Make a Shadow Box Dollhouse Out of an Old Vintage Window

This simple dollhouse made out of a vintage window is very much like a shadow box with a lot of rooms. This is a simple woodworking project that is a great way to display a collection of dollhouse furniture, family photos, or any small accessory. Using a vintage window eliminates a lot of the work and gives you a basic shape for the dollhouse.

To Make a Dollhouse Out of a Vintage Window You Will Need:

2X4’s
Plywood
Screws
Power drill
Drill bits
Primer
Paint
Picture hanging Hooks (optional)
Paint brushes (in a variety of sizes)
Magnetic door hook
Piano Hinge

Now, the first step is to measure your vintage window. Measure how wide and tall it is.

Use your 2X4’s to build a frame the exact same size. Use you wood screws to screw the pieces of 2X4’s together like a box frame. Predrill the holes for the screws with your power drill to keep the wood form splitting.

Now, cut your plywood to the same size as your vintage window as well.

Screw the plywood onto the back of the wood frame you built. You can do this step gain by predrill holes through the plywood another 2X4” frame. Insert your screws to hold them together.

Now, using the windowpanes in the vintage window as guide you need to create some dividing line inside of the box you just made.

Measure how wide you box is from the inside edge on the left to the inside edge of the frame on the right. Cut another 2X4” to this width. Install it to line up with the wood frame holding your windowpanes in. Screw this 2X4” in on either side of the 2X4” frame you built. You should predrill the holes in through the outside of the frame and into the ends other the ledge you are making.

Now, using your vertical wood slats on the vintage window as guides cut out some vertical 2X4”s to install as well. Screw them in place working in from the top ad bottom outside of the frame and inserting screws.

Now, attach the front of the doll house (the vintage window). Do this by install a piano hinge on the left side of the frame. Attach one side to the frame you built and one side of the hinge to the vintage window.