I’m getting oh-so-close to completing my 1955 Betsy McCall DIY Dollhouse — the last challenge is to find those all-important final touches. Reader Janet offered to share some of her vintage dollhouse accessories, and I took her up on her gracious invitation. Wow, are these tiny drinking glasses just the cutest thing you’ve ever seen? They remind me of my grandmother’s vintage silver leaf Libby drinking glasses. They seem to be made out of real glass! Just amazing!
Inside the package from Janet I found:
- Two sauce pans
- A cookie jar with cookies inside
- Two cans of soda
- One bottle of soda
- One bottle of beer
- One bottle of ketchup
- A can of corn
- A butter dish with removable top
- A turkey
- A pie
- A loaf of rye bread
- A marionette pupet
- A Captain America book
- A shoe box
- A box of aluminum foil and a box of wax paper
- A roll of twine
- A clear tall vase
- An empty green bottle and a small red bottle
- A cloche with flowers inside
- A small purse or bag of some sort
- Two candles
- Four drinking glasses
Janet writes:
I have a shoebox full of old dollhouse accessories that my Aunt Louise gave me; she collected them for many years. My aunt’s daughter is a renowned doll auctioneer, and she started collecting the dollhouses for her mother. My aunt had an amazing collection, and these were extras her four daughters didn’t want. She had antique type boxes full of the stuff! She also had a number of very elaborate Victorian era doll houses that were just incredible.
Aunt Louise just died in November, three weeks short of her 100th birthday. I wonder where those dollhouses are now? I wish I had gotten photos of them.
Wow, Janet, we’d love to see the treasures inside those antique boxes, too!
Above: All the the accessories that look like glass — really do seem to be made of glass.
The glass cookie jar is adorable — and filled with chocolate cookies. Yum!
I just love the tiny packaging.
The tiny aluminum wrap and waxed paper packages even open!
I was shocked to see such a tiny little marionette in the package. Those ‘strings’ are made of sewing thread. The Captain America book has “copyright 1966” stamped on the back.
In addition to the fabulous vintage goodies sent by Janet, my own Mom — who has been super excited about the project as well — found a tiny set of 4 plates, forks, knives and spoons at her local craft store and sent them for the dining table. Thanks, Mom!
Naturally, I had to set these new goodies up in the kitchen and dining room right away.
The refrigerator is stocked with cold drinks — and ketchup — ready for company.
Hey look, there’s a pie in the oven too…
It looks like turkey will be on the menu this evening…
The vase, candles and cloche look great on the credenza…
The table is set and ready to go with placemats made from a fabric sample, plates and silverware from Mom, and glasses, bread and butter dish from Janet. Note: It was extremely difficult to set a table this small with my ‘giant’ fingers!
Mega thanks to reader Janet for sending me the absolutely fantastic package of adorable vintage miniatures for the dollhouse — and thanks Mom for thinking of the table setting, too!
I’m so close to being ready to give you the full dollhouse tour — stay tuned!
Ever since you started this project, it’s reminded me of *my* dollhouse! Fortunately I didn’t have to assemble it; I got it (and the matching wooden furniture) for $30 at a thrift store, literally seconds before it was snatched up by a man who was going to give it to his 3-year-old daughter. He begged me to change my mind, but three years old??? No. This house deserved respect and matching vintage accessories, which is exactly what it receives. As soon as I find an appropriate stand it’s getting moved into my living room so my guests can play with it.
Here’s a photo that does NOT do it a whole lot of justice because it doesn’t show all the teeny little details, but I’m still proud. https://flic.kr/p/sfqSwg
Also, I have that same tiny telephone! Here’s a photo of my husband’s (yep, he’s in on it too!) He-Man toy receiving poor customer service: https://scontent-atl.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/v/t1.0-9/30694_686339667938_2791017_n.jpg?oh=d24b37d141257b5fce99d02d86135a94&oe=55DDA6DF (If it shows up. Sorry if it doesn’t.)
ANYWAYS, LOVE YOUR DOLLHOUSE!!! Such amazing attention to detail! More adults should really do this. I mean, if grown men can have train sets as an acceptable hobby, then women should get to have dollhouses!
Hahaha He-Man receiving poor customer service is hilarious! Very cool dollhouse Amber, thanks for sharing! You are right, if the men get their train sets, why can’t we have dollhouses? 🙂
I had a very elaborate dollhouse back in the 80s and I still love miniatures. Every once in awhile I consider building a new one. I still have most of the furniture and accessories, but not the house.
Kate, your house now looks complete, especially the kitchen. I like the planter under the big window, too. Brava!
When I was a kid back in the 60s the little girls who lived down the road from me seemingly had every dollhouse gizmo you could imagine. Years later I discovered all this stuff came from a rather strange toy company that was called Deluxe Reading. They only sold their toys at grocery stores. I took a quick look and you can find a few things on eBay.
DYING over those glasses. Incredible cuteness!!!!!! I have the set from my aunt – big size — so when I saw the teeny ones, I gasped with joy. So loud, my husband wanted to know what happened.
LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS HOUSE!
🙂 Aww thanks Chris!
What kind of camera/lens did you use to take those photos? Looks awesome!
Thanks Laure — this dollhouse is very difficult to photograph so that means a lot!
I’m using a 5 year old Cannon EOS Rebel T3 with the stock lens that came with it. I don’t have any fancy lenses or anything! 🙂
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I found these gems via Dangerous Minds and thought you’d enjoy. The Flickr user diepuppenstubensammlerin has a huge collection of dollhouses from Germany, with many of the sets pictured dating from the 1950s through the 1970s.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/diepuppenstubensammlerin/
What a great retro kitchen and I love the little glasses. I think I am going to make me some today!!