It Arrived Early and I Love How It Turned Out!

Welcome to the 675th Metamorphosis Monday!

Happy 2022! I hope your year is off to a great start! Before I share a fun Before and After for this week’s Metamorphosis Monday, I want to say Thank-you so much for all the great suggestions and ideas you left on my recent post where I mentioned my plans to change the wall color in my bedroom. You are a wealth of information and I appreciate each and every suggestion and comment left on that post! I will definitely be referring back to the comments when I start the process of choosing a paint color.

If you missed that post and you’re thinking of painting a room in your home sometime soon, I very much recommend checking out the comments on that post because they are packed with helpful information, no matter the room or color you’re thinking of painting. You’ll find that previous post here: Planning Another Big Change for My Bedroom, the Hallway, Too.

A few weeks back I shared a super-neat discovery I made recently and ultimately decided to purchase: this 3,955 piece LEGO set featuring the iconic house in the movie, Home Alone. I didn’t know LEGO made sets designed specifically for adults until I came across this set while shopping for Christmas gifts online. The Home Alone set kept selling out online and by the time I finally made the decision to buy it, it was once again sold out. The LEGO website let me order it on Backorder with an expected delivery sometime in January.

 

I was so surprised when I received an email just a week or so after placing my order, indicating the set was shipping out. It arrived on Sunday, December 19 and I had it all put together by Wednesday, the 22nd. Once I started assembling it, I did not want to stop! I can’t even begin to explain how much fun this was!

Home Alone LEGO Set

 

When I opened the Home Alone LEGO box and slid the contents out onto the floor, this was how it looked. At first, I thought the white box was just filler but nope, it was also full of packages of LEGOs. I’m not sure why some were in the box loose and why others were inside the white box. There really didn’t seem to be any reason for that. Maybe the boxed section was needed as support for the outside box–not sure.

Home Alone LEGOs

 

There were 24+ packages numbered 1 through 24.

24 Packages in the Home Alone LEGO set

 

There were additional packages for some of the numbers. For example, #24 was actually two packages.

 

Also, whenever I opened a numbered package, often there were 2-3 smaller packages inside. This was package #1 and when I opened it, I found two smaller packages inside as shown below. Package #1 also included an orange brick separator. I didn’t realize a brick separator was going to come with the set so I had already ordered a couple of those here: Brick Separators. I’m glad I have extras because I quickly found out how invaluable that little tool can be!

Home Alone, Parts to Build the Plumbing Truck

 

Here’s what Package #1 created. Do you remember Marv and Harry–the house burglars who pose as plumbers in the movie?

 

It looks like I need to push down on the roof a bit more in these photos. I see some little gaps. I was new to this LEGO building stuff so you’ll have to cut me some slack. lol I just realized I forgot to take a photo of the large “book” of instructions that came with this set. It has a lot of great photos in it with additional information about the designer and creators of this wonderful set.

 

Initially, my plan was to take photos of the build after completing each numbered package. Somewhere around the 10th or 11th package, my brain went on vacation and I forgot to take photos for a while. I didn’t think about it until I was several more packages in, so at that point I stopped photographing after every package was assembled. That’s okay, though–I think you’ll get the idea of how this went from seeing packages 1-10 (of the 24) assembled.

Here’s how the house looked after package 2 was assembled. Package 2 started the process of creating some of the “moving” sections of the build…more on that in a sec.

Building Home Alone Lego House, 2

 

Package three created the floor for the first level of the home, the basement windows, and the front porch steps with the surrounding snow.

 

After package 4 was assembled, we start to see some walls and windows coming together. See that white thing sticking out there toward the bottom? That knob turns and operates some of the fun mechanics Kevin created in the movie to fool the burglars into thinking people were home and a Christmas party was underway.

 

Step/Package 5 gave us steps to the 2nd floor. It also gave us the green-carpeted steps on the right that lead from the dining room into the kitchen that would get attached to the house toward the end of the build.

