A few years ago, Joyce and I restored the house at 623 32nd Avenue in San Francisco’s Richmond District. It wasn’t the real house—just a 1/12th scale dollhouse model. Completely furnished. It was donated to the The Western Neighborhood Project (WNP) and they thought of us because of our love for miniatures.

The house needed cleaning, touch-ups, and repairs. We used gentle solvents and Q-tip-style cleaners to remove years of grime without damaging the finishes. Some loose furniture and accessories needed re-gluing. A few spots required careful paint touch-ups. Nothing overly complicated, but detail work takes time.

It was a joy to work on. We spent months bringing it back to life, knowing it would be displayed in the WNP offices for visitors to see. It’s nice to know this little house will continue to tell its story, just like the big one it replicates.

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