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A life-size Barbie Dreamhouse wouldn't be complete without the very same elements that make the toys themselves so fun to play with. In HGTV's Barbie Dreamhouse Challenge, each design duo is tasked with adding at least one "toyetic" concept to their project. In the series premiere, we learn those are defined as "toylike features that often serve a dual purpose." Intriguing!
As the four-part series continues, we're keeping track of every fun addition throughout the 4,500-square-foot fantasy mansion located in Southern California and highlighting them here so you don't miss them. Who knows, maybe you'll want to recreate a few of them in your own dream house.
Purple Lucite Elevator
Married to Real Estate stars Egypt Sherrod and Mike Jackson take on the entry, living room, and dining room in the house. While they originally wanted to incorporate a cupcake carousel in a dining room wall as their toyetic feature, they ended up going with an elevator made of purple Lucite for Barbie's pets in the 1990s-inspired living room (which is arguably even more iconic than cupcakes!). But there's more! The elevator doubles as a telephone booth and operates via a simple button.
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Hidden Appliance Lifts
The purple number isn't the only elevator in this house. The appliances get their own mini-lifts. Help! I Wrecked My House star Jasmine Roth and Food Network's Antonia Lofaso worked on the kitchen and family room, and they incorporated multiple toyetic features in the kitchen. Perhaps the most thrilling are the hidden appliance lifts in the kitchen island. With the press of two buttons—made to look like 2-D stickers, one of a blender and the other shaped like a toaster—each appliance garage rises out of the kitchen island with its respective appliance in tow. It’s not only playful, but it's a space-saving solution that makes meal prep easier. "I sincerely want that feature in my life," designer and judge Jonathan Adler said of the creative storage during the premiere episode.
Secret Pantry
Roth and Lofaso also added a secret pantry in the kitchen. The door acts as a shelving unit for storing dinnerware, cookbooks, decor, and other kitchen essentials. When pushed in, it leads to a walk-in pantry.
Sofa With TV Dinner Trays
The 1960s family room is outfitted with a replica of the colorful plaid cardboard sofa featured in the very first Barbie Dreamhouse. Not only does it look exactly like the toy, but Roth and Lofaso attached TV dinner trays to both ends of the sofa to further transport anyone who enters the space into the era when America first fell in love with Barbie.
Love knowing what your favorite HGTV stars are up to? Same. Let's keep up with them together.
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Kelly Allen is the current Associate Editor at House Beautiful, where she covers design, pop culture, and travel for digital and the print magazine. She’s been with the team for nearly three years, attending industry events and covering a range of topics. When she’s not watching every new TV show and movie, she’s browsing vintage home stores, admiring hotel interiors, and wandering around New York City. She previously worked for Delish and Cosmopolitan. Follow her on Instagram.
