DIY Dollhouse Bedroom Furniture made from Cardboard: Bed and Vanity

[@dianecolley2164]

Love the quirkiness of your designs. I worry about using recyclable plastic though, it disintegrates and shatters. It has been my experience to find shares of it in the bottom of my crafting drawers!

[@BentleyHouseMinis]

I had no idea it would do that... I will mention that in my next video so people know. Thank you for the heads up!

[@Panticle]

I think it might be OK once it's made into something. They mostly degrade due to exposure to light, or if they are composted. Sealed inside a fabric cover, or well coated in paint, they should keep OK.

[@Cate7451]

Bentley House Minis , buy plastic that is archival quality. I bought some from a scrapbooking store that was for running through a printer. One piece actually has a design on it but is quite thick for miniatures. Look for glue that comes in a green and white bottle. Archival and very strong. Yes always look for material which is archival.

[@JayofallTrades]

Huh I didn't know that. But i am glad to see Bentley house take on the challenge.

[@recoveringsoul755]

@@BentleyHouseMinis I'm putting this comment here because I want you to see it. About those pineapples, if they are pineapples, that is a symbol of hospitality. However, something I learned rather recently, is that an upside down pineapple is some kind of sign of a swinger, like a way of advertising to others of similar persuasion. How are we all supposed to know these things, honestly?? I wonder if you could use mosquito netting for the drapes and plain sheers and lace curtains? Seems like it's less stiff than other laces. My daughter used to have a netting over her bed, but it was hung from the ceiling and had a sort of a hoop that it spread out from.

[@angelay1925]

I've got my 90 year old dad staying with me at the moment, he watched this video with me and said to me "are you going to make some of those? She's very clever that girl" ❤❤ bless him

[@BentleyHouseMinis]

Aww that's wonderful! Tell him I say hi!

[@kathleenphillips6445]

She is brilliant!

[@amandajones6481]

Dear Angelay, your comment really touched my heart. You and your dad sound like lovely people. Please give your dad a hug for me and give one to yourself too. Love from Amanda Jones in Australia ❤

[@angelay1925]

@@amandajones6481 💜 thank you Amanda 💜 sadly my dad passed away in September of 2022. But I have fond memories, mom was a crafter (mainly miniatures), dad the inventor/engineer, happily I have inherited a bit of both 💜

[@nyminmira5150]

Used dryer sheets. Iron them flat and layer then cut to the shape/size needed for cushions, mattresses, pillows, etc

[@kathleenphillips6445]

I love that I don’t have to go out and spend lots of $$$! You are so creative using ordinary things and I love your channel!

[@MarySteinacker-Grimm]

This is great to hear that recyclable plastic disintegrates over time! This means that the world will not be overcome by plastic!

[@JustMe-vt6ie]

Omg! This is changing my life! Joint compound and glue.....wow. I am so into this cardboard recycle concept. The plastic bags are awesome, I used some white ones to make sheer like curtains in the bathroom. They also make pretty believable shower curtains! I have used quilted paper towels for pill and mattress covers. Mod Pog (?) helps it keep its shape . Looks a lot more comfortable than it is lol, but it works and looks like quilted fabric. You are an inspiration,

[@BentleyHouseMinis]

Thank you so much for the kind words and for the suggestions! I hope I can try to do more with the bags!

[@girl4granted]

When you did not get your weekly mini fix yet, you watch some old favourites. That said I am busy making a bigger cardboard mouse house for my daugter since the mice need to have a bathroom ( mamma mouse told my daughter!) So enjoying watching this series again.

[@lanesteele240]

There is a foil tape that is used in air conditioning ducting that would work great for mirrors. It is found in the insulation section of home improvement stores.

[@AuntieVeraCharles50]

I cannot believe your creativity and inventiveness. AND your generosity in sharing these patterns. You are an amazing lady, dear one. Thank you for all you do.

[@BentleyHouseMinis]

Thank you so much! I am so happy to share!

[@Marialla.]

