I found this Rich Toys dollhouse on Craig's List a couple of years ago....$45 !
As you can see, it came with one window, no porch pediment, and a stained roof.
The interior was all original but it was missing the stairs.
I tried larger Strombecker furniture inside.
I was fascinated with the swing up-and-over garage door....still in working condition!
I removed the interior walls and floor and discovered how warped the lower floor was.
I also "borrowed" a staircase from another Rich house from the same era.
I added the black L-shaped brackets to help level the warped floor.
These brackets are from a 1960s Brumberger house and just the right size
if you need to match original pre-drilled holes from missing brackets.
Here is the mechanism that works the garage door.
Because I had to remove it to paint the interior,
I took pics so I could remember how it was attached.
I had the bright idea to paint the interior before I returned the walls and floor to the house.
Not so good an idea because when I started decorating,
none of the colors coordinated with the fabric and furniture I was using.
Deciding to do that was a real senior moment.
I placed the stairs using the same screw holes on the exterior of the house....assuming the stairs would be in the correct position. Not so, as I ended up making a landing so they would reach the floor. Senior moment #2.
When I purchased the house, I wasn't worried about the missing pediment....until I researched and found it would be more difficult to make than I thought. But it WAS a bargain house.
No longer having a router, I ended up making it in layers and trying to sand it smooth.
Senior moment #3....thinking I could do that. I couldn't have done it with a router either.
But it turned out ok....once it was attached to the house.
Then I started on recreating the missing windows.
This is the method I use to make replacement windows.
The original window insert on the left is for one of the upper swing outs.
First step is to copy it.
- I tape transparent plastic over the copy, then use mapping tape to copy the design.
- The whiteness of the mapping tape is bright, so to give them a vintage look to match the house, I paint the tape.
- Because the paint has a tendency to peel , I place strips of mapping tape on a plastic sheet, paint them ivory, then run an exacto blade along the edges of the tape which allows me to remove the strips from the plastic without the paint peeling off.
- I place all the strips running in same direction first...
Then add the layer in the opposite direction.
If your house calls for black diamond panes you can use a permanent marker to create the lines for your windows....much easier! The easiest way of all is to have JoAnn Belanger silk-screen some for you. JoAnn makes many different replacement parts for Rich Toy and Keystone of Boston houses.
Email her at joannbelanger@gmail.com .
I used a thin brown paint and water wash on the roof to minimize the stained areas.
Because the house was wonky, I attached it to a support board.
Now a little Caco family of four lives here with room for nana and grandad.
In the living room we find the cat trapping the fluffy little dog on the stairs,
and dad, still in his suit, catching a few ZZZzzz's.
There was an earthquake earlier and the mirror is cattywampus....
ok, actually it was just the dollhouse lady trying to move this big house.
Sofa is from Japan....tables are Strombecker.
ZZZZZZZzzzzzz! I notice dad went to work without socks again today.
To the left of the living room is the kitchen, and here we find mom,
sitting at the table with her cook book
thinking about what she will prepare for the evening meal.
Wait! That's a rather dreamy look on her face.....
I think she just might be fantasizing about the milkman!
I am beginning to think this family will not be fed on time this evening!
The sink and stove were made by Lynnfield,
the table and chair set was sold at Marshall Field,
I haven't identified the fridge or the hutch, and the high chair is by Kilgore.
Right off the kitchen is the bathroom. How appropriate.
I'm hoping that rubber ducky belongs to the small boy and not to granddad.
The sink and tub or 1" scale Strombecker. The maker of the commode is unknown,
but it was sold at Marshall Fields and other hi-end stores.
Rich may have designed this small area to be used as a back porch since it is off the kitchen,
backs up to the garage and has a step down coming out of the kitchen.
I chose to have 3 bedrooms and make this area the bathroom....and it was the perfect size!
At the top of the stairs is the nursery....
shared by a cute little boy who loves his nana and his sweet baby sister.
This is nana's favorite place to be....in a comfy chair
watching her little grandchildren play.
Oops! Looks like baby sister has tossed her bottle out of her crib to get nana's attention!
The picture over her crib is from my favorite childhood nursery rhyme book.
Next to the nursery is the parent's bedroom....not a master, no en suite, twin beds....
and nana and granddad have to walk thru to get to their bedroom.
The bedroom furniture was made by Strombecker.
Earthquake excuse again for the falling picture.
The colorful vintage mattresses were found on ebay....
I cut material from the backside to make the matching curtains.
And here is the sanctuary for nana and granddad.
Granddad is often found here taking little power naps.
More furniture made by Strombecker....
ZZZZZ...zzzzz...like father....like son.
Almost forgot......
Almost forgot......
.....the MAN CAVE!
Rich Toys made at least two models of this dollhouse they referred to as the Suburban...
Rich Toys made at least two models of this dollhouse they referred to as the Suburban...
this one with a bay window and no garage...
and the model I have....with a garage and no bay window!
