Miscellaneous: Sun and Asphalt

Whats the worst thing you could do to a vintage 34 year old playset? Well, here you see it in full color. You never want to put your house in the direct sunlight. The extreme heat will make dark colors go light, and the white parts go brown. Laying it all out on rough, hot asphalt is not a good idea either, even for a short photo op. When I want to photograph the house well its always assembled on a sheet of green plastic carpet near a window where it gets indirect natural light. Hopefully this A frame found a good home. 

Miscellaneous: Real Ones, Fake Ones and Opinions on All

A custom house I found perusing ebay last week. 

Cool, I would vacation here for a few days. Groovy door. 

Dont know the manufacturer or where to buy, it came up on a recent online search. 

Most excellent, beautiful photography. 

Furniture: Accessories: Finishing Touches Packs

The living room set, I have never seen it before. Long time followers of the blog know I do not care for the finishing touches packs. I think its just 'clutter-y'. But what A Frame blog would be complete without every single product made for the 1978 Mattel Dream House? 

The bedroom set, lacy and pink, so definitely not a fan here. But here it is. 

Real Life Examples: March 2012 Edition

A Frame house boat, with shingles

A frame barge. 

I always thought the green living room chairs were either bean bag in nature or just made up, here is a very close resemblance to the Dream Furniture chairs.  This is ModernWay vintage furniture store in Palm Springs, CA. 

I think I see now the commonality between a real A Frame and the California contemporary style the house really is. 

Optional fireplace up close. 

Side section in cream. 

Upper middle section. 

Another side section roof cut out in sunny California. 

Diff'rent Angles. Ok, so i make the most out of stop lights. =-) 

70's strip mall siding 

This is featured in another post, but is the classic A Frame that our house is named after. You can see again that Contemporary southern California (circa late 70's) is much more accurate than 'A Frame'. 

Diagonal slat door similar to walls. 

the shadows on my wall just reminded me of the vertical slats. 

Vertical slats on a 3 million dollar home garage door. 

Red roof, 2nd floor center balcony, you get the idea. 

keyword terms: barbie doll house dollhouse vintage 1970s 1978 1979 a frame malibu chalet orange yellow red white pink hot free for sale ebay pinterest etsy new old renovated dolls fashion clothes clothing lot estate parts wall walls door doors window windows part balcony closet flower flowers planters planter plant plants box boxes accessory accessories small pieces info information instructions how to put together where to find buy purchase locate available collector collectible gold silver platinum label individual post posts covers sides custom 3 three section sections patio triangles floor floors dark light build scres pictures club group rare custom ook htf oop in mint clean complete 1980 1981 cottage 1982 1983 1980s color colors anniversary 1984 1985 1986 large bog 3 ft 4 feet long high tall huge large open moveable arrangeable craigslist online forum question questions 40th 50th 45th 55th 60th 35th reproduction remade retro nostalgia nostalgic memories childhood play display mini miniature set up sections  mid mod mid century modern 60s kitsch fun playful open new design designer interior decorator decor designer  

architect architects idea ideas goal aesthetic eames eichler palm springs by the sea malibu granola earth tones earthy autumn wexler wood slats open playful fun 1960s 60s open playful play timeless heirloom 

I would love for my next house to be something like the above plan. Since the real life versions of these are now 60 years old and have likely had 1-3 renovations of who knows how good or what style, probably best just to take these prints to a builder and start from scratch with an empty lot. 

Renovation: Box

1993 Playmobil Castle

Notice the left side of the box versus the right side. I bought a nice set of markers from the Dollar Tree and it had almost a perfect match for 'playmobil blue'. You can do this with any toy box and I use white elmers style glue for tatty ends and corners. On some shinier boxes you can even spritz a rag with an armor all or black magic type product and make it glossy again. 

Customs: Repaints: Black and White

Ive seen similarly painted homes, what do you all think? Its on ebay this week.  Its well done, just a little cold for me. 

Matching rear, nice attention to detail. 

Black floors, far out. 

Listing ended $250, reserve not met... I put as much work into my complete rehabs of this house, but I would never expect $1000 for it. I know without the box it kind of levels off at $150-$250 depending on the week and if it has patio triangles or furniture with it. Plus OOAK is not everyone's cup of tea, so like the 'timber lodge', 'bachelors pad' and 'Chinese restaurant', not sure how people are arriving at $800-$1800 prices.


1978 Mattel A Frame Barbie Dream Doll House Red roof yellow floors mod groovy 1970s 1980s custom OOAK 

Real Life Examples: Diagonal Wall Slats on Hoarders

Real life diagonal walls. And so shiny, Madge, I pledged them! As seen on last the last episode. Her hoard was not in the common areas, but a 9,000 commercial space downtown. Mmmhhmmm....

Other Houses: January 2012 Edition: Selling Spelling Manor

Spelling Manor. Que angel choir or the theme from Dynasty.  The largest house in LA, and the most expensive 'house' in the world, it was originally complained that due to its size (60,000 sq ft) it is an apartment complex and is a code violation due to local area zoning laws. 

Infamous doll museum with world renowned Madame Alexander collection.  They gave Tori the creeps, (and was even in a movie where they attacked her) so she stopped sleeping in there around 11. Complete with air and humidity controlled shelving and heatless lighting. As they would not fit into her new 10,000 square foot penthouse suite, they sold individually at auction for undisclosed prices. I can relate as that happened to me once. 

Tori's very own custom built, solid wood, lighted tudor style home. 

Gramma Candi gave this to Tori's daughter. Who hasn't given a $10,000, 300 pound dollhouse as a Christening gift? Oh, wait, their Jewish. Oy vey! 

Another go-normous house 

Having done a wood doll house kit before I can tell you it takes ENDLESS time, supplies and precision to get it done and look good. 

Renovation: Post Covers: Part Une

Step One: Arrival of said shattered, battered, rusty, crusty, musty, dusty, faded and otherwise estranged and not speaking posts (that ALOT of ebay sellers throw away in the trash because they think that no one will want them. =-( Make sure they are clean. 

 For step 2 tape all the cracks, rough edges and shards  together using preferably matte finish scotch tape. Go end to end whenever possible for greater continuity. 

Step 3: you can prime but since you are going from light beige to white its technically optional.  Take your time and do as many coats as necessary. 

Finished product, when done they are as white and complete as humanly possible.  Definitely a value adder. You can also make whats missing from white poster board from the dollar store. 

This is what the bottom of the box that arrives from 'ebay land' looks like. 

Ah, a match. there is hope! 

Laid out like a paleontologist's table of dinosaur bones. 

1978 Mattel A Frame Barbie Dream Doll House Red roof yellow floors mod groovy 1970s 1980s custom OOAK