Making 1982 Cottage Flower Boxes and House Doors From Scratch

 If like me you were without the 1982 Cottage flower boxes I made some from scratch for almost nothing: using a paperboard box from a discarded food or health and beauty item cut in half, sand the edges, cover in white contact paper, heat seal the edges with a lighter, cut to size florist foam, glue inside the open box, glue on florist moss, cut to length and shape dollar store thick gardeners wire, paint them white, glue them in, select plastic flowers from Walmart aquarium section or dollar store, attach to wires, stick in the foam and arrange, voila, here is how mine came out: 

For me, the cottage was always more of a observatory/conservatory, greenhouse or gazebo type  structure due to its open, airy design, so having lots of plants was key to its optimization. It's a several day project to wait for each stage of the assembly to fully dry/cure before moving to the next step, but it's a great in between project while you are doing something else because the steps are so small each day is only a few minutes. The final arranging was most satisfying as I don't think there are too many custom projects out there like this. I did forget to add the vertical lines like the original has, but I can add those later. The same week, while I was waiting for glue on this to dry, I was making a replacement yellow "cassette tape walkman player" for my 1984 Knickerbocker Snoopy. I noticed the finished product could be the same material for a replacement house door, or if you ever wanted good, solid doors for the front but didn't want to mess with wood or some other material. Here's how I did it: cut to size poster board, sand edges, wrap carefully with yellow contact paper (also from dollar store), heat seal edges with a lighter, I get crisper edges sliding them up and down the table edge while they are still warm, and pinching them gently, the door knob is up to you how it's done. Here is the Snoopy Walkman, but you can see how it's a close match to the color and thickness to the house doors. To make a hinge, I would pre drill with the tiniest drill bit where the pegs would go, then cut to length, glue in and paint yellow the same dollar store thick gardeners wire, let dry over night, then simply attach to house. The white foam square piece in the photo came with Walmart curtains I bought as packaging material, but it makes such  great little tool for smoothing out contact paper projects, I used it when I frosted my shower door and window, and for various craft projects like these. For wrapping the pasteboard in contact paper, just wrap it like a tiny present, cutting the edges as needed prior to heat sealing. The finished project is surprisingly crisp and workable: 

The grass yard in the first photo is a door mat I got at a home improvement or Habitat for Humanity store awhile back. 

Here's the big house upstairs flower box I used as inspiration for the new '82 flower boxes: 

And by the way, if you would like to pick up an affordable '82 Cottage still scour facebook marketplace daily for these occasional pop ups from the wild, you may have to drive a bit, but at least you won't have to pay shipping, you can inspect before you buy and maybe even negotiate down on price, plus they could have more stuff for sale making it one stop shopping with a potential bulk discount: 

Notice the search key words: 1980s (not 1982), and cottage (not dollhouse  or doll house). Since everyone words it differently and typically does not 'key word load it', you will likely have to do and or save a few different searches using as few terms as possible, its more leg work but I have scored some incredible deals from unimaginative, and poor speller sellers. Also notice this one is missing the side support columns, this is fairly common, you can describe them and ask if they think they still own something like that that may have gotten separated (but is still in their possession!) or simply make replacements from wood dowels or scrap wood from the craft or home improvement store, I think if made well you could even measure, cut and score paper or foam board, tape or glue the sides really well and it would support the weight of some furniture, maybe even rulers would do it if you dont feel like crafting anything. =-) 

Here's a renovated flip: 

I think with black lanterns and mailbox along with plants and decor it would be a good final product. 

Here's the original white flower boxes, the orange flower boxes only went to the Dream Pool set.

What it lacks in structural integrity it more than makes up for in original mid mod design, customization and overall play and display qualities. 