The pasta box gave me such an idea! I would love to see you use tiny pasta shapes in your magical house somehow. The bow ties seem appropriate, but also orzo or little rice shapes could be good. Maybe lentils? I would especially love to see alphabet noodles used to make a saying wafting across a wall or something. They would look so amazing with your drybrushing techniques to highlight them!

[@janethosler9815]

Amazing imagination. I love your designs and how you hardened the material.

[@cheriwhitley8385]

One of the favorite things to watch u do is upholstery..the detail u always do is amazing!..I did a rug like this with yarn but never thought of using a plastic bag!!..u r soo talented!!cant wait to see The rocker and other rooms u do..

[@BentleyHouseMinis]

Thank you Cheri!

[@Kitty-moon1]

For the rug, you could use white string, dye the strands with food colouring or watered down paint, then when you glue it down you already have the texture and colour ☺️

[@georgecunningham9175]

Fabrics for miniature work: I hoard used fabric in solids and small prints, etc. because used fabric is usually slightly worn and much softer, thus it is easier to drape, etc. Silk neck ties are great for curtains/drapes - usually small patterns and the fabric is cut on the bias so it drapes and gathers wonderfully. Blanket binding and light-weight, wide ribbon are great - no need to hem the sides if the width is right. I have also hoarded the linings from old handbags and clothing, lace trimmings, braid and embroidery from used items and so much more.......................... PS for a mattress that will not be dressed, old jersey knit fabric (t-shirt) works nicely because it will stretch, etc.

[@BentleyHouseMinis]

Great tips for fabric! Thank you George!

[@melkel713]

Huh, I hadn’t thought of that. I love using “found” things, especially little bits & bobs. Great idea! Thank you.

[@d.d.d.a.a.a.n.n.n]

I agree that silk fabrics drape nicely at 1:12 scale. Sometimes you can find silk blouses at thrift stores, or remnants from someone's fabric stash

[@deannekliene2673]

Me too...

[@slytheringingerwitch]

The other day I was eyeing up my husband's wood glue, he hasn't 'lost' it yet but I am sure that it will happen soon.

[@BentleyHouseMinis]

😄😄🤣

[@nm9412]

He hasn’t lost it yet! lol

[@jojosmumdorothy2829]

I love wood glue

[@nessiemonstercrafts]

I've been binge watching this series and I am loving it. This is definitely on my crafting To Do list now....as if it wasn't a super long list already 😂😂😂

[@Marialla.]

I absolutely love your idea to use joint compound, or joint compound thinned with glue, to smooth your cardboard creations! That is genius. I'm dying to make a similar house now! BTW, I've been a fan of My Froggy Stuff for years, but I just might have a new favorite miniature artist! She is really great, don't get me wrong. But your style is exactly what I've been looking for!

[@BentleyHouseMinis]

Thank you!! I love My Froggy Stuff too! She definitely works in more modern themes than I do though... I like things old and messy lol!!

[@Marialla.]

@@BentleyHouseMinis For me it's the story aspect that matters. Age implies history, which implies story! I grew up on fairy tales and storybooks, and love to imagine all the layers of adventures that contributed to making each of your scenes so complex.

[@keishajackson4054]

I finally finished the bed. It was so much fun!

[@rainsongt189]

These pieces of furniture are wonderful. I really like the contrast of the gold embellishments with the brown "wood" furniture. The gold helps coordinate the fabrics you used into the color scheme. One little tip I learned from my husband--when making a mirror use a black paint pen/marker to go around the edge of the frame before putting it in place. This will help hide the edge of the mirror in the reflection. He learned this the hard way with his first medicine cabinet project. When it was finished, we could see the cut edge of the mirror in the reflection. I can't wait to see what you do next with this project!

[@BentleyHouseMinis]

Great tip on the mirror edge! Thank you I will remember that!

[@Livvia0716]

Hello I was wondering if in the future you could do a Victorian furniture tutorial so like a chair and a couch.

[@sujalpandey9266]

Yes,!!!!!!

[@JillyBean70]

yes please....I am working on a Abandon Victorian Cardboard House :)

[@BentleyHouseMinis]

I love Victorian style so that's a possibility in the future!