 

Building the living room from package #6 was so much fun! There’s the fireplace with the stockings hung on the left and the Christmas tree there in the corner on the right. I’ve forgotten the symbolism of the two white birds on the tree. I think they are representing birds in one of the following sequels/movies. I’m not sure which one since I’ve only seen the original Home Alone movie. On the floor, you’ll see presents under the tree, including this very exact same LEGO set. Ha!

 

Another view of the build…

 

Do you remember the train in the movie and how it went around and around with the cardboard cut out of Michael Jordan, fooling the burglars into thinking people were moving inside the house? The movement of the train around the tracks is one of the actions the white knob (seen earlier) operates.

 

Building out the dining room was in Package 8, I believe.

 

The record player turning around with the mannequin on top is another movement you can create by turning the white knob. So clever how turning the knob actually does several things at once! There’s the infamous grandfather clock that chimes in the movie alerting Kevin it’s time to execute his plan.

 

The only thing that could have been done a bit better are the legs of the chairs around the dining room table. They look like LEGO had some leftover elephant tusks from a prior jungle or animal set and thought, “Hey, let’s use those tusks for the legs of the dining room chairs!” They are super unstable and if you breathe in their direction, the chairs will fall over. That’s why I have them shoved up against the table. lol I found one trick that sorta helped a little with the chair stability: Some of the tusks legs seemed to be a little shorter than others, and I found by putting the shorter ones on the front of each chair, it seemed to help the chairs set a bit more level.

 

One of my favorite parts of this build was the rugs that appear in some rooms of the home. I loved creating those!

 

The interior of the first floor was done, along with the front door and porch!

Building Home Alone Lego House, 9 Step

 

The next couple of packages created the front exterior walls of the first floor.

 

Those walls actually pivot and open up to reveal the living room and dining room, as shown below.

 

As mentioned, I forgot to take photos for a bit, and by the time I remembered, I was pretty far into the second floor. Below you’ll see all the floors/levels of the home assembled.

 

Here’s a view looking down into the first and the second floors of the McCallister home. On the dining room table, we see the plate of mac and cheese Kevin is just starting to eat when Harry and Marv come back. On the second floor, you’ll see Buzz’s room on the left and Kevin’s parent’s room on the right with the 4-poster bed. The round, white thing with the black string attached is a paint can that can be dropped down the stairs to whack one of the burglars (just like in the movie) when playing with this set. There are so many “pranks” included in this build–it’s amazing how they managed to fit so many into this set!

 

Toward the end, the laundry room and kitchen get assembled and attached to the back of the home. The two #24 packages below create Kevin’s treehouse.

 

Here’s how the home looked with all the floors assembled together. In this photo below, we see Kevin’s zip line running from a back window on the house down to the treehouse.

Home Alone Lego House with Treehouse

 

This house is so well designed, you can easily lift and remove each level/floor of the home to see down into the rooms.

LEGO Home Alone, Completed House

 

Here’s a view of the back of the home showing the kitchen. The laundry room is located just below the kitchen in the basement with the infamous, scary furnace. To the right of the trash can, you can see the basement door with the super slippery, frozen ice waiting to trip up Harry and Marv.

LEGO Home Alone, Back of House

 

The design of this house is truly brilliant! I love the way it fully opens up.

Lego Home Alone House, Open to See Inside

 

I think I read somewhere that this was the first kit that LEGO has ever designed to open up like this. Don’t quote me on that but I think I may have read that somewhere. I just noticed for the first time that you can see the huge cobweb in the attic through the left dormer window. Ha, ha, ha!

Lego Home Alone, Inside View

 

I love how the top of the attic opens up so we can see down inside. There’s Kevin’s “battle plan” on the table. He’s ready for when those dastardly burglars return!

Home Alone, LEGO House, Attic View

 

If you’re wondering where the McCallister’s bedroom is for the scene where Kevin jumps up and down on the bed, it’s through the brown door there to the left of the bathroom. There are sooo many special features included in this home, down to the aftershave in the bathroom for the infamous scene where Kevin uses it on his face.

