Opening The Pierce From the Front?

[13thpixie]

Hi

I have completed the 'dry-fit' of my first Doll's House- The Greenleaf Pierce, which was quite straightforward- I have decided not to include the stairs (any stairs, apart from the loft ladder). I have now  'deconstructed' the house & am now ready to start decorating, before piecing back together !

I live in Southern England, UK - I understand that traditionally, American Doll Houses are open at the back, not opening from the front- I was deliberating if I should make some alterations to my house, in order for it to open from the front & 'board' the back...has anyone tried/done this?

Thanks

Heather

 

 

[KathieB]

 This could be pretty tricky with its ell-shape and porch that wraps around the corner. Are you considering making the living room side or the kitchen side the opening side?

[13thpixie]

53 minutes ago, KathieB said:

 This could be pretty tricky with its ell-shape and porch that wraps around the corner. Are you considering making the living room side or the kitchen side the opening side?

Hi Kathie

I was thinking of both sides actually, I realise that I would have to strengthen the post on the R/H side... I was also deliberating on whether to lose the porch on both sides... the other complication is that I would have to remove the bay floor sections for the Tower side & add them to the part opening out & of course, remove all the bottom tabs & fill the slots.... you know, on 2nd thoughts, I think it's going to be complicated enough without basically re-designing the whole house!, it just seems odd that to see what's inside, you have to turn the whole thing around!

What do people use to display completed houses which open from the back, are there big turntables available or is it a case of placing on a table of some sort, which can be viewed from all sides, or I guess on wheels/castors?

Any ideas/advise appreciated!

Thanks

Heather

[Minis On The Edge]

I was thinking the same thing Holly was. With the L shape, it's going to be difficult to do since the back wouldn't lay flush to the wall if you made it front opening. The center porch part would make it tricky too. You're creating an entirely new house if you did this. I can't wait to see what you do!  :)

[KathieB]

I agree with you on how complicated it would be. I mulled over making my Beacon Hill font opening and in the end gave up on the idea. 

As for display, I'm sure all of the methods you mentioned are in use plus some others we haven't thought about. One of my houses sits on a sideboard. It has felt glued to the bottom so it slides easily, and has to be turned manually to view the interior. (All of the furniture and accessories are glued down to prevent earthquake-like damage!) It all depends on how the display are is configured. There's not a one-size-fits-all solution.

[Deb]

1 hour ago, Minis On The Edge said:

 You're creating an entirely new house if you did this. 

I've built two Pierces and from an architectural standpoint, I'm not sure front opening would work on this one without losing some of the best features that make it a Pierce.  Considering where the load bearing points are located, it wouldn't be very stable at all. and you'd have problems with it holding up over time.   I've always displayed mine in a central area of the room so I can move around both sides, but if I had to have it up against a wall, I think I'd hang a large mirror behind it so I could enjoy seeing the front.  It's not an ideal solution but it's an option.  A lot of people use rolling microwave carts as display tables so the house can be moved out to admire and play.  

[havanaholly]

I finish the exteriors of my houses and even landscape front yards for some of them, but I set them up to play with.  Putting a mirror so the front can be seen is  good idea.  With a front-opening house, when it's open to play with/ display the interior, the front is facing off away anyway.

[dsrtdrifter]

Would it be possible to put hinges on the walls so you could open and close the front?  You would have to rebuild it to accommodate them, but it would be an option for being able to open it from the front.