Jann's Hitty Roombox

The Practical Hitty Newsletter
Editors: Hitty Henrietta and Charlotte Hitty

A Roombox: The most affordable home for Hitty!

Jan's Roombox
by: Sara Cole

For This Project You Will Need:
cardboard box in good condition
white glue
paint
wallpaper scraps
narrow wood strips/trim
Pre-fabricated Dollhouse Windows (optional)
X-acto or craft Knives

(All the wood strips and trim in these roomboxes was leftover from a neighbor's framing project.)

Because of the Materials and tools used, this Project is only appropriate for Children under Close Adult Supervision.

I began with two small, square cardboard boxes that were in fairly good shape. I removed all labels and tape from the surface, and I used my exacto knives to remove the opening flaps, leaving a smooth outer edge. I primed the box with primer leftover from painting my shop, so that the paint would not soak in too much.
	After preparing the boxes, I measured floors, walls, and ceilings for coverings. You can always paint any surface inside or out, but you can add a nice touch with wallpaper or fabric scraps. For the bedroom roombox floor, I measured thin hobby wood boards to fit the floor, and scored and stained the wood to look like hardwood. I used some old velvet for a downstairs carpet, and the walls and ceilings were papered with wallpaper from the dollar store.
I had a few dollhouse windows and parts leftover from other projects, so I was able to create two high, small bedroom windows and a bay window for the sitting room. You can create the appearance of windows with a pretty picture with curtains around it, or you can frame a window in wood strips, and leave out the 'glass.' I cut the window openings with my hobby knife before the final painting, to allow for pencil marks on the primer.
	After the window openings were cut, I did the final careful coat on the outside in a pretty yellow leftover from painting my shop. The point on the outside of the boxes is simply to look neat, not fancy. Once the windows are glued into place, it is time to begin with the wood trim. You can see that the opening edges are still quite soft and saggy, but they will be shored up straight and even with wood trim.


Wood trim decorates windows, braces front openings, and servers for corner trim and floorboards. The bay window is now a cozy seat for Hitty Emma. When she returns from the library, she will find a lovely new home waiting for her!

HOME