After four decades, one of Malibu’s most famous residents is putting her iconic beachfront property on the market. It’s a buyer’s dream come true — Barbie doll’s famous Dreamhouse is for sale!
Though she’s known for being a fashion icon, it’s not just Barbie’s personal style that has received a great deal of attention over the past four decades; the ultra-fabulous world in which she lives gets kudos too. And since she’s always living in the moment, it makes sense that the Dreamhouse — which has always given girls a guide to glam, a license to dream, and a way to play in Barbie’s uber fashionable world — has been renovated and redesigned more than 10 times over the decades. We’ve seen Barbie’s design aesthetic transform from the original 1962 multi-colored, swirling Mod style Dreamhouse to the ultra-glam, modern-chic, three-story Dreamhouse of 2012.
Let’s take a tour of Barbie’s Dreamhouses through the years!
1962 Barbie’s Dreamhouse
Barbie’s first-ever, modern-style studio was made completely out of cardboard, with the exception of the pink plastic hangers in her closet! The record covers displayed in Barbie’s studio even showcased real bands from the early ’60s.
This mid-century home’s design was all about open spaces and nature-inspired colors — like harvest gold and sunny orange tones; modernism and abstract expressionism, which Barbie took from the runway to the hallway, were also big inspirations.
1974 Barbie’s Townhouse
This three-story townhouse came with its own working elevator and is considered to be one of Barbie’s most iconic houses to date. Barbie’s use of bright turquoise, yellow, orange, and brown reflected this decade’s most popular colors for décor. The iconic townhouse also showcased the new obsession with modern conveniences, like the novel inclusion of an elevator!
1979 Barbie Dreamhouse
This refreshed Dreamhouse featured many new accents and accessories, including planters, shutters, working doors, and windows. The home was so popular that it was produced for almost a decade in a range of colors, including pink and white. The A-frame style — which dominated the design space in the 1970s — featured pops of bright color, and plastic and vinyl furnishings addressed the fascination with convenience and tech.
1983 Barbie Townhouse
The totally ’80s three-story Barbie Dreamhouse featured doll-tastic design updates to reflect the decade’s style: bold design and more sophisticated colors and details — it was a time of decadence, after all — and a fully-functional pink elevator.
1990 Barbie Magical Mansion
Of all Barbie’s residences, this lavish mansion was truly upgraded. It featured working electronics, like a ringing telephone and doorbell, and a glowing accessories, like a fireplace and chandelier. The Dreamhouse’s design retained the indulgent influence of the ’80s, but it also addressed the growing fascination with taking comfort to the next level by adding electronic enhancements and increased functionality.
1998 Barbie Deluxe Dreamhouse
Continuing to evolve and reflect modern styles, this Deluxe Dreamhouse featured fully-furnished rooms and a swing on the front porch. Architectural details included stained glass windows, a balcony, and pink arches and columns. Reflecting the times, comfort and space were Barbie’s top priority for this Dreamhouse. Color trends for this time period were also honored, and the décor evolved with a more monochromatic color palette.
2012 Barbie Dreamhouse
A revamped version of the “Magic Sounds” townhouse from the ’70s, Barbie doll’s iconic home received a pink-tastic makeover. The three-story Dreamhouse was reinterpreted for today’s girl and includes a pink personal elevator, flat screen TV, outdoor whirlpool tub, and lights and sounds on every level. Today’s design is in line with Barbie’s super-busy, working-woman schedule; she wants modern conveniences — like an elevator and a deluxe TV — in a luxurious setting, and she’s got it!