[@cyndiisme4185]

I'd be interested to see what you can make using only q-tips skewers and toothpicks. Challenge accepted? maybe your fireplace screen maybe a baby crib I'll let you leave that up to your imagination. Can't wait to see it!

[@BentleyHouseMinis]

Oooh toothpick challenge! Fun! 😉

[@D_ARTE_TALLER_ALTERNO]

OMG... me encanta tu estilo... todo esta wow... Gracias por el tutorial... ♡ from mexico

[@sharonmilesharkins7175]

Love ❤️ your talent. I also make cardboard furniture. I have an old metal Marx dollhouse. About a year ago I decided to completely furnish it with furniture made only out of recycled cardboard. Ex: cereal boxes, etc. It’s amazing what can be created. Perhaps use tissue paper to make your rugs. 😍

[@BentleyHouseMinis]

Tissue paper is a great idea! Thank you for sharing!

[@dastinchen]

Good morning dear Ara! Your video saved my day. What could be nicer than starting the day with so much creativity and loving details? I am always enthusiastic about your creations and especially because all parts are made from things that one has in the household or would throw away. I hope you are all well, thank you very much for the wonderful video and wish you a nice weekend and continued health. ❤👍 Hugs vom Tinchen

[@BentleyHouseMinis]

Aww thank you😊 I am having so much fun with it too. It's like a treasure hunt to find materials to make minis from!

[@daphnet39]

Who knew cardboard could be used for more than just boxes! Love your cardboard house and furniture! Thank you for the inspiration!

[@neptune787]

This is really cool. Thank you for sharing. You are very talented. I'm making a dollhouse for my bird to play in.

[@BentleyHouseMinis]

How fun!

[@neptune787]

@@BentleyHouseMinis she will love it. I'm really glad that I found your channel. You are really talented. Have a good night and a happy halloween 🎃👻!!!

[@darlingdivadurelle]

Once again .....AWESOME!!!! You keep upping your game... great work..neat project my grand daughters and I have enjoyed it so much... you have so inspired us during our “Grammas Quarantine Camp” we finished our fairy tree house 3 weeks ago and the last 3 weekends we did a mermaid grotto... up next is a hUnted witch house! Thanks for the inspiration.

[@BentleyHouseMinis]

I loved seeing pictures of your project!! I love the camp idea! How fun💖💖

[@creatrixcorvusarts876]

You could use the plastic bags twisted to create baskets, or maybe rattan furniture with cotton swab/toothpick framework.....?? Thank you for being so generous to let us have the patterns! THis whole project is amazing Ara!

[@BentleyHouseMinis]

Great idea for the baskets etc! Thank you!

[@Chill1332]

That rug! I never would have thought of using plastic bags for that. The texture really is perfect. And I'm loving how you are bringing all the furniture together with those little cutouts.

[@BentleyHouseMinis]

I was surprised at the texture too! Thank you!

[@ImperialKneazle]

Wow, they're stunning. Loved your ideas for all three pieces of furniture, so creative and very effective. Loved the gold on the cut outs on the bed, brilliant addition, the plastic bag rug sheer genius, thank you so much for making and sharing your wonderful creations yet again. :-)

[@BentleyHouseMinis]

Thank you!! It was fun to try and figure out how to incorporate the plastic bags! One of the many things I love about minis... using everyday things to make art😊

[@andieg9953]

I'm loving what you've done so far. I love that you can make such beautiful furniture with readily accessible and affordable things. I can't wait to see what else you do. Please could you keep going with this as a series (cardboard houses/furniture/accessories made using household objects) it enables those of us who can't afford to purchase furniture a way to furnish our doll houses/miniature spaces.

[@BentleyHouseMinis]

Yes I plan to keep going until its done ;) So glad you are enjoying it!

[@hazeljanehopkins5652]

Brilliant bedroom suite Ara; you are really pulling the furniture together beautifully.

[@BentleyHouseMinis]

Thank you Hazel!

[@oaknwichlanedesigns]

Ara, who would ever think that a plastic bag would make such a cute rug!!! Fabulous! I'm really loving this project because of all the recyclables that you are using. Sparks of creativity flying all over the place! (I do love all your projects too...I wouldn't want any of the others to feel left out! LOL!)

