tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6373618024644340242024-03-21T16:25:50.408-04:00More Minis DollhousesBlogging All Minis, All The TimeGinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15948614759421548317noreply@blogger.comBlogger676125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-637361802464434024.post-86050245150899708032019-08-21T07:00:00.004-04:002022-03-29T07:18:12.945-04:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxlotOaT-xAMiLWY17caH9nbnOxENSe2kYNJFNpL8-Afvok8MsmDl_x9VoGWeXDFef1bAXQOoorf814hRbuIvxM-XgUFfH2Kqz7SRVc4ts67hKEsV0dhRBSPQmHONyEw6BVG2dtNcw-bs/s1600/Untitled.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="242" data-original-width="782" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxlotOaT-xAMiLWY17caH9nbnOxENSe2kYNJFNpL8-Afvok8MsmDl_x9VoGWeXDFef1bAXQOoorf814hRbuIvxM-XgUFfH2Kqz7SRVc4ts67hKEsV0dhRBSPQmHONyEw6BVG2dtNcw-bs/s640/Untitled.png" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #4c1130; font-size: large;">Welcome!</span><span style="color: #783f04;"> </span></b><br />
<b style="color: #783f04;"><br />
</b> <b><span style="color: #783f04;">My name is Gina and I have been working with miniatures for over twenty years. I specialize in one inch scale, tab and slot, all-wooden dollhouses, but have also assembled several cabinet grade dollhouses and dollhouses in other scales. Please visit my <a href="https://moreminisdollhousegallery.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">gallery</a> to view all of my dollhouses. </span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #783f04;"><br />
</span></b> <b><span style="color: #783f04;">I created my blog, More Minis Dollhouses, to introduce new miniature enthusiasts to this great hobby, with easy tutorials and step by step dollhouse constructions. </span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #783f04;"><br />
</span></b> <b><span style="color: #783f04;">My mission is to help new miniaturists and novice builders become familiar with the tab and slot dollhouse assembly process. </span></b><br />
<b style="color: #783f04;"><br />
</b> <b style="color: #783f04;">More Minis Dollhouses will always be your number one stop for step by step assembly blogs of popular tab and slot dollhouses by Greenleaf and Corona Concepts Dollhouses. Whether you're an experienced builder or new to the hobby, I've gathered years of dollhouse assembly experience to produce the most complete, tab and slot, dollhouse blog you can find.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04;"></span></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>More Minis Dollhouses does not sell dollhouses, dollhouse kits or accessories. So, if you are interested in any of the dollhouses, featured on this blog, you must purchase the unassembled, unfinished, kit directly from the manufacturer or your miniatures dealer. Then, bookmark this page for help with your assembly.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b>Visit <a href="https://moreminisminiatures.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">More Minis Miniatures</a> to view miniature projects I am currently working on.</b></span></div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b>Don't forget to join the official <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/MoreMinisDollhouses/" target="_blank">More Minis Dollhouses Facebook Group</a>, to discuss, find help, get tips and share all of your miniature projects with us!</b></span></div><br />
<center><b><u>Introduction To Dollhouses</u></b><br />
<br />
<a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=13JeKROGTmrAMbFSuhJrL9BCon77TXYSd" target="_blank">More Minis Dollhouses Project Planner</a><br />
<a href="https://moreminis.blogspot.com/2019/08/frequently-asked-questions.html" target="_blank">Frequently Asked Questions</a><br />
<a href="https://moreminis.blogspot.com/2019/08/types-of-dollhouses.html" target="_blank">Types Of Dollhouses</a><br />
<a href="https://moreminis.blogspot.com/2019/08/finishing-your-dollhouse.html" target="_blank">Finishing Your Dollhouse</a><br />
<a href="https://moreminis.blogspot.com/2019/08/displaying-your-dollhouse.html" target="_blank">Displaying Your Dollhouse</a><br />
<a href="https://moreminis.blogspot.com/2019/08/preparing-dollhouse-assembly-area.html" target="_blank">Preparing A Dollhouse Assembly Area</a><br />
<br />
<b><u>Dollhouse Assembly Guides</u></b><br />
<br />
<a href="https://moreminis.blogspot.com/2019/08/dollhouse-shell-assembly-guide.html" target="_blank">Dollhouse Shell Assembly Guide</a><br />
<a href="https://moreminis.blogspot.com/2019/08/dollhouse-siding-guide.html" target="_blank">Dollhouse Siding Guide</a><br />
<a href="https://moreminis.blogspot.com/2019/08/dollhouse-roofing-guide.html" target="_blank">Dollhouse Roofing Guide</a><br />
<a href="https://moreminis.blogspot.com/2019/08/dollhouse-shingling-guide.html" target="_blank">Dollhouse Shingling Guide</a><br />
<a href="https://moreminis.blogspot.com/2019/08/dollhouse-wallpapering-guide.html" target="_blank">Dollhouse Wallpapering Guide</a><br />
<a href="https://moreminis.blogspot.com/2019/08/dollhouse-flooring-guide.html" target="_blank">Dollhouse Flooring Guide</a><br />
<a href="https://moreminis.blogspot.com/2019/08/dollhouse-window-guide.html" target="_blank">Dollhouse Window Guide</a><br />
<a href="https://moreminis.blogspot.com/2019/08/dollhouse-door-guide.html" target="_blank">Dollhouse Door Guide</a><br />
<a href="https://moreminis.blogspot.com/2019/08/dollhouse-back-cover-and-display-case.html" target="_blank">Dollhouse Back Cover and Display Case Guide</a><br />
<br />
<b><u>Blogged Dollhouse Assemblies</u></b> <br />
<br />
<a href="http://moreminis.blogspot.com/2017/09/the-arthur-dollhouse-blog.html" target="_blank">The Arthur Dollhouse</a><br />
<a href="http://moreminis.blogspot.com/2017/09/the-arthur-dollhouse-quarter-scale-blog.html" target="_blank">The Arthur Dollhouse (Quarter Scale)</a><br />
<a href="http://moreminis.blogspot.com/2017/09/the-aster-cottage-dollhouse-blog.html" target="_blank">The Aster Cottage Dollhouse</a><br />
<a href="http://moreminis.blogspot.com/2017/09/the-beacon-hill-dollhouse-blog.html" target="_blank">The Beacon Hill Dollhouse</a><br />
<a href="http://moreminis.blogspot.com/2017/09/the-beacon-hill-dollhouse-revisited-blog.html" target="_blank">The Beacon Hill Dollhouse Revisited (Advanced)</a><br />
<a href="http://moreminis.blogspot.com/2017/10/the-beacon-hill-dollhouse-micro-scale.html" target="_blank">The Beacon Hill Dollhouse (Micro Scale)</a><br />
<a href="http://moreminis.blogspot.com/2017/10/the-brimbles-mercantile-dollhouse-blog.html" target="_blank">The Brimbles Mercantile Dollhouse</a><br />
<a href="http://moreminis.blogspot.com/2017/09/the-buttercup-cottage-dollhouse-blog.html" target="_blank">The Buttercup Cottage Dollhouse</a><br />
<a href="http://moreminis.blogspot.com/2017/10/the-buttercup-cottage-dollhouse.html" target="_blank">The Buttercup Cottage Dollhouse Revisited</a><br />
<a href="https://moreminis.blogspot.com/2019/08/the-buttercup-cottage-dollhouse_18.html" target="_blank">The Buttercup Cottage Dollhouse Revisited Again</a><br />
<a href="http://moreminis.blogspot.com/2017/08/the-chantilly-dollhouse-half-scale-blog.html" target="_blank">The Chantilly Dollhouse (Half Scale)</a><br />
<a href="http://moreminis.blogspot.com/2017/08/the-cheltenham-dollhouse-blog.html" target="_blank">The Cheltenham Dollhouse</a><br />
<a href="http://moreminis.blogspot.com/2017/10/the-coventry-cottage-dollhouse-blog.html" target="_blank">The Coventry Cottage Dollhouse</a><br />
<a href="http://moreminis.blogspot.com/2017/09/custom-rehab-dollhouse.html" target="_blank">The Custom Rehab Dollhouse</a><br />
<a href="http://moreminis.blogspot.com/2017/08/the-diana-dollhouse-half-scale-blog.html" target="_blank">The Diana Dollhouse (Half Scale)</a><br />
<a href="http://moreminis.blogspot.com/2017/10/the-emerson-row-dollhouse-blog.html" target="_blank">The Emerson Row Dollhouse</a><br />
<a href="http://moreminis.blogspot.com/2017/09/the-fairfield-dollhouse-half-scale-blog.html" target="_blank">The Fairfield Dollhouse (Half Scale)</a><br />
<a href="https://moreminis.blogspot.com/2019/04/the-fairfield-dollhouse-half-scale.html" target="_blank">The Fairfield Dollhouse (Half Scale) Revisited (Advanced)</a><br />
<a href="http://moreminis.blogspot.com/2017/09/the-garfield-dollhouse-blog.html" target="_blank">The Garfield Dollhouse</a><br />
<a href="http://moreminis.blogspot.com/2018/01/micro-dollhouse-project-garfield.html" target="_blank">The Garfield Dollhouse (Micro Scale)</a><br />
<a href="http://moreminis.blogspot.com/2017/09/the-glencroft-dollhouse-blog.html" target="_blank">The Glencroft Dollhouse</a><br />
<a href="http://moreminis.blogspot.com/2017/09/the-glencroft-dollhouse-revisited-blog.html" target="_blank">The Glencroft Dollhouse Revisited</a><br />
<a href="http://moreminis.blogspot.com/2017/10/the-gloucester-dollhouse-blog.html" target="_blank">The Gloucester Dollhouse</a><br />
<a href="http://moreminis.blogspot.com/2017/09/the-harrison-dollhouse-blog.html" target="_blank">The Harrison Dollhouse</a><br />
<a href="http://moreminis.blogspot.com/2017/09/the-haunted-house-dollhouse-blog.html" target="_blank">The Haunted House Dollhouse</a><br />
<a href="http://moreminis.blogspot.com/2017/09/the-lighthouse-dollhouse-half-scale-blog.html" target="_blank">The Lighthouse Dollhouse (Half Scale)</a><br />
<a href="http://moreminis.blogspot.com/2017/09/the-lily-dollhouse-blog.html" target="_blank">The Lily Dollhouse</a><br />
<a href="http://moreminis.blogspot.com/2017/08/the-lily-dollhouse-revisited.html" target="_blank">The Lily Dollhouse Revisited (Advanced)</a><br />
<a href="http://moreminis.blogspot.com/2017/10/the-loganberry-mill-dollhouse-blog.html" target="_blank">The Loganberry Mill Dollhouse</a><br />
<a href="http://moreminis.blogspot.com/2018/01/the-mckinley-dollhouse-blog.html" target="_blank">The McKinley Dollhouse</a><br />
<a href="http://moreminis.blogspot.com/2017/09/the-orchid-dollhouse-blog.html" target="_blank">The Orchid Dollhouse</a><br />
<a href="http://moreminis.blogspot.com/2017/09/the-pierce-dollhouse-blog.html" target="_blank">The Pierce Dollhouse</a><br />
<a href="http://moreminis.blogspot.com/2017/09/the-pierce-dollhouse-revisited-blog.html" target="_blank">The Pierce Dollhouse Revisited</a><br />
<a href="http://moreminis.blogspot.com/2017/10/the-primrose-dollhouse-blog.html" target="_blank">The Primrose Dollhouse</a><br />
<a href="http://moreminis.blogspot.com/2017/09/the-rosedale-dollhouse-blog.html" target="_blank">The Rosedale Dollhouse</a><br />
<a href="http://moreminis.blogspot.com/2017/09/the-rosedale-dollhouse-revisited-blog.html" target="_blank">The Rosedale Dollhouse Revisited</a><br />
<a href="http://moreminis.blogspot.com/2017/09/the-storybook-cottage-dollhouse-blog.html" target="_blank">The Storybook Cottage Dollhouse</a><br />
<a href="http://moreminis.blogspot.com/2017/09/the-sugarplum-cottage-dollhouse-blog.html" target="_blank">The Sugarplum Cottage Dollhouse</a><br />
<a href="https://moreminis.blogspot.com/2019/08/the-sugarplum-cottage-dollhouse_17.html" target="_blank">The Sugarplum Cottage Dollhouse Revisited</a><br />
<a href="http://moreminis.blogspot.com/2017/09/the-tennyson-dollhouse-blog.html" target="_blank">The Tennyson Dollhouse</a><br />
<a href="http://moreminis.blogspot.com/2017/09/the-vermont-farmhouse-jr-dollhouse-blog.html" target="_blank">The Vermont Farmhouse Jr Dollhouse</a><br />
<a href="http://moreminis.blogspot.com/2017/09/the-vineyard-cottage-dollhouse-blog.html" target="_blank">The Vineyard Cottage Dollhouse</a><br />
<a href="http://moreminis.blogspot.com/2017/09/the-washington-20-dollhouse-blog.html" target="_blank">The Washington 2.0 Dollhouse</a><br />
<a href="http://moreminis.blogspot.com/2017/09/the-westville-dollhouse-blog.html" target="_blank">The Westville Dollhouse</a><br />
<a href="http://moreminis.blogspot.com/2017/09/the-willowcrest-dollhouse-blog.html" target="_blank">The Willowcrest Dollhouse</a><br />
<a href="http://moreminis.blogspot.com/2017/09/the-willowcrest-revisited-dollhouse.html" target="_blank">The Willowcrest Dollhouse Revisited (Advanced)</a><br />
<br />
<b><u>Blogged Furniture Assemblies</u></b><br />
<br />
<a href="https://moreminis.blogspot.com/2018/12/chrysnbon-furniture-kits.html" target="_blank">Chrysnbon Furniture Kits</a><br />
<a href="https://moreminis.blogspot.com/2018/12/greenleafcorona-concepts-furniture-kits_23.html" target="_blank">Greenleaf/Corona Concepts Furniture Kits</a><br />
<br />
<b><u>More Information</u></b><br />
<br />
<a href="https://moreminis.blogspot.com/2019/08/quarter-scale-dollhouse-projects.html" target="_blank">Quarter Scale Dollhouse Projects</a><br />
<a href="https://moreminis.blogspot.com/2019/08/spotlight-greenleaf-dollhouses.html" target="_blank">Spotlight - Greenleaf Dollhouses</a><br />
<a href="https://moreminis.blogspot.com/2019/08/real-life-sized-dollhouses.html" target="_blank">Real Life Sized Dollhouses</a><br />
<a href="https://moreminis.blogspot.com/2019/08/more-minis-dollhouses-greenleaf-gazette.html" target="_blank">More Minis Dollhouses Greenleaf Gazette Features</a><br />
<a href="https://moreminis.blogspot.com/2019/08/terms-and-conditions.html" target="_blank">Terms and Conditions</a></center>Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15948614759421548317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-637361802464434024.post-62193212461851635232019-08-21T06:00:00.000-04:002019-08-29T14:44:20.731-04:00Terms and ConditionsEntering this webpage means you accept our Terms and Conditions.<br />
<br />
<i><b>[Last updated on: August 29, 2019]</b></i><br />
<br />
<b>COPYRIGHT</b><br />
<br />
We rely on a network of independent, third-party product and content providers who supply some of the goods and/or services advertised, described, linked to and/or featured on this webpage. In accordance with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, we are not liable for any infringement of copyrights, trademarks, trade dress or other proprietary or intellectual property rights arising out of content posted on or transmitted through this webpage, or of items and/or services advertised, described, linked to and/or featured on this webpage. <br />
<br />
<b>TEXT AND IMAGE FILES ON THIS WEBPAGE ARE THE PROPERTY OF MORE MINIS DOLLHOUSES/MORE MINIS MINIATURES AND MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED. INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIRD PARTY LINKS MAY OR MAY NOT BE COPYRIGHTED BY THEIR RESPECTIVE OWNERS. </b><br />
<br />
You may not download or modify (any portion of) this webpage. This includes: a prohibition on any resale or commercial use of this webpage or its content; any derivative use or making adaptations of this webpage or its content; and any use of data mining, screen-scraping, robots, or similar data gathering and extraction tools. This webpage or any portion of it may not be reproduced, duplicated, copied, sold, resold, visited or otherwise exploited for any purpose. <br />
<br />
<b>COPYING OR REDISTRIBUTION OF ANY OF THE CONTENT ON THIS WEBPAGE IN ANY FORM IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED WITHOUT PRIOR WRITTEN PERMISSION.</b><br />
<br />
<b>DISCLAIMER</b><br />
<br />
The references on this webpage do not constitute a guarantee, warranty or prediction regarding the outcome of your project. Blogged assembly days on this webpage are not representative, nor indicative of actual assembly time frames. The opinions expressed on our webpage during assembly are not representative of the manufacturers and/or quality of the dollhouse, products and/or materials chosen. <br />
<br />
More Minis Dollhouses/More Minis Miniatures are an independently run webpage and are not affiliated, owned or operated by Greenleaf/Corona Concepts Dollhouses. All questions/comments about our webpage must be directed exclusively to us. All inquiries and/or orders for missing and/or damaged parts for Greenleaf/Corona Concepts Dollhouse Kits must be directed exclusively to Greenleaf Dollhouses. More Minis Dollhouses/More Minis Miniatures does not sell dollhouse/miniature kits or their parts.<br />
<br />
<b>THE INFORMATION CONTAINED ON THIS WEBPAGE IS PROVIDED FOR EDUCATIONAL AND/OR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. USE OF THIS WEBPAGE OR MATERIAL IS ALWAYS "AT YOUR OWN RISK". IN NO EVENT SHALL WE, THIS WEBPAGE, OR ITS SUPPLIERS, BE LIABLE TO ANY USER OR THIRD PARTY FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER RESULTING FROM THE USE OR INABILITY TO USE THIS WEBPAGE.</b><br />
<br />
<b>Links</b><br />
<br />
The hyperlinks featured on this webpage, are not owned, operated, controlled or reviewed by More Minis Dollhouses/More Minis Miniatures. These links are provided solely as a courtesy and convenience to you, the visitor. More Minis Dollhouses/More Minis Miniatures exercises no control over the organizations, views, accuracy, copyright or trademark, compliance or the legality of the material contained on those servers and does not sponsor, endorse, or approve the information, content, proceeds, materials, opinions or services contained on such external webpages. More Minis Dollhouses/More Minis Miniatures specifically disclaims any and all liability from damages, which may result from the accessing of a third-party webpage, which is linked to the More Minis Dollhouses/More Minis Miniatures webpage, or from reliance upon only such information.<br />
