The Princess Playhouse

A Princess Playhouse for my two girls.

It features:

• An Interactive Magic Mirror (See Separate DIY Magic Mirror Instructable)
• Vintage Light Fixtures
• Stained Glass Windows
• A Built-in Bookshelf
• Recessed TV
• Sound System
• In-Ceiling Speakers
• Network
• Phone
• Faux Fireplace
• Doorbell
• Picture Rail Molding
• Ceiling Vent
• Gutters
• Laminate Flooring & Baseboard

I should also add that I'm an electronics tinkerer/computer geek, this was my first construction project. I had great help from my Dad and lots of good advice from friends and the Internet. It took me 8 months. So if I can do it, so can you with the right help.

Yes I know, it's a little over the top, but if you're going to spoil your girls you might as well do it right :-)

Rough breakdown of the costs:

8x8 concrete slab - $200
wood and internal trim - $200
electrical wiring and panel - $100
speaker wire and in wall speakers - $100
roof shingles and flashing - $150
drywall - I paid someone to hang and mud the drywall $400
tv mount and tv - $150
vintage light scounces- $80
foam panel insulation - $80
pergo floor - $120
custom sized windows - $200
see http://diymagicmirror.com for parts and costs for the magic mirror

Step 1: Plans and Framing

After some Googling for playhouse plans, this one fit the bill, http://www.woodmanor.net/Little-miss-playhouse-plans.html. The dimensions are 8x8x8 feet.

My Dad framed it in Oregon, took it apart, and then drove it down to my place in California where we assembled it together.

Comments

[hamidu2]

Beautiful

[AussieAnglerGal]

wow that is an awesome playhouse, my little sister would LOVE that

[bajablue]

Beautiful work! What lucky little princesses!!!

[CrLz]

Simply amazing! What an awesome gift!

[tlanning]

This is Awesome! I wonder if I can do this?

[alinke]

This was my first construction project ever. So if I can do it, you can too. What I learned is that construction is not actually that hard, it just takes time. The nice thing about doing it yourself is there is no rush, just take your sweet time and you'll be fine.

[devilclarke]

hi this is wicked i just woundered do you have any schematics of the protosheil as i would like to make one of these for my young sister

[alinke]

here's the plans for the structure the playhouse plans were $35, here's the link http://woodmanor.net/Little-miss-playhouse-plans.html

[bgarrett]

Very Nice, except the TV.
Doesnt that defeat the purpose of a playhouse which is to encourage the imagination?

[alinke]

i suppose so, the TV actually is more for me when I'm in there :-)

[David McWhite]

Sweet playhouse. As soon as I get an extra $1800 I'm gonna build one.

[peace, love, art]

This is unbelievable, great job! You love your children so much, what a lucky pair of princesses!

[KuRoKun]

OMG they have a better house then mine!!! hahahahahha

[mary candy]

hahahaha then mine too!

[DragonX777]

That is very artistic, and decorative.

[Pinky212]

What a wonder playhouse!  I love the bookshelves using the space between the studs.  Did you choose the interiror decorating yourself?

I hope those two beautiful little girls know how special their Daddy is!!!

I didn't read every step (sorry -- no time) so maybe you said about the cost of the plans.  I didn't see that cost reflected in your "rough breakdown".

Wonderful details!  Come and build one for my granddaughter?  I'll do the interior decorating.  LOL

[alinke]

Hi, thanks, my wife did all the interior decorating, was a fun project for her, she bought some of the fixtures and other items on eBay

the playhouse plans were $35, here's the link http://woodmanor.net/Little-miss-playhouse-plans.html

yes the girls like it, its also quite popular with the neighborhood kids

[njdjs]

WOW my grandbaby would love that. She would really love that mirror but WOW couldn't afford the hardware or software. It is very cool and ya did a wonderful job on it. Those are two lucky girls you have there.

[alinke]

yes, if I re-call, I used 3 inch deck screws, the ones with the coating on them so they go in nice and easy, also had the star heads as opposed to the traditional philips

[Coleman1977]

Are the walls secured to the wooden base of the concrete pad?

[dianakcollins]

I would like to do something like this. What should my estimated budget be?

[alinke]

I didn't track the costs but here's a rough breakdown:

8x8 concrete slab - $200
wood and internal trim - $200
electrical wiring and panel - $100
speaker wire and in wall speakers - $100
roof shingles and flashing - $150
drywall - I paid someone to hang and mud the drywall $400
tv mount and tv - $150
vintage light scounces- $80
foam panel insulation - $80
pergo floor - $120
custom sized windows - $200
see http://diymagicmirror.com for parts and costs for the magic mirror

Hope that helps

[Allowance10]

when can I move In? LOL

[azntrooper93]

shes getting tall should ahve made it a lil bigger then when they grow to old u can hide in it

[atombomb1945]

Awesome design. You will be lucky to get the kids out of there for anything. Or, was that the idea in the first place?

[azntrooper93]

how rich are U LOL magic mirror LOL if u actually made that and u are loaded

[Crucio]

Fantastic project. It's great that your dad was so involved.

I particularly like the stained glass he made--an instructable coming for that? Please? ;⁾

[GymMama]

I think the inside is nicer than my own house! Great job!

[horsefreakella]

AMAZING MAN! love it :)

[prolixia]

i don't know -- it's gorgeous, but isn't it a little.... much? i think of a playhouse as a place for filling in the gaps with imagination, not the consumption of all mod cons. it is lovely, but it seems to set the bar for "gimmee" awfully high.

[horsefreakella]

Ahh shut up! ITS awesome :)

[Rock Soldier]

You must really love your children. Can you make me one? But bigger, and more manly?

[hcold]

Ugh.

[aeray]

Impressive project. About the baseboard: never try to miter an inside corner. Always butt or cope an inside joint.

[christyw]

This is awesome. When I was a kid, I always wanted a house like this! great work!!!!

[saarenbobaaren]

this is incredible!! very well done : )

[CherreAnn]

Absolutely Gorgeous!!! I want to have kids just so I can build it! =D Or maybe I will just build it for me!!! ; D
Thanks for the step by step info on it! AWESOME! :D

[cutekitten]

omg that is to awesome i want one myself

[amando96]

thats better than my house... lol i should make one of these for my Lab/bike-mechanicisms... would be cool

[mariaclemente2000]

The house is beautiful. I was wondering, why not send it to HGTV to have it featured on television.