to act as a hinge so the roof could be folded.

4. Tape the roof to the angles you cut, tape it over the remaining long flap. Secure the roof by taping it to the flap underneath it.

5. Plan out where you want your windows and doors to be. Use a pattern to draw them on, then a box cutter to cut out where the glass panes would be. I modeled the shape of my windows off of the Magnolia house, with a larger lower pane then details on the top half. If you are going to cut the windows in your door, be sure to cut out the window before making the cuts for the door (three cuts, leaving one long side attached to the house).



6. It's time to paint! I painted the walls and ceiling with a flat white coat. You can add interest easily to the roof just by playing with the texture, which works best with a high gloss paint. I knew I wanted my roof to look metal, but I played around with making shingles by repeating a half circle pattern, starting from the bottom. Once the white paint was dry, I painted the door, windows, and trim black to make them stand out. The floor was created with a very light brown and white, which I would dip my brush into without mixing the two colors together, giving the floor a wood grain effect. The last step was to paint the "lawn" green.

7. To give the windows more definition and to add a touch more detail to the house I made window and doorframes which I painted the same color and then hot glued on. Totally not necessary, but I do think that extra step adds some charm.



And there you have it, my mother's day present to myself, a simple farmhouse.


Or, if you're my son, a super cool garage.



Read More

Ten Things

Thursday, May 16, 2019

No comments



This apartment feature of the home of  Naomi Kahn on Man Repeller has me swooning. Can we just talk about that "we're all mad" neon light? As if I needed another reason to want one!

This felt children's book made by Elsie on A Beautiful Mess is so freaking creative. The tutorial looks pretty simple, too. We are currently letting the Monster's hair grow, so maybe I'll make like a ... glam metal, elf boy, Viking version of it. 

Charleston, SC is on my list of places to visit. With some of my favorite artists calling the town home, I knew the art scene there has to be so amazing. My thoughts gathered further proof when I found this tour of a gorgeous coffee shop attached to the Gibbes Museum of Art. I want to leave, like, now.

I'm vowing now, the moment we move into a house big enough to house it, I'm getting a Nugget Comfort set. My child already bounces off every piece of furniture we have in the house. I might as well buy some pieces specifically for that purpose.

This balloon chandelier by Oh Happy Day has basically set the whole tone for my birthday daydreams this year. 

Read More
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...
Copyright © Hello, Wild Things. Blog Design by SkyandStars.co