<br />
<b>Endorsements</b><br />
<br />
Reference on this webpage to any specific commercial products, processes, or services, or the use of any trade, firm, or corporation name is for the information and convenience of the public, and does not constitute endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the More Minis Dollhouses/More Minis Miniatures webpage. <br />
<br />
<b>PRIVACY POLICY</b><br />
<br />
More Minis Dollhouses/More Minis Miniatures understands the importance of privacy and safe record-keeping. When you send an e-mail or other communication to us, we may retain those communications to respond to your questions and improve our services. Your IP address may also be collected to identify the sender and protect our mutual interests. <br />
<br />
More Minis Dollhouses/More Minis Miniatures will not forward, sell, lease or rent your email address to third parties. Your e-mail will be used exclusively to respond to your comments and/or questions about our webpage(s). <br />
<br />
This webpage does not have mailing lists for email solicitations or newsletters.<br />
<br />
This webpage does not profit from or contain any third party advertisements.<br />
<br />
This Privacy Policy applies exclusively to the More Minis Dollhouses/More Minis Miniatures webpage. We are not responsible for the actions of third party providers we choose after you have submitted information to us through them. You are completely responsible for ensuring your privacy is protected by asking questions and using common sense. Feel free to email us directly at moreminis@hotmail.com. Submission of said direct email automatically confirms your acknowledgment and agreement to all of our notices and disclaimers.Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15948614759421548317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-637361802464434024.post-91912473154947941432019-08-19T07:00:00.000-04:002019-08-28T15:01:46.058-04:00Quarter Scale Dollhouse ProjectsI made all of these dollhouses using the buildings found in Greenleaf Dollhouses series of <a href="https://shop.greenleafdollhouses.com/miniature-buildings/" target="_blank">miniature buildings</a>. All of these buildings are in quarter scale and can be used for miniature railroads, Christmas village scenes and other miniature displays. <br />
<br />
<b>The Quarter Scale Arthur Dollhouse</b><br />
<br />
I blogged my first assembly of this dollhouse <a href="https://moreminis.blogspot.com/2017/09/the-arthur-dollhouse-quarter-scale-blog.html" target="_blank">here</a>. This is my second assembly and I decided to make a few changes. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKhfpTEhJCCqGIyHMRzh1FduyLaKLfUmGX3srbtQy2cys6KiCW-vbtoRQSou27g4PZSpVC71bO3DM-VDQAiX9CMFdznsRsv2mgCi-4Z__nL-1Y2rG99RQxHEZewLc_v7qZ_C8rNQjL8rk/s1600/01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="724" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKhfpTEhJCCqGIyHMRzh1FduyLaKLfUmGX3srbtQy2cys6KiCW-vbtoRQSou27g4PZSpVC71bO3DM-VDQAiX9CMFdznsRsv2mgCi-4Z__nL-1Y2rG99RQxHEZewLc_v7qZ_C8rNQjL8rk/s320/01.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
This dollhouse comes in The Miniature Greenleaf Village kit. It is assembled the same way as a one inch scale, tab and slot dollhouse. These buildings are originally made to be closed in the back, so they can be used as gift boxes, but I modified them to have open backs like dollhouses.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieqhkuX00V5ek2JvjJyAOZ9KeoF42b7kXZ-18JZ_PVJRvefxWwemnCPCDbKisZZCCPFyIcbMAkfRMMRmDUrzw1bNBoP0-8njes2OwZO_tEhYYsFxNO45r89M_agrIXys7sO8D9RQ5kOVc/s1600/02.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="664" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieqhkuX00V5ek2JvjJyAOZ9KeoF42b7kXZ-18JZ_PVJRvefxWwemnCPCDbKisZZCCPFyIcbMAkfRMMRmDUrzw1bNBoP0-8njes2OwZO_tEhYYsFxNO45r89M_agrIXys7sO8D9RQ5kOVc/s320/02.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
The dollhouse is displayed on a black, foam core base, which I landscaped. The landscaping was done using diorama trees and grass paper. I also scattered loose green moss and silk flower berries, around the yard, for added detail. The flamingos are fairy garden miniatures that happen to be the right scale for this dollhouse. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1jNtg3C4KxmcjwNtyhdOHdcD2PKayQIA9rDl60JGTVWZDRfuXvJwXYO5tymwYzS2uIcV4RGMXKVBTPk8sIRxWhr60V6QPcjH6UCqoLsZVGhOQ-McBHIEFzUbGQIMZHUxpMmd4lVgsjKQ/s1600/03.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="626" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1jNtg3C4KxmcjwNtyhdOHdcD2PKayQIA9rDl60JGTVWZDRfuXvJwXYO5tymwYzS2uIcV4RGMXKVBTPk8sIRxWhr60V6QPcjH6UCqoLsZVGhOQ-McBHIEFzUbGQIMZHUxpMmd4lVgsjKQ/s320/03.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
The floors and room dividers had to be made from balsa wood slabs. The doorway that goes from the bedroom to the bathroom was also custom made. I created a staircase for the dollhouse as well. This interior modification requires a lot of stip wood.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb83HMDLzdb2tv2ucYm08wO2PfhVgNmZbeAVwKlI2dPjVLCczhBeGjEOyZpz1skcJqAFgdUyI2gqOFxBM2Q0sU4umBDWx6h0MzRCa9VDH8ZsW0wF7EKeD7PSXTVzOHwK0txxkT2PdQD94/s1600/04.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="581" data-original-width="800" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb83HMDLzdb2tv2ucYm08wO2PfhVgNmZbeAVwKlI2dPjVLCczhBeGjEOyZpz1skcJqAFgdUyI2gqOFxBM2Q0sU4umBDWx6h0MzRCa9VDH8ZsW0wF7EKeD7PSXTVzOHwK0txxkT2PdQD94/s320/04.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWX2BjTvsLIONIeNMJyvoOloyHfo4VEjRQzC3afB-waFVOv_Ck0tGAyBHuf-L4UPgOBnp2rXaS9ZHRAzFwIi4zKEMWL9ihGeTVd3zil_9z7Hn7JchMqlLnp5p4X80PuWm3n0VzbTDeSbg/s1600/05.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="641" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWX2BjTvsLIONIeNMJyvoOloyHfo4VEjRQzC3afB-waFVOv_Ck0tGAyBHuf-L4UPgOBnp2rXaS9ZHRAzFwIi4zKEMWL9ihGeTVd3zil_9z7Hn7JchMqlLnp5p4X80PuWm3n0VzbTDeSbg/s320/05.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy5VfxeC9UW1q8sR7wU4KAXAEk1q1UApRdJlCXy-gxjPcJuNwtb5vL0uptd12K8BiMkepQvpSGlIVbU4Q2Ysf8TXRS97DCedJY2mKwJBgM-b-7Zx3EHG6gOv36iuFAkVAh7pNTYhInq8Q/s1600/06.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="651" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy5VfxeC9UW1q8sR7wU4KAXAEk1q1UApRdJlCXy-gxjPcJuNwtb5vL0uptd12K8BiMkepQvpSGlIVbU4Q2Ysf8TXRS97DCedJY2mKwJBgM-b-7Zx3EHG6gOv36iuFAkVAh7pNTYhInq8Q/s320/06.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I hinged the front door using a masking tape strip, since chamois at this scale, is much too thick. With the door slightly open, a view of the staircase is just barely visible.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqVUHc-jqsIiTW6qAuDRTN_AuajvBy9fJM6ABP96f06G9vD6P_9UFXGjB1_YsTBvyxWwZ5unRBSXpiMDZWX2IQQ5cEuCfwD_gpi1StTSVd5UZmDwGkYaiaDjk8_mpFE6l1D0qJTFYKN8k/s1600/07.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="386" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqVUHc-jqsIiTW6qAuDRTN_AuajvBy9fJM6ABP96f06G9vD6P_9UFXGjB1_YsTBvyxWwZ5unRBSXpiMDZWX2IQQ5cEuCfwD_gpi1StTSVd5UZmDwGkYaiaDjk8_mpFE6l1D0qJTFYKN8k/s320/07.JPG" width="206" /></a></div><br />
This dollhouse kit does not come with interior moldings, so they all had to be custom made using thin cardstock paper. All of the wallpaper was computer printed and the flooring is wood printed scrapbook paper. The gingham table display was not made by me. It was a gift from a fellow miniaturist. The details are very difficult to see because of how small this display is but it is complete with tiny burgers on plates, napkins, ketchup and mustard bottles.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2n8IlxYLhnmvBubyzoKm1IvC82WJxZOJbnjx2tHb1_czo7xlPVlErxHeyXZKYIPA8DACYIy-l0nZRCq693udn31wxdMr4cCl3pAqDWTXhkoaVYsqn66xbf6RiCRj8ukHsUU4bg54b8_4/s1600/09.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="537" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2n8IlxYLhnmvBubyzoKm1IvC82WJxZOJbnjx2tHb1_czo7xlPVlErxHeyXZKYIPA8DACYIy-l0nZRCq693udn31wxdMr4cCl3pAqDWTXhkoaVYsqn66xbf6RiCRj8ukHsUU4bg54b8_4/s320/09.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
All of the furniture is plastic. I made all of the accessories from strip wood, air drying clay and square and round dowels.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw1VFL9Ukk7QPMmBAfUgG9h-0z8mo-RBWyIUOB8coGWg1Ln70muXkn_gM0xTcmt3ZKsqwlZh5GUeUf6FvqWWdmZvzQ-fwWfMSrfC7xFc6grR4HbZ8qUA8xh4MTp-GrFwG_qOW5NW0Vnjs/s1600/10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="430" data-original-width="295" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw1VFL9Ukk7QPMmBAfUgG9h-0z8mo-RBWyIUOB8coGWg1Ln70muXkn_gM0xTcmt3ZKsqwlZh5GUeUf6FvqWWdmZvzQ-fwWfMSrfC7xFc6grR4HbZ8qUA8xh4MTp-GrFwG_qOW5NW0Vnjs/s320/10.JPG" width="220" /></a></div><br />
I dressed the bed and painted many of the accessories with flowers for added detail. All of the doorknobs are made of jewelry beads.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYMhCnqtiiwHrx0ThDv7bAd7h557mh4LPMAPD40xO9IijKvPceub3vlhrnLjbWCkpqwr91qcv3WwUlP17Jl54N5WG_udg8BBXnFIT5qv6n_ZB6D9VIcHuaqgKvHNTIeeu_NjsAPa05Jzg/s1600/11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="394" data-original-width="645" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYMhCnqtiiwHrx0ThDv7bAd7h557mh4LPMAPD40xO9IijKvPceub3vlhrnLjbWCkpqwr91qcv3WwUlP17Jl54N5WG_udg8BBXnFIT5qv6n_ZB6D9VIcHuaqgKvHNTIeeu_NjsAPa05Jzg/s320/11.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
This is the tiny bathroom. Because the rooms are so tiny, at this scale, I used a glue stick to apply all of the wallpaper and flooring. Tacky or white glue would be too thick to use.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4hXZeqXyvwvwEcLvbN-QhY8KU3Bat4jMegLM72EP6TiFIJ4tcdpPdbFYmsHN9SujNEjLMnT2iQkfhtW1ELIuO17JabkfkPoj8Vo9jtZWkfbOWkGS1LMdModCXfPI_Xnj01QxXOglWQmc/s1600/12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="403" data-original-width="268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4hXZeqXyvwvwEcLvbN-QhY8KU3Bat4jMegLM72EP6TiFIJ4tcdpPdbFYmsHN9SujNEjLMnT2iQkfhtW1ELIuO17JabkfkPoj8Vo9jtZWkfbOWkGS1LMdModCXfPI_Xnj01QxXOglWQmc/s320/12.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><br />
This is a view of the staircase from the top.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIZNkFLqVeOXAYlxMxV5G8IV_E9LpchVTaSHE5O4twKzoOR7Ya95WMOWLAMOAi4Aez4Q8MyVOznODucvfNMPP7_GTnW16XYsAKvJtGAria1Vz6L_tD53e3BUSDCu_zyUhVhiHshzQCsPg/s1600/08.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="688" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIZNkFLqVeOXAYlxMxV5G8IV_E9LpchVTaSHE5O4twKzoOR7Ya95WMOWLAMOAi4Aez4Q8MyVOznODucvfNMPP7_GTnW16XYsAKvJtGAria1Vz6L_tD53e3BUSDCu_zyUhVhiHshzQCsPg/s320/08.JPG" width="279" /></a></div><br />
<b>The Quarter Scale Sugarplum Cottage Dollhouse</b><br />
<br />
This dollhouse comes in The Miniature Greenleaf Village Kit, but it has to be modified in order for it to have an open back for finishing and decorating. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgPPmwDiOM4k3HgINDhc25dqLM6hSHhqLZ5iGAXQ1P-WkEVRqzT-eNm034CJcaxqKsnXiNjEXvZgd32Ifw7W9GAr7X3xwd5hr5ef2SIbV6eIOLFP2iw3Tqhgzz4X909HOMv1JJMX9Srt8/s1600/13.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="570" data-original-width="800" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgPPmwDiOM4k3HgINDhc25dqLM6hSHhqLZ5iGAXQ1P-WkEVRqzT-eNm034CJcaxqKsnXiNjEXvZgd32Ifw7W9GAr7X3xwd5hr5ef2SIbV6eIOLFP2iw3Tqhgzz4X909HOMv1JJMX9Srt8/s320/13.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
The tiny gnome in the front yard is a fairy garden item. The fence is also an item that is used for fairy gardens but it is the right scale for this dollhouse. It is made from thin tin which can be easily cut with scissors and painted to match any decor.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4d2pLx9cda6IIkZ1ChpJ-9u9JuOvUoIeFHJvhS-E4C4NtDaOK0QpBsP2sV06LDbDlFS9Ro6WWCw18-PuMXEllZ4OcquFehXFev-5j2MnRZu6gu1vTjivXUeihJ_3knjM2yqK-mPTKKeY/s1600/14.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="665" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4d2pLx9cda6IIkZ1ChpJ-9u9JuOvUoIeFHJvhS-E4C4NtDaOK0QpBsP2sV06LDbDlFS9Ro6WWCw18-PuMXEllZ4OcquFehXFev-5j2MnRZu6gu1vTjivXUeihJ_3knjM2yqK-mPTKKeY/s320/14.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Because I wanted this dollhouse to be as similar to its one inch scale version as possible, I had to modify it significantly with custom made pieces. The settles in the front porch are an example of this. Both settles had to be custom made from balsa wood slabs. I also had to create the side chimney and the front window flower box.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1uQhxwrUXGpvNcrtBQfqpC1oQt89PBWFgHnq_-BNhVz0Ha7H4-YaqsN_KmoznXGszKS3_sr63O33anHIM4KrSCMcyHDEudHVYIfByFeod3cmRk5T0cXULcCP6gVliJxPrFzH9YhNAGcM/s1600/15.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="663" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1uQhxwrUXGpvNcrtBQfqpC1oQt89PBWFgHnq_-BNhVz0Ha7H4-YaqsN_KmoznXGszKS3_sr63O33anHIM4KrSCMcyHDEudHVYIfByFeod3cmRk5T0cXULcCP6gVliJxPrFzH9YhNAGcM/s320/15.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I thatched the roof using faux fur. The wishing well is entirely handmade using air drying clay, varying sizes of strip wood, dowels and balsa wood slabs.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3gfMR57jLjETlRkDB4ni6oIcCr0NVI0fyqhmlSt6Ye3Bxh0XLNX-stTuQkkc31j1s5XKFo2EHDbCu1wTY9xJkCaH39WSfHGg6MyJpthRwyKwD8ub-usTIXa5Hp4w31SAbJ2sZlXe05oI/s1600/16.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="573" data-original-width="800" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3gfMR57jLjETlRkDB4ni6oIcCr0NVI0fyqhmlSt6Ye3Bxh0XLNX-stTuQkkc31j1s5XKFo2EHDbCu1wTY9xJkCaH39WSfHGg6MyJpthRwyKwD8ub-usTIXa5Hp4w31SAbJ2sZlXe05oI/s320/16.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I had to modify the back roof in order to view the second floor. The floor itself is created from a balsa wood slab. I covered it with wood printed scrapbook paper.<br />
<br />
All of the interior trim is custom made from thin cardstock paper. The chimney flues are made from square dowels. I had to create the indoor fireplaces with brick printed paper. It is the same paper I used to cover the chimney on its exterior.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-WOMCF6MTOs3ToTJlpNjublJKm3hwJbkELVUMkN56YfvH4tjXRaLvURAXyy9h9EB36yF1TV1OuqpiN7gjRF1vFyCvIj4W2Z6TpX75PlcaOHaFzMLqJS5jLp7hlkZPHtnwfI7FumluH1U/s1600/17.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="764" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-WOMCF6MTOs3ToTJlpNjublJKm3hwJbkELVUMkN56YfvH4tjXRaLvURAXyy9h9EB36yF1TV1OuqpiN7gjRF1vFyCvIj4W2Z6TpX75PlcaOHaFzMLqJS5jLp7hlkZPHtnwfI7FumluH1U/s320/17.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I used spackling compound to stucco the dollhouse both on the exterior and interior. Because this scale is so small, spackling compound is the easiest material to use for stucco.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEmCYhj8d-VKH8A4h-MJjEfszyeTpqHmx3ISCqkUgMQeDK0FbQy4zilxzHHppKYvrKi9RJyXvEU5kTwTA_fo-y5ZNhGbClQc_xVA5I6i74tkYmgeAhKxIs75rq1sS0PJ9YFQ7pwn_nji8/s1600/18.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="681" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEmCYhj8d-VKH8A4h-MJjEfszyeTpqHmx3ISCqkUgMQeDK0FbQy4zilxzHHppKYvrKi9RJyXvEU5kTwTA_fo-y5ZNhGbClQc_xVA5I6i74tkYmgeAhKxIs75rq1sS0PJ9YFQ7pwn_nji8/s320/18.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I made the ceiling beams from wooden dowels.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirJKQjkFiNJ1pWvMbl5GsTpDUuoc8AVrGPBGuLVeQuUSgNEmgI_xZnNfQ4rdIn9kXbW1ykCCeUXa_9QmfeLQFebnkitAkFWM7gFAFOgBNYWc53ga_7qjXXEy_W4nORQLspsWFWRWwFnRw/s1600/19.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="498" data-original-width="800" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirJKQjkFiNJ1pWvMbl5GsTpDUuoc8AVrGPBGuLVeQuUSgNEmgI_xZnNfQ4rdIn9kXbW1ykCCeUXa_9QmfeLQFebnkitAkFWM7gFAFOgBNYWc53ga_7qjXXEy_W4nORQLspsWFWRWwFnRw/s320/19.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I made all of the food items from air drying clay. The other accessories are made from varying sizes of strip wood and wooden dowels. The furniture is plastic.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd1Icu3328EnwKNw745LkXWpZGkPJHlPz_u7ZU5T1DNcW7jmabCYgFDO8HvcZ-EQ9vqbwe4Uhea1VqKvLu0qGlBhDK9HAcjzjEDY1-58iJZJwe2MVa-TBE8hXFp5hWVmQmO20wsPOnB_c/s1600/20.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="800" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd1Icu3328EnwKNw745LkXWpZGkPJHlPz_u7ZU5T1DNcW7jmabCYgFDO8HvcZ-EQ9vqbwe4Uhea1VqKvLu0qGlBhDK9HAcjzjEDY1-58iJZJwe2MVa-TBE8hXFp5hWVmQmO20wsPOnB_c/s320/20.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
The perfume bottles are made from jewelry beads. I used a computer printed quilt to dress the bed with. The tiny dog was not made by me. It was a gift from a fellow miniaturist.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1E7nunq_Z-OScPEzcL7BA0JmX_ugQHdAzNqUjQ07r9UOO7uIQkDrb7exkPJMW74rPfML0bqmvkq5ObKC-PSpygz-6MryERPZV0tJ1-4AVrnDBZlXEKGTOCMEBLG4sfxDcTAz_UGAW1g4/s1600/21.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="424" data-original-width="788" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1E7nunq_Z-OScPEzcL7BA0JmX_ugQHdAzNqUjQ07r9UOO7uIQkDrb7exkPJMW74rPfML0bqmvkq5ObKC-PSpygz-6MryERPZV0tJ1-4AVrnDBZlXEKGTOCMEBLG4sfxDcTAz_UGAW1g4/s320/21.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<b>The Quarter Scale Buttercup Cottage Dollhouse</b><br />
<br />
