Hi everyone,
It seems that the Renwal Doll house was a topic last week that everyone was interested in. Linda fortunately sent me some pictures of her house and it is so sweet. It’s not the “exact” one she had when she was a little girl, but it is “just like” the one she got on her 8th birthday. She found it on Ebay, not too far from her, but there was no furniture. She said it was lots of fun finding and buying the furniture to fill it up!
Linda said she keeps it in her laundry room, on top of her washer and dryer! See if you spot the sewing machine in the kitchen. :o)
I think she might be a “toy store” in disguise…don’t you? :o)
If you click on the pictures, they will enlarge… YES, PLEASE! :o)
She has a patio too…
Okay…who’s going to zoom in on the pictures to see ALL the details? Thank you so much, Linda!
Linda thought she had too many pictures of the dollhouse and wanted me to scrap them… I politely told her we would enjoy them, and “overruled” her! Sorry Linda!! She then sent me these 2 pictures of her girls to use instead… I decided to use them ALL… aren’t you glad??? Thanks Linda!
The first picture is one of Linda’s 40’s girls at their annual winter slumber party. Betsy was invited too, and wore her new Wellie Wishers pajamas! They have plenty to do, listening to records, eating pizza, ice cream sodas, mails, and playing games, plus giving each other perms! They sure had a busy night!
Linda’s second picture is of Scarlett and Ivy at ballet practice. Ivy just received her new costume… isn’t she sweet in it?
I haven’t decided who is next yet, but I’ll try to make up my mind!
See you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne
Oh, what a fun post!! And so timely! First our discussion of dollhouse furniture, then there is an article about doll houses (all eras) in the Jan/Feb 2020 issue of Doll Castle News, and now this! I had a tin dollhouse (early 1950s)–according to the article, those were “made by companies like Louis Marx and T. Cohn…and the furniture, manufactured by such companies as Renwal, Plasco, and Ideal…typically molded from plastic.” (There is only one “e” in Renwal.)
I recognize some of the furniture in Linda’s dollhouse–I’m sure I had a bathtub just like hers, and some of the nursery pieces, also. The kitchen sink and fridge look familiar, too! I had a double bed for the master bedroom, though, and my living room furniture was different.
Linda’s dolls are wonderful, too! I love the slumber party–it looks like so much fun!! Do the WW shoes fit Betsy, too? Just curious….
And ballet practice. Lucky girls! I always wanted to take ballet when I was a little girl but we had no ballet teacher (that I’m aware of) in our town. I did take baton twirling, though!
Thanks for sharing!
Hi Charlotte,
Thanks for the tip about the “e” in the name… I thought it was Re-new-al…not Ren -wal. I changed the spelling in my title.
Glad you enjoyed seeing the pictures.
Blessings, Jeanne
Oh Jeanne, you didn’t have to! Well, at least it’s here and I do want you to know that I had a lot of fun with my dollhouse, both when I was a little girl………and now! Just to make it clear, dear Jeanne, the dollhouse itself is made by Playsteel, and the furniture is made by Renewal. It was all put together and wrapped in cellophane with a big red bow on top when I got it for my birthday! I remember that so well!
The only difference in the furniture I had then, and now, is that I did away with the dining room table in the living room, and instead, got a Renwal baby grand piano. I always had trouble with those chairs falling over, and really no room for it all, so just decided I would rather have the piano and more space! Half the time , you are fixing something up, and then at the same time, you are knocking something over!
I remember buying boxed sets of Renewal furniture at the dime store, which you can’t do anymore, because the company went out of business, and then there are no more, or way fewer dime stores now. But you can find pieces on Ebay, and have to be careful of what you buy, because all these pieces are older now, and many are broken or faded. I have also had some furniture covered with dirt mailed to me!
My sisters (I have 3) and I each had a section of our ping pong table in the basement, for our “lots”. We would go out in the yard and break off branches of shrubs and set them up in clay to landscape our “lots”! One of my sisters got a barn instead of a house, so she was the resident farmer and sold us our eggs and veggies! Those were the days!
LInda, where did you get those wonderful doll stands?
Barbara, those are American Girl stands. They are not cheap, ($18.00) but they are very well made and hold the dolls securely. Everytime I got a doll, I also got a stand for her. Nobody falls over here, unless she doesn’t use a stand!
Hi Linda,
Thank you for sharing your dollhouse pictures with us…I know everyone is scouring over the pictures today, just like they did Barbara’s, yesterday.
I love that you bought something you used to have as a child and enjoy it so much now.
Blessings, Jeanne
Charlotte, just remembered you wanted to know if Betsy can wear WW shoes. Shoes, no, but slippers, yes! Also, she can wear most all the boots for WW. Betsy’s feet are narrower than WW feet, more like LD feet, so she wears shoes the same size as LD dolls. I also have the WW swimming suit and cover-up that comes with thongs, and they fit, but are a tad big. they work though.
WW shoes are not as detailed and real looking as LD shoes, and are mostly made of plastic, so not the most ideal for collectors like us!
Thanks Linda! I was kind of curious….
