Tudor Style Doll Houses
Dollhouse With Old World Style
Tudor houses have an old world charm. When I was little, I traveled to the house where my father grew up. I was fascinated by how every home in his Long Island community was cream-colored with exotic dark brown trim.
When I moved to Seattle, I saw many similarly styled houses, looking whimsical and (to my eyes) dollhouse-like, set against a backdrop of plain wood or brick buildings. Later that year, I made quite a find at the Capitol Hill Value Village: a huge dollhouse -- completed, but mostly unfinished. Although it had been painted cadet blue, I could see what it was! I set to work to add cream-colored stucco and make that 'Tudor in disguise' look more like those grand old houses I knew and remembered. Mine is a budget affair, with shingles cut from sheets of cork and stained brown.
This page is about Tudor-style dollhouses. I use the term because most of what we see around us are not the real thing, but rather part of a revival in the early to middle part of last century. In the United States, so-called Tudor houses are not really half-timbered, but rather are constructed in the usual way with slabs of dark wood added later as decoration. The 20th century editions are unlikely to have thatched roofs. Instead of heavy wood doors, they may have leaded glass doors with 20th century details like crystal doorknobs. It's easier and cheaper to make replicas of these houses -- furnished as they are in a mishmash of furnishings.
I do have some links also, though, for those who want the 16th century 'real thing'. Whichever you prefer, you'll find a bit of both on this page. Materials common to both styles include plaster or stucco and optional stone or brick.
Recreating Tudor Architectural Details
Leaded Glass Windows
I don't invest a lot in architectural detail -- a fairly easy task since I am actually going for an early twentieth century look. I do have some details appropriate to that era, like leaded glass windows and doors.
Whether you use 'Houseworks' components or the pre-printed window 'glass' that comes with your budget dollhouse kit, you can dress it up and make it look more authentic. Apply very thin matte-finish black tape -- the kind that is sold for graphics projects -- over the preprinted lines. Then go over it with a silver gel marker. Your leaded glass will have a 3-D look and a more authentic silver-black finish. You do have to use the right kind of tape: a soft, crepe texture that will soak up the texture slowly, creating variations in tone. (The shiny stuff would probably be had to color.)
Graphic Tape For Miniature Leaded Glass Windows and Doors
I used this to make the leaded glass windows and doors you see in the opening module. Color the graphic with the gel marker while it's still on the roll, then lay it over the preprinted lines on your pre-fab windows. They'll look more realistic. (Ultra-narrow 1/32 tape is also available.)
Video: Building a Reproduction
Look to Sandie's mini-world for inspiration on creating an authentic miniature. From the wood beams on the inside to the benches and the tapestry on the walls, there's a lot of old world detail here. Look closely at the cameos -- you may get some ideas for details you can reproduce very inexpensively. Staining and discoloring can add realism -- you probably want to avoid large blocks of bright, solid colors
Tudor or Tudor Revival?
Do you prefer an old-world Tudor or a modern Tudor-style dollhouse?
Economy Option: Cottage From Punch Out Plywood
Make That Stylish Little Cottage
This is the kit I worked from in the photo above -- it looks very different with the cream and brown colors and textured swirls, huh? An economic beginner's kit, it has an attic and a downstairs great room. It also features tabs to hold it together.
Budget Tip: Like crystal door knobs? How about using a crystal bud earring?
Tudor Dollhouse Tidbits - From Around the Internet
- Building an Authentic Reproduction
Question and Answer from TudorHistory.org. - Let's Build a Dollhouse
Tips for those wanting to build from scratch. - Blogspot: English Tudor Dollhouse
This blog details the construction/ furnishing of an English Tudor. - Americana Stucco
This is what I used to give my house its plaster/ stucco finish. - Tips on Flooring
From ezine: tips on flooring options (including stone). - Architecture: Tudor Revival
A description of the house architecture you see reflected in your dollhouse designs -- from About.com. - Distinguishing Features of Tudor Dollhouses
More about creation -- from The Craft Barn.
Video: Making a 1/24 Scale Cafe
See this cafe from all angles. 1/24 scale is smaller than the standard dollhouse scale (and harder to create) but you can still find plenty of furnishings for it. Imagine, too, what you can do with small sticks and other found items.
Credits
- Tudor Window
ell Brown, Flickr
Have a favorite style?