This is a completely custom dollhouse as this dollhouse is not included in any of the Greenleaf Dollhouses quarter scale village kits. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTZ5UkhPwpKKtqV1ZfqSP-dpjgwK9HCq8i7c9K4cPG4sBRrvNUTxqZ6zJuaus_MejBeAsG8vHvnoYQrKcVnOilFGHqXIWeGhyW2ZDMLmonAlBup1YY76qAZElKcO-d4jGuxQ67s5tWp_g/s1600/22.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1172" data-original-width="1600" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTZ5UkhPwpKKtqV1ZfqSP-dpjgwK9HCq8i7c9K4cPG4sBRrvNUTxqZ6zJuaus_MejBeAsG8vHvnoYQrKcVnOilFGHqXIWeGhyW2ZDMLmonAlBup1YY76qAZElKcO-d4jGuxQ67s5tWp_g/s320/22.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I made this dollhouse from different left over building parts in The Miniature Greenleaf Village kit.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-7xbEcG4kvE841GdlVMReIdLs15SSxUjZRCufHJxkGasm-IBJhRmYszBs_EhFzPnrbVtLUGUbjCYKSFeAZDnMFU6B514IYoBbHUqf_GV1wwxpHTmATZXklO849b6QPLmMw3cf_XVMAqw/s1600/23.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1479" data-original-width="1600" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-7xbEcG4kvE841GdlVMReIdLs15SSxUjZRCufHJxkGasm-IBJhRmYszBs_EhFzPnrbVtLUGUbjCYKSFeAZDnMFU6B514IYoBbHUqf_GV1wwxpHTmATZXklO849b6QPLmMw3cf_XVMAqw/s320/23.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I used soft balsa wood to cut out arched windows and architectural details for this dollhouse. This soft wood can be easily cut with a craft knife and sanding can help achieve fine details.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTwcUuXlRfbAnjBBk8AiF-d81LOrmhpfK0vHU4H3cKJNNTA6i_TUiiaktoP7EICQyXasYM17Qsu3GlGfqYqn4M0vjQbtl6P9UXEl1Dsp86GPZcDxRyp7F7-2P3rnahPH6Wx9nX4GSXw-8/s1600/24.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1517" data-original-width="1600" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTwcUuXlRfbAnjBBk8AiF-d81LOrmhpfK0vHU4H3cKJNNTA6i_TUiiaktoP7EICQyXasYM17Qsu3GlGfqYqn4M0vjQbtl6P9UXEl1Dsp86GPZcDxRyp7F7-2P3rnahPH6Wx9nX4GSXw-8/s320/24.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
The flooring and wallpaper were printed from the computer.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8k8Kqru-foCBgJl1bFsDw57ZVnwrn0omrctDY6aMHyblL0WeaDJ4ZJYJD8UBeqduq9nrRK3ZD0PWGQ_moRXmflbhO-wFnUfq0I3PYLgU5mToz6S7Px1Q7Mw6RUO1e-0BipmHU_GlwPG8/s1600/25.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="684" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8k8Kqru-foCBgJl1bFsDw57ZVnwrn0omrctDY6aMHyblL0WeaDJ4ZJYJD8UBeqduq9nrRK3ZD0PWGQ_moRXmflbhO-wFnUfq0I3PYLgU5mToz6S7Px1Q7Mw6RUO1e-0BipmHU_GlwPG8/s320/25.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
All of the interior accessories have to be hand made because they are very difficult to find at this scale. This quarter scale plastic furniture is easily painted to achieve a variety of different looks.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6QyROPupCphpQihyA6r8RFPWe3FDTbKwwDVvTTbYx0fPLPQPnxJqMxOZqh6qBPqSbRfdKwQ9SOwzNbz5gABLbnL1L7SLkZL4WDoNyMZ7QrvQz7kO3Gw4F3q8_0lGVAIcqKuJAceEP4ok/s1600/26.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="596" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6QyROPupCphpQihyA6r8RFPWe3FDTbKwwDVvTTbYx0fPLPQPnxJqMxOZqh6qBPqSbRfdKwQ9SOwzNbz5gABLbnL1L7SLkZL4WDoNyMZ7QrvQz7kO3Gw4F3q8_0lGVAIcqKuJAceEP4ok/s320/26.JPG" width="318" /></a></div><br />
The chimney is made of balsa wood and covered in brick printed paper. <br />
<br />
I used the different bushes and ground cover found in the diorama section of the craft store to create the landscaping.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4VYwAOhoR279QuErdjK89q-XvfZANE9nvhn4Zy7CTAgTdQcKhOefYg2wbshutYnhXjRlUTDvPnFnCSudsouYJiIcY5jjZOJDYYRD115GE-cfLcwWdYeR3HDCrmwVOQub3Ro_OA1MP5KU/s1600/27.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="559" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4VYwAOhoR279QuErdjK89q-XvfZANE9nvhn4Zy7CTAgTdQcKhOefYg2wbshutYnhXjRlUTDvPnFnCSudsouYJiIcY5jjZOJDYYRD115GE-cfLcwWdYeR3HDCrmwVOQub3Ro_OA1MP5KU/s320/27.JPG" width="298" /></a></div><br />
<b>The Quarter Scale Brimbles Mercantile Dollhouse</b><br />
<br />
This tiny dollhouse is part of The Miniature Greenleaf Town kit. Like I did with the other quarter scale dollhouses, I modified it to have an open back and two floors.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Q2i-fzGkhhodwuxAPyEagUFxV2Y26JWqjL7b2QW4sUm5nY3KzHeHCRRG0EwkMqcfJ2YzOKYG6vwXuOdkbfk5Cs69jcN2HO9-JKvS152kQbmRAQ7a8xEM5Wetz6LMBgIrDE6DvB7PX94/s1600/28.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="896" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Q2i-fzGkhhodwuxAPyEagUFxV2Y26JWqjL7b2QW4sUm5nY3KzHeHCRRG0EwkMqcfJ2YzOKYG6vwXuOdkbfk5Cs69jcN2HO9-JKvS152kQbmRAQ7a8xEM5Wetz6LMBgIrDE6DvB7PX94/s320/28.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
The tiny car was a rare find on eBay.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ1T0CIeVkJn_j8QxN_AiKHBQRYLz1Nj4pitjb0YSCkQqBeOFnEcc7nh5oADqDapmA-djcEWiyglrrw4tZhpPlW2JyGKA0bhyphenhyphenwS0bnfOiaFn5urnZJnTiSsCprA6-jl5WVOuE_VEajy98/s1600/29.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="720" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ1T0CIeVkJn_j8QxN_AiKHBQRYLz1Nj4pitjb0YSCkQqBeOFnEcc7nh5oADqDapmA-djcEWiyglrrw4tZhpPlW2JyGKA0bhyphenhyphenwS0bnfOiaFn5urnZJnTiSsCprA6-jl5WVOuE_VEajy98/s320/29.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I hinged the doors using a masking tape strip, hidden with door trim.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihxwbl9M8I1Xjcc7blnjAvHiLRar_6zofKq6oiyV98I5NcJXuSprMDPq57mqRIDfqiO01yoffYB9b3TJjb0LKvWQB8powSdoTBpykmP_F8rKXzYbhlz3RsaACnd7DME-v6B4F2adkILLI/s1600/30.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="591" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihxwbl9M8I1Xjcc7blnjAvHiLRar_6zofKq6oiyV98I5NcJXuSprMDPq57mqRIDfqiO01yoffYB9b3TJjb0LKvWQB8powSdoTBpykmP_F8rKXzYbhlz3RsaACnd7DME-v6B4F2adkILLI/s320/30.JPG" width="315" /></a></div><br />
I was able to find trees on sale at my local craft store. You can find all of the landscape material for these dollhouses in the diorama section of your local craft store.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNw0ShoweaocBIFNGj9H2LeL7UiBje_q3hWAIycw1NXLhYtb6ySCsZKMrAL34tCSG4pIkXWyq3rScgRABRUNjPxy2H7BhRyPMLIRRzJ6_oeJFsRnGdO7mKg54hVCwYBo_yLt1238Q2mFs/s1600/31.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="707" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNw0ShoweaocBIFNGj9H2LeL7UiBje_q3hWAIycw1NXLhYtb6ySCsZKMrAL34tCSG4pIkXWyq3rScgRABRUNjPxy2H7BhRyPMLIRRzJ6_oeJFsRnGdO7mKg54hVCwYBo_yLt1238Q2mFs/s320/31.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Because the dollhouse is so small, nearly all of the accessories in the interior had to be handmade.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRDnN2dZTu_P1bdG6bbbq_Av-N5mWow_F6wt9g7DiSHBrgic1mpBGMNCHzSwFkt0x3-zllkvK5tK-107zhbm6RpULKnhyphenhyphenNKKHPsTPbATRRhOIoEPzPbZ4JoQR23kqrKkTE9Mokkx7Gg9M/s1600/32.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="763" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRDnN2dZTu_P1bdG6bbbq_Av-N5mWow_F6wt9g7DiSHBrgic1mpBGMNCHzSwFkt0x3-zllkvK5tK-107zhbm6RpULKnhyphenhyphenNKKHPsTPbATRRhOIoEPzPbZ4JoQR23kqrKkTE9Mokkx7Gg9M/s320/32.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
The cans on the wall shelves were made from wooden dowels. I printed the labels from the computer.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipmSTCdxgSZCyhAERyt9wfEktBW60AzBeqCsHmJAdv7LMOKyIFJSkl3Eko-28ArDCtuXdFdd6zUY6JjXCHCI35K1LADDgBCte3i9OJYy4i34jGyFouHQUIDNPOjpOQkZ563sFpCcoJ8Dg/s1600/33.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="634" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipmSTCdxgSZCyhAERyt9wfEktBW60AzBeqCsHmJAdv7LMOKyIFJSkl3Eko-28ArDCtuXdFdd6zUY6JjXCHCI35K1LADDgBCte3i9OJYy4i34jGyFouHQUIDNPOjpOQkZ563sFpCcoJ8Dg/s320/33.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
The apples and potatoes are handmade from clay.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWNGnIE_jPLfeFuAf9DsikuBlqBJr5eq7YIagbK70zVmFetQ2n-9zf7KN_Vjd9iMkCI0vOHwnyJch9A9uVNaKKcj41X56CnWMeyilaoSlmpF5ThyphenhypheneBCepnIe5GV6MQWLUwrj_V-W3hZGY/s1600/34.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="518" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWNGnIE_jPLfeFuAf9DsikuBlqBJr5eq7YIagbK70zVmFetQ2n-9zf7KN_Vjd9iMkCI0vOHwnyJch9A9uVNaKKcj41X56CnWMeyilaoSlmpF5ThyphenhypheneBCepnIe5GV6MQWLUwrj_V-W3hZGY/s320/34.JPG" width="276" /></a></div><br />
I used scrapbook paper for the wallpaper and flooring. You can also use computer printed papers for dollhouses this small. <br />
<br />
All of the interior and exterior trim is custom made from strip wood.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS7HhlMVGC0olx9GE3WaEBTGBroE4p-9H6yZuyh2MotBWj8tMZk8Hq-MjtZ6lTbkIex3ygM9SwtwqG9-AuYbiewFUwB3C8zSq2glIByPmkVSG25O3rkuowY84CxmU_69CGj34vRC9FLO8/s1600/35.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="689" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS7HhlMVGC0olx9GE3WaEBTGBroE4p-9H6yZuyh2MotBWj8tMZk8Hq-MjtZ6lTbkIex3ygM9SwtwqG9-AuYbiewFUwB3C8zSq2glIByPmkVSG25O3rkuowY84CxmU_69CGj34vRC9FLO8/s320/35.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<b>The Quarter Scale Orchid Dollhouse</b><br />
<br />
This dollhouse is part of the Corona Concepts Miniature Pine Mountain Village Kit. I decided to do mine all white in honor of Greenleaf Dollhouses "White Orchid Dollhouse". The "White Orchid Dollhouse" is no longer in production. It was a limited edition dollhouse which was released to test a new composite material that Greenleaf Dollhouses was considering for use on its dollhouse models. The material was all white and when people assembled their dollhouse, they realized it looked beautiful and unique unfinished, creating an all white dollhouse. It became known as "The White Orchid". Dollhouse enthusiasts from all over began taking photos of their "White Orchids". Though Greenleaf Dollhouses decided to not use the composite material again, "The White Orchid" kit has become legend and continues to be a much sought after, very rare kit. <br />
<br />
This kit does not come with shingles, but I had left over quarter scale shingles from previous projects. The cameo is a button that I painted all white to match the dollhouse.<br />
<br />
I kept the landscaping as white as possible with a few splashes of green sprigs and pink on the flowering trees and bushes.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOcABjrE_Vv7it81HqCmCDw5BYCyltEHy4hQd7wlj2qqd4QTQBpgcjiz6V6TRkDgfb4YymaoE8-yvC_WZ60jiQHiPPbgaVj0SrOkI4i5-KGjB14q9Ajxz9zyzX_v3_VJCTDx-5CzE_zZg/s1600/36.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1076" data-original-width="1600" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOcABjrE_Vv7it81HqCmCDw5BYCyltEHy4hQd7wlj2qqd4QTQBpgcjiz6V6TRkDgfb4YymaoE8-yvC_WZ60jiQHiPPbgaVj0SrOkI4i5-KGjB14q9Ajxz9zyzX_v3_VJCTDx-5CzE_zZg/s320/36.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I customized several features of this dollhouse, in order to make it as close to the one inch scale version as possible. I added window sills, a bay window and flower boxes. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGYRqXtkzzjyugBk09RJwtQzWNd8w8YrgaPpAGQh_uD6uzKwI6NrzYRRX4K2bE4oSxpZzAIXPi9gFkNY0fl7BX_EUI4dYytSN6d7Q2AY8GiGuXcVhSg5qt3CPZeMVZrgJt3gSdlSdrrek/s1600/37.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1513" data-original-width="1600" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGYRqXtkzzjyugBk09RJwtQzWNd8w8YrgaPpAGQh_uD6uzKwI6NrzYRRX4K2bE4oSxpZzAIXPi9gFkNY0fl7BX_EUI4dYytSN6d7Q2AY8GiGuXcVhSg5qt3CPZeMVZrgJt3gSdlSdrrek/s320/37.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
The frosted windows came with the kit but I decorated them with fingernail art for a unique design.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTSFkabCvtINtbZQ3COt4KLMu5aou7F8fQC1vuf4uk5jQ8Wq92aj-xn_mcQt8UBlkJ6E6lpTGBVuF_IzTY6ih_UwnHjxuBHsaetYdA2I2YUl6eXip_dn14f4va-QScZTtdQ89gHtxU6Q8/s1600/38.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1270" data-original-width="1600" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTSFkabCvtINtbZQ3COt4KLMu5aou7F8fQC1vuf4uk5jQ8Wq92aj-xn_mcQt8UBlkJ6E6lpTGBVuF_IzTY6ih_UwnHjxuBHsaetYdA2I2YUl6eXip_dn14f4va-QScZTtdQ89gHtxU6Q8/s320/38.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I painted the furniture silver and added crystal beads and fingernail art for detail. The best way to achieve a very shiny silver finish is to use permanent silver markers to paint the furniture. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPiNlQ4KcO1UEut1BsKHkGoZYvMfd9Ya68PkR5NvXCniNEOVjkX6_hVfItdpgVLkVC23xS5QN3zzVGcszLZEKT0wjbybrUz5AHz1rT2_jbdGFAEzV29YUCEqlUDpfRoet1SAy7iWSOS8o/s1600/39.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1420" data-original-width="1600" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPiNlQ4KcO1UEut1BsKHkGoZYvMfd9Ya68PkR5NvXCniNEOVjkX6_hVfItdpgVLkVC23xS5QN3zzVGcszLZEKT0wjbybrUz5AHz1rT2_jbdGFAEzV29YUCEqlUDpfRoet1SAy7iWSOS8o/s320/39.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
The accessories are silver beads in different shapes and sizes.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHra-b2-bqxJ8SSoynnsely2XExXXwnkpWGm-VOxgNwxLf_y1rfIblA9zfAw231ZnQEQu-Pe5AXklT3W2Bbz6IsFxL8Hlsc0ccQ5HEK58tuXgR7EQGqK3yxreJ7m20YOXMaSnn_Y_W9GM/s1600/40.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1382" data-original-width="1600" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHra-b2-bqxJ8SSoynnsely2XExXXwnkpWGm-VOxgNwxLf_y1rfIblA9zfAw231ZnQEQu-Pe5AXklT3W2Bbz6IsFxL8Hlsc0ccQ5HEK58tuXgR7EQGqK3yxreJ7m20YOXMaSnn_Y_W9GM/s320/40.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I used scrapbook paper in light grays for the walls and white felt for the flooring. <br />
<br />
I plan on adding more decorative pieces to this dollhouse as I find unique items in the right scale.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwShx-fU8jDh0_SS1I9hhCGkd9IN2lUMGItIW5YgI_TRYYNOmipoPJExWW5zTlMg_oTrkeu-ZGB4F0EjiZNMWMaquTez5ItynmF7QEoKQhwUmsvvQDnUGLd1bQxYbFQ3Yw6N3HG8-bOTA/s1600/41.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1518" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwShx-fU8jDh0_SS1I9hhCGkd9IN2lUMGItIW5YgI_TRYYNOmipoPJExWW5zTlMg_oTrkeu-ZGB4F0EjiZNMWMaquTez5ItynmF7QEoKQhwUmsvvQDnUGLd1bQxYbFQ3Yw6N3HG8-bOTA/s320/41.JPG" width="304" /></a></div><br />
<b>The Quarter Scale Adobe Dollhouse</b> <br />
<br />
This dollhouse was made from parts of the left over buildings in The Miniature Greenleaf Town.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbgsN-xb3GF6cTtb9bEtgdQrS-oxJiHS6grubdldpejFq9xfvGXzRC7SgtgjSdTUlHmXfJvaxnZQPJf1TopMbPIqPqI0BBlnkiZZ3vK50Xe6qIHrspg43WhhUZmZcEPnneFAwNTezWdAI/s1600/42.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1545" data-original-width="1600" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbgsN-xb3GF6cTtb9bEtgdQrS-oxJiHS6grubdldpejFq9xfvGXzRC7SgtgjSdTUlHmXfJvaxnZQPJf1TopMbPIqPqI0BBlnkiZZ3vK50Xe6qIHrspg43WhhUZmZcEPnneFAwNTezWdAI/s320/42.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I used spackle mixed with acrylic paint to create the exterior stucco.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKouiX0VP5pv8sQTYH5nKIlbmt8buG2Fy5pdvzdcE6TM5dLqEV-CY0vAjQfspyRjnCTw4JqkODJyAf2ig_7T7sECyi2FOlY7oxnm7FR-jfo7LBRVDyv0LxcSBTm7B0MXl4j3ipHa-_fco/s1600/43.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1469" data-original-width="1600" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKouiX0VP5pv8sQTYH5nKIlbmt8buG2Fy5pdvzdcE6TM5dLqEV-CY0vAjQfspyRjnCTw4JqkODJyAf2ig_7T7sECyi2FOlY7oxnm7FR-jfo7LBRVDyv0LxcSBTm7B0MXl4j3ipHa-_fco/s320/43.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
The fence is completely custom made from balsa wood. I used wooden dowels for the roof pegs and custom painted the exterior furniture for a southwest look. The desert landscaping can be found in the diorama section of your local craft store. The rug on the fence is a computer paper print out.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFHy7TVKPFxOD6T4AsfYgaoMgTiWFw8OgDuUPN2gMlL8oWhhB5RPbjxL3HSDPBCCRpOgapOZTj4mCF6YapQO9YTgaeulAPdKlFFcxVH3CACe1V40ro6EwlBVsqyW-vBDTzOg7knaWTltw/s1600/44.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1361" data-original-width="1600" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFHy7TVKPFxOD6T4AsfYgaoMgTiWFw8OgDuUPN2gMlL8oWhhB5RPbjxL3HSDPBCCRpOgapOZTj4mCF6YapQO9YTgaeulAPdKlFFcxVH3CACe1V40ro6EwlBVsqyW-vBDTzOg7knaWTltw/s320/44.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I used strip wood to make custom beams on the interior. The flooring was made from computer printed paper. I used gloss acrylic to give the tile paper a shiny look.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3q89d2sriOQBJUWIRp8qc5i-fL1nWDuUanZjkvI6U3UyNGJrqDttAyUtzXPzxvlAsP6za05ApKLpIGhfaCbuPlFKT9ol1PFgQbx3OXmHY44R8UOBCCENxJ0QWU8nn-emMPxKH3Gew18w/s1600/46.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="705" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3q89d2sriOQBJUWIRp8qc5i-fL1nWDuUanZjkvI6U3UyNGJrqDttAyUtzXPzxvlAsP6za05ApKLpIGhfaCbuPlFKT9ol1PFgQbx3OXmHY44R8UOBCCENxJ0QWU8nn-emMPxKH3Gew18w/s320/46.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I hand painted all of the furniture to give it a southwest look.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwG5r2MeqAcYYAKEyBCpX-ZgMi60UUiSz4YLycah3z_e-tp4tGgAEtogv-RyGHZgCom-UMRJLPQ52ARVDuV-eGaGEezHZiiCi3yRmw14P0pnWmyMRcJA6SQ7b5VV6T61BJ4qkzRj4qc1g/s1600/47.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="585" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwG5r2MeqAcYYAKEyBCpX-ZgMi60UUiSz4YLycah3z_e-tp4tGgAEtogv-RyGHZgCom-UMRJLPQ52ARVDuV-eGaGEezHZiiCi3yRmw14P0pnWmyMRcJA6SQ7b5VV6T61BJ4qkzRj4qc1g/s320/47.JPG" width="312" /></a></div><br />
