A Matchbox House

I was inspired by the tiny houses Dolls Houses Past and Present members have been making. I found an old matchbox, with the shell and the sides of the box made of wood. I cut down one side of the shell so I could turn it inside out ....


I really like the unstained, golden wood the matchbox shell is made of. I think I will paint the door and windows on, and perhaps add a pediment or parapet to the roof, but otherwise keep the bare wood of the outer walls.


The colour of the other sides of the matchbox reminded me a lot of some of the houses in Liza Antrim's book Family Dolls' Houses of the 18th & 19th Centuries, and I've kept it on what are now the inside walls of the house as the wallpaper. I made the base out of balsa, and the dresser is balsa and another strip of matchbox.
It does still needs some decorating! I'll look for some old wallpaper to put over the matchbox label.


The striking sides of the matchbox are perfect for fireplaces. I cut fireplace shapes out of the long, papered, side of the matchbox drawer, and stuck that over the black side.



So, now to add some more details - and some furnishings!