WBrownIV Posted February 10, 2019 Share Posted February 10, 2019 Hello All! Well it seems I've really jumped into this hobby with both feet:) I was looking on Craigslist and came across an ad for a very large dollhouse. The description said it needed a lot of work, although the pictures only showed it from the rear. It also came with four plus boxes of "stuff". That part was what caught my attention. It was also cheap! Well yesterday I went and bought it. The first thing I noticed that this thing is BIG! More so than the pictures showed. It was also in a pretty bad state of disrepair. The folks I bought it from had it given to them by a neighbor many years ago so they no nothing about what brand it was. The foundation board is crumbling and entire corners are missing along with the porch parts. We got it into the truck along with the extras and headed home. The house was electrified although I'm not sure if it ever worked. Wires are literally exiting to the outside on top of the siding. Some had a groove carved into the floor to hide them. The staircases are in shambles and it looks to have movable walls as I found a stack of them in one of the boxes. Being new to all this, What do you use as a determination between saving and scrapping a house? I figured if I couldn't save it I would scavenge what I could from the shell and then dispose of it. As for the boxes of stuff, I inventoried everything last night. The contents ran the gamut from plants/foliage, furniture, beds, everyday items, building supplies and the lighting kit. Some of the items are brand new in their packaging, some are broken and in need of repair. I even have rugs and pictures/paintings! There are a few interesting items I will post pictures of later to see if any of you had seen them before. I would like to try to identify the house. Can you all help me? Here are some photos (I hope). Well, What do you all think? Would something like this be worth saving? It would have to go on the back burner until I get the travel trailer, sister's Glencroft and my Victorian finished. I would hate to trash it for no reason. Thank you all! Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suse53 Posted February 10, 2019 Share Posted February 10, 2019 What did you look under in Craigslist for that dollhouse? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WBrownIV Posted February 10, 2019 Author Share Posted February 10, 2019 21 minutes ago, sr82665@gmail.com said: What did you look under in Craigslist for that dollhouse? Hi Sue! I find with Craigslist you have to try a couple different ways. One being "dollhouse" with another with a space "doll house". Also try the plural "dollshouse" or "dolls house". That way you try to cover all your bases. I'm sure others have even better ways of searching. Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suse53 Posted February 10, 2019 Share Posted February 10, 2019 Thank you Bill. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WBrownIV Posted February 10, 2019 Author Share Posted February 10, 2019 17 minutes ago, sr82665@gmail.com said: Thank you Bill. You are most welcome Sue! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havanaholly Posted February 10, 2019 Share Posted February 10, 2019 I;'m getting big white boxes with gray circles instead of photos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KathieB Posted February 10, 2019 Share Posted February 10, 2019 14 minutes ago, havanaholly said: I;'m getting big white boxes with gray circles instead of photos. Me, too. No images. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WBrownIV Posted February 10, 2019 Author Share Posted February 10, 2019 34 minutes ago, havanaholly said: I;'m getting big white boxes with gray circles instead of photos. 20 minutes ago, KathieB said: Me, too. No images. That's strange. I see it on my end. Let me try again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WBrownIV Posted February 10, 2019 Author Share Posted February 10, 2019 Let me know if this is any better! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WBrownIV Posted February 10, 2019 Author Share Posted February 10, 2019 Trying something different! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havanaholly Posted February 10, 2019 Share Posted February 10, 2019 Yes, yes, yes! I would attempt to replace that first floor/ base and rip out all the old electric and since the interior walls are out, probably strip out all the old interior decoration and do over. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WBrownIV Posted February 10, 2019 Author Share Posted February 10, 2019 6 minutes ago, havanaholly said: Yes, yes, yes! I would attempt to replace that first floor/ base and rip out all the old electric and since the interior walls are out, probably strip out all the old interior decoration and do over. OK Holly If this works again here are some interior shots. Any idea who made it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WBrownIV Posted February 10, 2019 Author Share Posted February 10, 2019 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KathieB Posted February 10, 2019 Share Posted February 10, 2019 What would Chip and Joanna Gains do? I'm with Holly. If the walls, floors, and roof sections are generally solid, then replace the bad base and have fun repainting and decorating. You could test the electrical components to see if they work, but even if they do I think I'd remove and replace them because of the house's storage history. