Modelling4Comfort
Simon's Coffee Shop
Overview
Simon’s Coffee Shop is a charming miniature DIY house kit from Fat Brain Toys, built over five days during the December 2024 holiday break. What began as a gift for my granddaughters (ages 6 and 10) transformed into my own project when the intricate details proved too challenging for their young hands.
Project Details:
- Kit: Fat Brain Toys DIY Miniature House - Simon’s Coffee Shop
- Scale: Approximately 1:24
- Build Time: 5 days (December 19-23, 2024)
- Type: Complete kit build
- Display: Tabletop miniature scene
The Story Behind the Build
I purchased this kit with my granddaughters in mind, imagining a fun holiday project we could work on together. At ages 6 and 10, I thought they’d enjoy the creativity of building a miniature scene. However, upon opening the box and seeing the tiny components, intricate assembly steps, and precision required, it became clear this was more adult-friendly than I’d anticipated.
Rather than let the kit gather dust, I decided to tackle it myself during the holiday break. It turned into a relaxing five-day project - a perfect way to unwind while creating something charming and detailed.
Kit Contents and Quality
Opening the box revealed impressive organization and attention to detail:
Kit Components:
- Laser-cut plywood panels for structure
- Pre-packaged component bags (organized by assembly stage)
- All necessary tools included
- Multiple types of adhesive provided
- Tiny furniture and accessories
- Lighting components
- Detailed instruction booklet
What Impressed Me:
- Complete toolkit - No need to hunt for special tools
- Quality materials - Laser-cut parts fit precisely
- Thoughtful packaging - Components organized by build stage
- Professional instructions - Methodical, comprehensive, well-illustrated
- Realistic details - Even tiny elements looked authentic
The kit truly contained everything needed - a rarity in model kits.
The Build Process
Day 1-2: Component Preparation
The instructions emphasized a critical point: follow the sequence exactly. This wasn’t a suggestion - certain components needed to be installed in specific order, or later steps would become impossible.
My Approach:
- Read through entire instruction booklet first
- Organize all bags in sequence order
- Prepare components for each stage before assembly
- Work through steps methodically, no skipping ahead
The laser-cut plywood panels popped out cleanly, though some edges needed light sanding for perfect fit.
Day 3-4: Structural Assembly
Building the structure required patience but rewarded precision:
- Walls assembled from laser-cut panels
- Floor properly aligned and secured
- Windows and door frames installed (must be done before wall assembly!)
- Interior fixtures positioned
- Counter and shelving units built and placed
The Challenge: Many parts were genuinely tiny - smaller than a fingernail. Tweezers became my best friend. I could see why this frustrated my granddaughters. What’s “fiddly but manageable” for an adult with modeling experience would be genuinely difficult for young children.
Day 5: Details and Finishing
The final day focused on bringing the coffee shop to life with details:
Interior Elements:
- Tiny tables and chairs (multiple sets)
- Coffee machine and brewing equipment
- Menu boards and signage
- Shelving with coffee bags and supplies
- Counter accessories
- Decorative plants
- Wall art and posters
Exterior Touches:
- Outdoor seating area
- Signage and awning
- Window dressing
- Entrance details
Every tiny component added charm and realism.
The Completed Coffee Shop
The finished piece exceeded my expectations. Despite being a pre-designed kit, the final result has character and charm. The scale, details, and overall design create a convincing miniature coffee shop that invites closer inspection.
Final Dimensions: Approximately book-sized, perfect for shelf or table display
Display Quality: The realistic elements and careful detailing make it a genuine display piece, not just a toy.
Final Thoughts and Display
What I Learned
About the Kit:
- Excellent quality for a commercial kit
- Instructions genuinely helpful (not all kits manage this!)
- Sequence matters - can’t skip ahead or rearrange steps
- “Small parts” warning is serious - truly tiny components
- Realistic final result despite being a kit
About the Experience:
- Perfect holiday project - engaging but not stressful
- Good bridge between casual craft and serious modeling
- Reminded me that not everything needs to be scratch-built
- Sometimes following instructions is relaxing
- Realistic age guidance matters (definitely not for young children)
Reflections
This kit represents a different kind of modeling experience than my scratch-built projects. There’s something satisfying about a well-designed kit where everything fits, instructions are clear, and the final result looks polished without requiring expert-level skills.
For My Granddaughters: Perhaps in a few years, when their dexterity and patience have developed, they’ll be ready to tackle kits like this. For now, I’ve set it aside safely, and maybe it’ll inspire them to try miniature building when they’re older.
For My Collection: Simon’s Coffee Shop has found a home on my display shelf, a charming reminder of a peaceful holiday building session. It sits well alongside my more ambitious scratch-built projects - proof that there’s room for both approaches in the hobby.
Kit Information
Manufacturer: Fat Brain Toys
Product Line: DIY Miniature House
Model: Simon’s Coffee Shop
Recommended Age: 14+ (accurate assessment)
Build Time: 5-8 hours for experienced builder
Skill Level: Intermediate (despite being a kit)
Materials: Laser-cut plywood, plastic components, fabric, paper
Lighting: Included (battery-powered)
Would I Recommend It?
Absolutely - for teens and adults who enjoy detailed miniature work. The kit delivers on its promises: clear instructions, quality materials, realistic results. Just be honest about the age requirements and the patience needed for tiny components.
It’s a great introduction to miniature building without the intimidation of starting from scratch.
Gallery
Project Type: Kit Build
Completion Date: December 23, 2024
Build Time: 5 days (holiday project)
Status: Completed and displayed
Originally Intended For: Granddaughters (ages 6 & 10)
Actually Built By: Grandfather (me!)
Lesson Learned: Age recommendations exist for good reasons
Gallery
Have questions or feedback about this project? I'd love to hear from you.