The chimney is a roll of cardstock covered in spackle to create the look of stucco. The tiny cactus planters hanging from it are handmade from wood strips and dowels.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKwsjrppMOYHXxeXsN9FeIdz4xrS40f21N0kXJJY6YlWTT72go3F5cwaBjbfYIwFH7ir5uQja9AI6lNDTK1PhYQdc0X8oIaqBYg_3rGuLqA7OHYHuo2XV6l8jPXF1hv4lcke-Qd4VUztc/s1600/48.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="801" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKwsjrppMOYHXxeXsN9FeIdz4xrS40f21N0kXJJY6YlWTT72go3F5cwaBjbfYIwFH7ir5uQja9AI6lNDTK1PhYQdc0X8oIaqBYg_3rGuLqA7OHYHuo2XV6l8jPXF1hv4lcke-Qd4VUztc/s320/48.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
The little hat was a rare find. All of the wall art was printed from my computer.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKfZ5hoYZKNC9Rmi0yu3ODSmU7f7Bigv6BPRrL423bJW6HjBCRKeRxVhn6p2A4LMeoilcEW0eo9aB4wIY-T69UmEf2Vr-W3ULHFx2jcLxMsl5JUbfmNsLAttfrpqf4qOsNISNnvjTAydw/s1600/49.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="649" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKfZ5hoYZKNC9Rmi0yu3ODSmU7f7Bigv6BPRrL423bJW6HjBCRKeRxVhn6p2A4LMeoilcEW0eo9aB4wIY-T69UmEf2Vr-W3ULHFx2jcLxMsl5JUbfmNsLAttfrpqf4qOsNISNnvjTAydw/s320/49.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
All of the interior rugs were printed from my computer. I used scissors to snip the edges for a frayed look.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgslFn63LlsWR6XfcizMCFOy1_SPMyLeXU-IiXKKXLpDHfR4tCeZejny2fKMZ-67v8W1wCPEUd7QaAC_df8k_wyqsMAc6DAHEhhQDppofWLPiHWqy1MwqoXvuiQW-cyLIPksd4VATvVJhw/s1600/50.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="624" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgslFn63LlsWR6XfcizMCFOy1_SPMyLeXU-IiXKKXLpDHfR4tCeZejny2fKMZ-67v8W1wCPEUd7QaAC_df8k_wyqsMAc6DAHEhhQDppofWLPiHWqy1MwqoXvuiQW-cyLIPksd4VATvVJhw/s320/50.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<b>The Quarter Scale Storybook Cottage Dollhouse</b><br />
<br />
This is not technically the Storybook Cottage Dollhouse, but it sure looks like it. It's one of the buildings in The Miniature Greenleaf Town Kit. The gazebo is also part of the same kit.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaB0n5cqACRyfkalCjSXSDzt6FLokejwV-gnziwrGUm3dm5z-NPPSOwbXuq16NRl9DAJSDV9_qGy30YlNE9-p3IGOuS2Xctynk0fOUaoNPG-yR9SBQ2oAXTQnV93_cCkgYTbeP8dN511E/s1600/57.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="961" data-original-width="1600" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaB0n5cqACRyfkalCjSXSDzt6FLokejwV-gnziwrGUm3dm5z-NPPSOwbXuq16NRl9DAJSDV9_qGy30YlNE9-p3IGOuS2Xctynk0fOUaoNPG-yR9SBQ2oAXTQnV93_cCkgYTbeP8dN511E/s320/57.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
You can find all of the exterior landscaping and accessories for a tiny Christmas house during the Christmas season at your local craft store. All of these items are from Christmas villages, which are a similar scale to this dollhouse.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5yCewqobrGP9xs_IAclV2krTZ-CimIGi3m2VY8Cg-PUa88Jau-lBb0N1hsFI4LjQ3fXfEq9tX9uqVAXkPbHrbWPFFf4p8UWmo-lC65Vgt3YWw5umxkWZ8iGOmTklf2DIbW0hMmEFTsdI/s1600/58.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1245" data-original-width="1600" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5yCewqobrGP9xs_IAclV2krTZ-CimIGi3m2VY8Cg-PUa88Jau-lBb0N1hsFI4LjQ3fXfEq9tX9uqVAXkPbHrbWPFFf4p8UWmo-lC65Vgt3YWw5umxkWZ8iGOmTklf2DIbW0hMmEFTsdI/s320/58.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I made the snowman myself from cotton balls and jewelry findings.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp3dVwBTfRFCUSRk4JvocYZHheXgL-VmKAKRHsIPN0hw8Z_tuGi0wgaO5RkP0gMcwfAh4jkP27L9KnzZThxJPSfU884cASnBQHJ6lnbfZye2iokrjbaT2RhWUioxAC03927lc97QUNDas/s1600/59.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1293" data-original-width="1600" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp3dVwBTfRFCUSRk4JvocYZHheXgL-VmKAKRHsIPN0hw8Z_tuGi0wgaO5RkP0gMcwfAh4jkP27L9KnzZThxJPSfU884cASnBQHJ6lnbfZye2iokrjbaT2RhWUioxAC03927lc97QUNDas/s320/59.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
The Christmas tree inside of the gazebo was handmade using tiny paper print outs and jewelry findings for ornaments. The snow on the roof is baby powder.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYSCMAVbR8wYeo1KHl_srMuEFquSmhOIRInmmt5ecLW0hwLxD_-3xx1Vp6FDp2rkAqwxgQdLt8dDaJTlGfOOIY-bW1ZA4cmNsJRvQHvtI9M7CqVB8OJwS3Y6un5RCoAkkCqo9XMutxXaM/s1600/60.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="829" data-original-width="1600" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYSCMAVbR8wYeo1KHl_srMuEFquSmhOIRInmmt5ecLW0hwLxD_-3xx1Vp6FDp2rkAqwxgQdLt8dDaJTlGfOOIY-bW1ZA4cmNsJRvQHvtI9M7CqVB8OJwS3Y6un5RCoAkkCqo9XMutxXaM/s320/60.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I used scrapbook papers for the flooring and walls of this dollhouse. All of the interior and exterior trim is custom made from strip wood.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCMLXTseuFu3tYn9NnphFSUfCuxgshK8_1vVVxmLtXOnRWxLO0DdMSzuYlbXD8sF-7POGihloL0U2-odi2gviNYC5CYfxhhiP2-f4UmbPE2VUekj8ifxsakXl63NnVZdVrxYvqsKrdXlE/s1600/61.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="739" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCMLXTseuFu3tYn9NnphFSUfCuxgshK8_1vVVxmLtXOnRWxLO0DdMSzuYlbXD8sF-7POGihloL0U2-odi2gviNYC5CYfxhhiP2-f4UmbPE2VUekj8ifxsakXl63NnVZdVrxYvqsKrdXlE/s320/61.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
All of the accessories and pastries in the display case are handmade from air drying clay.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXbA8A22thoYZOH0HKN7bL-RmS7phXzgoTpdZuPbv-x5O7Pa0IQADfEd3UO43tNfgb9oOc_YzpLzag7JW3zg14lDXEZdo5KkvfN_6ejPUJXUXuvHkP4LdxotV4udRM3KvondSW6h4M-eo/s1600/62.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="557" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXbA8A22thoYZOH0HKN7bL-RmS7phXzgoTpdZuPbv-x5O7Pa0IQADfEd3UO43tNfgb9oOc_YzpLzag7JW3zg14lDXEZdo5KkvfN_6ejPUJXUXuvHkP4LdxotV4udRM3KvondSW6h4M-eo/s320/62.JPG" width="297" /></a></div><br />
All of the toys are made from air drying clay and the cash register is made from balsa wood.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqOr7d0BGReXW3Vb63gmYfnzt-piqCBu5bzgKOCchZXu4pAc7FdcaBQYHmVlN77KEp9IkIax75XmVfs9ANl0s70HfT5hRvE-Y8RQBlOdQDPpHDOIow_pff5SN5fFMWV-QcMAazKza7DFk/s1600/63.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="542" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqOr7d0BGReXW3Vb63gmYfnzt-piqCBu5bzgKOCchZXu4pAc7FdcaBQYHmVlN77KEp9IkIax75XmVfs9ANl0s70HfT5hRvE-Y8RQBlOdQDPpHDOIow_pff5SN5fFMWV-QcMAazKza7DFk/s320/63.JPG" width="289" /></a></div><br />
<b>The Quarter Scale Custom Cottage Dollhouse</b><br />
<br />
This dollhouse comes in the Corona Concepts Dollhouses Miniature Pine Mountain Village Kit. Like all of the other buildings, in these kits, I modified it to have an open back. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxKnmk9FTeOYk1vQnfxiI6XET2UA9C6eX8YlSxHmAArkOr5hZulNHThowQ9hrpciDa9G3hVcVrx5n08Z6Sa7Gu1NOXgMtbr5mkR6rJA0sbfjb9xLprQy88-zjTzMZEuFItVKabuVwTTPk/s1600/51.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1147" data-original-width="1600" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxKnmk9FTeOYk1vQnfxiI6XET2UA9C6eX8YlSxHmAArkOr5hZulNHThowQ9hrpciDa9G3hVcVrx5n08Z6Sa7Gu1NOXgMtbr5mkR6rJA0sbfjb9xLprQy88-zjTzMZEuFItVKabuVwTTPk/s320/51.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I used diorama landscaping materials to create the exterior scenery. These little trees where on clearance for $1. I like the little fruits on them, they look like candy. Perfect for a candy shop. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhlK0uVnz-iCKcfLZs7JBqe7-eIJ2MIH-BWVcaw1ROGUkVJ8pi7fgXTWaFqz1mNT-AUtbMAaDLgL-Sl3-1N5grJZfsQZudHAA3v3UchGrurPcG-0EMv3029xBOX7e0Q8QUQQWc9vGo8M0/s1600/52.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1346" data-original-width="1600" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhlK0uVnz-iCKcfLZs7JBqe7-eIJ2MIH-BWVcaw1ROGUkVJ8pi7fgXTWaFqz1mNT-AUtbMAaDLgL-Sl3-1N5grJZfsQZudHAA3v3UchGrurPcG-0EMv3029xBOX7e0Q8QUQQWc9vGo8M0/s320/52.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I used the same color scheme as <a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/PoNvJ1KcWSPp6TpYA" target="_blank">The Storybook Cottage Dollhouse</a> I assembled and finished years ago. The bubble gum machine outside is a jewelry charm. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuwgjtVEYOzyg0XYaRTXiQQw1_yctWOvgTLiUFCHSw9GMrF52o8TDB572NH4QOaXA5nBLkwma0P75AoEYiUzzXSAjnTyyfXp2KbhAS5YGkyazLFidfCbE25rWbAkTKBZ7xCwxLenyXDgw/s1600/53.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1186" data-original-width="1600" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuwgjtVEYOzyg0XYaRTXiQQw1_yctWOvgTLiUFCHSw9GMrF52o8TDB572NH4QOaXA5nBLkwma0P75AoEYiUzzXSAjnTyyfXp2KbhAS5YGkyazLFidfCbE25rWbAkTKBZ7xCwxLenyXDgw/s320/53.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
This dollhouse has very limited interior space, so I made it only one floor. All of the display cases and furniture on the interior are custom made from balsa wood. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGjHohyIOmvL9bzdafB3euuuuJtOmwLpD2tEHYm0v9zUgpzJvoJghFvyP9w8yVAYTKSwBQYtlEAipA4BvbQ71SjbvPMyh198NrrhpS8_4LUa4tafGKGRV23QWQpRmMB8wBsmRrK7upy48/s1600/54.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1469" data-original-width="1600" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGjHohyIOmvL9bzdafB3euuuuJtOmwLpD2tEHYm0v9zUgpzJvoJghFvyP9w8yVAYTKSwBQYtlEAipA4BvbQ71SjbvPMyh198NrrhpS8_4LUa4tafGKGRV23QWQpRmMB8wBsmRrK7upy48/s320/54.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
The candy containers are clear plastic tubing filled with different color beads, clay slices and colorful confetti. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOu-HvuXgf7MT2Kz-5XeJhn7zQ0yDJ77lWIt7eIa5LR6of95jldhfozx7W_NjSrgtD5H68sHbbCoJyv8kT0_8A88VEH0llKbY94_YE-Fulcs9o6I0aRF2WOiwQVEUFomjrTWaJHJv-9TQ/s1600/55.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1360" data-original-width="1600" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOu-HvuXgf7MT2Kz-5XeJhn7zQ0yDJ77lWIt7eIa5LR6of95jldhfozx7W_NjSrgtD5H68sHbbCoJyv8kT0_8A88VEH0llKbY94_YE-Fulcs9o6I0aRF2WOiwQVEUFomjrTWaJHJv-9TQ/s320/55.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I used candy printed tape for a border on the wallpaper. All of the flooring and wallpaper are scrapbook paper. The ceiling lamp is made from colorful tape and beads. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWLRofuop-AiXZxudwcgftxkcghLKgOXR6fc9wgI8RUjjsenXX1sAi-TOP_d-T3jQ2Qxmf2vyp8uiSoBbuvLXLh-TzFVf1m1QJLv6RunLRKx4dfWBbqiChUbfXLPQ1kn9V9khcBY2OOc8/s1600/56.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1547" data-original-width="1600" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWLRofuop-AiXZxudwcgftxkcghLKgOXR6fc9wgI8RUjjsenXX1sAi-TOP_d-T3jQ2Qxmf2vyp8uiSoBbuvLXLh-TzFVf1m1QJLv6RunLRKx4dfWBbqiChUbfXLPQ1kn9V9khcBY2OOc8/s320/56.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<b>The Quarter Scale Washington 2.0 Dollhouse</b><br />
<br />
I miss my hand stenciled <a href="https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipMqsiZAGc5iaqXhUiZLrpH-gkR0S4Pqiw5_uUxq9mNRmC4EjX-HyZJGWq70FkPlUg?key=Zy0zaWtPY1JFQnVVSjVvbXk4UDNMOVFsMThDemh3" target="_blank">Washington 2.0 Dollhouse</a>. But, I do not have any more space in my home for a full sized dollhouse, so what to do? Create your own tiny version. <br />
<br />
This Washington 2.0 replica, in quarter scale, was made using the leftover parts from buildings in the Corona Concepts Miniature Pine Mountain Village Kit, but I have to admit, the pickings were slim and the entire dollhouse had to be mostly made from scratch.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhplmgivSzonf7fq7nZs6QiQrcK7iwITxIxOIAAx0W71MqYP9oFcRr7NNxgySb89n1_ZHhBUpsqcqDpxlmVDq3w3gLEymj85nQLoLJqHHTmJwnVqzLx1ouIyzQqbtS4fmPHPFmioNu4iY4/s1600/64.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhplmgivSzonf7fq7nZs6QiQrcK7iwITxIxOIAAx0W71MqYP9oFcRr7NNxgySb89n1_ZHhBUpsqcqDpxlmVDq3w3gLEymj85nQLoLJqHHTmJwnVqzLx1ouIyzQqbtS4fmPHPFmioNu4iY4/s320/64.JPG" width="248" height="320" data-original-width="1240" data-original-height="1600" /></a></div><br />
I stained the dollhouse and stenciled it, just like I did its full size sister. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZzj6WcHIR3qjJ5Mu7BUio3LlC3f86WIRSHQtMQtxjPafXXFs2R8mSZKSbFtrcvagvqhmyxc7p6kAlTfpJ11ET-PBjBUQoPz1IqCi32ZtgsPwQB1xhej5jY44WBxhzIfg1NxYUgeg8JQ0/s1600/65.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1099" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZzj6WcHIR3qjJ5Mu7BUio3LlC3f86WIRSHQtMQtxjPafXXFs2R8mSZKSbFtrcvagvqhmyxc7p6kAlTfpJ11ET-PBjBUQoPz1IqCi32ZtgsPwQB1xhej5jY44WBxhzIfg1NxYUgeg8JQ0/s320/65.JPG" width="220" /></a></div><br />
I tried to recreate all of the details of the full size version, including the chimney, window boxes, wrap around porch, shutters, window mullions and even the "lock assembly" exposed on the roof. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtKaFWSWKXb70UWw5VGexVwixDOQJmlNO5HoDjMNVsLRnzb5oVRBPnGzJdK3TLO80UhtNbRjW_e8Xws1wsi29cqIoP7LSdmxsG-Jy1fhHKFFtHv3BoD2eD5KYV-55nWSndKN-JUmrK7T0/s1600/66.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1565" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtKaFWSWKXb70UWw5VGexVwixDOQJmlNO5HoDjMNVsLRnzb5oVRBPnGzJdK3TLO80UhtNbRjW_e8Xws1wsi29cqIoP7LSdmxsG-Jy1fhHKFFtHv3BoD2eD5KYV-55nWSndKN-JUmrK7T0/s320/66.JPG" width="313" /></a></div><br />
I created the same number of floors and rooms as the full size version. I wanted this to be a country house so I used landscaping that matched that theme. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKz66IoiEZU8LFlShdRKdRQ76DWEdlGQ-efa7zozheEbHHhkN8lDgK-qjI7x07b5jtvEZur-A3Vrol6UOUuX6WgC7f1WkWNTRkHzGpC2VLIAcBxuIcgKm4pwLPFtAOdpzRImykNpF3AEA/s1600/67.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="954" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKz66IoiEZU8LFlShdRKdRQ76DWEdlGQ-efa7zozheEbHHhkN8lDgK-qjI7x07b5jtvEZur-A3Vrol6UOUuX6WgC7f1WkWNTRkHzGpC2VLIAcBxuIcgKm4pwLPFtAOdpzRImykNpF3AEA/s320/67.JPG" width="191" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMPG7y_z7XQgr8lYxB0ynT19vbcatYPlq6sqNrYeE1CCBxxwDLlIb-RFo1em5sS5i7lznv6D2hgFn0lURqT2JDRUU3r28z67amOAJJH0zgpVlCxv1vkhjNy6ORjk86wjQzRkXzjgZcj4A/s1600/68.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="970" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMPG7y_z7XQgr8lYxB0ynT19vbcatYPlq6sqNrYeE1CCBxxwDLlIb-RFo1em5sS5i7lznv6D2hgFn0lURqT2JDRUU3r28z67amOAJJH0zgpVlCxv1vkhjNy6ORjk86wjQzRkXzjgZcj4A/s320/68.JPG" width="194" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgatFNYLOf6HOR5RNmCNQKPF0vFPsAOU2NPosnsiVzm1REfX1miHfTX2NNtPeyLgr4-E-cA5PAD31tIy9nSjE6QY6MSFgviUO_4jX6O-MM8kj74FkfMZ4zGe0vB8JQsMC6vaZGQTpUWCZM/s1600/69.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1162" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgatFNYLOf6HOR5RNmCNQKPF0vFPsAOU2NPosnsiVzm1REfX1miHfTX2NNtPeyLgr4-E-cA5PAD31tIy9nSjE6QY6MSFgviUO_4jX6O-MM8kj74FkfMZ4zGe0vB8JQsMC6vaZGQTpUWCZM/s320/69.JPG" width="232" /></a></div><br />
I used the same quarter scale plastic furniture on the interior but I finished and decorated it with a country feel. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFf8IFJLxnIOzDxamkS8D-4HG6abqv_r_CPtiI4zdHZwhKq34BpgJBueSimmm5GLoQJq1yUT4LPD2IQ1qZdWrSJW82Xtl3JR17pzt1tDLPNNSw7vSY_MsVpYtYj0S3MA3si1mv6jdNhoE/s1600/70.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1153" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFf8IFJLxnIOzDxamkS8D-4HG6abqv_r_CPtiI4zdHZwhKq34BpgJBueSimmm5GLoQJq1yUT4LPD2IQ1qZdWrSJW82Xtl3JR17pzt1tDLPNNSw7vSY_MsVpYtYj0S3MA3si1mv6jdNhoE/s320/70.JPG" width="231" /></a></div><br />
I even made an outhouse for this little dollhouse.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWS-J0vCiEEPVhAoEchIVCIJnBCUgM9M_dvZs77WrFMS6jO__f995C-NtB9_4APwy_uOaXJP3nATkvt0KISIXI2wGZwbunmxQ55N-eg4YFsgZ4in9EZB8909ppF3irMFxsL49PLrX0EGE/s1600/71.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1438" data-original-width="1050" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWS-J0vCiEEPVhAoEchIVCIJnBCUgM9M_dvZs77WrFMS6jO__f995C-NtB9_4APwy_uOaXJP3nATkvt0KISIXI2wGZwbunmxQ55N-eg4YFsgZ4in9EZB8909ppF3irMFxsL49PLrX0EGE/s320/71.JPG" width="234" /></a></div>Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15948614759421548317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-637361802464434024.post-58312707351314429782019-08-18T07:00:00.000-04:002019-08-28T09:48:20.918-04:00The Buttercup Cottage Dollhouse Revisited Again Week 1I assembled this simple cottage for a third time with an optional finish - working window seat cabinets. <br />
<br />
This time around, I finished the window seat cabinets, on the interior, and hinged the doors. This is best done with the bay assembly unit assembled, but not installed on the dollhouse.<br />
<br />
I added a chair rail around the first floor and used complimentary wallpaper prints between the top and bottom. <br />
<br />
