It has been delightful to watch readers happily crafting mid century putz houses from my free downloadable patterns over the holiday season. What’s been the most fun is seeing how everyone puts their own spin on each house, making them tiny works of art. A few ultra industrious readers have even been constructing replicas of their own retro homes. Sarah — owner of the now famous round house — made an adorable replica of her geodesica and shares some of her creative tips so you can make your own mini round house. This is our final Kitschmas Krazy Krafty story of 2013 — whew, what a ride!
Sarah writes:
The geodesica putz house may be one of the easier designs to build. There are no ‘walls’ to put together. Just cut the longest strip possible that a cereal box will allow you and that becomes the main wall of the house. Just attach the strip to itself. Then from that circle trace out a slightly larger circle onto thick cardboard for your roof.
Then create a miniature version of the same form and it becomes the ‘pop up’ area. The living room space with the taller ceiling and clerestory windows.
The porch area doesn’t have to be cut out to look 3D. I found it to be easier to paint a trompe l’oeil to give the appearance of a set in porch area. Refer to the outline provided.
I found some great paper in the paper craft and scrapbooking section of Hobby Lobby. To me, it looks like stacked stone and just seemed to be a nice retro texture. The paper was cut and glued to the wall strip while it was flat before you cut out the windows. You can also paint the paper any color you wish. I painted mine a cream color, and it withstood the acrylic paint pretty well.
I also spotted this plastic sheet of a brick pattern in the dollhouse section of Hobby Lobby and it too can be painted over with acrylic paint.
Although I didn’t end up buying any, Hobby Lobby also had miniature architectural columns in their cake decorating section. They are used to space out tiered wedding cakes but would work well for a colonial style putz house.
I’m also thinking of ways to create the decorative concrete block walls that I always admire in retro homes. I want my next putz house to have a courtyard in the front. I’ll be experimenting soon using this stamp.
The very next day, Sarah sent me another email with photos of two more mid century putz houses that seemingly popped up in her pint sized neighborhood overnight.
With a mid century subdivision forming on her dining room credenza, it was obvious that the Retro Kitschmas Krazy Krafty bug had bitten Sarah hard. But did she stop there? Of course not.
My family owns a dry cleaners, and I’m a third generation worker. My grandfather originally opened up shop in the 50s ( in fact we have a big collection of retro dry cleaners stuff if you are ever interested in seeing and sharing). Anyway when I told the girls at work that I was busy making these putz houses, they wanted me to make a cleaners version to put up front for the customers to see. I finished it yesterday, I can’t wait to see what they say on Monday! Complete with a drive thru window and all!
Mega thanks to Sarah for sharing some of her trick for creating a mid century round putz house. Also — all of the inhabitants of your retro putz houses must be so relieved now that there is somewhere to take their itty bitty dry cleaning. Adorable.
DJ says
I found the link for Sarah’s house! My bad! (Actually, my “Oh, I don’t really need my reading glasses for this, do I?” moment!)
DJ says
These Putz houses are absolutely darling! And did I miss the feature spread on Sarah’s round house? Because that’s a must-see!
paul lunemann says
If you’re looking for putz house patterns and/or other things ,try these three websites; cardboardchristmas.com;littleglitterhouses.com;bigindoortrains.com;cardboarputzhouses.com. They have links to each other and to online museums.
tammyCA says
Aw, those are wonderful, Sarah! I really love these mini houses. There are some great scrapbook papers out there that mimic the real thing. I have some grasscloth, linen and one that looks like tiny beadboard that I used in my dollhouse. Wish we had a Hobby Lobby…I could use some of that red brick.
Anastasia says
So SWEET!
william waxman says
Where can i get these patterns?
Mary Elizabeth says
William,
Just search this site for the Putz Houses stories. There are downloadable patterns and instructions for each one, except Sarah’s, which appear in this story.
This is a great idea I didn’t follow through with this year, but after the Christmas sales, I’ll have all the stuff I need and work on them at camp this summer. So cooling on a hot day to be working on Christmas decorations.
pam kueber says
The link to all six of Kate’s patterns is in the very first line of the story — I also just added it at the end too. https://retrorenovation.com/2013/12/05/diy-putz-house-village-midcentury-modern/
linda h says
I asked for a butterfly roof house pattern last year, and now I’ve been shown that I could possibly make my own. Not sure if I am as creative as Kate and Sarah.
Kate says
I’ll put “butterfly roof house” on the list for next year’s patterns! 🙂
linda h says
Thanks!
Erin in Ohio says
All of the putz houses that have been shown are so amazing! Today’s post settles it — I NEED to make one (or two, or three….).