Restoring a Greenleaf "The Arthur" - buy one for parts?

[Mr_Chris]

My wife has had a Greenleaf "The Arthur" in her closet for years that came from her mother's side of the family. I'm working on restoring it from the parts she has but it's missing all of the front porch as well as many of the windows. I found a very cheap "The Coventry Cottage" kit on ebay for parts (it's missing some of the pieces) which has been useful for shingles, trim and some of the other small missing pieces but it won't help with the major missing parts. Does anyone know of someone with an "Arthur" kit that's missing some pieces but they'd be willing to sell for parts? Or possibly someone that might want to trade for the "Coventry Cottage" kit that I have (I can send pictures of what's remaining? I'd rather not buy a brand new kit just to use a fraction of the parts so hopefully can find someone with one mostly intact with the key pieces I'm looking for.

Thanks!

[L Swearengin]

Call Greenleaf they will provide the missing sheets with the parts.  It's easier if you have the instructions with the schematics sheets.  They have helped me on 2 builds.  Customer service is the best.

[fov]

You can contact Greenleaf for replacement sheets: http://www.greenleafdollhouses.com/about-us/greenleaf_dollhouse.html

Another option is to bash the house using plywood or foam core. You could leave off the front porch, replace the windows with Houseworks windows, etc.

 

[Mr_Chris]

2 minutes ago, L Swearengin said:

Call Greenleaf they will provide the missing sheets with the parts.  It's easier if you have the instructions with the schematics sheets.  They have helped me on 2 builds.  Customer service is the best.

Thank You! Unfortunately I don't have the instructions - are those available online?

Nevermind - found them. Thank you!

Edited November 14, 2016 by Mr_Chris

[Mr_Chris]

1 minute ago, fov said:

You can contact Greenleaf for replacement sheets: http://www.greenleafdollhouses.com/about-us/greenleaf_dollhouse.html

Another option is to bash the house using plywood or foam core. You could leave off the front porch, replace the windows with Houseworks windows, etc.

 

Excellent - thanks! I'm assuming by "bash the house" you mean support it underneath? That was my concern since it's missing the porch and the piece on the back that would add stability. I was thinking of custom cutting pieces of balsa to fit there but would want to add some stability as well.

[L Swearengin]

I am trying to attach photo of the schematics.  Not working.  Will try in message

[Sable]

Bash means repurposing  the original plans and/or components, moving walls, replacing Windows.

Use basswood not balsa.

[havanaholly]

I acquired a Laurel that had been built with hot glue and was literally falling apart that was missing its porch and had the exterior doors glued into place, no interior doors.  I bashed it as I rebuilt it, adding a second interior wall for the bathroom and making a hall on the second floor, new working doors and some windows, and adding a bedroom closet:  http://www.greenleafdollhouses.com/forum/?app=gallery&module=gallery&controller=browse&album=1103, as well as replacing the porch.

[KathieB]

4 hours ago, Mr_Chris said:

 I'm assuming by "bash the house" you mean support it underneath? That was my concern since it's missing the porch and the piece on the back that would add stability. I was thinking of custom cutting pieces of balsa to fit there but would want to add some stability as well.

Bashing means significantly changing the architecture/structure of the original kit. Leaving a porch off  would be a bash. Moving walls, adding or removing doors and windows would be another bash. As mentioned above, don't use balsa as a structural component. It is soft, not sturdy enough. For increased stability, you might consider gluing pieces of 1x2 under the house. 

Unless you're determined to complete the kit per the instructions, this could be a great opportunity to use some imagination and make it your own.  

[H-Ann]

On 11/14/2016, 3:53:55, KathieB said:

 

Unless you're determined to complete the kit per the instructions, this could be a great opportunity to use some imagination and make it your own.  

I appreciate your advice! I was just saying I was gutting out my dollhouse, with my renovation project. It's completely bare right now. It started like a scab. I picked off one edge and soon enough the entire thing was ripped off. Sorry for the gross analogy. At first, I had a minor panic attack? Because I obviously could've done things to save time with the renovation process, but with your words of advice, I can take this to my advantage and really be creative with rebuilding. My remodeling project is a Garfield, so as you know, there are many many tight corners, that I can now make a little more accessible.