Barbie's Eichler 'Dreamhouse' - Page 2

Looking back at history, Barbie's original Dreamhouse broke with tradition just like the Eichlers did. Introduced in 1962, the fold-up doll house was packaged into a clever cardboard carrying case that doubled as the house, complete with miniature modern furnishings inside.

"This [original Barbie] Dreamhouse really reminds me of the Case Study Houses, which were also cube-like, explains Barbie historian Whitney Mallett. "You had these experimental homes that were like glass boxes," she said, while showing the Eames House and Neutra's VDL House in a video timeline production for Architectural Digest that discusses the evolution of the Dreamhouse.

Originally from Orange County, the Mildens purchased their Eichler in 2016. "I had known of Eichlers since I was in high school," Jessica says. "One of my girlfriends lived in one, and I absolutely loved it."

Now that they've settled in, the couple enjoys participating in various community events, which include pancake brunches, and even a bowling night.

After they painted their house for Halloween, Kevin says he and Jessica noticed something, a shift. "I guess there's a statement from the movie that pink homes aren't really a normal thing…but the statement is that once we embrace Barbie, we can really see the difference. To see a world with Barbie is more colorful, friendly—like bringing a bit of Disneyland to our neighborhood."

"If you look at houses these days, they're all the same thing," Jessica says. "This is bold, and I love walking out there every day and seeing it. It's nice to see somebody walk by and smile, or see little kids' eyes light up. Usually, women are like 'wow,' it's a bit of a paradigm."

Since the Halloween party, their Dreamhouse has received a lot of compliments. Kevin says that people appreciated a house that was presented as "a fantasy—friendly, bright, and colorful, very feminine, not scary or spooky."

"Some people [at the party] said things like, 'This was the best party ever,' or even 'the best night of their lives,'" Kevin says. "Well, maybe they don't get out enough."

Asked about their future plans, the Mildens indicate they will be installing a cement driveway in spring '24, "so we'll discuss painting then, and whether we're going to keep the house pink."

But for now, the husband-and-wife team are enjoying their 'Barbie pink wonderland,' and are working like busy elves to spice up their candy-pink frosted chalet for December. As Christmas draws near, they're earnestly preparing a Barbie-themed 'gingerbread house' party for the neighborhood.

The Mildens assure us that "it's definitely going to be a Barbie Christmas."