I also used a different color scheme on the exterior.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfMGTKGurpekk0VhxCQOO5EvkiZb2qfagzmSCy8ty3yzMu8ZNzcCitW_redTHRmpzu88V_EnipseQvQliAie31NxYsZuyktq0ILWbfp_SyrzodYyGeKuYmaauKMMpYSK-pVrZopgBd68c/s1600/01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfMGTKGurpekk0VhxCQOO5EvkiZb2qfagzmSCy8ty3yzMu8ZNzcCitW_redTHRmpzu88V_EnipseQvQliAie31NxYsZuyktq0ILWbfp_SyrzodYyGeKuYmaauKMMpYSK-pVrZopgBd68c/s320/01.jpg" width="320" height="240" data-original-width="800" data-original-height="600" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI2KAvJZ9fM6OQZa5o0S5BqjTbTHs9kfo70V0wJkpJ_9bpc13bypUmjSoO1Y4XskiGw8Y58H3ztR50arjOBfmPQBMm3S4OOQVCBZnXfJ5zOHHxA2Z80H_Pmdi_tnz5eeEEZcGGlsaMBBU/s1600/02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI2KAvJZ9fM6OQZa5o0S5BqjTbTHs9kfo70V0wJkpJ_9bpc13bypUmjSoO1Y4XskiGw8Y58H3ztR50arjOBfmPQBMm3S4OOQVCBZnXfJ5zOHHxA2Z80H_Pmdi_tnz5eeEEZcGGlsaMBBU/s320/02.jpg" width="320" height="240" data-original-width="800" data-original-height="600" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYrnTB2SZgfF_Ik8KIUwc6UbK7G5bOOP-_oYyeHX3fgD4QqUT-rZfRigBRP4Wafp5h700DPeBoB-di8JSkig05Hqccrlkd8ziuilWXGGPDiBLGdv2GGnbsmhGD4PZGpQ6FAIYwzD1438k/s1600/03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYrnTB2SZgfF_Ik8KIUwc6UbK7G5bOOP-_oYyeHX3fgD4QqUT-rZfRigBRP4Wafp5h700DPeBoB-di8JSkig05Hqccrlkd8ziuilWXGGPDiBLGdv2GGnbsmhGD4PZGpQ6FAIYwzD1438k/s320/03.jpg" width="320" height="240" data-original-width="800" data-original-height="600" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjnlzu8t3G1XyyBABOuU_2hG3uMB9XL0whkeBQ6jbJp-6cJrUOWlAbmslSid4sQ2uEq2ZWG3K7CafYkUYdBXoffW3gXfdL4zZaBqguLM7W6U_QvHwhGjGobUux0piGYOl3dP6oJ2d9q8Y/s1600/04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjnlzu8t3G1XyyBABOuU_2hG3uMB9XL0whkeBQ6jbJp-6cJrUOWlAbmslSid4sQ2uEq2ZWG3K7CafYkUYdBXoffW3gXfdL4zZaBqguLM7W6U_QvHwhGjGobUux0piGYOl3dP6oJ2d9q8Y/s320/04.jpg" width="320" height="240" data-original-width="800" data-original-height="600" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTR5Xa9VoYVArp3mJ5E4zp1q_49Et6lznpXN2P2-ep-QsL2REr1Iu4Pc5QDOGQEvKSKW-Sxsudjtp2z9WE3SdUW_drZlPlWAsECVpJekC6k0M8M8urtNEHd9hTQfn6BDoEXNIqi0BIVN8/s1600/05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTR5Xa9VoYVArp3mJ5E4zp1q_49Et6lznpXN2P2-ep-QsL2REr1Iu4Pc5QDOGQEvKSKW-Sxsudjtp2z9WE3SdUW_drZlPlWAsECVpJekC6k0M8M8urtNEHd9hTQfn6BDoEXNIqi0BIVN8/s320/05.jpg" width="320" height="240" data-original-width="800" data-original-height="600" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxZMmst8sU3exOpGEKLiq5TDjeYJXYzVcoehhJUMSWdtOtavYJCTLGuwQHlSbSyVr4QML1QQzsZ-ummbL0PdPbG062eGETV6kfoMmIActCtjkVwBSh_MZXoCNzRPHU1wc6B-Vin-W1lJ0/s1600/06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxZMmst8sU3exOpGEKLiq5TDjeYJXYzVcoehhJUMSWdtOtavYJCTLGuwQHlSbSyVr4QML1QQzsZ-ummbL0PdPbG062eGETV6kfoMmIActCtjkVwBSh_MZXoCNzRPHU1wc6B-Vin-W1lJ0/s320/06.jpg" width="320" height="240" data-original-width="800" data-original-height="600" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKpt2zzRRkoaNIOJQhglQVWbnTzdilFTgSiZ7O2tGRRgjkhzuyLTtiEZ-KMcf6YYv8g9FNDdunZouYAxeNaKkz_-CUYQQgNNx_oUR7vx8cuZeZyw80mfMNoslRxNdojvmFvwf41PlIrJs/s1600/07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKpt2zzRRkoaNIOJQhglQVWbnTzdilFTgSiZ7O2tGRRgjkhzuyLTtiEZ-KMcf6YYv8g9FNDdunZouYAxeNaKkz_-CUYQQgNNx_oUR7vx8cuZeZyw80mfMNoslRxNdojvmFvwf41PlIrJs/s320/07.jpg" width="320" height="240" data-original-width="800" data-original-height="600" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNAmQzJn4dOQltpjfpE7vQGKi7dsuVRMTMzostKyd8_ETFwDwaYwBsfI2kgOJKbUkJeyJeq7-BoEe0uRt6QyDhvLXR9APFirqeDNvCw75lJk99Z1aIBN5AW6BI-mWb5uZiD0X04Ff1kAo/s1600/08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNAmQzJn4dOQltpjfpE7vQGKi7dsuVRMTMzostKyd8_ETFwDwaYwBsfI2kgOJKbUkJeyJeq7-BoEe0uRt6QyDhvLXR9APFirqeDNvCw75lJk99Z1aIBN5AW6BI-mWb5uZiD0X04Ff1kAo/s320/08.jpg" width="320" height="240" data-original-width="800" data-original-height="600" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMI7yf5gj1tKHkUbKuSkrP7URpCW441OL9IBYYroZq3ZtcOcwWg3pINRwgndqC4nc_L4Yev2SYMZmU3ygtOrp7MRnDJgLaqOWGagcEjzVCsgnjtLKJqmivODnbXYELAVMT4Gi_6fLaJ-4/s1600/09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMI7yf5gj1tKHkUbKuSkrP7URpCW441OL9IBYYroZq3ZtcOcwWg3pINRwgndqC4nc_L4Yev2SYMZmU3ygtOrp7MRnDJgLaqOWGagcEjzVCsgnjtLKJqmivODnbXYELAVMT4Gi_6fLaJ-4/s320/09.jpg" width="320" height="240" data-original-width="800" data-original-height="600" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1XXCc92VsR49rTklGx4VmRLxuMYHtdpSX8YptNVp3KoRnmQhhNP4vB6DkfdCumvVZniBcbx-CBplnAGm-6RQGhL2z2sbsBkWhm65orED88q4vIUktEqRw0TvZWPJcYC7AynChgiLTULQ/s1600/10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1XXCc92VsR49rTklGx4VmRLxuMYHtdpSX8YptNVp3KoRnmQhhNP4vB6DkfdCumvVZniBcbx-CBplnAGm-6RQGhL2z2sbsBkWhm65orED88q4vIUktEqRw0TvZWPJcYC7AynChgiLTULQ/s320/10.jpg" width="320" height="240" data-original-width="800" data-original-height="600" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLZ8quU_b1OQFqezgYDaJxyj0WikThHI7EQgU1elUCIemxdKc_gVyONhkYKwDV_OhCA6LDjr5ZAJH7iArQUr1boeBOCrLhMR1JycVmPktRxsdpIyakGS15V_3gyRxpBiRgM-csgJYDpm4/s1600/11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLZ8quU_b1OQFqezgYDaJxyj0WikThHI7EQgU1elUCIemxdKc_gVyONhkYKwDV_OhCA6LDjr5ZAJH7iArQUr1boeBOCrLhMR1JycVmPktRxsdpIyakGS15V_3gyRxpBiRgM-csgJYDpm4/s320/11.jpg" width="320" height="240" data-original-width="800" data-original-height="600" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl8pYp4UeMDIigEgCu7Pr0SyH8YooIOgvbP9IyXyuVrqwrjvXeCMDyPSHsO5zl8cNxNWU_bBeZfybSy-pQkezRmf0P5nGrSyv3EhYfkNuiDoOVST_ovSMAIz5t6oy1Z-_ZGGthwDdwGQM/s1600/12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl8pYp4UeMDIigEgCu7Pr0SyH8YooIOgvbP9IyXyuVrqwrjvXeCMDyPSHsO5zl8cNxNWU_bBeZfybSy-pQkezRmf0P5nGrSyv3EhYfkNuiDoOVST_ovSMAIz5t6oy1Z-_ZGGthwDdwGQM/s320/12.jpg" width="320" height="240" data-original-width="800" data-original-height="600" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrOB1d-sB4qLtFf-K-OG-LvznBgppKi4tWa-zeLaqdST371dzbRu7xQQHGfRHBqdt71H35ZKqSBNszhIuZw-y79F1dfamHvCTdv3WNDwl5Lzl6Kuc_kFo77-b-2wZx94Y9LnWGfuaXxDY/s1600/13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrOB1d-sB4qLtFf-K-OG-LvznBgppKi4tWa-zeLaqdST371dzbRu7xQQHGfRHBqdt71H35ZKqSBNszhIuZw-y79F1dfamHvCTdv3WNDwl5Lzl6Kuc_kFo77-b-2wZx94Y9LnWGfuaXxDY/s320/13.jpg" width="320" height="240" data-original-width="800" data-original-height="600" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizku9CgpycsVCUkputXIyQH2NTnEKapm40rqioIqx4nn1wNPmK4YPtM7GR3EPh5wa4Q6OQs8y21Lhk6N-S9EUV4kJ03gXpb2hNL_ODf1b4vAIshcOoo3iqr1b6pgAS-MrUwn2YPqySbT0/s1600/14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizku9CgpycsVCUkputXIyQH2NTnEKapm40rqioIqx4nn1wNPmK4YPtM7GR3EPh5wa4Q6OQs8y21Lhk6N-S9EUV4kJ03gXpb2hNL_ODf1b4vAIshcOoo3iqr1b6pgAS-MrUwn2YPqySbT0/s320/14.jpg" width="320" height="240" data-original-width="800" data-original-height="600" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilLA68V2O4aIx-xXxll39g4ZE-QXMQuSqDuOuj9cSZl6d7SC-mLbSM21qkxVeJbYbfVA7T3qfY5gE_6iQbQ04ZP5WkCKsGmdiN_m2lz2dMNZZB-Tnw6qFCS_ahSV2LqSFE4xgEhkuOpTo/s1600/15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilLA68V2O4aIx-xXxll39g4ZE-QXMQuSqDuOuj9cSZl6d7SC-mLbSM21qkxVeJbYbfVA7T3qfY5gE_6iQbQ04ZP5WkCKsGmdiN_m2lz2dMNZZB-Tnw6qFCS_ahSV2LqSFE4xgEhkuOpTo/s320/15.jpg" width="320" height="240" data-original-width="800" data-original-height="600" /></a></div>Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15948614759421548317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-637361802464434024.post-86692879725510333022019-08-18T06:00:00.000-04:002019-08-28T09:49:56.936-04:00The Buttercup Cottage Dollhouse Revisited Again Blog<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9DCEiyicgB9GEtdeSMLSiDALW9Vb8sHXFN-89Yp9z6nFSmx0gi4u8mUHPMUCsReKo4bXh_-nnHzbhbK86wCwnW2ytl4ITGJe-v1S3PXlNukSC2Yj4Z3zdSgYI8xnjiqc-LKXONDbRWRA/s1600/9306_buttercup_dollhouse_PF_400__96897.1317732491.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9DCEiyicgB9GEtdeSMLSiDALW9Vb8sHXFN-89Yp9z6nFSmx0gi4u8mUHPMUCsReKo4bXh_-nnHzbhbK86wCwnW2ytl4ITGJe-v1S3PXlNukSC2Yj4Z3zdSgYI8xnjiqc-LKXONDbRWRA/s320/9306_buttercup_dollhouse_PF_400__96897.1317732491.webp" width="320" height="320" data-original-width="400" data-original-height="400" /></a></div><br />
<center><a href="https://moreminis.blogspot.com/2019/08/the-buttercup-cottage-dollhouse.html" target="_blank">Buttercup Cottage Revisited Again Week 1</a></center>Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15948614759421548317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-637361802464434024.post-4037756505535695982019-08-17T07:00:00.001-04:002019-08-28T09:49:56.870-04:00The Sugarplum Cottage Dollhouse Revisited Blog<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheyQqf3hWQJsUmY_LTWlHKA5I5Mrl-L1V5uwIKXoUgTmigql36OcJu2a5RGYAp_GXYOmf6st8ppjM_IioZQvLV1_VYQ9Uf5KR9i1bnytQGADn8bUvg8gE372o2aex4iq85qwXisLtGrwo/s1600/8801-Sugar-Plum-Dollhouse-PF-Zoom__32959.1317736058.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheyQqf3hWQJsUmY_LTWlHKA5I5Mrl-L1V5uwIKXoUgTmigql36OcJu2a5RGYAp_GXYOmf6st8ppjM_IioZQvLV1_VYQ9Uf5KR9i1bnytQGADn8bUvg8gE372o2aex4iq85qwXisLtGrwo/s320/8801-Sugar-Plum-Dollhouse-PF-Zoom__32959.1317736058.webp" width="320" height="320" data-original-width="958" data-original-height="958" /></a></div><br />
<center><a href="https://moreminis.blogspot.com/2019/08/the-sugarplum-cottage-dollhouse.html" target="_blank">Sugarplum Cottage Revisited Week 1</a></center>Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15948614759421548317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-637361802464434024.post-32111285101927527872019-08-17T07:00:00.000-04:002019-08-28T09:48:20.854-04:00The Sugarplum Cottage Dollhouse Revisited Week 1This is the second time I assembled this dollhouse. <br />
<br />
I did not use stucco on the exterior and you can see that it looks just fine without it. The half timber trim creates the illusion that the dollhouse has a stucco finish regardless. <br />
<br />
I used brick paper to cover the chimney. <br />
<br />
On the interior I added a chair rail and complimentary wallpaper prints for the top and bottom. <br />
<br />
As with all tab and slot dollhouse kits, trimming is the factor that ultimately differentiates your finished project between looking good and looking great. You have to put in that extra work into trimming your dollhouse in its entirety. Floors, ceilings, bays, attics, back edges, dormers, windows, doors, nothing is too big or small to trim. <br />
<br />
These dollhouses do not bring trim, so you will have to purchase trim separately. Inexpensive wood trim, of all shapes and sizes, can be found at your local craft store. You do not have to purchase expensive, miniature mouldings to trim a dollhouse. Whatever you prefer to use, just make sure you trim. It's completely worth it. <br />
<br />
I also assembled and finished the wooden furniture that came with this kit. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhVymhiJGusCF7ouLJXl80KUyxuX8AyQRoft1Hgv525KdqZA6AXX_uXgCU5Rz8belnd-L_5Y0gyRpD0X26vk-pVrwcHw41F5XacYpAsljt-pm9xbQqsou07XcBI0yrGy5qLeWP2EItIB8/s1600/01Sugarplumrevisited01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhVymhiJGusCF7ouLJXl80KUyxuX8AyQRoft1Hgv525KdqZA6AXX_uXgCU5Rz8belnd-L_5Y0gyRpD0X26vk-pVrwcHw41F5XacYpAsljt-pm9xbQqsou07XcBI0yrGy5qLeWP2EItIB8/s320/01Sugarplumrevisited01.jpg" width="320" height="240" data-original-width="800" data-original-height="600" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDuTDEzK2IS0BeLB6r3WNdlqxUq0PI3EnxmlrAUxwL3VyOaCx0l5jxql9TJ5gMR5bok_JeEnITYo_Ge8nj-0KiRS4wP809Xw0Tpla6qY3BeBIPVszDws2vcFYfjfP403FEubWHGdQ8Pl8/s1600/01Sugarplumrevisited02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDuTDEzK2IS0BeLB6r3WNdlqxUq0PI3EnxmlrAUxwL3VyOaCx0l5jxql9TJ5gMR5bok_JeEnITYo_Ge8nj-0KiRS4wP809Xw0Tpla6qY3BeBIPVszDws2vcFYfjfP403FEubWHGdQ8Pl8/s320/01Sugarplumrevisited02.jpg" width="320" height="240" data-original-width="800" data-original-height="600" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTPjkmlIZaXQASeHmnTloqRVc7rTCmdI8oSnuWGT5rfqqU23QT_Lc-tDIaR0sQzaH1WzsuagBNlvt2ICBbxEUhHZxveTXsdkVujkEHu1oMQV2Y72v624wd_Mg3PUVR0CloPSOgEluRo4k/s1600/01Sugarplumrevisited03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTPjkmlIZaXQASeHmnTloqRVc7rTCmdI8oSnuWGT5rfqqU23QT_Lc-tDIaR0sQzaH1WzsuagBNlvt2ICBbxEUhHZxveTXsdkVujkEHu1oMQV2Y72v624wd_Mg3PUVR0CloPSOgEluRo4k/s320/01Sugarplumrevisited03.jpg" width="320" height="240" data-original-width="800" data-original-height="600" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYDcEwQLzCalB2w5YbYJ6n4Voi4kTGMwJT8qPnpuviE3BmA8uU-oo6x5hyphenhyphen3Ef81uJCd7hLaSG_ozshs5eDAunLAg0A-x842Al8B5L-QpHiHSfcrXEK1PZRisrMTLlPcg9W1dHzEnSZHCY/s1600/01Sugarplumrevisited04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYDcEwQLzCalB2w5YbYJ6n4Voi4kTGMwJT8qPnpuviE3BmA8uU-oo6x5hyphenhyphen3Ef81uJCd7hLaSG_ozshs5eDAunLAg0A-x842Al8B5L-QpHiHSfcrXEK1PZRisrMTLlPcg9W1dHzEnSZHCY/s320/01Sugarplumrevisited04.jpg" width="320" height="240" data-original-width="800" data-original-height="600" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7PsWC6_Vxlw4-wMego2Qjp2k95EuOYLK1CPMfDEwoyFYORksO5Ugep0SV47e-voRHOKPj6M6B9h6l6ZOGyoiHsPznZOuAEQgKg4C8iSRvjymsmvAZVuyvUCFLiWF1BxwK9fHFAFaM0ig/s1600/01Sugarplumrevisited05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7PsWC6_Vxlw4-wMego2Qjp2k95EuOYLK1CPMfDEwoyFYORksO5Ugep0SV47e-voRHOKPj6M6B9h6l6ZOGyoiHsPznZOuAEQgKg4C8iSRvjymsmvAZVuyvUCFLiWF1BxwK9fHFAFaM0ig/s320/01Sugarplumrevisited05.jpg" width="320" height="240" data-original-width="800" data-original-height="600" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5418Ii7skkZU4ZFgZqcIKJN-i7eokTCJTMki3IQJro0mkhPEderpXXYWOfKwXuuCz4D8y6z6MLYmsvTx2kf58A3lFtZM-tdQwDPgvPnwSo2iLWXb75Vi73vmE-6VC_sEqYouLm8kWSig/s1600/01Sugarplumrevisited06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5418Ii7skkZU4ZFgZqcIKJN-i7eokTCJTMki3IQJro0mkhPEderpXXYWOfKwXuuCz4D8y6z6MLYmsvTx2kf58A3lFtZM-tdQwDPgvPnwSo2iLWXb75Vi73vmE-6VC_sEqYouLm8kWSig/s320/01Sugarplumrevisited06.jpg" width="320" height="240" data-original-width="800" data-original-height="600" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNwSvxkzE1Wykrr-XscHhEXxUap8cmKeDnK7B8GiH_LlI9GscWHJ5yYyBuip7c5Qdi43eE34ZajA_cJvldIOXSqmi0LuvbjHoeRRKakOpghMx-PZmF78kEfxMQcfBTLir_CpCxEYymrCc/s1600/01Sugarplumrevisited07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNwSvxkzE1Wykrr-XscHhEXxUap8cmKeDnK7B8GiH_LlI9GscWHJ5yYyBuip7c5Qdi43eE34ZajA_cJvldIOXSqmi0LuvbjHoeRRKakOpghMx-PZmF78kEfxMQcfBTLir_CpCxEYymrCc/s320/01Sugarplumrevisited07.jpg" width="320" height="240" data-original-width="800" data-original-height="600" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUlkZL4wQ5K8YWsMENNzvsW4YBv-tw4z7SZy3dvqjukevrnOCFl_mjLzESbHaBz4VVZYLCKpaGLNt0TSATP4ws8yztuvSMIGS3zYIKCVheSNfa7OySX-k3OKIfGSLyhyHYXTbn6RgsNkI/s1600/01Sugarplumrevisited08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUlkZL4wQ5K8YWsMENNzvsW4YBv-tw4z7SZy3dvqjukevrnOCFl_mjLzESbHaBz4VVZYLCKpaGLNt0TSATP4ws8yztuvSMIGS3zYIKCVheSNfa7OySX-k3OKIfGSLyhyHYXTbn6RgsNkI/s320/01Sugarplumrevisited08.jpg" width="320" height="240" data-original-width="800" data-original-height="600" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjai_GN4oUoxdN3pPW8O9YfqrARCK1L02pOyBmXaV6vL0dW1Oi5dlOBsHrwj1uvPf6i2z0WbszXe7JANJvIaipnMfJg8B_o5juzPVMYLL-AYSEYbkjWZKEybZ_KEKV4hZawZrcr2-LjWKY/s1600/01Sugarplumrevisited09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjai_GN4oUoxdN3pPW8O9YfqrARCK1L02pOyBmXaV6vL0dW1Oi5dlOBsHrwj1uvPf6i2z0WbszXe7JANJvIaipnMfJg8B_o5juzPVMYLL-AYSEYbkjWZKEybZ_KEKV4hZawZrcr2-LjWKY/s320/01Sugarplumrevisited09.jpg" width="320" height="240" data-original-width="800" data-original-height="600" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4R4btX1PpJnhRxj4hpwyGmTaD74Jb9QUwoY7mbh0xbZF512BPtqoBhhZaIXjPolWWBw8Pcv_8bUl4bmbMs74hwDbROOqfOQunN1im3bSfETZFZPnrp3PNpzQ6Q_ecFf_00K2jI2D4thA/s1600/01Sugarplumrevisited10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4R4btX1PpJnhRxj4hpwyGmTaD74Jb9QUwoY7mbh0xbZF512BPtqoBhhZaIXjPolWWBw8Pcv_8bUl4bmbMs74hwDbROOqfOQunN1im3bSfETZFZPnrp3PNpzQ6Q_ecFf_00K2jI2D4thA/s320/01Sugarplumrevisited10.jpg" width="320" height="240" data-original-width="800" data-original-height="600" /></a></div>Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15948614759421548317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-637361802464434024.post-33229009999774249782019-08-16T07:00:00.000-04:002019-08-26T16:04:17.998-04:00More Minis Dollhouses Greenleaf Gazette Features<b>Features</b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.greenleafdollhouses.com/dollhouse_news/MAy2008/Greenleaf-Mini-Member-MAY-2008.html" target="_blank">Member Of The Month In The Greenleaf Gazette</a><br />
<a href="http://www.greenleafdollhouses.com/dollhouse_news/SEP2010/cabinet.html" target="_blank">Greenleaf Gazette's The Collectors Cabinet - My Willowcrest Bedroom</a><br />
<br />
<b>Articles</b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.greenleafdollhouses.com/dollhouse_news/Dec2009/rosedale-dollhouse-review.html" target="_blank">My Dollhouse Year End Reviews: The Rosedale Dollhouse</a><br />
<a href="http://www.greenleafdollhouses.com/dollhouse_news/Dec2009/gloucester-dollhouse-review.html" target="_blank">My Dollhouse Year End Reviews: The Gloucester Dollhouse</a><br />
<a href="http://www.greenleafdollhouses.com/dollhouse_news/JAN2010/dollhouse-landscapes.html" target="_blank">My Dollhouse Landscapes And Layouts Article</a><br />
<a href="http://www.greenleafdollhouses.com/dollhouse_news/FEB2010/dollhouse-workspace.html" target="_blank">My Dollhouse Assembly Workspaces Article</a><br />
<a href="http://www.greenleafdollhouses.com/dollhouse_news/Mar2010/Greenleaf-Dollhouse-Kits-Mar-2010.html" target="_blank">My Miniature Kitchen Layouts Article</a>Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15948614759421548317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-637361802464434024.post-21246280247257243852019-08-15T07:00:00.000-04:002019-08-26T15:49:03.684-04:00Spotlight - Greenleaf DollhousesI had been promising you all a surprise for a while now and here it is.<br />
<br />