[@BentleyHouseMinis]

Thank you so much June!!

[@ALittleMoreMinis]

Very nice bedroom furniture 👌🏻👍🏻🥰🤩 good idea to use the Q-tips as decoration! Thanks so much for your free pattern ❤️

[@patkamerman6142]

Hi from sunny south africa thanks for sharing your wonderful knowledge with the world i am a fan of note .And just love your new studio.

[@Bluenkight]

hi Ara.. a little tip. use a painters tape on the mirror when you are base painting it. Also a quick way to twist the plastic bag use a drill. : ) thank you so much for the awesome videos

[@BentleyHouseMinis]

Great tips! Thank you!

[@dolfinmagikpro]

Love it! Such creativity! Thank you for sharing! Can't wait to see the Rocking chair!

[@BentleyHouseMinis]

Thanks so much Sean!

[@briarhernandez233]

A good tip for getting better drape out of miniature blankets is to glue wrong side of the fabric to aluminum foil

[@Pennilaymay]

That is SUCH a good tip! Thank you! :D

[@carrie4910]

Awesome job! I love the creative use of the plastic bags and qtips. You could probably make the rug using the same steps but twisted material if you don’t have or want to use plastic bags. Big BIG thank you for the patterns! I think i shall have a go at the bed. Im thinking of cutting a half circle to go on top of the curtain holdy thingy (cant remember what you called it lol!) to cap it off and add a little bit of difference to the design. Can’t wait to see the rest of the furniture, its such a sweet little project.

[@BentleyHouseMinis]

Fun idea! The great thing about working with these patterns and cardboard is you can adjust it and make it your own! I hope you will share your creation with me!

[@carrie4910]

Bentley House Minis sure thing! Might take a little bit though....craftroom is in the process of being relocated lol

[@PaulaStorm]

Ohh great idea! Old cut up T-shirt’s would be good and they wouldn’t fray either. 😃

[@carrie4910]

Paula Storm my grandma gives me all her material offcuts and bits and pieces, im going to see what I’ve got and try to make one

[@TinyTreasures5755]

Hi Ara your house is coming out AMAZING just love you girl love watching your videos. 😊💞 the furniture is awesomeness.

[@BentleyHouseMinis]

Thank you so much!!

[@lylahboling6383]

Oh goodness do I love those pieces and that house

[@tracywaynegregoree5863]

I made the bed and would love to show you how it turned out. Unfortunately, I have no idea how to do it on here. Your tutorials are brilliant and so easy to follow. Thank you so much (from Lincoln, UK)

[@loisseeley5039]

Thank you Ara, Loved this. Also thank you for the *free* files. Your generosity amazes me!

[@BentleyHouseMinis]

You are so welcome!

[@Chattycrafter2580]

How gorgeous, the furniture captures the whimsical architecture of the house. I love it and the rocking chair is so cute can’t wait to see the tutorial.👏👏👍👍

[@JayofallTrades]

I absolutely love how you took on the challenge. Very creative to turn it into a matress. Turned out amazing. The rug is my new favorite. It looks like realistic woven rope.

[@BentleyHouseMinis]

Thank you for the idea to try out! ;)

[@pamelagillikin9056]

So nice, I love it, you do awesome work!!! Thanks for sharing.

[@RavensMinis]

Wonderful Ara, love how it's all coming together. Thank you for making the patters available for us. Much love!

[@BentleyHouseMinis]

You are so welcome! I am glad you like the design!

[@georgetteanderson8980]

I love this series

[@mothermayi7832]

Hey, at least the bed is water proof., so cute.

[@leilavogrig5324]

i’m 13 years old and these are so interesting i used to have a miniature house but my dad sold it. i love your content!

[@BentleyHouseMinis]

Thank you Leila!

[@beatrixthegreat1138]

Aww maybe you can build one.

[@MetaMarcy21]

That’s too bad, Leila, but I think it gives you a chance to build your own! Maybe from cardboard 🙂

[@RealTerrainHobbies]

Love it! Beautiful work. That house design is so good and your furniture is fantastic. :)

[@BentleyHouseMinis]

Thank you I really appreciate that!