You may also like this, the smaller scale works particularly well with the Cottage and Pool sets: 

I noticed my 1978 Star Wars Cantina play set has a brown version of the flagstone floors and it got me thinking...How about his cool, miniature zen herb garden retreat upgraded add on for Barbie's house? The little blow mold form table counters are very reminiscent of the 1978 Sundae's Liddle Kiddle line. They are easily obtained on ebay rather inexpensively and of course can be customized in any way your imagination can think of: 

Fall/Winter 2022-2023 Issue 33 Pin-Up Article RE 'Barbie Dreamhouse: An Architectural Survey' New Book

Check this out, a wonderful new book with stunningly sharp and professionally taken photographs of our favorite of all houses and some of the furniture. While only a small chapter is devoted to the 70's Mid Mod structure we love so much, the write up is exquisite. At $300 a copy, I'll have to just enjoy what's posted online, but wanted site followers to see the Reader's Digest version. I'm still hoping someone publishes a book solely devoted to our 1978-1985 house, until then, enjoy: 

https://www.curbed.com/article/barbie-dreamhouse-architectural-survey-1979-excerpt.html

https://www.pinupmagazine.org/issues/pinup-33-new-americana-barbie-dreamhouse Yes, Virginia, it made the magazine COVER! Possibly, for the first time ever in 45 years. Also, it proves there is at least one other house in near or mint condition like mine! I cannot get over how dark the colors still are while the house walls and post covers remain so white. There are missing windows and post covers, so maybe my restored one is the best example in the world. Surely, when researching the book and article, the authors had to have stumbled onto this site, so I like to think I contributed in some small way to the book and magazine cover happening. The fact that it made it to such a cool forward magazine shows how classic and perfect the design was nearly a half century ago. The book and article also give the actual original artist/designers names of the style of home and furniture Mattel so wisely decided to shrink down to play size.

https://creations.mattel.com/pages/mc-drop-pin-up-magazine-barbie-dreamhouse-book

The book is Mattel approved. =-) (if Mattel can get more book inventory, it is $75 on their site) For under $40 you can get a copy of the magazine, sold out on Pin-Up site but available here: 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/385346273195?hash=item59b86d7fab:g:cfgAAOSwGLZjvrNr&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAAsPJfd75OHpcTBY1l3arez%2BIF3uEymgJMJP6%2BmBqW75KxCf4O2aRlvGUzw2jzRvBZYHtGOp4%2FEDqSiIMFfJvPgLNU5%2FAnOtsS38yJnNJotzSO4i7bgebjDBjPS7WtBn9n4kpMuoSKKCt%2Fr34MOuKO2YoEDh8Wlb5KZRX4XVUEHqEYvmT7K0RpAhtRP5Y0PPZGhZGeyXKEDZZIj1OTThFZ01eOTBRJ%2FzxuKQ57PidOU4K2%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR47IwdvBYQ

Print ads stock photos magazine ad articles

Faux Diagonal Wood Slats Wall Fill

Some home owners looking for an alternative to the ultra open airiness of this house may like this paper board I found at Dollar Tree the other day. It is the classic 1970's diagonal wood wall paneling. It has made a comeback, I have even seen new front doors on vintage traditional homes with this look. I love it, but just make sure it's a mid-mod house, not a Federal or Colonial! Anyway, if this were to be mounted on paperboard, cut to size and fitted into the vented slats on the house it would help enclose it without diminishing the overal design asthetic. You could even make panels that pop out so you can put them in and take them out whenever you want a new look. In an earlier post, I showed how I did pop in and out foam board panels for the downstairs side rooms, in effect closing in the kitchen and dining rooms. This would be a great interior wall paper to dress up the otherwise plain white look of the foam board. I only saw one of these sheets, so you may have to shop around several Dollar Tree store locations to get even one. Mine was creased, but if you turn it upside down, lightly spray with water and iron on medium heat you can get it perfectly flat again. If it curls up (and it probably will at least a little bit) just lay a large flat book on top until it finishes cooling off. As a side note, I also bought dollar tree stock this week during the buying opportunity, made $3.50 on the first day of having it, in effect paying for the sheet and then some! Smart strategy: get one thing to pay for another. =-)

This is the real life version of what they were going for on these plastic houses: 

 

customize staging decorating

Real Life Examples of the Mattel 1978 A Frame Dream House: Summer 2022

Hello, devoted obsessives like me! I am now on the east coast in the Carolinas. While there is a plentitude of the California Dream home from where I moved from in Socal, even out here in any given city there are streets upon streets of groovy Brady-Bunch-esque homes to peruse, pervey and otherwise admire these 40+ year old gems, these moemnts in time that I do not believe we will see again as new construction. So, here they are:

There were many, many others, but this gives you an idea. When my friend asked me what years did I think these were from, in all my years as a realtor, and as a kid in the Dallas area in the early 80s, I would say 1976-1984, with a concentration between 78-82. By the mid 80s it was rounded arches, demilun paladian windows, Dutch gable roof lines, garage doors with the corners angled and the European styles that continued through the 90s and even now I see a 'story book' or Craftsman revival happening since people miss charm of houses of yesteryear. Many of these are repainted, some in original moody earth tones and some not so much, one is even black. Most of the yards were pretty well tended. The prices in this market are $600k-$800k depending on siting, square footage and condition, some are on a lake, golf course but mostly abut to woods.