(I’m sure my Betsy has plenty of shoes now, anyway!! Well, she has plenty of clothes, too, but a girl can’t have too many cute outfits, right?! LOL)
I always enjoy your posts, but this one stirred so many fond memories. Many hours of play were spent with my dollhouse with several of the Marx pieces in this display. The sewing machine was my favorite with the working handle. Unfortunately I still don’t have the house, I still have the furniture. Thank you for sharing all the pictures, it is a very nice arrangement!
Hi Melody,
I think you might have to start looking for a dollhouse to go with all your furniture! Half the fun is in the search!!
Blessings, Jeanne
Yes, I have thought of that, especially since I saw this!
I clicked on all of the pictures and made them bigger. What a sweet doll house.
Hi Rosemary,
I’m glad you liked the pictures today. I’d never get any laundry done with it being on top of her washer,/dryer…I’d be playing!!
Thanks so much
Blessings, Jeanne
Pouring rain here in northern CA, so guess what I’m going to do today? Look at all of the wonderful dollhouse details in the fabulous photos from Linda. I’ve already spotted a lot of the furniture I used to have. So many memories. My house was Playsteel and was the model with a garage and patio above. So, both the living room and kitchen were smaller I think. I like this model because there is more room to move and display the furniture. I still have my sewing machine and the doll stroller, but the rest went to my cousin as far as I know.
What a fun slumber party too, and the ballet costumes are perfect, including the cute pup tutu.
Thank you Jeanne for sharing Linda’s great collection.
Hi Joy,
Wasn’t it fun to look at all the pieces in Linda’s dollhouse? I think I’ve seen this exact same dollhouse at an antique store before. I just never knew about it… I learn something new from my readers everytime they show pictures!!!
Blessings, Jeanne
Joy, I think my dollhouse was like yours–a garage, with a patio above, and smaller living and dining rooms. I think I may have gotten it in first grade or so, as I remember having it that first year we lived in Mich. (moved there in the fall of 1952), when my brother and I still shared a bedroom. I’m not sure if I had it before that, though.
My mom has stage 4 metastatic cancer. She has decided to have hospice comfort care. Don’t know if she has hours or days left.
Julia, I’m so sorry to hear this. You are all in my prayers during this very difficult time.
Oh, Julia, what a time you must be having. Prayers for you and your family!
Dear Julia, So very sorry to hear this. I’ll be praying for you and your mom.
Terrible news, Julia. Hospice care was so helpful for us with both of my husband’s parents and my dad. Be thinking of you in this most difficult time.
Oh Julia,
I’m so sorry to hear about your mom…we decided on Comfort Care for momma…just one step below full Hospice care. I pray your mom’s last days are full of pain free/memory filled days.
I’ll be keeping you and your family in my prayers. May the Lord wrap His loving arms around you when you need it most.
Blessings, Jeanne
Julia
So very sorry to hear about you Mother. I hope they can keep your mother comfortable and pain free. Will keep you and you family in my thoughts and prayers.
Blessings,
Sandra
I’m so sorry to hear this, Julia. You and your mom (and your whole family) will be in my prayers, also.
We had hospice for my dad when he was dying of cancer, also, and they were all just wonderful. Don’t be afraid to voice any concerns at all–they will have the answers, or know how to get them.
I loved all these pictures. I try not to overdo it when I send pictures and I leave it up to you, Jeanne, what to post, but I do love seeing lots of pictures from others and thank you for posting all that you do.
I love Linda D.’s dollhouse and all the furnishings, especially the wringer washer, ironing board and sewing machine. And I love the patio. Great job Linda!! I never had a metal dollhouse. My dad was in construction and built our dollhouses. My sister next in line to me and I were two years apart. Dad built us a dollhouse with the traditional floor plan of the metal dollhouses. But we did have furniture similar to what Linda D. posted. The twin beds in the bedroom look exactly like the ones we had. For my two youngest sisters who came along a few years later, he built them a contemporary ranch style dollhouse in a “U” shape. Sadly my parents weren’t into keeping things we’d “outgrown” and what was handed down within the family probably wasn’t worth keeping after four girls used it so I have no remains of my childhood. Now I’m busy recreating it all in my second childhood. I used to love paper dolls and have managed to collect nearly every paper doll book that I remember. I don’t cut them out and figure if my granddaughter ever wants to play with them I’ll copy them for her and save the originals.
What a wonderful slumber party for Linda D.’s dolls with lots of great looking treats and fun things to do. And her dolls look so precious in their ballet costumes. Brings back a lot of memories for me. It’s too bad Linda and I don’t live closer to each other. We could have a dance recital. I always wanted to take dance as a child but never was able to. I’ve had 20 years of dancing and all as an adult. I took adult classes during the years both my daughter and son danced. It was fun for my husband. For a few years he had a family member in nearly every dance until both kids were older and in the same class. Recently I bought matching tap costumes for my 18″ Gracie and her WW sister Camille so they could do a duet at the dance recital. I actually bought the costumes so I could get the tap shoes since I couldn’t find them anywhere else. I’m hoping to do a doll dance recital in the spring. Got lots of plans (and experience), just hope I have the time, since I have to make a lot of the costumes.