[@2sons1lv]

Love all your amazing creations my darling ❤❤❤❤👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@PaulaStorm]

As always, brilliant!! I’d love to see some pot plants maybe made from old magazines...? I’d love to see how you’d create ‘soil’. Ohh a potting table in the tower could be cool. I can’t wait to see what you do with the kitchen and tower. Love your work my friend! xxx

[@BentleyHouseMinis]

Yay fun ideas! Thank you for converting the patterns again... they are wonderful!

[@KathleenWeber]

You can crochet that plastic "twine" too.

[@marqueeshop]

So lucky I found you! thank you

[@darnelleechols8556]

Thanks for a great tutorial, Ara. ❤️ You gave me lots of invaluable ideas and inspiration. The rug is an adorable accent. :)

[@BentleyHouseMinis]

Thank you Darnelle! You know I always love to hear inspiration came from one of my videos! Yay!

[@anastasiasholeinthehollerc8697]

This looks like so much fun, the whimsey of it is just so adorable. The way you made the bed look is just spectacular. Im really enjoying this project, thank you for doing it.

[@BentleyHouseMinis]

Thanks so much Anastasia! 😊

[@signaltome]

As promised here is a new video. I must say the cardboard dollhouse got lots of mileage, I wasn't sure when you started but this is actually lots of fun. I hope you enjoy making this as well or that would be a bummer. It seems like it though so good work as usual. I wondered about the rug at the start and I could have never guessed it was made from a plastic bag. I suspected when you started to use them for the project though. ;-) Now I forgot you made the inhabitant of the house, have to go back and watch that now.

[@BentleyHouseMinis]

Thank you! I am glad you are enjoying this series too!

[@jojosmumdorothy2829]

Mini rubbish sacks would be easy to make out of carrier bags you could even weave different coloured bags to make a rug or blanket 🤔 x

[@happyjenny68]

I’ve nearly finished my cardboard house and can’t wait until I can do the furniture, these look amazing! Thanks Ara! ☺️

[@ChiarettaCroce]

OMG they are soooooooo nice, thank you for sharing this video and free pdf pattern!

[@wandacampbell337]

WOW I just LOVE IT

[@laurachampagne9782]

I made the cutest bed following this tutorial. Thanks for sharing all the info you do!!!

[@giuliamarco2053]

So beautiful 😊

[@BetterThanYouAtSpace]

This series is so much fun - and so creative ! You have such cool ideas for working with cardboard, I can’t wait to start my own project soon :) I think you could probably crochet with the plastic bag by cutting it into one long strand by kind of zig-zagging rather than cutting strips off, if that makes sense - I bet that could make for some cool wicker-looking objects with a bit of paint !!

[@BentleyHouseMinis]

Great idea with the cutting and crochet! I will have to see if I can convince my master-crocheter sister to make something!!

[@clarefoskett9959]

Beautiful creations x

[@sarahscraftyallsorts6482]

Absolutely amazing

[@dmmomma]

I am loving this build! Having a great time on my own copied version so thanks for the inspiration!

[@BentleyHouseMinis]

That's awesome!

[@donitaforrest9064]

Details.....an old fashioned hand held "brass" candle holder with a single waxy dripped candle, placed on the offset vanity on a tiny dresser top doily. Also, the bed curtains, the top of the 'crown' could have had a puffy topknot of lace, more crown like, as the point of these curtains is to keep bugs out, so not left open at the top, yeah? I like your plastic bag rag rug idea very much.

[@BentleyHouseMinis]

Thank you for the ideas and details! I didn't see the topknot in my research but I will have to look again ;)

[@Bellinha2812]

These are sooo cuteeee! I want to live in this house! ❤️ How about making some weaved baskets with newspaper? I don't know if it would be possible in such a small size, but I think It would fit the aesthetic of the house! 😘😘😘

[@BentleyHouseMinis]

Great idea!!

