What do you do when your almost 4yr old begs for a dollhouse just like her sister’s, but you had no intention of building one for another year? Renovate one of course! I picked up a cheap dollhouse from a lady that had collected them over the years and decided to give it a bit of a Reno and add the #belleabode touch.
The house isn’t the quality of the houses that I normally sell, but I figured it’s a temporary option until I upgrade it next year. She had requested a pink house and I scored! The house was already pink and the paint was undamaged so that saved me a job. The interior was a little bit sad. The floors were light and had some stains so I quickly got to work and sanded then stained them dark, to replicate our home. This was the before shot of everything I had to work with.
Before shot of bathroom Before shot of kitchen and lounge
Next, I painted some of the walls to freshen it up and get rid of all the pink wallpaper. Being in lockdown, my options were limited and deliveries weren’t an option given I had exactly 5 days to complete it as the 6th day was the actual birthday. I decided to keep the bright pink couch and most of the furniture the lady gave me and gave them a glow up. Luckily, I found a kitchen and bathroom that happened to arrive in time and that left the rest up to me. I very quickly turned into a sewing/making mum and literally ran to Spotlight the minute lockdown was lifted. I had a colour pallete in mind and purchased fabric to start making.
I went for a classic neutral theme and upholstered the couch and designed and printed all my own prints. I hand crafted all of the plants and sewed the tedious fabric to make floor rugs. I did it all! Don’t ask me how, I just knew I couldn’t let her down.
I sprayed all of the furniture and used some broken pieces to turn them into other things like the Ottoman and swing. I really had to get creative here otherwise we’d have an empty house. Next I re-covered the mattresses and hand sewed new bedding. Made a cute canopy and then got stuck on the nursery.
I kept the nursery simple and even made a nappy station with teeny tiny nappies using an actual nappy hahaha! They’re so cute!
I’m very proud to say I finished the morning of the 5th day. Record time and no detail was spared. She had a house with everything she wished for and I knew she would be the happiest little girl. And I was right. She was so excited when we gave it to her, almost in shock and disbelief that her wish came true. I’m not exaggerating when I say she asked for it atleast 15 times a day for the week leading up to her birthday. It’s a bit of a different reaction to her sister’s hahaha who remembers that? If you’re new here, check out my other blog “Honey, I shrunk the house” to see.
Hope you loved my little Reno as much as I loved making it xx