Hi Barbara,
Thank you again for our pictures yesterday! Everyone enjoyed them so much!!
I wish I still had some things from my childhood too. But my parents were just like yours…if you outgrew it or didn’t play with it, our it goes.
I wonder if you have any pictures of the dollhouse your dad made for you and your sister?
Blessings, Jeanne
Julia, so very sorry to hear of your mom’s condition. We’re here for you.
I’m actually early today and oh, what a fun, fun post. I just love your dollhouse, Linda, and you certainly have a lot of wonderful furniture filling it up. You have quite a few items my mom’s house has and evne the same colors, plus a whole lot more. She borrowed a friend’s digital camera and I got some pictures take, now I have to wait for them to be sent back to me. Yes, I certainly zoomed in on every one and everything is so sweet.
Your girls are always up to something fun. The slumber party idea is wonderful, what with pets, yummy snacks, and music, the three friends are bound to have a marvelous time. I love their hair up in pincurls or rollers and Ruthie has one of those nylon scarves also.
Scarlett and Ivy must be practicing hard for an upcoming recital and Coconut looks adorable in her tiara. I took ballet for a year as a child and do remember the two rectials we had.
Hi Laura
I just knew everyone would enjoy these dollhouse pictures from Linda. I think “anything” dolly related is of interest to my readers!!
I think everyone zoomed in on the pictures too.
When you get your pictures back, maybe you can share them.
Thanks Laura,
Blessings, Jeanne
Would love to see your pictures too, Laura!
That was such a fun post! OMgosh…all that furniture, How fun it must have been to collect it all! did you have any of your own Linda? Maybe I wasn’t paying close enough attention. It is one of the cutest Doll houses I have ever seen. What a treasure Linda!
I’ve now looked at them 3 times and see something different every time. Yes, I did see the sewing machine..never have seen one before. wonderful collection . The dolls are cute as ever too. Love the Slumber party theme. Thank you , thank you
Thank you Kathy,
It’s always fun to go back a couple of times and “see what you missed” the times before!
I’m glad you enjoyed the pictures
I would gave thought with all the girls you have around you, that one of these dollhouses was in your possession. Maybe someday???blessings, Jeanne
I did have a couple of pieces, a kitchen chair, a sink and something else, but they were not in the kind of shape I wanted them to be for this house. I just put them away and bought newer, better conditioned ones.
I had enlarged all the interior pictures but not the exterior of the dollhouse. When I just did I saw something I missed. The station wagon in the driveway. I’m not sure what make it is, but we had two Plymouth station wagons while I was growing up, both yellow and white. When we got the second one the neighbors didn’t realize it was a new car at first.
Hi Barbara,
That station wagon caught my attention too. We had a blue one growing up!
So much fun seeing all the details!!
Blessings, Jeanne
Barbara, that station wagon is a Chevrolet Nomad. That’s what the license plate says. I never had a car with my original dollhouse, but thought it would be fun to get one for this. It’s not really the right scale, but oh well!
What a wonderful post. Thanks, Linda, for sending all the pictures. Obviously we all enjoyed them. Your collection is so complete. Great to have room to keep it out where you can see it. Thanks for posting them all, Jeanne. I hope for peace for your mother and your family.
Thanks Susette,
I’m so glad everyone enjoyed seeing the “many” tidbits in Linda’s doll house. I knew you would.
My momma could really use some peace… She seems restless.
Thanks Susette,
Blessings, Jeanne
Love to see these old tin litho doll houses that are kept in beautiful shape. I actually have this house, painted in the blue tones. It was my sister’s from Christmas, 1947. I also have one from the early 1960’s that is know as the “grand mansion”. I have the full furniture as well. Pictures are somewhere on one of my computers. I shall have to dig them out to show the group.
Oh, yes, Jeannie, that one was called the Bucks County, while mine was called the Fieldstone and Shingle. They were both identical inside. I know I speak for others, that we would like to see your dollhouse!
Yes, Jeannie, we want to see your doll houses too! I’ll get back to you about your email…
Blessings to you,
Jeanne
Ohhhh, that was my doll house too! So very fun to go down memory lane and remember the pieces that have broken over the years. Daughters and granddaughters enjoyed playing with it too. Interesting that so many of us that follow Jeanne’s blog had the sewing machine!
Hi Linda,
I think it’s funny that I’m about the ONLY one who didn’t have one or knew what it was called…boo hoo… I would have been in heaven with one of those. I had the cardboard Barbie house that folded out…
Thanks Linda,
Blessings, Jeanne
So we have the same first name, AND dollhouse!
To Linda D.
And both enjoy American Girls too! Love the scenes you set up. We need a play date! Thankful I found a friend that also has a Kirsten and we played together with our granddaughters. But now they are off to college!
Linda G
I was given a house like that just before Christmas, and some of the furniture too. I think my Stella Bettie will love playing with it, once I get it set up. 🙂
Hi Melody,
Okay….we want to see your pictures if you can, when you can! I know I speak for everyone else…
Blessings, Jeanne