[@billieprice6023]

I think some jute twine would make some awesome old fashioned rugs and jute comes in different so would strings off old mini blinds and you can dye them colors too so would old shoe strings old tennis shoe leather or material would be great for like little chair center pieces

[@JacqueSchaferTrio]

How do I download your terrific pattern? Thank You!

[@AnneAndersonFoxiepaws]

I love this house...I haven't seen the little lady yet but she is adorable!

[@barbaraness4507]

11:23 Just FYI our H-E-B has a large metal bin for those type of bags to be recycled. It’s the only form of recycling we have here.

[@yezzyjames]

Glad I'm not the only person that mixes up their lefts and their rights. Absolutely love the set you made. Looks eerily like the one I designed for my own cardboard house. :}

[@BentleyHouseMinis]

Did I mix it up? Lol...oops. I have never been able to remember left and right! Thank you!

[@tinkerseeya754]

You are so talented I am loving this project so much. Every piece you make is just perfect.

[@gr8fuldeadhead1979]

I just found the miniature world. I love your work! The bed is my first project. Can u tell me a good alternative to joint compound? I’m just starting out and don’t have that in my craft hoard. Haha TY!

[@concepcionvargas2633]

Hola desde México muchas felicidades me encanta todo lo que haces.

[@BentleyHouseMinis]

Thank you!

[@Bectheartist]

Oh, this is wonderful! I've been binge-watching your videos recently, and it's helped with my anxiety and kept me sane during these crazy Covid times. Thanks for these videos!

[@AnneAndersonFoxiepaws]

There are some good plarn (plastic yarn?) Videos around KZbin. How to make rugs/mats etc and how to kinda knit with it or crochet if I remember right!

[@BentleyHouseMinis]

I can neither knit nor crochet lol... my fingers seem to refuse! I will look up the yarn making though... maybe I can fake something with it ;)

[@carollewis2232]

Could you use some jute string to make scour mat type effect! It would work for a front door mat too!

[@argusfleibeit1165]

So neat!

[@palomamiyaya]

Beautiful, thank you for sharing your creativity

[@reneeluerailikedesigningcr8355]

Way artsy crafty.👩‍🎨👨‍🎨

[@ravenwillow13]

I know im late on the bandwagon but omg these are amazing! I am going to be starting my own proje t soon and will be doing this, thank you so much, you have truly inspired my imagination. I am also wondering if you Have plans available for 1:16 in these designs?

[@deborah41541]

I love it so much that I think I’ll sneak in and slee in that bed this weekend.

[@DRN]

I love how you got the bed sheet draped!

[@BentleyHouseMinis]

Thank you! I love an unmade bed every now and then! :)

[@cynthiaconnell7878]

You could use raffia for the rugs.

[@Lhennae_Blackye]

Are the measurements of the bed suitable for Barbie dolls as well? By the way, I love how u give another one the plastic bags!

[@tonyn1710]

Awesome, very nice 😁😁😁👍👍👍👍👍

[@heavenjohnson6753]

Could you use grout instead of the joint compound? Just curious as I have some grout that hasn't been mixed yet. Love the video! ❤

[@JillyBean70]

Thank you....Looks Amazing ♥

[@CatS55587]

I Love how creative you are Ara!!

[@d0rianus]

You should do some 1:6 scaled stuff too… just to spice things up 😅

[@GingerLolaMiniatures]

Amazing work!!!

[@nancyyoscreative]

Impressive! I absolutely love this bedroom set. You are amazing!

[@hangar8180]

ara your the awesomest!! thanks a bunch for this tutorial

[@robinoleary7099]

Amazing! I love it! And l got my extra video! Woot woot!

[@BentleyHouseMinis]

😄😄

[@kelliduncan9974]

You are amazing!

[@BentleyHouseMinis]

Aww thank you😊

[@anntitus7066]

Love the cardboard part. I’m working on 1:3 scale stuff is getting heavy anyway you could scale up your patterns or know someone who works on 1:3 scale

[@BentleyHouseMinis]

If you look up my video on 'Understand Scale' there is a section that talks about scaling patterns for your needs. There are times stamps in the description so you can skip to that spot if you like ;) Glad you like the design!