Frugal, Fashionable, Furniture Picks...

       You don't always need to alter, refinish, upcycle etc... every object you pick from a resale, an estate sale or flee market. Sometimes I have picked items that fit right into doll house interiors that look like they were designed for that exact purpose. These items do share one thing in common, however, I did not pay more than $2.00 for each piece and in some cases, I paid much less.

This small, stained, wooden box was perhaps once used for jewelry? It looks like a set of stair-step dresser drawers
 for a doll house. The brass handles and inlaid brass oak leaf design are in perfect condition! I won't be
 altering this piece.

Printed on the inside lid, "Lane Presented by Carol House Furniture St. Louis, Missouri." A cedar box, perfectly preserved with key to lock. This cedar box reminds me of a lovely cedar trunk that my grandmother had at the foot of her bed. Inside, she stored a wedding gown, wedding cake topper and fur cape. It was customary to keep cedar trunks as hope chests prior to marriage many years ago. Then after marriage, a young wife would fill this kind of trunk with her most valuable linens, quilts and fine clothing.  Read about the hope chests young girls kept for their wedding day here.

This dated, wire card or paper file will make a nice storage unit for doll sized paintings.

A delicate wooden park bench sized for fashion dolls will look charming in a park setting or on the doll's back porch.

I can transform this stainless steal, votive candle
 holder into a Mid-Century Modern plant stand
 without changing it's appearance. The base is a bit
 exaggerated but I think it will look fine in the
 Barbie doll house.

Above is a former tissue box cover with detailed fretwork.
I will leave this white but use for the base of a doll's bed.

This wooden container will make a nice storage bin for
the doll's patio gear and athletic equipment.

This baby grand piano measures approximately six inches across. It is not a music box.
It will look very elegant inside one of our old miniature doll houses.
The purchase price at resale $4.00 It is lovely and will remain unaltered.
If you would like to make a miniature piano from start to finish go here to see plans!