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