DIY Timber Doll’s House
I’ve always dreamt that one day, when I had kids, I’d make them their very own dollhouse. So we carved out the time to finally make it happen. One of my goals was to be a “fun mum” and actually do the crafty projects I’d been saving on Pinterest for years. This dollhouse felt like the perfect way to tick that off, and it turned out to be even more magical than I imagined.
Working on it felt a bit like being back at school. I did a lot of art subjects in high school and went on to study fashion at uni. At the time, you take all that creativity for granted, but as you get older, it’s not always easy to carve out time to experiment on projects like this. There’s something about creating on a small scale, thinking through the details, and problem-solving that takes me right back to those early creative days.
The planning alone was a joy. I decided the scale would be 1:12, which meant a lot of calculating and measuring to make sure everything would fit together. I found myself figuring out how to make dolls’ hair, creating teeny tiny clothes, and sourcing tiny bits and pieces for mini books, rugs, and bedcovers. I even used linen bags I’d been hoarding for years to sew miniature blankets. It sounds fiddly, and it was, but there is something so satisfying about seeing all those tiny details come together.
Al and I got totally sucked into the miniature world while building it, and it’s been so sweet watching the girls claim it as theirs. The conversations I overhear as they play are unbelievably cute, little stories and imaginary scenarios that make all the work worthwhile. It is one of those rare projects where the process is just as rewarding as the finished result.
We upcycled an old shelf and a little desk Al had made from leftover kitchen materials to form the structure of the dollhouse. The shelf had already lived a few lives, first on our old kitchen bench, then as a book and toy shelf in Goldie’s room, and now it has been reborn as the foundation for this tiny home. The desk never really worked as a desk, but it was perfect for the roof. We cut the legs down to lift the house off the ground, giving it a sense of whimsy and making it feel like a proper little home.
Once the structure was ready, I set about making a miniature version of our home. We replicated our furniture, paint colours, and overall vibe, including Al’s workshop and my studio. Every detail was a little nod to the life we’ve built, and it made the process feel even more personal. The furniture inside the dollhouse is based on pieces we make ourselves and things we have around our home, so in a way, the girls are playing in a tiny, perfect version of their everyday environment.
I sourced blank dolls from Etsy and went to work on the hair. I dyed wool using tea and turmeric to get natural, warm tones, added beads for the eyes, and used fabric scraps to make their clothes. Felt became boots, tiny accessories, and blankets. Even the smallest detail mattered, the bedcovers, the little rugs, and the teeny furniture all contributed to creating a space that felt magical, familiar, and just right for the girls.
Watching them play with the dollhouse has been one of my favourite parts of the whole process. They move the furniture around, make up stories, and care for the dolls in ways that are so imaginative and sweet. It is a reminder of why I wanted to make this in the first place, to give them a space that sparks creativity, encourages storytelling, and becomes a little world of their own.
What has been really wonderful is how this project brought the whole family together. Al and I spent hours problem-solving and crafting, sharing ideas, and learning as we went. There is something so special about putting your hands into a project, seeing it grow from a few old pieces of furniture into a fully formed miniature home, and then watching it become a cherished play space for your kids.
Beyond the fun and creativity, this project has been a reminder of the value of making time for things that matter. It is easy to get caught up in the busyness of everyday life, but carving out space for projects that bring joy, connect you to your kids, and let your creativity flow is priceless. For us, this dollhouse was more than a craft project, it was an opportunity to make memories, create a story that will live in our home, and share a little piece of our world with the girls.
We hope that sharing this project inspires you to get creative in your own way, whether that is making a tiny dollhouse, upcycling furniture, or simply spending an afternoon crafting with your kids. It doesn’t have to be perfect, and it doesn’t have to be expensive, it just has to be yours.
From our family to yours, Merry Christmas!
G’day! We’re Al + Imo
We’re a husband and wife duo, building our dream life one DIY project at a time.
We firmly believe what you learn should be shared which is why we created our Journal. A place where you can learn new skills and be inspired by other creatives.
