Friday, September 19, 2014

Toys!

I stepped out of the “furniture” zone a couple of times this summer to play with TOYS!  I came across this little unfinished barn set at an estate sale on the day that it was half off…and it had to come home with me.

Red Hen Home toy barn before

I thought it needed a little color!

Red Hen Home toy barn 2

I wanted it to look as if it had been well-loved over the years, so I first stained all the pieces, and then used the “vaseline trick” to make the paint chip off in places.  I also let my 10-year old daughter paint some of the details on the cow (the udder) and the chicken (the eyes and feather details).  She had a great time doing it! 

Red Hen Home toy barn 1

She was not particularly happy that I sold it!

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The other treasure I came across was this dollhouse at Goodwill.  It was definitely dated, but I’m pretty sure it wasn’t a TRUE antique.  All the windows were missing the “glass,” and some of the railings by the front door were missing.  The inside wasn’t in bad shape, just out-of-date.  The outside, however, had a TERRIBLE paint job!  The trim paint had been splattered everywhere, even on the shingles.  Amd the green color wasn’t working for me.

Red Hen Home dollhouse collage

Re-painting the dollhouse was a much bigger challenge than I had anticipated.  There seemed to be miles of trim!  I also had to go over many of the shingles where paint had splattered on them.  Then I “glazed” the trim to make it look a little more worn—it was OK if it looked old, but not sloppy, you know??

Red Hen Home Dollhouse

I didn’t touch the inside at all.  I rather envisioned this little dollhouse as being a conversation piece/focal point in someone’s home.  In fact, if it had fit in my little alcove in my living room, that home would have been MINE!  Alas—it was about 4 inches too tall!

2 comments:

Hetty said...

Love it Korrie! Would not mind painting that myself.

Zefi said...

Its gorgeous. I've always loved doll houses. As a kid I always dreamed that one day I'd build myself one and decorate it from scratch. Of course life is too busy for that now, plus I don't have room for one anyway. But I still love them and you've done a great job!
z