Barbie’s 1962 Dream House® — is back. I just found out. And I just ordered mine, via Amazon. Hey: It ALSO includes the Barbie! Note: Links in this story are Amazon affiliate links, meaning, if ya click and buy I earn a small commission (currently all going toward weebit’s law school fund — Mom so proud!)
I visited my longtime friend Pat Henry, publisher of Fashion Doll Quarterly, this past weekend, and she told me about this product revival — and, she also had one in hand for us to play with.
As longtime readers may know, Barbie was quite a figure in my life. I loved the dolls and played with Barbie, Skipper, Midge — and all their houses an cars — avidly ’til I was like… 13. Oh. Ken, too. But frankly: Ken was always … an afterthought.
- I’ve written lots of stories about Barbie.
Topping on the cake: I was born same year as Barbie — I am 17 days older — and we have marked every major birthday together since.
The 1962 Dream House is a cardboard marvel genius product. It is completely self-contained and portable…. It includes “Slim-line” midcentury modern furniture, also cardboard-engineered, that you put together … And you get a Barbie. But not just any Barbies: She’s also a 1960s design, including a 1960s dress.
On Mattel’s Barbie blog, Barbie® Signature Principal Designer Bill Greening provided some history on the House and on the project:
Barbie® debuted in 1959, but she didn’t move into her first Dream House until three years later, in 1962….
They were only able to find one sample in their archives with the furniture still unassembled, but that was enough. They scanned the “sheets” with the furniture and sent them out for development….
[The doll that comes with the house is] a vintage blonde ponytail Barbie, wearing a floral PAK sheath dress collectors know as ‘On the Go’ from that original Dream House era…. That makes the reproduction of the Dream House even more special, since the doll was sold separately back in the 1960s.
I am pretty darned excited to get my own 1962 Dream House.
- You can get yours, too, on Amazon here.
More Barbie love:
- Pat Henry on Barbie Turning 50 — and answers my question: Has Barbie Used Her Power for Good or Evil?
- Reader Sumac Sue shares: Judi and Joni: Rulers of their Barbie Universe.
- Maryann Roy designs midcentury modern miniature furniture for Barbie and her clan.
Rick G says
…Thanks much for sharing this fantastic repro Barbie piece Pam !!! – My wife has an original, but it is missing some parts – we just bought one off Amazon after seeing this !!! – My wife is really looking forward to getting this & thanks you; you’ve just made her day !!!!
Pam Kueber says
Political comments not being approved.
Rick G says
Thank you Pam !!
sherree says
I am ordering this dollhouse for my granddaughter and stashing it away until next Christmas. I grew up with Barbie and not only had my own collection but also inherited my older sisters Barbie stuff. Since she was 11 years older than I, hers were the originals and mine were from the late 60’s-early 70’s. I had a Midge (sent for Christmas by my oldest brother who was in the military overseas), Francie, Malibu PJ and Malibu Ken. I also had the early 70’s Country Camper, swimming pool set, a Barbie “head” that was used for make-up and hairstyles, a carrying case and a dollhouse that I have never been able to find online. It had a bed that lifted up and had storage underneath. Anyone recall one like that? Mom and Grandma made lots of clothes for them and my mother even made Francie and I matching pajamas. I still have most of it (except the dollhouse and pool) and they have been well loved by my nieces, great nieces and granddaughter. I pick up vintage Barbie stuff at yard sales and flea markets when I see it. The older things are getting harder to find.
ineffablespace says
Part of the reason for Barbies strange proportions (not all) is that the original clothes were tailored with waist bands and snaps and zippers and human sized fabrics and the waists and necks took up extra space in the garments. The original Ken was cadaverously thin as well.
So yes they were sexualized but there were also practical reasons based upon them starting as fashion dolls and the clothes having to look good when they were dressed, not their bodies having to reflect reality when naked.
Barbara says
Looks like Pamela will have a few bucks to put towards weebits college. NICE!
My Barbie always had her lipstick on, her nails painted and lots of accessories in her hair. I made her jewelry!
She went every where with me!!
And, some people still call me Barbie.
Laurie says
OK, I think a Barbie photo uploader is in order. If you do one, I will go to my attic and bring down Stacy and my nurse Barbie ‘Julia’ and set them up in what is left of their 1969 groovy house or in Barbie’s own store, Barbie’s Unique Boutique’…..
Tim says
Dream houses have certainly changed a lot in the past 50 years. Although this one comes a lot closer to my ideal home than that three story pink McMansion she’s been living in for the past several years.
Deb says
I bought an original one on ebay last year. It is a little beat up, but I love it. I still have all my old Barbies (and Ken) and enjoy “staging” them in the house. I might do a redesign ala Maryann Roy in the future. Have fun!
Nancy says
And here I am, really wishing they’d just have come out with the house and not the doll. (Not that I have anything against Barbie, but it’s just Not My Fandom.)
But I really love cut-and-assemble models, mid-century furniture, and dollhouses, so a house-only set would have been ideal.
Guess I’ll have to see if my Barbie-Is-My-Fandom cousin would be willing to go halfsies, LOL.
Shawn says
There is house only on eBay for $40
DavidF says
The little girls who lived down the road from me where I grew up had the entire line of Deluxe Reading kitchen appliances for their Barbies. It was insanely elaborate and the appliances actually had little tubes for water that worked. Looks like the best place for pictures is eBay.
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=deluxe+reading+kitchen&ul_noapp=true
KStacey says
This puts a new spin on “I wanna be Barbie, that b*tch has EVERYTHING.” Turquoise Hotpoint fridge? Pink sink cabinet? I really hate her now…