Creating an Art Deco Dollhouse Fireplace From a Craft Box

I'm always on the lookout for items I can repurpose for my dollhouses. This fireplace was created from a wooden craft box I purchased at Michael's for under $5.00.

It started out like this:

I removed the hinges and closure.

From the box top, I sketched out a plan, using the long sides as the overall height of the fireplace.

To make the arches, I used a drill with a small drill bit to help cut out the arches that both pieces would need.

The biggest part of the fireplace, I used the top of the box, its sides' thickness was just right for the overall depth of the fireplace, so I did not have to remove it arch.

The inside arched part of the fireplace, I did remove the arch and cut it in half length wise,

to create two, matching arches, which would provide the inside arch of the large piece and the arch of the inside piece,

and glued the inside arch together with a scrap piece of thin craft basswood.

I stained and painted all the pieces, cutting two half round to place on each side of the fireplace to create that Deco look.

The outsides before gluing up.

The back outsides before gluing up.

I used a little firebox I had and my Aunt Elsa's watch pendant to finish the piece.

Michelle’s Miniatures: “The Mulberry” Art Deco Dollhouse. Art Deco and Craftsman Style, 1:48 Scale. Part 6 Finished!

Last, But Not Least

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Finishing the Opening Front

Finally! On the home stretch! 

Magnets, the Friend Of Wee Dollhouses

Since I had made this dollhouse front opening, I had to figure out how those front opening walls were going to open. I considered hinges and latches but thought, not only would the the hinges and latches be too obtrusive, but how would opening them work with both a bottom and a top opening wall?

I decided on magnets, and drilled holes that lined up for those magnets and glued the magnets in with E-6000 glue that works great when I have to glue metals.

Believe me, this was no easy task but it worked!

Lights!

I finished wiring for the lights which made the back a bit hodge podge looking, but I figured I could figure a way to tidy that space, later!!! Its a back. Who’s gonna look at the back of a front opening dollhouse anyway!

Done!!!

1st Floor, furnished

2nd Floor, furnished

3rd Floor, furnished

I don't know if I'll ever do another 1/4 scale dollhouse again, working so tiny is extremely challenging! Though, what space savers!