Painted Ladies is a term used for Victorian ...

Painted Ladies is a term used for Victorian and Edwardian houses and buildings painted in three or more colors that embellish or enhance their architectural details.
~encyclopedia.com

Sorry, another blip around the house but forgot to bring camera with me and was asked by someone on twitter to share photos of the doll houses. Yep, another thing which seems to have multiplied ten-fold since Charlotte was born.

First doll house (a huge Fisher Price pink one) was purchased when Charlotte was less then a day old. I knew then that she was going to be a daddy's girl (and I wasn't wrong). Then Mommom bought this for Charlotte for her 2nd birthday. We had already been over to the states twice by then and knew we wanted a Painted Ladies doll house but didn't know anything about building them as proof from the fact that it sat in the box for a good 2 years before someone local who makes gorgeous bird boxes took on the challenge. As you can see, he did a brilliant job. All the windows work, as do the doors. I couldn't get a picture of the back because it's too heavy to move. We're hoping to decide on the colors and have it painted as a Painted Lady by the time Charlotte gets married (hoping, but doubtful).

Other doll houses include:
Bakery dollhouse that is a replica of the bakery turned antique shop in Bridgnorth (made for the Dixon family).
American Barnthat I managed to get back as luggage on our last trip over. It was purchased at an antique shop on a side of a road up the mountains. It's great for farm animals.
Dollhouse in Charlotte's room - which Charlotte's friends seem to use the most.
The Playmobile Victorian house in the office. Did I mention the Playmobile collection?

Overall, very good day. Taught in the morning, received positive feedback (with a few minor changes) on my A1 portfolio which should now get signed off in a few weeks, managed to get passport sized photos for my uni app (won't go into the freaky Wallace and Grommit non-smile) and even managed to bake fresh bread before taking Charlotte to her last swimming lesson of the season (she didn't pass, but we knew that already).

Oh, and Michael found my passport last night. Hooray! I can now enter the UK legally again :-)