dolls house source information

The Nursery

The nursery was located on a upper floor or even in the attic. They were functional rather than decorative, and tended to be plain, clean and hygienic.

By 1870 wallpapers specifically designed for nursery’s had become available along with educational friezes. Decoration tended to be light and simple without much ornamentation. Cupboards and shelves would have stored toys, books and educational materials. Floors were often bare floorboards.

Beds and cribs were frequently made of cast iron with high sides to stop a toddler falling out. Later wicker furniture became more popular. Other items of furniture might include:-

Desks and forms
Nursery fender made of brass and steel. – used to keep children away from the fire but was also used to dry towels
Washstand
Nursing chair
Hard chairs and table
Chest of drawers
Trunk

By the end of the nineteenth century, numerous toys had been developed for children. Popular favourites included:-

Forts and castles
Merry go rounds
Toy towns made from cardboard
Bandstand and musicians
Toy shop
Puppet theatre
Rocking horse
Dolls house
Noahs ark
Model kitchens
Model boats and planes
Building bricks
Teddy bear
Dolls dolls tea set
Cup and ball
Books
Marbles

In very large houses there might have been a night nursery for sleeping and a day nursery for educational and leisure pursuits. A third room for a nurse or governess might be found adjacent to the nursery.

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