Saturday, September 18, 2010

"I'm looking for a dollhouse . . . "

" . . . because I was thinking about getting one for S____. I know Boogie isn't there yet, but what do you think?" That's how my college roomie started off our conversation today. I actually paused, "Are you being sarcastic?" I thought she was. "I'm OBSESSED with dollhouses."

Anyway, we had a too-brief conversation about her preferences (plastic vs. wood) and I promised to send her a few links to some houses to look at. After I hung up, I gave this question some more thought. What would be the first dollhouse for Boogie?

I had joked with DH that there was an Emerson House with Boogie's name on it. But, honestly, as a first dollhouse for a toddler, I think the parts to be assembled (and potentially disassembled by wee fingers) makes it ill suited for a child that young. Plus, let's face it, *I* want the Emerson house for myself, and although I'm more than willing to share with Boogie, maybe she needs to be a bit older. I would be heart broken the first time she took crayon to the floors.

Back when Boogie was still baking, I also scored one of the fully furnished plan toys Eco Dollhouses. But, it's not too colorful or detailed, and one adult's modern aesthetic might be monochromatic dull for a toddler.

If money were no object (and Husband allowed me to), I would think about the fully kitted HaPe Bamboo Sunshine house:

Or the Momoll RayRay or Ding 3, seeing as how I already own the coordinating furniture.



Or should I crush the my modernist leanings and get something that Boogie would love, like the Calico Critter's Cloverleaf Manor? (Eeek. But the animal dolls are really cute . . . )



In the end, I'm sure I already own more than enough surplus dollhouse goodies that I can share with Boogie. Like the extra Voila and Selecta furniture sets. The Voila dollhouse looks like it could withstand some hard use from one (or more!) kids. I'm curious though, if you were going about buying a first dollhouse for a girl, who is around 2 years old, which house would you get?

6 comments:

  1. Hi Altera, so nice to hear from you again. Hope you are a happy familiy with your Boogie - what a cute name!
    I think you read the blogpost from Carol about the tast of her little Assistant. It seems to be very hard to find a dollhouse for those little girls who like pink and cuties only that don't hurts the mothers sence.
    Allthough I would prefer the wooden house for children, maybe even Boogie will prefer something else. We will see!
    All the best for you!

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  2. Hi! I suggest starting with blocks, as balancing seems to be an important skill for little dollhouse peeps. The soft, wood patterned, brightly colored blocks from yes, CostCo, are safe, cheap AND a plus is they make great side tables in Mama's mini houses too! CM aka Nana

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  3. Funny cuz I had this same dilema on x-mas last year for my daughter who was also 2. What I ended up doing was buying a learning center dollhouse with furniture that I ended up selling to a girlfriend cuz only a few days later found a free dollhouse on freecycle with the furniture as well. Didn't know what to expect and when I went to pick it up, didn't know what it was. I had never heard of Creative Playthings before but when I got online, I started to understand what had just fell into my lap. Not sure what it is called but you have a pic of it on your website. Big, blue roof, white walls, wood floors, 8 rooms, stairs-and it came with a lot of furniture (almost 30 pieces!) Anyhoo, as giddy as I was, my daughter hits her head on the protruding corners alot. So I reborrowed the house I sold to my girlfriend that was in storage until I can buy something else. The CP house is not up-wish I had the room. Not in perfect condition but it rocks-might even sell the house only someday! Anyhoo,
    For a 2 year old maybe a stuffie house?! My daughter just wasn't interested in that role playing way yet, maybe yours is! R

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  4. Great blog! Love the photos.

    www.suite4e.com

    I'm have a giveaway one my blog for a cute leather bracelet!

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  5. wow what intricate dollhouses!

    -Erica
    http://allaboutitt.blogspot.com/

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  6. I love the last house wow! Elle

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