Everyone that has been reading my blog for a while knows that I am a big fan of tab and slot/die cut dollhouses. I believe they offer the richest architectural details and the truest to scale representation of real life houses. They also come in so many styles that it is impossible to not find a kit that suits your taste and needs. Not only do you have many styles to choose from, but tab and slot dollhouses are affordable and come in many price ranges to accommodate any budget.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.greenleafdollhouses.com/" target="_blank">Greenleaf Dollhouses</a> is the leader of tab and slot dollhouse production and they have recently been introducing innovative new materials and accessories for their dollhouse kits. They are really taking dollhouse kits to the next level so I knew I had to get more information on just what Greenleaf is up to and what has inspired them to bring such much needed excitement to the tab and slot dollhouse world.<br />
<br />
Luckily I was able to tear Dean Roberts, owner of Greenleaf Dollhouses, away from his busy schedule, for just a little while, so he can give us a first hand look at all things Greenleaf.<br />
<br />
<b>Gina -</b> Greenleaf carries a wide array of dollhouse kit styles, Victorian, farm houses, Tudors, cottages, half scale models and even a lighthouse. Everyone is wondering what inspires all of these beautiful dollhouse designs? <br />
<br />
<b>Dean -</b> Well Gina, we're lucky to live in an area of Upstate NY that has a wide variety of real life architecture that is very inspiring. For instance, the <a href="https://shop.greenleafdollhouses.com/westville-dollhouse-kit/" target="_blank">Westville Dollhouse</a> is an exact replica of a house in Westville, NY (pictured below). This is the only house that we've copied exactly, but if you took a drive around the country you would see familiar features that we've adopted into our dollhouses. Of course, none of this would have been possible without the talented designers that we've been blessed with over the years. A combination of local designers and our own design staff brought it all together into a wide range of styles and price points that will satisfy even the most demanding miniaturist.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlZv5GM2km0QOVDE4XP_8Dj-f_UiUUpe9T1f7XkYBGqsOFAkDJBG-xkiwENAnOZtp9dg3SNmc0UBwDbxgiEtYkV0CQUCxZKsBw3DIyRf0gUQGdOVmzWRDkwhtz_NilPqb7kxFEaXoCWRw/s1600/Spotlight04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="474" data-original-width="541" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlZv5GM2km0QOVDE4XP_8Dj-f_UiUUpe9T1f7XkYBGqsOFAkDJBG-xkiwENAnOZtp9dg3SNmc0UBwDbxgiEtYkV0CQUCxZKsBw3DIyRf0gUQGdOVmzWRDkwhtz_NilPqb7kxFEaXoCWRw/s320/Spotlight04.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Real Life Westville</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKYT3WMIsDzJMGQqR_LzgIGuiN09Dtg4loFHefeDFxx98LoGcctAVoefpRDQ51hxnsd1U9102sgyl6blnmXCO1NnMEHzrcEEvgjnMyL8os4NNN_QFuxITHpqkxYh5qhEULCVFDJsTEelw/s1600/westville-dollhouse__60429.1532633934.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKYT3WMIsDzJMGQqR_LzgIGuiN09Dtg4loFHefeDFxx98LoGcctAVoefpRDQ51hxnsd1U9102sgyl6blnmXCO1NnMEHzrcEEvgjnMyL8os4NNN_QFuxITHpqkxYh5qhEULCVFDJsTEelw/s320/westville-dollhouse__60429.1532633934.webp" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Westville Dollhouse</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>Gina -</b> Many beloved Greenleaf dollhouse designs have been out of production for some years but recently we have seen the comeback of many of these beauties. What has inspired Greenleaf to bring back some of their discontinued dollhouse kits and can we expect more of them in the future?<br />
<br />
<b>Dean -</b> Many of your readers might not be aware of the fact that for a time, the Greenleaf Dollhouse line was out of my family's control. An opportunity presented itself in 2003 for us to reacquire these dollhouses and we jumped right in. The brand itself had been greatly diminished by the previous owners and we had our work cut out for us. Honestly, I would have loved to re-release all the dollhouses that first year, but it just wasn't possible. We had to focus on the most popular houses first. We are releasing two die cut models this year, the <a href="https://shop.greenleafdollhouses.com/willowcrest-dollhouse-kit/" target="_blank">Willowcrest Dollhouse</a> which is already available, and the <a href="https://shop.greenleafdollhouses.com/the-country-dollhouse-kit/" target="_blank">Country House</a> which will be out this fall. Of course, we have the new laser cut line which now consists of ten products, all which should be released be the end of August. I'm particularly excited about the new <a href="https://shop.greenleafdollhouses.com/laser-cut-beaumont-dollhouse-kit/" target="_blank">Beaumont Dollhouse</a> which will be the flagship of our laser cut houses. The laser cut line will remain our focus for the rest of the year. We have a few Greenleaf Classics on the table, one of which is the <a href="https://shop.greenleafdollhouses.com/laser-cut-half-scale-van-buren-dollhouse-kit/" target="_blank">Van Buren Dollhouse</a>. Greenleaf also owns the Artply/Radmark designs and there are a few houses in that line we've been considering. Also, let’s not forget the addition of this year’s Spring Fling Contest house, the <a href="https://shop.greenleafdollhouses.com/loganberry-mill-dollhouse-kit/" target="_blank">Loganberry Mill</a>, which is one versatile little house!<br />
<br />
<b>Gina -</b> Greenleaf is always thinking of new ways to make dollhouse building easier and more enjoyable for the miniature enthusiast. What different types of materials is Greenleaf currently offering for their dollhouse kits?<br />
<br />
<b>Dean -</b> Wood is good! That's been my personal mantra. I've been tempted by MDF, but we're a wooden dollhouse manufacturer! The problem is, there is a mantra in the production department that's quite different. Wood is inconsistent! We go to great lengths to find the best wood possible for our products. Not all plywood can become a Greenleaf Dollhouse. The fact is that when we get a truck load of wood, we sort through every sheet sometimes labeling over half the material as unusable for our dollhouse lines. Luckily, we have other outlets for this material, but we are forever diligent in the search for the perfect plywood. We have been experimenting with birch plywood in our select line of houses and the <a href="https://shop.greenleafdollhouses.com/laser-cut-half-scale-lighthouse-dollhouse-kit/" target="_blank">Half Scale Lighthouse</a>. The birch has been well received, but it's not suited for the rest of the line. We have been experimenting with a product that is more environmentally friendly. It's a 2.7mm material made of recycled paper and corn starch. I tried laser cutting a <a href="https://shop.greenleafdollhouses.com/buttercup-dollhouse-kit/" target="_blank">Buttercup Dollhouse</a> out of it and it doesn't seem ridged enough, but we'll continue testing. So for now, no big news on materials, Gina.<br />
<br />
<b>Gina -</b> There is a big buzz right now in the miniature world over laser cut technology and the release of many Greenleaf models as laser cut kits. Can you briefly explain what laser cut technology is?<br />
<br />
<b>Dean -</b> It's a pretty straight forward process. There is a table that looks like a honeycomb, but it’s made of steel. We set a piece of plywood on this table and the laser follows instructions to move along an X/Y axis (think north, south, east and west) and shoots out a laser that cuts through the wood.<br />
<br />
<b>Gina -</b> Laser cutting has been seen before in some optional architectural add-ons for dollhouses but never in a full one inch scale size kit. What brought about the idea of a laser cut kit?<br />
<br />
<b>Dean -</b> It all started when I saw Star Wars III- Revenge of the Sith. That Chancellor Palpatine/Yoda battle at the end inspired me to get a lightsaber off of eBay and that's when it all began. Seriously though Gina, Greenleaf is a company that has always embraced technology. I've been a long time admirer of laser cutting; we've been using it on our dies for over a decade. I've been itching to apply this process to our actual products, but Greenleaf is committed to keeping miniature collecting an affordable hobby and the cost of laser cutting was just too pricey… until now! We've not only added our in house production laser, but we've also revisited our pricing model to keep these products affordable.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFqTv3zdEEm-29r6duI2DUbxdoRy_ujG3d9fsb6Eq9BjmIKN5eBxd4g7HCEBtXVaRe_kFphJnKmbn6NiKMVTk37LUoCIK5GuHrNsYUYX_0KHGjrP2lCpZQ_7lQJyz3Uy8O38W266K9Pkc/s1600/half-tennyson-dollhouse-f__16228.1311617877.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFqTv3zdEEm-29r6duI2DUbxdoRy_ujG3d9fsb6Eq9BjmIKN5eBxd4g7HCEBtXVaRe_kFphJnKmbn6NiKMVTk37LUoCIK5GuHrNsYUYX_0KHGjrP2lCpZQ_7lQJyz3Uy8O38W266K9Pkc/s320/half-tennyson-dollhouse-f__16228.1311617877.webp" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Laser Cut Tennyson Dollhouse</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>Gina -</b> Considering how unique a laser cut dollhouse kit is, what difference can dollhouse builders expect from a kit featuring this new technology?<br />
<br />
<b>Dean -</b> I hate to say it this way, but laser cutting removes all of the unpleasant tasks associated with die cutting. There is a clean cut that requires almost no sanding. By contrast, the die cutting process involves forcing a knife through the wood which stresses the material and sometimes results in crushing. Additionally, prep time is further reduced by an easier stripping process. Let's put it this way Gina; I use to have a Bass Boat that would top out around 65 mile per hour. My pop use to ask me why I need to go so fast when I was supposed to be out relaxing. My answer was I wanted to spend less time going fishing and more time fishing! I wanted to get to my fishing spot fast and get on with the fishing part. He would argue that getting there was half the fun. My point is, some folks enjoy the prep work associated with the die cut houses while others want to get on with the building. If you are part of the latter group, our laser cut houses are just what you need.<br />
<br />
<b>Gina -</b> Greenleaf also offers siding, shingles, flooring and other accessories for their dollhouse line. Besides dollhouse kits, will Greenleaf be incorporating laser cut technology in any of their other products?<br />
<br />
<b>Dean -</b> We're hoping to improve on some of the products you mentioned. For instance, we've just released our new <a href="https://shop.greenleafdollhouses.com/dollhouse-shingles/" target="_blank">laser cut shingle strips</a>. They don't just look great, but you'll be able to shingle your dollhouse over twelve time faster! Believe me Gina, when you get around to shingling the <a href="https://shop.greenleafdollhouses.com/garfield-dollhouse-kit/" target="_blank">Garfield Dollhouse</a>, you'll want this product. I would like to come out with some new flooring products as well, but what I'm really looking forward to are dollhouse additions! We've been working on a bunch of add-on rooms that are custom made for specific dollhouses (picture of the Tennyson addition below). Another product we've been kicking around is dollhouse trim. I've been playing around with this and I'm not sure if we should just offer these products bulk or have upgrade kits for specific houses. Either way, to keep the prices down, the additions and trims will be a retail only product sold exclusively through the <a href="https://shop.greenleafdollhouses.com/" target="_blank">Greenleaf Company Store</a>.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdiMHWZI8Il-W76Q2qWm_YjkK-5eevSGSyFWfcGkdSYGiTkRQBlgsPsOFoF7L6Ck8bvBcflzEeQQIhden4gJ3h3UyM6LqEqHa-v7HlWj9XUBdqGmzbVSOnuevQOrYc8o1zTt_uRwl0htU/s1600/Spotlight03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdiMHWZI8Il-W76Q2qWm_YjkK-5eevSGSyFWfcGkdSYGiTkRQBlgsPsOFoF7L6Ck8bvBcflzEeQQIhden4gJ3h3UyM6LqEqHa-v7HlWj9XUBdqGmzbVSOnuevQOrYc8o1zTt_uRwl0htU/s320/Spotlight03.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laser Cut Tennyson Dollhouse Addition</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>Gina -</b> So many wonderful products have been recently released by Greenleaf that everyone is wondering what’s next. What else does Greenleaf have in store for the miniature community in the future?<br />
<br />
<b>Dean -</b> We have a ton of projects on the back burner. One of the advantages of laser cutting is the initial investment in new products is much less than die cutting (no tooling cost). So, this lower risk factor will allow us to test the water with some cool ideas we've been sitting on. For instance, Castle Greenleaf (pictured below) has been sitting in the die shop for years. We advanced through the prototype phase, but the initial response from our focus group led us to believe that even though it's half scale, it just isn't a product for our customers. I happen to love it, so now we can push forward knowing that if I'm wrong, it won't destroy our new product budget. Another example is the Greenleaf Express (pictured below). Someone mentioned a train on our blog and before I knew it, there was a half inch prototype sitting in the die shop. I was worried that we might already have too many transportation themed miniatures, so we put it on the shelf. As you can see, we've already started moving forward on a laser cut version. As far as more conventional miniatures, don't be surprised to see more of the new laser cut models in half inch scale. I've also sampled some of our furniture kits in half inch scale, but that would be way down the road.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK1Nn9zB6BFMVla6cyevxYXwH3hsiQurE6fEpCKV9IQ9u-EgltXT5mXz158nPzrDurNv2shDukK8h4p6fqAeifGHJSQPCLDxn5TZK5JO3QmpJG_pkxsefPeIBhMGT9BjLz4GIa1dhSlcM/s1600/Spotlight01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="474" data-original-width="600" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK1Nn9zB6BFMVla6cyevxYXwH3hsiQurE6fEpCKV9IQ9u-EgltXT5mXz158nPzrDurNv2shDukK8h4p6fqAeifGHJSQPCLDxn5TZK5JO3QmpJG_pkxsefPeIBhMGT9BjLz4GIa1dhSlcM/s320/Spotlight01.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Castle Greenleaf</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhinFvzd1jwNCTyuFLFplSHn8lqOqp_whIOS2Nqt4ax-jJgVsZn3RNfycouclSHuTogLe9C3lA9RWGgrGYgYieWnxXQ8jZ8T_FFA2QSGRcV0300W9LmhEmFM7UCLRBjELFWLlcM5Fl2kb4/s1600/Spotlight02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="600" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhinFvzd1jwNCTyuFLFplSHn8lqOqp_whIOS2Nqt4ax-jJgVsZn3RNfycouclSHuTogLe9C3lA9RWGgrGYgYieWnxXQ8jZ8T_FFA2QSGRcV0300W9LmhEmFM7UCLRBjELFWLlcM5Fl2kb4/s320/Spotlight02.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Greenleaf Express</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>Gina -</b> Is there anything else that you'd like to mention, Dean?<br />
<br />
<b>Dean -</b> Just a heartfelt thanks to you for the exposure you give Greenleaf on your blog. Many people forget that all though Greenleaf is a giant in the miniature industry, we are still just a small business. We are always grateful for this kind of coverage. I believe that the Internet is a miniaturist best friend. Between blogs like you and online communities like Greenleaf's, miniature collecting is no longer restricted by distance. We can share ideas with someone halfway around the world almost as easy as we can with someone who lives down the street. Still, we should always support our local miniature shops whenever possible and remember to always ask if they carry Greenleaf Dollhouses.<br />
<br />
So there you have it folks. Greenleaf Dollhouses is really on top of their game when it comes to releasing new products and new ways to build dollhouse kits.<br />
<br />
Many thanks to Dean for being so kind in taking the time to participate in this feature.<br />
<br />
Don't forget to check out all of Greenleaf's available and future laser cut dollhouse releases <a href="http://www.greenleafdollhouses.com/laser-cut-dollhouse-kits.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />
Greenleaf Dollhouses not only offers great products but this company is made up of some of the friendliest and most helpful folks you’ll ever meet. Just drop by their <a href="http://www.greenleafdollhouses.com/forum/index.php" target="_blank">dollhouse forum</a> and you will see what I mean.<br />
<br />
And I know that you are all anxious to see me try out one of these laser cut beauties for myself and I am! I will be starting the assembly blog of the laser cut <a href="https://moreminis.blogspot.com/2017/09/the-rosedale-dollhouse-blog.html" target="_blank">Rosedale Dollhouse</a> in the upcoming weeks.Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15948614759421548317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-637361802464434024.post-355676425726310842019-08-14T07:00:00.003-04:002022-03-29T07:43:36.820-04:00Frequently Asked Questions<b>Does More Minis Dollhouses sell dollhouses?</b><br />
<br />
No. I do not sell dollhouse kits, accessories or assembly services. The dollhouse assembly blogs on this page are a culmination of projects that have done during a course of over twenty years. Most of the dollhouses blogged here have been sold and/or donated and are no longer in my possession. These assembly blogs are for educational purposes only. <br />
<br />
<b>My dollhouse kit is missing instructions and/or parts. What do I do?</b><br />
<br />
