DOLL HOUSE CREATED FROM CHEST OF DRAWERS

Celeste W
by Celeste W
Almost 40 years ago we converted a discarded chest of drawers into this doll house for our daughter. It remains in our home for grandchildren to enjoy. I saw this idea in a magazine about the time a neighbor placed an old chest on the street for garbage collection. The one drawer that still existed was retained at the bottom for storage of extra furniture. Some of the furniture in these photographs was mine (1940's). Other pieces were added in the 1970's for our daughter and some later than that. The drawer keeps the assortment available for redecorating. During its early years, Santa with his sleigh and raindeers sat near the chimney at Christmas.
PHOTOGRAPHS SHOULD EXPLAIN THE RESULTS:
The top of the chest is an attic room. The front side of the roof is built in two pieces and hinged so that the lower portion can be lifted. It is held in place with an attached wooden prop (see photo). The roof is made with latticed wood strips, the chimney is painted with a brick design and trees and flowers are painted on the outside walls. For the floors we used carpet scraps for the bedrooms and the bathroom and a Formica scrap for the kitchen. My husband cut tiny pieces of wood and created a parquet floor for the living room. There are doorway openings between the rooms and a movable staircase. We added wheels for obvious reasons.
Dollhouse front view with roof closed
Dollhouse showing drawer and roof elevated
Rooms with drawer below for storage
Side view with roof elevated
Side with windows and trees painted
Front of roof with hinges visible
Chimney
Bathroom
Bedroom with movable stairs
Attic play area
Kitchen
Bedroom
Living room
Three levels of rooms
Wooden stick holds attic roof and folds down when not in use
Frequently asked questions
Have a question about this project?
  2 questions
  • Katie Lucas Korzeniewski Katie Lucas Korzeniewski on Jul 29, 2018

    What are the measurements for roof? How did you make the walls?

  • Anonymous Anonymous on Jan 09, 2019

    I love it. I use a Church Mice display to re tell/ show the history of our church to the Sunday School students. At present, I am using a large cardboard catering box. It is barely adequate. I am on the hunt now for a dresser.

    Are the plans, instructions, measurements for the rood available?

    janet

Comments
Join the conversation
2 of 39 comments
  • Kris Kris on Nov 30, 2019

    I have to saw that is totally awesomeness at its best! What a great idea, thanks for your share!

  • WyldSage WyldSage on Dec 12, 2023

    Such a brilliant idea!!! The residents look quite happy, too! 😊

Next