House & Carton: Furniture Workshop

by Amy Brown

See larger photo

Total Time Needed:: 1-2 Hours

These furnishings are easy to make (we swear!). To outfit an entire dollhouse, you'll need four cardboard egg cartons. Use the kind shown at the far right on this PDF illustration — they're available at many supermarkets — because the square-bottomed cups are key.

Don't Forget: Enter Disney FamilyFun's Dollhouse Decorating Contest! Send us a photo of your decorated dollhouse and you could win $100, a collection of FamilyFun craft kits, and a copy of our latest special issue, Easy Crafts for Kids.

Materials

Scissors
Craft knife
Tacky glue
Acrylic paint

Instructions

View Illustration 1 to begin.
Referring to the middle column on the PDF as a guide, use scissors or a craft knife (an adult's job) to cut out all the egg carton parts as shown (we show them painted for clarity).
Paint each part with acrylic paint and let it dry.
Following the directions in steps 5-12, use tacky glue to assemble the pieces.
Table Glue together parts A and B (don't overlap them). Glue a flat piece of scrap (C) under the seam for support.
Sofa Glue part A on top of part B. When the glue is dry, set the cushions (C) on top.
Chairs For each, glue part A on top of part B. If you like, set a cushion (C) on top.
Desk Glue part A on top of part B.
Sink Glue together parts A and B (don't overlap them). Glue a flat piece of scrap (C) under the seam for support. Let the glue dry. Use a craft knife to cut an opening for the sink (an adult's job). Glue on the burners (D) and the oven door (E), then insert the sink (F).
Bed Glue together parts A and B (don't overlap them). Glue a flat piece of scrap (C) under the seam for support. When the glue is dry, glue on the footboard (D) and the headboard (E), as shown. Let the glue dry, then set the pillow (F) on top.
Refrigerator Follow the directions for the bed above, but leave off the headboard and cushion.
Lamps and accessories To make a floor or table lamp, cut a short length of dowel and push it through the top of the shade (B). Use glue to attach the base (C). Also pictured: vase and trash can.
View Illustration 2 to follow steps 14-15.
Computer To make the computer (A), paint the cutout white and purple, as shown in Illustration 2. Bend the long white piece under the purple "monitor," then fold it as shown in Illustration 2.
Side Tables and Ottoman Paint and fold side tables (B and D) and ottoman (C) as shown in Illustration 2.