LEGO, Home Alone House, Inside View

 

If you are a fan of the movie, I can’t recommend this LEGO set enough. It was truly so much fun to put together! I just looked and the house is still showing “temporarily out of stock” at the LEGO website, but I’m sure they will be getting more in since it was a huge hit and kept selling out repeatedly throughout the holiday season. I can’t believe I actually got one before Christmas since I delayed ordering it until well into December. I hope LEGO will create more famous movie house sets, would love to see one for A Christmas Story, complete with the leg lamp in the living room window. Ha!

Home Alone Lego House with Treehouse

 

Looking forward to all the great Before and Afters linked for this week’s Metamorphosis Monday!

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Metamorphosis Monday

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Comments

  1. Magnificent!!! You are a woman with many talents. I love following your posts.
    Happy New Year.

  2. Oh how fun!

    Like a 3D puzzle that MOVES!

    Best wishes for a healthy and happy 2022!

  3. Susan Wener says

    The design engineers at LEGOS are amazing! My son, now 30, has been building with these since he was old enough to hold them in his tiny hands! :-). And you are correct “repurposing” various components. We’ve often found parts from one kit used in a different one for a completely different purpose. Clever, IMO.

    • Really? That is too funny about finding parts used in other builds! Those chair legs are really weird! lol I love that your son still enjoys them after all these years! My DIL sent me photos of the Harry Potter castle that my son and grandsons put together for Christmas. The design engineers really do dream up some amazing and complicated builds!

  4. Donna zoltanski says

    Outstanding building so quickly! Legos are a great toy. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you!

  5. You’re having too much fun . That is just adorable!

    • Thanks, Susan–it was a lot of fun. I was sad to see the packages slowly dwindling away as it was being built. Wish it had taken longer–hated to see it end.

  6. This is so entertaining on so many levels, none of which compare to your enthusiasm in putting it all together! I love it.

  7. Oh – How FUN – I love it- we just finished the Seinfeld Apartment that we got for Christmas! have loved doing Legos with the kids for years!
    will you keep that on display all year – or will it only come out at Christmas?

    • Thanks, Maggie! That’s so awesome that you did the Seinfeld Apartment! I need to Google so I can see how that set looks.
      I think I’ll keep it out. I ordered a display case for it from Wicked Brick back when I first ordered the LEGO set itself. It still hasn’t come yet–I think they build them as orders come in and I bet they are covered up with orders right now due to Christmas. You can see the display case in this post–it’s really impressive looking: https://betweennapsontheporch.net/the-lego-ideas-home-alone-house/

  8. I love this! It looks awesome! Guess I need to get on the backorder list. I’d also love it if Lego would make the Christmas Vacation houses.

  9. Susan,
    That Lego house is amazing!! LOVE it!!
    Happy New year!!!
    Thanks so much for hosting this wonderful party each and every week!! I really appreciate the time and effort that goes into it!!! Thank You!! Stay safe, healthy and happy!!
    Hugs,
    Deb

  10. My eldest son be out it as a family gift and we all started building it pre Christmas as we played the movie on the TV. It was so much fun! We even added the light package. Now I have to figure out where to put it lol!

    • That sounds like such a fun thing to do as a family–love that! I purchased a light package from Game of Bricks and it arrived a few days ago, but I’m not sure if I have the nerve to attempt it. lol
      Do you remember what brand of lights that you purchased? Was it hard to install? One video I watched online, the guy installing the lights kept talking about how difficult it was to install them, and he’s added lights to a lot of previous builds. So that made me a little nervous about trying it.

  11. Oh my gosh….so cute, and yes, a puzzle lover would especially love this. So fun to read about your experience.

  12. cherie b bennett says

    Oh my goodness! You make me want this set so badly!!!!!

  13. Jackie Allen says

    Wow super fun!

    Legos are amazing and I love doll houses!

    Thank you for sharing.
    -Jackie

  14. Truly, this is how one stays young! Find something that brings out the child in you and excites you! For me, it is painting and crafts and I’ve now added puzzles to that thanks to you! Legos are a marvelous toy and it’s great that they now make them for adults! I doubt that I will attempt that but you did remind me how much fun it is to put puzzles together and I am now quite addicted. You are an inspiration in so many ways!

