Dandridge House Dolls

   Addy has a beautiful collection! I have spent years acquiring her original Pleasant Company pieces. In Addy’s stories, she lives in many places. Once Papa finds her and Mama in Philadelphia, after he was freed from slavery, they move into a boarding house. The house is owned and operated by an elderly couple, Mr. and Mrs. Golden. While living there, Addy celebrates her 10th birthday. This is my interpretation of the boarding house parlor.

The cabinet or shell, is an IKEA PAX closet system. My husband and I have decided that this is the best 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. In this one unit there are three separate “rooms” stacked on top of each other. I have made this entire PAX all Addy rooms. Each “room” is 25” tall and 22.5” deep. Above the Parlor is  Addy in Mrs. Ford’s Dress Shop and above that is Addy’s Bedroom.

We used faux hardwood peel-and-stick vinyl for the flooring. The walls are covered in floral 12×12 scrapbook paper that I thought suited the room well. The bottom half of the room is paneled with 1” x 4” pine beaded plank. My husband purchased 6’ strips and cut them to size, it cost about $15. I rubbed brown craft paint on it and immediately wiped it off to create the stained appearance.  He cut trim to the appropriate length to cap off the paneling for a nice finished look. It was also used to make the windows. Using lattice, he cut shelves for display and storage. On the shelves are small jars and Mr. and Mrs. Golden’s picture. I copied it from the Addy books. Addy’s Gardening Set sits in the corner.

I wanted a large dining room hutch but couldn’t find exactly what I wanted, so I made it! I found an old jewelry box on a resell site for $3 and used it as the base. At a thrift store I found a spice cabinet for $5 and removed the drawer. I spray painted everything black to match Addy’s chairs. I filled it with extra food I had and Addy’s Sweet Potato Pudding set. The white and wooden bowls are prep bowls for cooking. The teapot is from Rebecca’s collection and the lantern is from the National Trails Museum gift shop when I visited for my story Josefina on the Santa Fe Trail.

Addy using her new hutch.

Spice cabinet & jewelry box.

Addy’s new hutch.

For Addy’s side table I bought an old jewelry box for $2 and painted it black also. I placed the same scrapbook paper I used for the walls over the glass. The working lantern is a Christmas ornament and the clock is from Hobby Lobby.

In the past, it was not uncommon to hang the President’s picture in your home. In Addy’s time of 1864, Abraham Lincoln was president and in 1862, he had signed the Emancipation Proclamation freeing all enslaved people. I thought it would be fitting for the Golden’s to hang Lincoln’s portrait in their parlor. I just googled his image, printed off the one I liked and framed it.

Addy has a beautiful table and it is set with her birthday dishes. I chose a round placemat for the rug underneath the table. For her birthday, her family served pie and made ice cream. The Ice King churn and recipe card is from Addy’s collection.

Addy’s best friend in her books is Sarah Moore. American Girl never created a doll to be Addy’s best friend, so I use Truly Me 31 to be Sarah. The girls are enjoying their treats and the newly completed parlor.

After a long day of fun and friendship, Addy blows out the candles and heads to bed. Good night Addy.

To see more historic rooms in my doll house, visit Kirsten’s Cabin, Maryellen’s 1950s Diner and Kit’s Kitchen.