Do you ever wish you could go back to being a kid – just for a day – so you could play with your favorite toys? I had that opportunity a few weeks ago when my nieces came for a visit. I pulled out my vintage 1980’s Barbie Dreamhouse and set it up with all of its original furniture. I dressed my old Barbie’s in their fabulous vintage clothing and staged them sitting in each room and outdoor space like there was a big ole party goin on. I’m pretty sure I had more fun doing that than the girls had playing with it.
For a little while, I felt like a kid again. It made me realize how many precious memories these houses hold for so many people. Sixty years’ worth of memories, in fact. I can remember vividly the countless hours spent playing with my Barbie Dreamhouse – and all of the family, friend and career scenarios that I played out with my dolls there. In some way, I suppose I was projecting what I wanted for my own life someday. I can’t think of many other toys that truly allow kids to make believe in this way.
Dreamhouse Evolution
One of the things I find most fascinating about the evolution of Barbie Dreamhouses over the years is that they really followed what was in style IRL. Starting out as a cardboard mid-century ranch house that unfolded from a case, it featured bold plaids and wood grains. The next iteration was a three-story townhouse with 1970’s mod-style that had an elevator to carry Barbie from one floor to the next. Then we had the A-frame style house which was trending across the country. It split apart into 3 sections and for the first time had real décor, interactive spaces and miniature food. Later came the 1990’s mansion in a dreamy bubble-gum pink that was a nod to the explosion of large houses becoming much more common. In the 2000’s the house took a throwback turn with a Victorian style mansion. And the most recent version was designed with influencers in mind, with all sorts of photo-ready angles. There is so much information available about these houses and the value that they accrue as they age…especially those that are in mint condition. I’ll just focus here on my special house and a nod to Beckie’s.
1981 Barbie Dreamhouse – The A-Frame
I got my Barbie Dreamhouse from Santa for Christmas in 1981. When I came down the stairs that morning it was the first thing I saw…set up in all its glory. This house had some serious architecture. I had the A-frame Dream House with an indoor/outdoor vibe. It had 3 moveable pieces so you could open it up to access all the rooms or keep it closed when you weren’t playing with it. It also had stylish French doors leading to the balcony and terrace planters on the windows. One of my favorite rooms was the kitchen/dining room because the refrigerator included miniature food items (the TV dinners were my favorite) and the dining room table had plates, silverware and wine glasses so you could set up a pretty table. I guess you could say my love of tablescapes started at a young age. My other favorite room was Barbie’s dressing room which had a deep closet that you could actually hang her clothes in. It also featured a cute pink vanity that came with miniature perfume bottles, hairbrush, comb, mirror and a hair dryer. Barbie spent a lot of time in that room getting ready for her dates with Ken. 😊
1974 Barbie Dreamhouse – The Townhouse
Beckie had one of the earliest versions – the 1974 Barbie Townhouse – which was a Christmas gift from her Nana that she shared with her twin sister. The townhouse had three stories and included an elevator so kids could move their Barbie’s up and down the different floors. The interiors of this version were not 3D and the rooms were depicted with picture displays. It included plastic furniture pieces to place in front of the backdrop photos, but they weren’t the easiest to use. Beckie and her sister had endless storylines for their dolls in their dreamhouse – marriages, babies, slumber parties, fancy balls and lots of interior decorating. She credits her Barbie Dreamhouse with helping her develop her creativity and storytelling and even helping her develop social skills.
This house has given me such great memories. And even though I had a blast setting up my Barbie Dreamhouse for my nieces and watching them enjoy it….I think it’s time to put it on the market for another young girl to enjoy. It won’t be easy to let go of, but I’ll be happy to know it’s being enjoyed for years to come.
~ Jill