Open Floorplan

You can deal with lead paint and varnish, just do it carefully.  Google "sanding lead paint" to see how to do it properly.  

But since you are unsure if it is lead paint, you may want to purchase lead test swabs from the home improvement store.

 

@Cathy :) thanks. I would never have known those are available. Definitely going to do that.

imwrote the owner and asked if it was a bother if she could give me some history on the house. I hope she answers.

You said the date on it was 1981... lead paint was discontinued before then. Might as well test it, but you're probably okay.

As for how to get the linoleum up, try a razor blade. Hold it almost parallel to the floor but with a slight angle, slip the blade up under the linoleum, and chip away at it. I have a metal holder that the razor blade goes in, which makes it easier to hold and get good leverage. (Or, if it's mainly a paper backing that remains, try Goo Gone on it.)

33 minutes ago, MLI Designs said:

@Cathy :) thanks. I would never have known those are available. Definitely going to do that.

imwrote the owner and asked if it was a bother if she could give me some history on the house. I hope she answers.

Good, glad you're going to test for lead paint. Even though the house is dated 1981 and lead paint was discontinued in 1978, the builder could have used lead paint.  It is worth a few bucks for the peace of mind that a test kit would provide.

I also hope the owner can provide history on the house.  That would be so neat to have!  Please let us know what you find out.

@Cathy :) I'll definitely let you know. She wasn't super enthusiastic when I picked up the house but she lost her husband and was clearing out the house to move north. It was kind of sad. I hope she answers my text

6 minutes ago, MLI Designs said:

@Cathy :) I'll definitely let you know. She wasn't super enthusiastic when I picked up the house but she lost her husband and was clearing out the house to move north. It was kind of sad. I hope she answers my text

Ohhh, that IS sad.  Losing her husband and clearing out the house to move would be very overwhelming and difficult. 

@Cathy :) she just answered me. It was a nice response. 

Hola, Mish You've got mail!   Debbie Insinga Rothrock · White House, TN, US  No the paint has NO lead. It is craft paint. The outside is Stain. The copper wiring should be taken out because it is none working. I am the original owner.The dollhouse alone cost $300 by it's self back then! Enjoy, hope it will last another 30 some years!     ————  Respond to Debbie by replying to this email or on VarageSale. You received this email because you received a private message. If you'd rather not be notified, you may unsubscribe in your notification preferences. This is a message from VarageSale, inc, 111 Peter Street, Toronto, ON, M5V 2H1, Canada.

@MLI Designs  I agree, nice response

That was really nice of her to answer, especially since she is going through such a difficult time.

When I look at the inside, I can sort of see it being done with plaster walls. Not the nice finished kind, but the kind where they put it on, and you can see where they didn't smooth it out. Kind of like this:

That would mean you wouldn't have to do a lot of prep work on the walls, and it would go with the primitive look of the house.

Google "rough plaster walls" and click on images. There are some neat ideas.