    • That’s so true, Vicki–I think it really does help keep us young. I’m so glad to hear you’re enjoying puzzles, that’s wonderful! They really are addictive–in a good way. 🙂
      Happy New Year!

  15. Wow, this lego house is amazing! You have a ton of patience and oh my the details. Lot’s of fun! Happy New Year, Susan!

    • Thanks, Debra! It was a lot of fun putting it together, like a good book, I hated to see it come to an end.
      Happy New Year to you and your family! Looking forward to 2022!

  16. Oh! I so appreciated this post Susan. My son was a huge Lego fan {he’s almost 20 now}. He’s still a lego fan but isn’t obsessed as he was as a young boy & we’ve built many, many sets. We still have all his legos since they are hard to part with. This house is amazing! I have never seen something that opens up like that! Thank you so much for sharing. Looking forward to 2022 and all the things you share. XO- MaryJo

  17. This looks fabulous!! and so much fun. Lego did a great job of recreating all the fun features in the movie!

    • They really did. I think the original designer gets a lot of the credit but the LEGO designers definitely did some amazing things with what he dreamed up for the set.

  18. My son is 40 and still loves Lego. There is a wonderful Christmas Village set that has a new one every year that I love! Check it out!

  19. This is so stinking cool and so well designed, with the exception of the table legs. They really do look like elephant tusks. lol I love how it can open up to see inside all of the rooms. I also love the interaction with the little white knob. So very cool, looks like they thought of everything! Yes, I would love to see the Christmas Story too brought to life in Lego’s and the infamous leg lamp in the window! lol I just love this so much! You did a great job assembling this Susan. Now I know we will see it each Christmas! Hugs, Brenda

    • They definitely need to do A Christmas Story set! I hope someone designs that, I would totally buy it and I bet a lot of other people would, too. Thanks, Brenda! 🙂

  20. Bernadette Gibson says

    WOW!!! How long did it take you to put the entire house and extras together?

    • I started it on a Sunday evening and finished it the following Wednesday so around 3 days. I was working on it almost fulltime when I wasn’t creating a blog post or doing something else that I needed to get done. It was so addictive! I do the same thing when I start a puzzle, I can’t leave it alone. lol

  21. I’m on the backorder list! Hope it comes back soon because I’m definitely going to buy this. Do you have more details on the light kit that can be added? This would be cool too. Thanks so much for sharing all these awesome finds.

    • I hope so, too. Now that the holidays are past, hopefully they’ll get caught back up with all their orders. The light kit I purchased is the one from Game of Bricks. Anita, check out this previous post where I shared about the one I bought.
      https://betweennapsontheporch.net/the-lego-ideas-home-alone-house/
      It’s here now, but I haven’t attempted to add the lighting to the house, yet. The lighting kit I purchased from them came with a remote for turning the lights on and off.

  22. Oh WOW – that’s amazing Susan! And so fun that you put it together so fast! It’s totally cool! Thanks for the assembly tour, and thanks for hosting this fabulous party!

  23. Mary Deckert says
    • Yup, that’s the same company I purchased lights from. There are a bunch of companies that make lights for the LEGO kits so I hope I chose a good set. I went with the second drop-down choice which includes a remote. I haven’t had the nerve to attempt to install them yet. lol I’m kinda dreading it because I think you have to take several things apart. Maybe it won’t be as complicated as I fear.
      I really need to install them, though…it looks amazing in their photos all lit up. Mary, thanks for sharing those in case I wasn’t already aware of them!

  24. Linda Page Gurganus says

    I love this! Wish I had been there to help you set it up. So much fun! Too cute!

  25. Happy New Year, Susan!

  26. The house is amazing, well done! Thanks Susan, happy 2022!

  27. I LOVE IT! How much fun! Great way to start the year!

  28. Just amazing! I love that house!! Where will you keep it? On one of your bookcases in your office? Love it! Happy New Year Susan!

