This site is for all things Mattel A Frame Dollhouse for Barbie. Use search box for posts explaining with photos about: purchasing, proper cleaning, carefully restoring, replacing missing pieces, free assembly instructions download, upgrading and customizations, add ons, accessories, furniture, staging and more! If you would like to contact me for questions and to show me your photos you can reach me at: AFrame1978Guy@yahoo.com
Thursday, June 28, 2012
2013 A Frame Dream House : Then Vs Now...
I'm so glad I found this photo to compare the original and new A frames. For me the new one just seems cluttered with small bits of stuff, the house is smaller, has fake views outside the windows, smaller rooms, I'm not sure what the black grates at the bottom of the window boxes are. I just dont get the new house. I think Mattel test marketed reissuing the 1978 house with the promotional ad they ran 1-2 years ago (see previous post), and must not have had a great response so decided with the reinvention. If someone ever repaints it in vintage colors please email me I would love to make a post about it.
They have also reintroduced the 1970's townhouse will elevator. In this case, I think it's an improvement. lol
Custom OOAK repaint barbie beach house. |
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Renovation : Post Covers
From out of the shipping box. (before) #unhealthyobsession |
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 Thursday, June 14, 2012
Box : 1980/1981 Version
These boxed jewels just keep popping up on evilbay. Fetching on average $200-450. I like the artist's renderings, it is a shame that the original shipping carton will have to be defaced for and during shipment. Its also amazing to me that they have been in storage for all these years. I wonder how many are still rotting away in attics, basements and storage facilities. If anyone out there knows the difference in size between the furnished and unfurnished house boxes please add a comment below. Note it is furnished with pink and white furniture.
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 Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Blogger's Own: A Closer Look At My Own A Frame Smallhouse
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Renovation: Some Finer Points On Refurbishing
Could not believe these amazing flowers from Family Dollar a few months back. It was the only bunch they had and nearly identical to the 1978 flowers Mattel put out. |
Family dollar flowers with aquarium plants. I have checked several times and they have not restocked these small yellow flowers. |
This paint brush is good for dusting nooks and cranies. |
Aerial shot of refurbed palnter boxes on latest flip. |
Left side is spray painted, ride side is my personal A Frame, unpainted. Big difference, nes pas? |
Original, unopened bag of plants. |
1978 Mattel A Frame Barbie Dream Doll House Red roof yellow floors mod groovy 1970s 1980s custom OOAK
Renovation: From Start to Finish
Perfectly packed. |
Quality material used, best to ship post covers on posts. Its safer for them and uses less room. |
I dont love the mess popcorn leaves, but it does prevent weight from shifting. |
Obligatory brown, shattered post covers. |
34 years of garage dust. A grime against humanity. |
Filth, flarn and more filth. |
Finger smudge. |
Shower power! |
Priming rusty screws to match non rusty ones. I assume the rusty ones were the floor screws left on a damp basement or garage floor during storage. |
During, from brown to crisp white. My personal A Frame looks off white as its not painted. Almost switched out the pieces as these came out so nice. |
After on the posts, gleaming, oxy clean brite white! |
Found in any hardware store, hello electrical tape can be cut, trimmed and heated to fit over faded yellow window frames for this house, I made a separate post detailing the exact process.
The before photo on evilbay. |
The after photo. Total project time: 3 days. Yes, this is the same house as above. The red and yellow parts are rather faded, its amazing how much richer the colors look next to ultra white. |
House beautiful, new flowers. |
This house is clean. |
Nice rear. |
As long time site fans will know I have had a few rough experiences buying the Mattel 1978 Dreamhouse online. Sellers using photos of other houses, no packing material used, boxes that are mostly painters tape, holes in boxes with screws falling out and damage occurring during shipment are just a few of the highlights. I was all but done renovating due to the above mentioned. However, a few weeks ago I was looking for a project and decided to peruse ebay hoping to find a good deal on a used, abused A frame. The worser the shape, the more challenging (and fun) it is to transform it to its former glory. I found this one house that was typically filthy and had no flowers, but it did have every other part. I won it for $47 after shipping. The sellers were so nice, even asking me how to pack it and what type of box I recommended, it was packed extremely well with quality foam wrap and thick packing tape. After an hour of shower power, 2-3 cans of Rustoleum flat white spray paint, much repair work done to the post covers, a few bucks worth of dollar store flowers, some tire shine polishing on the red and yellow parts it is looking pretty spiffy. Its mucho trabajo, but it pays off.
1978 Mattel A Frame Barbie Dream Doll House Red roof yellow floors mod groovy 1970s 1980s custom OOAK
Saturday, May 26, 2012
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.
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Miscellaneous: Real Ones, Fake Ones and Opinions on All
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Furniture: Accessories: Finishing Touches Packs
The bedroom set, lacy and pink, so definitely not a fan here. But here it is. |
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