I had a hunch earlier this week that I should cruise Craigslist to check out the dollhouse listings. I usually search in New York City and the Philadelphia area, and I saw this in a town not far from me:
The pictures were not great, but I could immediately tell it was something special. The price caught my eye as well:
TWENTY BUCKS! I quickly realized that it was a
Highland dollhouse by Artply!!! Artply is no longer in business, and this house, sold as a kit in the 1980s, is long discontinued, making it pretty collectible for a modern structure. The original catalogue shot:
The seller wanted it to go to a collector or someone who would appreciate it as much as his daughters did when they were children, so he decided not to put it out on the curb (doesn't he know us collectors have been known to cruise curbs, as well??!). The price was unbeatable, which did make me a bit nervous that this might all be a sham, especially after reading
Susan's heartbreaking Craigslist story.
All went well...I didn't get abducted (the guy was super nice and normal) and came home with a Highland for a cool twenty. The house needs lots of aesthetic work -- plexi is torn, dust and cobwebs abound, and wallpaper and flooring are fraying. But, that's OK, since I would want to change it all up anyway. Structurally it is completely sound; no cracks, breaks, and the only missing parts are the garage and front doors, as far as I can tell.
Some shots of my new acquisition--looks quite like a 70s haunted house!
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| Don't know what to say about this wallpaper choice...flooring is likely a keeper, though. |
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| Intended as a garage...now a parking spot for cobwebs! |
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| Much of the house's plexi looks like this, or is completely missing. |
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| Not in love with this treatment. |
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| Wallpapers definitely not to my liking. |
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| Totally dig the staircase! |
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| Kitchen is haunted, for sure! |
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| Flooring can stay, but wallpaper has to go. |
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| Bath in need of an upgrade! |
In addition to resolving the layout of the interior spaces, my biggest dilemma is what to paint the exterior...I do not care for the humdrum brown scheme at all. What about cool greys? A muted white? Wood paneling? The dramatic rounded entryway also presents challenges! It is currently covered in grainy sand and it is not working for me. I have been looking through pictures of other Highlands, like the ones below, to see how others approached their houses.
What do you think? I'd love to hear your ideas so that I can perhaps make this one of my fall projects (in addition to painting my
Betsy McCall house). And please do share your own Highland adventures with me...I'd love to see even more examples of this house.
Lastly: many people have asked me how many houses I own, and the Highland makes it
15 (does my unopened
Fascination Station kit count? If so, then up the number!).
STAY TUNED for an exciting GIVEAWAY that I am planning for my blog, in celebration of approaching 500 followers! I'll be offering not one, but two, awesome products! I will share more soon!
Fabulous find! :D
ReplyDeleteWhat a steal!
ReplyDeleteIt's a wonderful house and you're so lucky. Congratulations!!! About the other houses, I prefer Nana's minis better.
ReplyDeleteHugs
The house is fantastic, I'm sure it will be fabulous after reform. :)
ReplyDeleteHugs
I think you need to decide where the house is situated: near the beach, in the suburbs, in a rural area or on a mountain and who lives there: then the house will tell you what its supposed to look like. :-)
ReplyDeleteWhat a cool house! I absolutely love doll's houses and will have to get my Vermont hand-made down from the attic and post some pics on my blog - I can't wait to see your 'afters!' ;-)
ReplyDeleteFantastic deal! Can't believe you are game for another "project" but I know this house will look much better once you get finished. The photos above look good like an exhibit. Also, so glad you made it back ALIVE from the pickup. Chuckles!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Otterine! I'm pretty happy with it. ;)
ReplyDeleteHi, Mad for Mod! Don't you love when that happens?!
ReplyDeleteHi, Maru! Yes, Nana's Minis did a nice job on hers. Still not convinced about the stonework on the front entryway, though...we'll see!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Eliana! I appreciate your confidence -- I need it!
ReplyDeleteYou're right, of course, TSS! Nothing's quite struck me yet...I guess I have to wait for inspiration, huh?
ReplyDeleteHey, Sarah! Yes, do post some pics of your own little treasure!
ReplyDeleteYo, MC! Yup, perhaps the best deal ever for me (so far)! I cannot believe I have another project, especially when I have been neglecting 4 other houses that need rehab. I need some elves, man! Yes, I, too, was quite relieved when the seller turned out to be a nice, normal fellow...it was a quick, painless transaction, and my minivan yet again hosted a doll house in the trunk!
ReplyDeleteHow about that whole modern dark grey/ black with wooden detailing (a bit like this: http://besthomegallery.com/architecture/contemporary/exterior-of-house-remodeling-with-split-level-house-design/attachment/modern-remodel-split-house-design-exterior-3/ )?
ReplyDeleteInspiring, TSS! Love that look! Might have to take the leap!
ReplyDeleteThat is an insane deal! Glad there was no bait and switch. Can't wait to see what you do with it. Congrats.
ReplyDeleteHey, Mini Dork! I was glad I came out alive. Hope I can devote time to work on it this fall. ;)
ReplyDeleteThis thing is super cool!
ReplyDeleteI have been searching CL for the last few weeks, but its all a bunch of Victorian nonsense.
I'm feeling hopeless with the time constraints.
Thanks, Morgan! It is really hit or miss on Craigslist, but some of the most amazing stuff does pop up on there. Think of all of those MCM gems you have scored...a vintage dollhouse could be next! Of course, you could get a traditional dollhouse dirt cheap and bash it into modern. If the uncertainty of a CL score and the time frame are stressing you out, then maybe modular is the way to go. You could even get a series of simple room boxes to create a structure. I have faith in you!! LOVE your blog, by the way.
ReplyDeleteI got a Highland on Cragislist for $20, too. She was in total need of help... but I love her still. Actually, with all that I've learned over the last year, I might rehab my rehab. :D HA! She's all over my blog and my Greenleaf albums. Jackie is the owner of the first one you posted. We were working on them in tandum. Great fun!
ReplyDeleteYes, my house is a girl. ;) Feel bad for the abandonment she is experiencing lately. Poor Highland.
Hiya, Lyssa! Thanks for the heads up on your Highland, and so cool to hear that you had a cheap buy too! I will definitely check out your work on the house. Feel free to pass along any tips ;)
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