Does this house look familiar? It should. It's the house from 1982's "E.T." film.

Vertical instead of diagonal wood slats, same balcony railing, red eave edges, and rectilinear window and door configuration. This classic still looks amazing after 60 years! Here are some great inspiration interior shots thanks to the ever helpful Pinterest:

If you do come to Charlotte, these are in the 'Raintree' neighborhood; all the homes are well laid out on rolling green, wooded hills with several lakes, wide roads and all is peaceful and quiet. The only offenders are some of the homes had newer updates like Home Depot Victorian style doors and craftsman stile porchlights indicating the homeowners don't at all get the whole point of the 'Mid-Mod' aesthetic and likley thought they were cold and needed 'charming up':

Being on larger wooded lots with long curving driveways helps accentuate the modern motif of these ultra groovy homes:

With a 3D front sectioned into thirds, this one's a winner:

actual houses in real life architecture

How to Make Your House a Real Life Mattel 1978 DreamHouse

Yes, it is quite possible. First, check out the current issue of Atomic Ranch magazine (if reading later it's September/August 2021). They gutted a 1950s shoebox ranch house, raised the roof and now it's an asymmetrical mid mod house with insanely cool breeze panel patio accents in the front. 

Once installed, these beautiful, maintenance free panels will give your house a unique, fetching look for years to come. 

Contractor white paint is slightly cheaper than tinted, two coats are better than one. Railing easily found in any home improvement store, or custom made by local carpenters. 

Easily ordered online, or custom made on site, you now have your white planter boxes! New Age nothing; these are groovy, baby! 

Don't be afraid to add color, you'll need to complete this step if you truly want that 1978 DreamHouse look. Remember to purchase exterior semi gloss paint, and use a micro fiber foam roller after sanding and cleaning thoroughly. 

Never be afraid to embrace a shocking yellow floor AND ceiling. Here we see it is smartly and correctly implemented into this bright, white space. It will be the talk of the neighborhood for years to come. 

See, yellow floors DO work. Try not to clutter it up, we want to actually see the yellow floors. You can also try yellow carpet, or if your rent then large yellow shag rugs will do in a pinch. I consider it a non-chemical mood lifter for all. 

Get ready to cross those rail road tracks into the spooky part of town to get these rare, vintage Harvest Gold appliances. Trust me, they still exist, you just may have to 'haunt' these used appliance stores for awhile and give them some elbow grease to clean them up good as new once they are delivered. Keep a bucket handy. 40 year old ice makers tend to leak every 3rd or 4th ice cube making cycle. Remember to pick up some orange and blue ice cube trays from the dollar store, too! 

I clean mine with Lemon Pledge. Keeps the wood grain looking so new and attractive. 

Thank you for letting me indulge in a sardonic, ironic post. It was fun, we must do this again soon. 

Here is your newly staged dining area. and if you design the ceiling like the center piece has, it would look like this:

And if you can find this linoleum in harvest gold, you are set: 

For a groovy Dream House door, simply paint the door yellow, and custom cut the breeze block pattern into plywood and attach. 

After all the above made changes have been made, you should have a home resembling our beloved. Short of remodeling, here is what I think the closest thing you could find "in the wild" on real estate apps. The price is average, great lot and so forth. I would likely add green shag carpeting and mid mod light fixtures and decor. 

Natural wooded lot, shed roof shaped sections, slat siding, vaulted ceilings, lots of natural interior light, large decks and even a cool carport make this one a winner! While 78-79 was the peak of this architectural movement, I have seen similar homes dating to as late as 96. Presumably, you could take old plans to a builder and get a brand new one. There are lots of books online with hundreds of similar options. 


architecture houses designand if you just want a larger playhouse outside that can withstand the weather, then with some modification, this may be for you: