Welcome to Kirsten’s Cabin! I loved the Kirsten books as a child and always wanted to live in that cabin. The series describes it as a one room cabin on Uncle Olav’s farm. This is the first home the Larson’s had in America after immigrating from Sweden in 1854. With much help from my husband, I created my interpretation of that cabin.
The cabinet or shell is an IKEA Pax closet system. After running numbers on different options at the hardware store, we decided this was the best and most affordable option for us. The unit I chose is 78” tall and 39” wide and cost $90. I added on 2 adjustable shelves at $15 each. This created three separate “rooms” stacked on top of each other for displays. Kirsten’s cabin is 25” tall and 22.5” deep. There are two identical sized “rooms” above her. This size is just enough room to hold all of her furniture pieces, except the trunk.
As I grew my Kirsten collection over the years, I stored all of the accessories in her Pleasant Company Trunk and her furniture in storage tubs. I tried displaying her pieces on bookshelves and would switch them out from time to time. Now everything is neatly displayed and visible, with the exception of her clothes that are still stored in the trunk.
I chose peel-and-stick vinyl flooring to cover the walls and floor. My husband used a nail gun to secure the vinyl to the walls. Using historic photos for reference, I wanted as many things hanging on the walls as possible. My husband cut pieces of trim and molding to the sizes I specified to make the shelves. He drilled holes in the two large ones and cut dowel rods to be the pegs. I rubbed brown craft paint on them and wiped it off immediately to create a stained appearance. The windows are pieces of molding and the outdoor scenes are pictures I printed off on to copy paper. I used two different place mats as rugs, to separate the bed and table.
Most of the items are from Kirsten’s Pleasant Company Collection. I added little pieces that are size appropriate to the shelves to fill them in. The arrowhead, Blue Willow China and the grinder (a pencil sharpener) were all purchased at the Laura Ingalls Wilder Home gift shop. The windmill and trinket box are from Kirsten’s trip to Holland, MI during Tulip Time to see DeZwaan Windmill. She also got personalized wooden shoes! The red lantern is a Christmas ornament.
I love that I get to see my collection everyday. My husband and I really enjoyed creating the little cabin and have went on to create more rooms. To see other historical rooms in my doll house, take a peek at these: Addy in Mrs. Ford’s Dress Shop, Kit’s Kitchen, Maryellen’s 1950s Diner and Addy’s Parlor! 😊
I love this blog! It has a lot of information and tells you where to purchase items to build your own doll house.
Thank You! That’s so sweet! I’m glad you found it helpful!
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This is wonderful! I just love it all! How did you attach the shelves and Windows to the wAlls?
Thank you so much! The shelves are attached with a nail gun and fine finishing nails. The windows are balancing on a nail, like you would hang a picture. I wanted to be able to take them off the wall and change out the scenes. At Christmas they get a snowy scene! 😉
I’m contemplating making Kirsten’s blue serving tray. Could you give me the measurements of the tray and (curly) dolls? Thank you. Are you decorating your room for Christmas?
Absolutely! The tray is almost 4.5 inches long without handles and 3.25 inches wide. The rolls are slightly over an inch. 😊 I am absolutely decorating the dollhouses for Christmas 😉 and will post them on the blog. Thanks for visiting Linda! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Rolls, not dolls. Lol
I figured! 😂 My iPad auto corrects everything to say dolls. 😂 Guess I type that word a lot. 😉
This is amazing! My daughters and I are creating our own dollhouse to display several of the historical characters. You have such great ideas.
Thank you Lisa! I hope you and your girls have fun! (your comment went in to spam, I apologize for the delayed response)
Is there a photo you can post of the house/levels in its entirety?
Hi Lynne! I cannot share a photo through the comments but I do plan on sharing photos of the doll room soon. We moved last summer and my new doll room has been under renovation. We are almost finished and I will be doing posts and video tours once complete. Thanks for following along.
Hi! I love all of your work! I’m trying to create as many items for my daughter’s Kirsten and Kaya dolls as I can while keeping things -somewhat- historical. The dolls have an extensive collection of mini baked goods but no oven to bake them in 🙂 Do you know what Kirsten would’ve used for baking? A fireplace hearth with iron pots? I’ve seen the Little House stove from Queen’s Treasures but it seems too modern maybe? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you very much for the kind words! In Kirsten’s Scenes and Settings the Larson Cabin has a small stove similar to a pot bellied stove. A fireplace hearth would also be accurate. I have begun creating a new Kirsten’s Cabin and the new one will have a stove of some kind but I haven’t gotten that far at the moment. I wish I was more help! Have fun creating your Kirsten room, I’m sure your daughter is thrilled!❤
I love your creativeness, the cabin is so cool. I have my mom’s kirsten and love her though i only have her meet outfit, but I would love to get more for her.
Thank you! What a wonderful treasure, I’m sure you enjoy her! Hopefully you can find some more outfits for her!