| Dollhouses were invented in Germany in the | | | | changes. New materials and methods of |
| 17th century. Who invented the very first | | | | production created a larger than ever market |
| dollhouse is unclear and the subject of much | | | | of dollhouses in every price range. Some |
| debate. However, one thing is certain: | | | | dollhouses mirrored contemporary homes while |
| Dollhouses were extremely rare and expensive | | | | others recalled days gone by. The invention |
| toys for the privileged children of | | | | of plastic changed the face of the dollhouse |
| aristocrats. The houses were painstakingly | | | | market in many ways. Nearly indestructible, |
| produced by hand out of wood, sometimes | | | | low cost dollhouses were now available to the |
| replicating the actual home in which the | | | | masses. Many children of the late 20th |
| family lived, sometimes replicating a | | | | century received their first dollhouse as |
| well-known building, and sometimes consisting | | | | toddlers, the indestructible plastic pieces |
| of a brand new architectural design. The | | | | serving as great learning tools. Nonetheless, |
| house was elaborately furnished with | | | | the love of handmade antique or antique style |
| miniature versions of not only furniture but | | | | dollhouses has not waned. No longer are |
| also paintings, tapestries and other wall | | | | playthings for wealthy children, handmade |
| hangings, all generally to scale. Even full | | | | dollhouses are now commissioned by collectors |
| kitchen furnishings were reproduced, from | | | | at all levels of society. It is also possible |
| teakettles to china dishes. Dollhouses | | | | to build your own dollhouse from a wide |
| quickly gained favor throughout Western | | | | variety of materials, adding another level of |
| Europe as a must-have item for the | | | | personalization. Dollhouses have undergone |
| well-to-do. Although the dollhouse was | | | | many changes throughout the centuries in |
| considered a "toy," the definition of a toy | | | | terms of building materials, price range and |
| was far different in those days than it is | | | | accessibility to people at all levels of |
| today. In an era when children were seen and | | | | society. However, dollhouses continue to |
| not heard, the children of the aristocracy | | | | amaze and inspire just as they did when first |
| were taught from an extremely early age to | | | | invented. A dollhouse can teach lessons in |
| treat their possessions with the utmost care | | | | history, architecture, interior design and |
| and respect. The dollhouse occupied a place | | | | decoration. It can also inspire imagination |
| of honor within the home and children were | | | | and fantasy play. From handcrafted wooden |
| expected to admire the dollhouse, touching it | | | | showpieces to mass-produced plastic houses |
| only rarely and quite carefully. By the 19th | | | | and furnishings to DIY cardboard houses, the |
| century, the dollhouse had evolved into a | | | | dollhouses of today are accessible to every |
| more modern version of a toy. Mass production | | | | family regardless of social status, |
| allowed dollhouses and their accompanying | | | | disposable income and age of children. |
| furnishings to be acquired at a much lower | | | | Dollhouses have truly become a part of the |
| cost. Children in this era were allowed to be | | | | universal consciousness. |
| children rather than miniature adults and | | | | |
| dollhouses were considered an actual | | | | Add to your miniature collection, or start a |
| plaything. What had once been the province of | | | | new one! Come see our large selection of |
| the extremely wealthy now became accessible | | | | doll house kits and accessories. Visit us |
| to the emerging middle class. In the 20th | | | | online at today. |
| century, dollhouse production underwent many | | | | |