Rolife Simon's Coffee Shop Review: The Truth About the Wire Chairs

If you scroll through Instagram looking for miniature inspiration, you have definitely seen Rolife Simon’s Coffee Shop (DG109).

With its piano, flower pots, and cozy brown aesthetic, it is arguably the most famous dollhouse kit in the world.

But here is the secret most product photos don’t tell you:

This kit is not for the faint of heart.

Unlike newer kits that snap together, Simon’s Coffee Shop is "Old School" DIY.

It requires glue, patience, and—most importantly—the ability to bend metal. Is it worth the effort? Yes, but you need to know what you are getting into.

The "Wire" Warning: Making the Chairs.

The biggest difference between this kit and newer ones like Sunshine Town [Sunshine Town Review] is the furniture.

In most modern kits, you glue pre-cut wood pieces together to make a chair. In Simon’s Coffee Shop, you are given rolls of gold and white wire and a template. You have to bend, twist, and glue the wire yourself to create the legs and backs of the chairs and tables.

Pro Tip: Do not attempt this with your bare fingers. You will need a good pair of Needle Nose Pliers . If you try to do this by hand, the chairs will look lumpy. If you use pliers, they look elegant and professional.

The Paper Accessories.

Half of the charm of this kit is the clutter. The shelves are packed with coffee cans, books, and menus.

• The Process: You cut these out of paper sheets and fold them.
• The Vibe: It is repetitive, but meditative. Put on a podcast and zone out.
• The Glue: Use a clear tacky glue like Beacon 3-in-1 . Regular white school glue will make the paper wrinkle and warp.

Lighting and Structure.

The lighting in this kit is warm and cozy, creating a perfect night-time cafe vibe. However, because this is an older kit design, the battery box isn't hidden as cleverly as it is in 2025-era kits.

It usually sits at the bottom or back, so plan your display spot accordingly so you can reach the switch.

The structure itself is open-fronted, which makes it much easier to work on than enclosed box dioramas.

You have plenty of room to move your hands around to place the tiny coffee cups.

The Verdict

Simon’s Coffee Shop

is a "Badge of Honor" build. It is harder than the Rolife Sunshine Town, but the result feels more handmade and artistic because you literally shaped the furniture yourself.

Buy this if:

• You want a project that lasts 15+ hours.
• You enjoy working with mixed media (wire, wood, paper, fabric).
• You have steady hands and patience.

Skip this if:

• You want a "quick win" weekend project.
• You hate cutting tiny paper pieces.

Essential Add-Ons

This kit does not usually come with tools. To survive the build, grab these:

1. Precision Tweezers (For placing coffee cups).
2. Needle Nose Pliers (For the wire chairs).
3. Tacky Glue (For everything else).