thelornybin Posted October 30, 2019 Share Posted October 30, 2019 i picked up this gem from FB Marketplace for $50 yesterday. Trying to decide if I should build a house from scratch before I try to restore the one I have? Is there a benefit gained from the experience of the build first? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KathieB Posted October 30, 2019 Share Posted October 30, 2019 Hi Lorna! "Restore?" Is the house built and needs to be restored or is it still a kit in a box and needs to be built? If the latter, I'd suggest building the kit before doing a scratch house. You'll learn a lot about the mechanics of building by doing a kit. Even if it is built, restoring it will give you insight into how these houses work. I'd do the Pierce first, hold off on the scratch-built until you have more experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thelornybin Posted October 30, 2019 Author Share Posted October 30, 2019 16 minutes ago, KathieB said: Hi Lorna! "Restore?" Is the house built and needs to be restored or is it still a kit in a box and needs to be built? If the latter, I'd suggest building the kit before doing a scratch house. You'll learn a lot about the mechanics of building by doing a kit. Even if it is built, restoring it will give you insight into how these houses work. I'd do the Pierce first, hold off on the scratch-built until you have more experience. Sorry let me clarify. The Pierce is a complete unopened box that I bought last night. Some 30 years ago I inherited my grandmothers doll house which I wish to restore and redo. so I wasn't sure if there was significant insight I could glean from building the kit and doing the Pierce first that would be helpful in the restoration and rebuild of my Grandmothers house. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thelornybin Posted October 30, 2019 Author Share Posted October 30, 2019 19 minutes ago, KathieB said: Hi Lorna! "Restore?" Is the house built and needs to be restored or is it still a kit in a box and needs to be built? If the latter, I'd suggest building the kit before doing a scratch house. You'll learn a lot about the mechanics of building by doing a kit. Even if it is built, restoring it will give you insight into how these houses work. I'd do the Pierce first, hold off on the scratch-built until you have more experience. and by build from scratch I mean from the kit vs the one sitting in my office that is completed and needs a lot of work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thelornybin Posted October 30, 2019 Author Share Posted October 30, 2019 I am gonna get this terminology down. ;) 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havanaholly Posted October 30, 2019 Share Posted October 30, 2019 Lorna, I would go ahead and carefully build the Pierce first, as that will give you a lot of insight into how to proceed on your rehab. A lot of members have built the Pierce and blogged about it. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KathieB Posted October 30, 2019 Share Posted October 30, 2019 Thanks for the clarification. I don't believe it makes much difference which one you work on first. Go with the one that is hollering the loudest. Either way, it's one step at a time, and we are here to answer questions and get you through any sticky bits. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elsbeth Posted October 30, 2019 Share Posted October 30, 2019 I'd go with Grandma's refurb. You will see returns faster - finish a room, and put some furniture in it to play around...I would refurb over scratch any day - but that is because I dislike building structures and prefer furnishing/decorating. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shareb Posted October 30, 2019 Share Posted October 30, 2019 First off - fantastic score!!! You got that for a great price - well done you! Secondly, 'scratch build' is the term miniaturists use when talking about building something literally from nothing. Ie I'm building a rabbit burrow and built the whole structure myself from my own plans. I started the Pierce in I think either 2014 or 2015. If any of the plans are missing I'm happy to help - I can email them through as pictures just as I have with a few others on the forum. I still haven't finished the house. Because it was my first 1:12, I shouldn't have gone for such a big house. I rushed ahead with confidence and bravado and didn't do too badly - until it came to the outside! Now I look at the house - still not quite finished, and think of how differently I would do things with these 4-5 years of experience. Before writing this I was going to suggest doing the Pierce but now I've talked myself round to thinking you should do the restore. 6 to one, half dozen to the other. If you do the Pierce it gives you knowledge and understanding of how things fit together and the little things that you don't see underneath a decorated house. If you do the restore it will more gently lead you into an understanding of what comes after the build! I agree with Kathie - if one makes you feel heavy and the other makes you feel excited and light - go with that one! Looking forward to see your progress on both projects! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Medieval Posted October 30, 2019 Share Posted October 30, 2019 Lorna I'm having the same interior debate. Do I put the Pierce I'm disassembling away and do an easier, smaller one to get my feet wet or jump into the Pierce? I have an Arthur and a Madison to choose. I waffle everyday. I decided to wait till it was down to the base before making a final decision. For me it's choosing the decor. I can't decide. I've looked at tons on this forum...and can't decide. I think there is no wrong choice. Someone said whatever makes you feel lighter. Maybe whichever one you can clearly envision more? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elsbeth Posted October 30, 2019 Share Posted October 30, 2019 " I agree with Kathie - if one makes you feel heavy and the other makes you feel excited and light " YES! What she/they said!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havanaholly Posted October 31, 2019 Share Posted October 31, 2019 Jess, when you start to hear the houses talk to you it becomes a lot easier; they will tell you what they want and how they want to look. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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