If you’re looking for missing instructions and schematics for a <a href="http://www.greenleafdollhouses.com/" target="_blank">Greenleaf</a>, <a href="http://www.corona-concepts.com/" target="_blank">Corona Concepts</a> or <a href="https://www.realgoodtoys.com/" target="_blank">Real Good Toys</a> dollhouse, you can contact these manufacturers directly for a copy. Their contact information is on their website.<br />
<br />
If you bought their dollhouse at an authorized retailer, they will most likely send you the instructions free of charge. Sometimes a manufacturer will have downloadable copies of assembly instructions on their website. You can also go to a dollhouse forum and see if a member will send you instructions. Most dollhouse manufacturers will also send you replacements for missing or damaged parts, free of charge, if you bought your kit directly from them or from an authorized retailer.<br />
<br />
I have scanned instructions for several popular <b>discontinued </b>dollhouse models, in PDF format. You can contact me at <i>moreminis@hotmail.com</i>, to see if I have the instructions for your dollhouse model. If I do, I will email them to you for free. Please keep in mind that I do not have instructions for any dollhouse model that is still in production.<br />
<br />
<b>Dura-Craft Dollhouses</b> is no longer in business. If you're missing instructions for a Dura-Craft Dollhouse, contact me or you will have to search eBay or a dollhouse forum for them. <br />
<br />
<b>Walmer Dollhouses </b>is now Real Good Toys Dollhouses, so they may have instructions for any Walmer brand dollhouse kit or you can contact me. <br />
<br />
Many <b>Artply Dollhouse</b> models were made my Greenleaf Dollhouses, so they may still have instructions for these kits or you can contact me.<br />
<br />
Any other dollhouse kit brand, not listed above, has either been discontinued or the manufacturer does not have a website. I suggest you contact the vendor of your kit and inquire about the manufacturer's contact information. <br />
<br />
<b>I don't know who manufactured my dollhouse kit. How can I find out what dollhouse I have?</b><br />
<br />
If you don't know what kit you have, you won't be able to find missing instructions, parts or know if it's still in production. I suggest you go to the <a href="http://www.greenleafdollhouses.com/forum/" target="_blank">Greenleaf Forum</a>, register and post pictures of your dollhouse or describe it to members. Many dollhouse enthusiasts, who are forum members, might recognize your dollhouse and be able to give you information on it.<br />
<br />
<b>What glue should I use to build my dollhouse?</b><br />
<br />
You should use a good quality, wood or white glue or a good quality, tacky glue to assemble your dollhouse. You will most likely need both because they work differently, depending on the task. <br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><b>Wood glue</b> does not dry clear, so it’s best for gluing together parts that will be painted or in some way covered later.</li>
<li><b>White glue</b> and <b>tacky glue </b>both dry crystal clear, so they are excellent for gluing together parts that have already been stained or painted.</li>
</ul>
<br />
These glues will need drying time and the length of that time depends on the climate of your work area. High humidity levels will require longer drying times.<br />
<br />
Keep in mind that wood stain will not penetrate any kind of glue, whether clear or not, so stain before assembly or apply glue very sparingly and carefully.<br />
<br />
<b>Hot melt glue</b> will reduce drying time, but it is not an appropriate glue to assemble your dollhouse, especially if you want it as an heirloom. Hot melt glue has a tendency of becoming brittle and loosen with time. Aesthetically, it also poses a problem. It dries thickly, not allowing for parts to lay together flush and globs are impossible to avoid on such a small scale. For these reasons, hot melt glue was never meant to be used for wooden dollhouse assembly. Hot melt glue should only be used to apply siding and shingles to your dollhouse. Siding can also be applied with a thick, quick grabbing tacky glue.<br />
<br />
This online <a href="http://www.thistothat.com/" target="_blank">tool</a> will help you find the correct glue for adhering different materials. <br />
<br />
<b>What is a dollhouse "shell"?</b><br />
<br />
The shell of a dollhouse refers to the basic assembly of the walls and floors, with no components.<br />
<br />
<b>What are dollhouse "components"?</b><br />
<br />
Dollhouse components include everything that is added to the shell of a dollhouse. This includes windows, doors, shutters, chimneys, gingerbread, trim, siding and shingles. Often times this also includes the dollhouse roof, especially if it creates an attic and has dormer windows. <br />
<br />
<b>Should I seal the wood before assembly?</b><br />
<br />
You should <b>never</b> seal any part of a wooden dollhouse, unless you plan on leaving it in an all-natural wood finish, instead of a painted finish. This should only be done after the dollhouse is assembled.<br />
<br />
Sealing the wood of your dollhouse will make it impossible for glue to adhere properly, so not only will you be unable to put your dollhouse shell together, you will be unable to apply finishes to your dollhouse like wallpaper, flooring, etc. Stain and paint will also be unable to penetrate sealed wood.<br />
<br />
<b>Do I have to prime my dollhouse and what do I prime with?</b><br />
<br />
You should always prime any wall that you wish to wallpaper or apply any covering to. Priming helps your wallpaper adhere better because the wood will not soak up all of your wallpaper paste. It also helps even out the color of the wood, so you don't have any dark, raw wood blotches showing through your wallpaper, especially if it's a light color. Finally, priming your dollhouse walls helps reduce the acid that wood releases naturally, which can eventually ruin your wallpaper.<br />
<br />
You can prime with any household, flat, <b>white primer paint</b>, but you can also use any light colored, flat, <b>latex</b> or <b>acrylic</b> craft paint to prime your walls with. Walls that will be painted do not need to be primed. It usually takes two coats of paint or more to paint a dollhouse, depending on the type of paint you're using, so the first coat will technically be the primer.<br />
<br />
Always prime your floors if you plan on adding a flooring cover to them. Use a color that is similar to your desired flooring color. This will prevent raw wood from showing through wood planks, for hardwood flooring covers. When using plastic or paper flooring, it will prevent dark, raw wood blotches from showing through. <br />
<br />
If you are not going to use shingle templates, you should prime your dollhouse roof, before shingling, in a similar color to your shingles, so that raw wood does not peak through between shingles.<br />
<br />
<b>Should I wallpaper before, during or after assembly?</b><br />
<br />
You should always wallpaper your dollhouse after assembly, but tab and slot dollhouses, usually requires all three. Depending on your dollhouse model, you will have to wallpaper before, during and after assembly.<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Certain areas, like slanted dormers in attics, are easier to wallpaper <b>before</b> assembly.</li>
<li>There are some areas in dollhouses that cannot be accessed once the dollhouse is completed, so these areas have to be wallpapered <b>during</b> assembly, before they are closed off from access. This is particularly true for closets, stairwells, hallways, hidden rooms and staircase walls.</li>
<li>All other accessible, box-shaped rooms are wallpapered easily <b>after</b> assembly.</li>
</ul>
<br />
This is why you should always dry-fit each step of your dollhouse, before you commit with glue, so you know what to expect beforehand. Also analyze the finished interior photos of your dollhouse model. This will give you an idea on what areas can be wallpapered after or before assembly. <br />
<br />
For more tips, I suggest you read the <a href="https://moreminis.blogspot.com/2019/08/dollhouse-wallpapering-guide.html" target="_blank">Dollhouse Wallpapering Guide</a>.<br />
<br />
<b>Should I paint my dollhouse before or after assembly?</b><br />
<br />
All parts of your dollhouse are best painted <b>before</b> assembly. You should never leave the painting of a dollhouse for after assembly. The parts are too small and trying to paint them afterwards, will be quite an enormous and unnecessary task that will not give you a nice finished look.<br />
<br />
<b>What can I use to hide gaps?</b><br />
<br />
Lightweight <b>spackling compound</b>, used to repair drywall, is the most user-friendly material to hide gaps. It's easily spreadable, goes on smoothly and can be sanded and painted. <br />
<br />
Spackling compound cannot be used on any area that you want to stain because it's white and will not dry clear. Stainable, sandable <b>wood filler</b> is appropriate for use on areas that you want to stain.<br />
<br />
<b>What is kitbashing?</b><br />
<br />
Kitbashing is a term used to describe any modification done to a dollhouse that’s not in its original instructions or specifications. Adding a wall or closing off a window are examples of kitbashing. Kitbashing helps you make your dollhouse fit the unique design, style and vision you have for it.<br />
<br />
<b>What is rehabbing?</b><br />
<br />
Miniaturists use the term "rehabbing" to mean rehabilitating of an already assembled dollhouse. When you rehab a dollhouse, you basically take a dollhouse that someone else has built and you modify it to your tastes, repair damage or salvage it from a bad assembly. Rehabs can be as simple as changing the color scheme, of an already built dollhouse, to actually disassembling the dollhouse and rebuilding it with new components and an entirely different interior décor. Many unwanted dollhouses have been saved by rehabbing.<br />
<br />
<b>What paint can I use on my dollhouse?</b><br />
<br />
You can use any <b>latex </b>household or <b>acrylic craft</b> paint on your dollhouse, with any finish you want it to have from flat to satin. The choice is completely up to you and what you want the end result to be. <br />
<br />
Glossy and/or oil based paints are <b>not</b> recommended. They dry thickly and the gloss will allow for every flaw to become highly visible on your dollhouse. High glosses can also prevent glue from adhering properly.<br />
<br />
<b>Do I have to use nails for my dollhouse?</b><br />
<br />
Dye-cut, tab and slot or 1/8th” plywood dollhouses, do not have to be nailed or stapled in any way. Glue is suffice to hold them together. If the right glue is used, even a rough playing child will be unable to take the dollhouse apart for many years to come.<br />
<br />
Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF), cabinet grade or 3/8th” plywood dollhouses, require <b>glue and nails</b> because the wood is thick and extremely heavy. You should <b>never </b>build this type of dollhouse with only glue, especially if it's for a child. The dollhouse can easily come apart and cause serious injury or death. Always follow the manufacturer’s assembly instructions and suggestions.<br />
<br />
<b>Is siding applied before or after construction?</b><br />
<br />
Siding should always be applied to a <b>finished shell</b>. Trying to apply your siding to the walls before assembling your dollhouse, will prevent walls from fitting properly together. During a dollhouse shell assembly, many walls overlap each other and the extra thickness of the siding will prevent walls from fitting flush. <br />
<br />
You have two options for the application of siding, applying it <b>before</b> or <b>after</b> the dollhouse components. You can apply your siding to your dollhouse shell and then apply all components on top of it or your can wait for your dollhouse to be completely done and cut your siding around them. It's all up to you and what your preferred look is. <br />
<br />
For more tips, I suggest you read the <a href="https://moreminis.blogspot.com/2019/08/dollhouse-siding-guide.html" target="_blank">Dollhouse Siding Guide</a>.<br />
<br />
<b>Are siding and shingles painted before or after they are glued to my dollhouse?</b><br />
<br />
It all depends on what is easier for you. If you chose to apply your siding <b>after </b>your components are in place, then you will find it's easier to paint it <b>before </b>application. If you applied your siding before your components, then it might be easier to paint after application.<br />
<br />
If you applied your shingles directly to your dollhouses roof, then it's easier to stain or paint them after application, but if you used templates of your roof and glued your shingles to them instead, it's easiest to stain or paint your shingles before application. There’s no right or wrong way to do this.<br />
<br />
Do keep in mind that some shingle stains cannot be painted over, so you have to be very careful to not get any drips or splashes on your newly painted dollhouse or you might not be able to fix it afterwards. <br />
<br />
For more tips, I suggest you read the <a href="https://moreminis.blogspot.com/2019/08/dollhouse-shingling-guide.html" target="_blank">Dollhouse Shingling Guide</a>.<br />
<br />
<b>What is dry-fitting?</b><br />
<br />
Dry-fitting is testing a part to see how it fits <b>before</b> you glue it in place. Some people dry-fit by putting together their entire dollhouse, without glue, to see how the assembly process will be and what to expect. Masking tape is useful for this in order to keep the dollhouse together.<br />
<br />
A more practical approach is to just dry-fit each piece as you go along and follow my assembly blogs, so you can see what to expect at each step.<br />
<br />
<b>I hear people say that their dollhouse has or hasn’t “spoken” to them yet. Do dollhouses really speak?</b><br />
<br />
Dollhouses do speak to their builder. Just like a canvas speaks to a painter or a violin speaks to the player, dollhouses also speak to their assembly artist. Sometimes you may have an idea of what you want your dollhouse to be, but you will find that the dollhouse will fight you every step of the way and force you to change your décor plans for it. This is something that’s experienced by the dollhouse enthusiast with every build. Don’t force a dollhouse into a décor it's not in harmony with, because you will never be happy with the outcome. It's best to let the dollhouse be what it wants to be.<br />
<br />
<b>What is a Dremel?</b><br />
<br />
A <a href="https://www.dremel.com/us/en/product-categories/rotary" target="_blank">Dremel</a> is a small rotary tool that is used to sand, cut and engrave. You can buy many types of bits for it, to do a multitude of different things. Its small size is perfect for many dollhouse projects. <br />
<br />
Though "Dremel" refers to an actual brand name, it has become a popular way to refer to any rotary tool, but remember that rotary tools are made by many other manufacturers as well.<br />
<br />
<b>What is an Easy Cutter?</b><br />
<br />
An <a href="https://midwestproducts.com/products/easy-cutter-ultimate" target="_blank">Easy Cutter</a> is a tool that is very popular among dollhouse builders because it can cut small scale lumber. It also has metric markings, so you can make miter cuts for crown molding, baseboards, etc.<br />
<br />
<b>What is HOM?</b><br />
<br />
This refers to House Of Miniatures Furniture kits. These kits have been discontinued, so they are no longer in production. Some miniature retailers have some kits leftover and will still sell them. You can also find them on eBay and Craigslist. These furniture kits are wooden, nicely detailed and true to scale. <br />
<br />
<b>What is Bespaq?</b><br />
<br />
Bespaq was a San Franciscan company that produced museum quality, miniature furniture in many different historical eras and styles. This furniture is extremely detailed and realistic. Many of the pieces are limited edition, so they are highly sought after by collectors. There are still many of these furniture pieces available at miniature dealers but this company is no longer in business.<br />
<br />
<b>What is Chrysnbon?</b><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.miniatures.com/Chrysnbon-C84.aspx" target="_blank">Chrysnbon</a> Furniture Kits are made of polystyrene plastic, that is detailed and grained to resemble wood furniture. Chrysnbon Kits are true to scale, easy to assemble, inexpensive and are replicas of real antique furnishings. Once assembled and finished you cannot tell the difference between real wooden furniture and Chrysnbon pieces. Aside from furniture, they also make polystyrene plastic accessories from different historical eras and dollhouse components.<br />
<br />
<b>How many dollhouse manufacturers are there?</b><br />
<br />
In the United States there are two main dollhouse manufacturers, <b>Greenleaf Dollhouses</b> (dye-cut, tab and slot, plywood dollhouses) and <b>Real Good Toys Dollhouse</b> (MDF, cabinet-grade, plywood dollhouses). When you go into a dollhouse store or browse a miniatures catalog, these are the two main manufacturers that you will come across. There are many other manufacturers around, many outside of the United States, which are less known. <br />
<br />
<b>Are Greenleaf and Corona Concepts the same company?</b><br />
<br />
Yes. Greenleaf makes dollhouses that are manufactured under the Corona Concepts brand name.<br />
<br />
<b>What is HBS?</b><br />
<br />