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sable Posted February 10, 2019 Share Posted February 10, 2019 I can’t see any of the photos on my iPhone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WBrownIV Posted February 11, 2019 Author Share Posted February 11, 2019 2 hours ago, Sable said: I can’t see any of the photos on my iPhone. Sable I'm trying another way. Please let me know if this works I'm hoping this time everyone can see them! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WBrownIV Posted February 11, 2019 Author Share Posted February 11, 2019 3 hours ago, KathieB said: What would Chip and Joanna Gains do? I'm with Holly. If the walls, floors, and roof sections are generally solid, then replace the bad base and have fun repainting and decorating. You could test the electrical components to see if they work, but even if they do I think I'd remove and replace them because of the house's storage history. Kathie they sure seem to be. I don't want to throw in the towel prematurely! I'm hoping someone here can identify what kit this is so I could look for some assembly instructions. Sometimes the best way to take something apart is see how it was put together! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sable Posted February 11, 2019 Share Posted February 11, 2019 Yeah that board is fiberboard and it only takes a little water to rot it. I think I would get a nice sheet of 1/2” birch plywood from Lowe’s and cut it using the old base as the template. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sable Posted February 11, 2019 Share Posted February 11, 2019 As far as lighting goes, I’d rip it all out. I’m a big fan of LED hi hats now. I’ll post the link later. I’m done with playing around with light fixtures that are too fussy with loose bulbs. One LED on the ceiling of every room (connected from the floor above) lights the house up beautifully. I run the tapewire along the floor at the front of the openings and make the connections there. No more traveling tapewire around walls and doors for me, no sir. I’ll attach the video for that too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WBrownIV Posted February 11, 2019 Author Share Posted February 11, 2019 9 minutes ago, Sable said: Yeah that board is fiberboard and it only takes a little water to rot it. I think I would get a nice sheet of 1/2” birch plywood from Lowe’s and cut it using the old base as the template. Great idea. Thank you! I'll swing by Lowe's and see what they have. Do you have any idea who made it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sable Posted February 11, 2019 Share Posted February 11, 2019 SorryI don’t but I’ve seen it before and someone here will know. Links: Can Lights I recommend the soft white: https://lightingbugltd.com/s/product/novalyte-nlc-can-lights/ Electrical best video ever: https://www.dollhousestrainsandmore.com/pages/how-to-videos Lowes Birch plywood: https://m.lowes.com/pd/1-2-in-Birch-Plywood-Application-as-2-X-4/1000066187 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havanaholly Posted February 11, 2019 Share Posted February 11, 2019 Bill, that house has lovely bones, and in your hands I bet it becomes a jewel some granddaughters will go wild over. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WBrownIV Posted February 11, 2019 Author Share Posted February 11, 2019 14 minutes ago, Sable said: SorryI don’t but I’ve seen it before and someone here will know. Links: Can Lights I recommend the soft white: https://lightingbugltd.com/s/product/novalyte-nlc-can-lights/ Electrical best video ever: https://www.dollhousestrainsandmore.com/pages/how-to-videos Lowes Birch plywood: https://m.lowes.com/pd/1-2-in-Birch-Plywood-Application-as-2-X-4/1000066187 16 minutes ago, havanaholly said: Bill, that house has lovely bones, and in your hands I bet it becomes a jewel some granddaughters will go wild over. Sable thank you for the links! I will check them out. The plywood is cheaper than I thought! Holly, it really is a grand lady even in her current shape! I appreciate the confidence! Okay so I will get her on a solid foundation and go from there. I still hope someone can ID who made it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sable Posted February 11, 2019 Share Posted February 11, 2019 I’m really searching for you. @rodentraiser has all of the old catalogs and she’s gunna be snowed in so she’ll probably be able to help you out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WBrownIV Posted February 11, 2019 Author Share Posted February 11, 2019 2 minutes ago, Sable said: I’m really searching for you. @rodentraiser has all of the old catalogs and she’s gunna be snowed in so she’ll probably be able to help you out. Thank you Sable! I've done a little searching but nothing so far. I keep looking at it and saying to myself "who are you?" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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