DH/D, 1924-1932. Dimensions: 20 inches [50 cm] wide, 11 inches [27.5 cm] deep and 26.5 inches [66.5 cm] high.
The DHD is a lovely little house, easily fitted into any collection. I've had this one sitting in the craft room for a while now and I thought it only needed a few repairs. Closer inspection threw up a few exterior things that I wasn't happy with. The roof paper was not original and was torn and had been badly applied. The front door knocker and letter box had been painted glossy black to match the window frames and gables. I dislike glossy paint, its just a personal thing. The windows were plastic so we replaced with glass. It didn't take much to bring the knocker and letter box back with a bit of wire wool and dull down the gables. I also replaced the roof paper with reproduction Triang - I still need to black wax that to age it a bit. But I am getting ahead of myself.
The photograph above and the one below is how it was when it arrived; the first thing I did was peek under the interior papers. I knew the top paper was modern self adhesive stuff that was easily taken off, then I came to a layer of 1980s paper that had been applied using a really nasty glue, evo stick or something that was very elastic and a nightmare to remove.
Under that there was a thick horrid layer of white gloss paint. Under that I found some treasure but nothing was useable. Old paper has a wonderful faded charm that cannot be replicated, there was even a scrap of decoupage. I left it there for the next restorer to discover. I really wish I could have found a replica of the old papers but there were none online that I could find. Instead I used reproduction Triang papers as before, sourced from The Dolls House Man on Ebay.
The inside of the opening door had never been papered and was covered in layers of thick emulsion paint. I decided to decorate over it (see before and after pics further down the page). The partition in the upper room is not original feature but I had this dinky vintage bathroom I've been dying to use so I reused it, placing it a little farther along. I was able to keep the floor papers, but I added some washi tape around the edges to hide some damage. Washi tape is pretty and can be removed at any time without damaging the surface. Then came the fun of making and upcycling some furniture as I am running short of vintage bits and pieces.
Everything clashes quite fabulously, which is the look I wanted. I made the bed from old brass escutcheons and mod podged cardboard. I still have to fill the cabinet, also upcycled from a run of the mill modern piece.
I also made the dresser from cardboard, and the fireplace in the sitting room. I might do a Triang style stove for the kitchen yet.
My trusty helper spent a whole day making interior window frames to hide the rough edges and hold the glass in.
I've still a few bits to do, I papered over the nail holes that hold the chimney on and now can't find them - ha ha! I have to black wax the roof, another coat on the flat roof part and dress the interior a bit more.
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