Fixer Upper!

Barb · Post by **Barb** » Sat Nov 02, 2019 4:16 pm

Another exciting find today! This one is BIG! 15 inches tall, 13 inches wide. It's got great bones, as they say, but is in need of some serious rehabbing. It needs a thorough cleaning, cardboard repair/replacement, new windows, paint, etc. Someone (or several someones) have made previous attempts at repair, hence the random tower glued to the roof on the right front side, etc. This is going to take some time and research, and some guidance from my trusty friends at Cardboard Christmas. Can't wait to tackle this one!

Post by **DCrowe** » Sun Nov 03, 2019 1:38 pm

That is one incredible house! I hope you can locate reference on it to see how it looked originally. I look forward to seeing where you go with this one.

Barb · Post by **Barb** » Sun Nov 03, 2019 9:18 pm

I don't know how much luck I'll have finding information on this house. I have not been able to find anyone who knows the origins of this style of house. I own several of them, although not this large. The best anyone can venture is that they were probably handmade (most of mine have penciled names on the bottoms), maybe from patterns put out by ladies magazines around Christmas time, and were used for train layouts. I still think they came from some kind of kit, because they all have the same special paper behind the window panes, and they all have the same color for the finish as well as a gravelly surface and mica flakes.

Anyway, the good news with this house is that it is very symmetrical, and when I am missing something in one area, it is intact in another area, making it easy to replicate. It smells to high heaven of mildew, so at the moment it is closed up in a plastic tub with several pots of baking soda. I am experimenting with colors for the window material while I wait.

Post by **maria** » Mon Nov 04, 2019 5:45 am

This so looks German to me.......good luck with it and keep us posted!

Post by **Howard** » Mon Nov 04, 2019 7:50 am

Barb...
What?...two great house finds almost back to back?...you need to play the lottery!...I’m certain you’ll be able to breathe new life into this mega house...please keep us posted on your progress...
Howard...

Post by **Lynn** » Mon Nov 04, 2019 8:04 pm

Barb, this is a true gem. It couldn't be in better hands to bring this back to life.

Those windows remind me of the Sizzix die for the Village Manor.

Barb · Post by **Barb** » Thu Nov 07, 2019 5:17 pm

I've been working on disassembling, cleaning and repairing each section of this house. I am hoping the attached link will open for you all. I am having so much fun working on this, I can hardly wait to get home from work to keep going on it! Let me know if it opens... fingers crossed!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcLh1ky ... e=youtu.be

Post by **PutzinVT** » Thu Nov 07, 2019 8:50 pm

loved your youtube video on the start of the restoration.
But something else caught my eye.

In the background is parts drawers in the background.
Looks like you have a cool of windows and doors ready to install in any new house that comes up.

Steve

Clinton · Post by **Clinton** » Fri Nov 08, 2019 6:59 am

Loved your Youtube footage Barb! Can't wait to see the full restoration. Were you able to find out who manufactured it?

Barb · Post by **Barb** » Fri Nov 08, 2019 8:10 am

Hi all,

Yes I do have a stash of windows and doors at the ready for fixer uppers and new builds. And no, I haven't figured out the manufacturer but I'm wondering if that label is a clue. I am sure I've seen that label, or something very similar, somewhere in my travels. Maybe on an original box of zinnfiguren... so Maria, you may be correct in your feeling that this house, or kit, or whatever it is, came from Germany.

Thanks!
Barb