    • I’m not totally sure, yet. I need to see where it looks best once the display case I purchased arrives. I think I’ll place it either on the chest in my upstairs hallway or in the upstairs family room. The case will be too large for me to put it on a bookcase…the house even not inside a display case is pretty tall. I’ll have to share how it looks inside the display case once it arrives. Sheri, in case you’re curious, you can see the display case I ordered for it here: https://betweennapsontheporch.net/the-lego-ideas-home-alone-house/ The display cases are made when they receive the order and I bet they are backed up with Christmas orders right now. Looking forward to when it arrives.
      Happy New Year, Sheri!
      XXX

  29. carolyn p. bailie says
    • No, I hadn’t seen those! So interesting–they have some great ones! What an interesting site! Lots of goodies!
      Happy New Year, Carolyn!

  30. Haha, I told you! I knew you wouldn’t be able to take your leisurely time. You planned to work on for the month of January, lol. I knew you wouldn’t be able to leave it alone and that it would be finished in just a few days. :D:D:D But who knew it would be done before Christmas!

    What a fun project. As usual, you did it so well. I can just imagine all those tiny pieces driving me out of my tiny mind. I love all the fun easter eggs, like the Home Alone lego set under the tree. So cute! I’m glad you had such a good time putting this together (your enjoyment is very evident!) and thank you so much for sharing the finished product with us. I look forward to you getting the case and deciding if you’ll add the lights, and where in the house you’re going to put it! Oh boy, Susan. Have you started something? Do you see more lego creations in your future? 😀

    • Yep, I had a feeling that would happen, that once I got started I wouldn’t be able to stop until it was done. It would have been fun to have gotten it on December 1st and forrced myself to do one package per day.
      Thanks, Pam! No, I don’t have plans to buy anymore unless they do another iconic movie house that I just can’t resist. I would quickly run out of places to store them and I know I wouldn’t be able to bring myself to take them apart. It really was fun to do, though!

      • Oh, I love your idea of assembling a package each day right up to Christmas! Maybe you could do that next year. Take it apart and re-do it, just like you sometimes do with puzzles. I don’t know though – it has nearly 4,000 pieces!

  31. Hi Susan! What fun you had putting the house together. You said four days to assemble, but how many hours per day did you spend on it? Did you stay into the wee hours working on it and did you stop to eat? Just kidding! Your enthusiasm is contagious. All those packages and no missing parts I find incredible. I imagine once the case comes for display you will have to remove the house to open the doors, etc. Just like a grownup playhouse. Can’t imagine taking it apart; how would that even work? Thanks for this fun step by step!

    • Ummm, I’m not exactly sure since I didn’t keep close track. Typically I would complete two packages/steps, then get up and do something else, like run errands, work on a post, or do something here in the house. Then I’d work on it again.
      I know, isn’t that amazing!!! I thought about that, the fact they can send out a set with almost 4,000 pieces, and none are missing! At first, I was a bit confused because I would always have 3-4 teeny pieces left over after completing a package. I did a search and discovered that’s normal. Apparently, LEGO includes a few extras of the tiniest pieces that they know can get lost. One thing I had leftover was a bunch of little flowers, so I ended up sticking them in some empty/open spots around the back porch. I took the photos for this post before I did that so they aren’t visible in the back porch photo. I like how they look there, though.
      I can’t imagine taking it apart either. A friend of mine wanted to buy the set and since the website was showing out of stock, I looked on eBay to see what the prices were there. There was a set for sale that said it had been put together, but then taken back apart and it claimed all the pieces were there. But can you just imagine hunting for a specific piece among 3,995 pieces?!!! It would take forever to find the piece you needed, even if you sorted/grouped “like” pieces together.

  32. Thought you might like to see the news on the couple that used 400,000 lego blocks to build a replica of London Bridge in their living room–fascinating!:

    https://uk.news.yahoo.com/couple-build-old-london-bridge-lego-bricks-132235987.html

  33. franki Parde says

    Finally…have limited internet back..here’s to you in 2022!! Your “build” is spectacular!!! franki

  34. Cyndi Raines says

    Congratulations Susan — great job, well done and in record time! It is amazing how real the house is with all the features shown in the movie!
    I’m totally amazed at your tenacity and proud of you and your skills. It is like a 3d puzzle!

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