Are you dreaming of a country cottage or decorating a Georgian/Victorian house without a major investment? Make a dollhouse! There are treasures in our book collection for dollhouses that cover antiques, architectural detail, "day in the life" Victorian rooms, costume patterns, weddings, a proper tea party, and how to research your model. One of the first recommended steps is to take photographs. In Brian Long's book, The Authentic Georgian Dolls' House, he recommends asking the owner's permission first. Counting the number of bricks in the window's and door's heights helps with scale. Long's book has true London house plans with photographs and illustrations credited to the British Architectural Library, museums and his own photographs. Marie Woodruff tells you how to make a chandelier in Early America in Miniatures: The 18th Century. If your preference is for farms, ranches, log cabins, 2 to 3 story houses with basement or dormers, houses of worship or a block village, check out Making Miniature Country Houses.

Afternoon tea is described in Victorian Dolls' House Projects with instructions on making a tea caddy with a scones platter. Ann Kimball Pipe tells you how to construct a player piano and a grandfather clock in Reproducing Furniture in Miniature. RCPL has so many different resources for you to use in your creation. Patterns and procedures for furniture and clothing fabrics are abundant in Early American Miniatures, The Dolls' House Wedding Book and Victorian Dolls' House Projects. Wallpapering is also included in these titles.
Making Period Dolls' House Accessories discusses the pros and cons of various wallpaper textures including full size scraps, gift wrap and clothing fabric, dyed with food coloring. If your skill is in needle craft, check out Early America in Miniatures for rug designs, draperies, linens and a hanging canopy. Let the visuals in these resources release your imagination!