This stands for <a href="https://www.miniatures.com/" target="_blank">Hobby Builders Supply</a> or miniatures.com. This is the leading dollhouse and miniatures supplier in the United States.<br />
<br />
<b>How can I attach miniature accessories to my dollhouse?</b><br />
<br />
I have posted information about the different products to use on miniature accessories <a href="https://moreminis.blogspot.com/2019/08/finishing-your-dollhouse.html" target="_blank">here</a>. <br />
<br />
<b>Do I need to use power tools to assemble my dollhouse?</b><br />
<br />
For a tab and slot dollhouse, power tools are not needed for basic assembly. Though not necessary, if you plan on doing extensive kit-bashing on your dollhouse, they will make the job easier. A simple rotary tool or palm sander can make cutting of your plywood and sanding down doors, to fit openings, much easier and faster.<br />
<br />
A cabinet grade or MDF plywood dollhouse will not need any power tools for basic assembly either, but if you plan on doing any kind of kit-bashing, on these particular dollhouses, you will have to have the appropriate power tool. It must be able to handle 3/8th" plywood and/or MDF. MDF is much harder than plywood and can give many power tools a hard time. I suggest you ask the manufacturer what tool they recommend for this type of plywood.<br />
<br />
Many large power tools can be rented for a few hours or for the day, instead of having to purchase them. If you do not want to have to handle a power tool yourself, you can always take your dollhouse parts with you, to a home improvement store or a lumber center, and have someone cut the part for you at a fee.<br />
<br />
<b>What is a "laser cut" dollhouse kit?</b><br />
<br />
Laser cut dollhouse kits are manufactured by Greenleaf Dollhouses. They use the same concept as their traditional dye-cut, tab and slot kits, but instead of a dye machine stamping outlined, punch-out parts to a sheet of wood with a blade, a laser beam does all of the cutting instead. <br />
<br />
The assembly process still uses the tab and slot, punch out feature, but the part edges are smooth and minimal sanding is required. The laser cuts are also very precise, making tiny details cleaner, crisper and fitting of parts easier. Because of this ability to make finer details, Greenleaf Dollhouses has re-released many of their beloved dollhouse models in half-scale.<br />
<br />
<b>Why are there so many dollhouse manufacturers that are no longer in business?</b><br />
<br />
You might come across a wide array of dollhouse brands which you have never heard of or cannot find information for. Many of these dollhouse kits are found at garage sales, estate sales, auctions and online sales ads. The reason that the kits live on, is mostly due to people that bought them and then decided they did not have the time to assemble or the process was too difficult.<br />
<br />
Many dollhouse manufacturers have closed for a variety of reasons. Some of these companies made products that people were just not happy with, because of their difficulty or price. Many made only a temporary, special selection of products, to see how the public would respond, and then decided to no longer continue manufacturing them. Others were bought by and/or merged with larger companies, making their brand name and products obsolete. Many people purchase the kits not realizing that they are buying a kit that can be decades old and from a company that no longer exists.<br />
<br />
<b>What are dollhouse "scales"? </b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.greenleafdollhouses.com/dollhouse_news/AUG2010/difference-in-dollhouse-scale.html" target="_blank">Scale</a> is the defined size ratio between a full size object and its miniature scale version. Dollhouses come in a variety of scales. <br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><b>One Inch Scale</b>, also referred to as 1:12 or 1/12", means that 1 inch in the dollhouse, equals to 1 foot (12 inches) in life scale.</li>
<li><b>Half Scale</b>, also referred to as 1:24 or 1/24", means that 1 inch in the dollhouse, equals to 2 feet (24 inches) in life scale.</li>
<li><b>Quarter Scale</b>, also referred to as 1:48 or 1/48", means that 1 inch in the dollhouse, equals to 4 feet (42 inches) in life scale. This scale is often used in model railroad displays.</li>
<li><b>Micro Scale</b> or 1/144", is also used in some model railroad displays but is also often used to create a "dollhouse for your dollhouse".</li>
</ul>
<br />
There are many other size scales, but the above scales are the most popular ones for dollhouses. The largest dollhouse scale is <b>Playscale</b>, also referred to as 1/6'. One inch in this dollhouse equals 6 feet in life scale. This scale is used for 11" - 12" fashion dolls. Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15948614759421548317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-637361802464434024.post-40534664377342321202019-08-13T07:00:00.000-04:002019-08-22T16:39:56.605-04:00Real Life Sized DollhousesMany of the dollhouse kits available are inspired by real life houses. Here are some of the real life scale models that were made into mini replicas. Can you spot the similarities?<br />
<br />
<center><b>The Vineyard Cottage and The Vineyard Cottage Dollhouse By Greenleaf</b><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju3dISkx4IAuyZO6PiIH4PnzKJjtuszNRBOIby_l_YiOt3ORMu8O2bwlDZt0sBbdJPFlpQK5Saw4wu9_Y6w7w-hof-bFV-PTVB8r612j9rmazL4UXpETqQAqSqSlgxcU_oSdUZK3v_lvE/s1600/Lifesizedollhouses01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="769" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju3dISkx4IAuyZO6PiIH4PnzKJjtuszNRBOIby_l_YiOt3ORMu8O2bwlDZt0sBbdJPFlpQK5Saw4wu9_Y6w7w-hof-bFV-PTVB8r612j9rmazL4UXpETqQAqSqSlgxcU_oSdUZK3v_lvE/s320/Lifesizedollhouses01.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Real</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWxI0TTZqf7D1IMUiFv9IyJQ2IjSi509tkT8-FU4rs94mTFrjrZqZZOM1hSPheHHGD897z3WFYp1Z8F7rrgTaBBYNpnm58yrb1R908zRgbr3F0N0BhJcya-n13HKAZaaV4Hvcf92sY0qg/s1600/Lifesizedollhouses02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="250" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWxI0TTZqf7D1IMUiFv9IyJQ2IjSi509tkT8-FU4rs94mTFrjrZqZZOM1hSPheHHGD897z3WFYp1Z8F7rrgTaBBYNpnm58yrb1R908zRgbr3F0N0BhJcya-n13HKAZaaV4Hvcf92sY0qg/s320/Lifesizedollhouses02.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dollhouse</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<b>The Westville and The Westville Dollhouse By Greenleaf</b><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiup6Cb2QFqhyphenhyphenL5wY6L_7hok2LQplCOPMIbPLJV-GdPTkU5Ua8W-rLNF0r9wl_mtdWGyenFX2bigYoPVYjMhypq4Rm79I2Sf5KdHLFmx08mFe1ApvMX1aipeNiN4DxJYBLrLVw0hBc42zE/s1600/Lifesizedollhouses03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiup6Cb2QFqhyphenhyphenL5wY6L_7hok2LQplCOPMIbPLJV-GdPTkU5Ua8W-rLNF0r9wl_mtdWGyenFX2bigYoPVYjMhypq4Rm79I2Sf5KdHLFmx08mFe1ApvMX1aipeNiN4DxJYBLrLVw0hBc42zE/s320/Lifesizedollhouses03.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Real</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiExUzFnk_gvkhb8F60DS-Mwh5Uqh7EbzkSN2-_NJNYaEWZlxp9BfxDmXj-2nhpgfJ4MN3I0GkuAmEi2xDpWr7Eu9NcPTSUlUXXGstpphUoA7e-unhMHdsv_j7JivZrx2YGL-mYhLnBYVY/s1600/Lifesizedollhouses04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="500" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiExUzFnk_gvkhb8F60DS-Mwh5Uqh7EbzkSN2-_NJNYaEWZlxp9BfxDmXj-2nhpgfJ4MN3I0GkuAmEi2xDpWr7Eu9NcPTSUlUXXGstpphUoA7e-unhMHdsv_j7JivZrx2YGL-mYhLnBYVY/s320/Lifesizedollhouses04.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dollhouse</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<b>The Beacon Hill and The Beacon Hill Dollhouse By Greenleaf</b><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjxh84fGKOUoAZshyphenhyphenG9Ibyj1kaOjPkoVwmB0Qju74aQHkNiHXAuqKFekAx3336CNRxIia3EQIDVdP4CcmL-Ki86_fL48fB-n2D2vErxpMJrxD4XMi5e6G_hk8UXfaQdQ6E0Il974JVmuM/s1600/Lifesizedollhouses05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="702" data-original-width="692" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjxh84fGKOUoAZshyphenhyphenG9Ibyj1kaOjPkoVwmB0Qju74aQHkNiHXAuqKFekAx3336CNRxIia3EQIDVdP4CcmL-Ki86_fL48fB-n2D2vErxpMJrxD4XMi5e6G_hk8UXfaQdQ6E0Il974JVmuM/s320/Lifesizedollhouses05.jpg" width="315" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Real</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFkscNDyUmROeFb-GwXIa9bix8j1kdAPrC13U9hpWeQyxzA0nv63JvjGLMZLYPDVOkptw8zLFDECTu5c9ADJRHDTx1NquiKPwEltzcxY1VqO_FKZ27lptoTnJlXcN0FvgIFvWb1KG2eMk/s1600/Lifesizedollhouses06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFkscNDyUmROeFb-GwXIa9bix8j1kdAPrC13U9hpWeQyxzA0nv63JvjGLMZLYPDVOkptw8zLFDECTu5c9ADJRHDTx1NquiKPwEltzcxY1VqO_FKZ27lptoTnJlXcN0FvgIFvWb1KG2eMk/s320/Lifesizedollhouses06.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dollhouse</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<b>The Canterbury and The Canterbury Dollhouse By Greenleaf (Assembled and finished by Diana Milam)</b><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjundEzgml_VYZuFOnhosR1EKGEiLVTDLYtfJr5pP8ZoiU6sCvW0fkfujRuDIEz_TPjxJ1kjj_rXI4veJlkW_KGH2nRgXnY8hsxvsbRhev1zg3WOLetRwLtij3KoaArD8tf1Mpcwyi3DyY/s1600/Lifesizedollhouses07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="314" data-original-width="237" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjundEzgml_VYZuFOnhosR1EKGEiLVTDLYtfJr5pP8ZoiU6sCvW0fkfujRuDIEz_TPjxJ1kjj_rXI4veJlkW_KGH2nRgXnY8hsxvsbRhev1zg3WOLetRwLtij3KoaArD8tf1Mpcwyi3DyY/s320/Lifesizedollhouses07.jpg" width="242" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Real</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEireGZ9FfgKUnj5t87T252jE5-LGD_FpqE9EfIczHYNSS5OEy9w5XhbE5HepvmrJyacPa1q5T6mnGsYjCSVpbl_Eko-_fo5IlHKzsu6jnthavKSknCgbO7nlkEmv7PXJLEe5S008kMRuco/s1600/Lifesizedollhouses08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="637" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEireGZ9FfgKUnj5t87T252jE5-LGD_FpqE9EfIczHYNSS5OEy9w5XhbE5HepvmrJyacPa1q5T6mnGsYjCSVpbl_Eko-_fo5IlHKzsu6jnthavKSknCgbO7nlkEmv7PXJLEe5S008kMRuco/s320/Lifesizedollhouses08.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dollhouse</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<b>The Beaumont and The Beaumont Dollhouse By Greenleaf</b><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzkjYx5GffyAI0p35kOdR5gQM-67iSNu9xGtr026kC1rfXRyUAK653cWyMe0DF0n5uE5-vn4jQICLDZ8HSRblSFPs77rNN_j-OI8r7276Cy1WQociEqUGogdWd7CEfuwj8yjg-S4icyAA/s1600/Lifesizedollhouses09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="230" data-original-width="380" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzkjYx5GffyAI0p35kOdR5gQM-67iSNu9xGtr026kC1rfXRyUAK653cWyMe0DF0n5uE5-vn4jQICLDZ8HSRblSFPs77rNN_j-OI8r7276Cy1WQociEqUGogdWd7CEfuwj8yjg-S4icyAA/s320/Lifesizedollhouses09.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Real</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_TnTGn_bv5MfSJ-YbhVBnNDEsr7oFhLfckIcSGQokGKiiXOD69HWcfo2URXDzNLa2wJ3mKOPNy0o3Uf5iVK07C7yUa7KxzZwj5_RNKNegL_yHOQXnPeEy9-i9cSVkrMzenG7R6GGcEv8/s1600/Lifesizedollhouses10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="450" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_TnTGn_bv5MfSJ-YbhVBnNDEsr7oFhLfckIcSGQokGKiiXOD69HWcfo2URXDzNLa2wJ3mKOPNy0o3Uf5iVK07C7yUa7KxzZwj5_RNKNegL_yHOQXnPeEy9-i9cSVkrMzenG7R6GGcEv8/s320/Lifesizedollhouses10.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dollhouse</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<b>The Philomena and The Philomena Micro Scale Dollhouse By Northeastern Scale Models</b><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeSBmJmexUt9RH09EfEJIRaia2U1C09FkpHiPbEWARbtHD78Em-3syys4B8wHntHGu14yAIW4b-72xoXsKgexkLnc5xB8OvCC7fBUn6mqZhyphenhyphenzrnqmUZNkjwRU0ao8wBwRpmfv7qpIer8M/s1600/Lifesizedollhouses11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeSBmJmexUt9RH09EfEJIRaia2U1C09FkpHiPbEWARbtHD78Em-3syys4B8wHntHGu14yAIW4b-72xoXsKgexkLnc5xB8OvCC7fBUn6mqZhyphenhyphenzrnqmUZNkjwRU0ao8wBwRpmfv7qpIer8M/s320/Lifesizedollhouses11.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Real</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsW_wd0sRlj2JKJeD5RLQahyG9fJIxB4m_J9O_8yLkVopy8yoyPRXWB2tlI7_0oFjRbZuG2eLOTWDg8hHI7TMD7TJnfBlY7gVPb7SWU2mzJYuQei30cC49gYlAeqmnW8vozxCaStgbnZ0/s1600/Lifesizedollhouses12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsW_wd0sRlj2JKJeD5RLQahyG9fJIxB4m_J9O_8yLkVopy8yoyPRXWB2tlI7_0oFjRbZuG2eLOTWDg8hHI7TMD7TJnfBlY7gVPb7SWU2mzJYuQei30cC49gYlAeqmnW8vozxCaStgbnZ0/s320/Lifesizedollhouses12.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dollhouse</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<b>The Arthur and The Arthur Dollhouse By Greenleaf</b><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguj0bvDLYGFGEmq1ds2WWbtGGVvMYaZQmJ-ZPhQYBEAJw9JF-jc8Js7dg34bzciDQCd0oumupn-xYdlDUZSF7X89LB6xVXs_xlG8TmX0dsQsMlVlk4fxHyPNiKE9ohG-0qlOC2QGzGXuQ/s1600/Lifesizedollhouses13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="477" data-original-width="560" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguj0bvDLYGFGEmq1ds2WWbtGGVvMYaZQmJ-ZPhQYBEAJw9JF-jc8Js7dg34bzciDQCd0oumupn-xYdlDUZSF7X89LB6xVXs_xlG8TmX0dsQsMlVlk4fxHyPNiKE9ohG-0qlOC2QGzGXuQ/s320/Lifesizedollhouses13.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Real</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWBGXAPCK4lIjUbMaSpC2zCsse_-bvRdrfdgQ-bdh_cGJ8l7mrutsJc9APx_62BCB6Ln-cEe4FT0mHjBOL7FZ19-bIK8weNPYwmlD-lp1kTNwZ76c-fb8Hb3TxC5ihKZBt1FpGIOe_UDs/s1600/Lifesizedollhouses15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="555" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWBGXAPCK4lIjUbMaSpC2zCsse_-bvRdrfdgQ-bdh_cGJ8l7mrutsJc9APx_62BCB6Ln-cEe4FT0mHjBOL7FZ19-bIK8weNPYwmlD-lp1kTNwZ76c-fb8Hb3TxC5ihKZBt1FpGIOe_UDs/s320/Lifesizedollhouses15.jpg" width="288" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dollhouse</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<b>The Queen Anne and The Queen Anne Dollhouse By Real Good Toys</b><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg9sbMjSzu1JX3p_r8Ub-Bv2kpcTbj4TbaDzDSpw-HTgok2YJSAWs5oD-oYvwCwQtiUDtd6KFeDXCH2pqoY0n4aKTuqkl2EqcOmvE9bOsO5_XcJ1xHVFI_rN1aK199wO3th2QADFsPbCA/s1600/Lifesizedollhouses20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="216" data-original-width="233" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg9sbMjSzu1JX3p_r8Ub-Bv2kpcTbj4TbaDzDSpw-HTgok2YJSAWs5oD-oYvwCwQtiUDtd6KFeDXCH2pqoY0n4aKTuqkl2EqcOmvE9bOsO5_XcJ1xHVFI_rN1aK199wO3th2QADFsPbCA/s320/Lifesizedollhouses20.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Real</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy7hsAmKAc0d5WTT4-8NATICfRJHl176WvKOkaEJG8dRUgBI7rpGWCgTyDKz4b7ywf_8v4dCsxfZ34rwn-3-MW2TDnw67qZyDD5vA_wZR2NEbHoxtaiUI4-Ipczh7TIue8XIs_8BQJMlQ/s1600/Lifesizedollhouses14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="544" data-original-width="600" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy7hsAmKAc0d5WTT4-8NATICfRJHl176WvKOkaEJG8dRUgBI7rpGWCgTyDKz4b7ywf_8v4dCsxfZ34rwn-3-MW2TDnw67qZyDD5vA_wZR2NEbHoxtaiUI4-Ipczh7TIue8XIs_8BQJMlQ/s320/Lifesizedollhouses14.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dollhouse</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<b>The Madison and The Madison Dollhouse By Dura-Craft</b><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdrF77bjQsY1wscLwqDsAJ_omphY2gt86feP4i9mlSVlCbSWSwIUm7HKvlZah6DnOJKEzg_-GfYmK_xtb0ck75thsPwZU3ilk0QNYp0haQu5jjGA9SFzH0lXGSsA8m_MlTUDfku1vykUU/s1600/Lifesizedollhouses18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="905" data-original-width="1024" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdrF77bjQsY1wscLwqDsAJ_omphY2gt86feP4i9mlSVlCbSWSwIUm7HKvlZah6DnOJKEzg_-GfYmK_xtb0ck75thsPwZU3ilk0QNYp0haQu5jjGA9SFzH0lXGSsA8m_MlTUDfku1vykUU/s320/Lifesizedollhouses18.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Real</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhScJ03hHoq25M7Qku2EIAaaxo2p3kFRAYT9FHJt-f7UpHz1Q9L3KXIpE2retpSO-TO1SiVyv9ySofW1OQTDTfWP0ssGs3yLeOtx39xP-vGjjfDzg1Spa5iai5qAcOXsTE4Gzr1lUO_Af4/s1600/Lifesizedollhouses17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="227" data-original-width="275" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhScJ03hHoq25M7Qku2EIAaaxo2p3kFRAYT9FHJt-f7UpHz1Q9L3KXIpE2retpSO-TO1SiVyv9ySofW1OQTDTfWP0ssGs3yLeOtx39xP-vGjjfDzg1Spa5iai5qAcOXsTE4Gzr1lUO_Af4/s320/Lifesizedollhouses17.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dollhouse</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<b>The Barrington and The Barrington Dollhouse By Artply</b><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Q6FDv95DjPUutZrqFJg0Ge3nvhGbheHbus-oUeWPbwn7flAS8S40RwinJ4pClDrjQ_72qier65mLiPB0mWkVdscnMT8LhlvsFwDbpszocqu_ym37AImmhmuWrtlhwOn5RAj-KmRzPyw/s1600/Lifesizedollhouses16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="421" data-original-width="500" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Q6FDv95DjPUutZrqFJg0Ge3nvhGbheHbus-oUeWPbwn7flAS8S40RwinJ4pClDrjQ_72qier65mLiPB0mWkVdscnMT8LhlvsFwDbpszocqu_ym37AImmhmuWrtlhwOn5RAj-KmRzPyw/s320/Lifesizedollhouses16.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Real</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEo0inbIu9DqGE3uRwP5_qgv4OjiTxUqQ__uc7uU7YhrM6ZXYmutjzp6VTcNZ0Eag8zjehDNTGqyl5CC1aSNQpG87hYnd1ceDzS-6urAxBBFCQUCu7pNdMS5a5NrGfEfv9kv4BgrBCNiU/s1600/Lifesizedollhouses19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="226" data-original-width="254" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEo0inbIu9DqGE3uRwP5_qgv4OjiTxUqQ__uc7uU7YhrM6ZXYmutjzp6VTcNZ0Eag8zjehDNTGqyl5CC1aSNQpG87hYnd1ceDzS-6urAxBBFCQUCu7pNdMS5a5NrGfEfv9kv4BgrBCNiU/s320/Lifesizedollhouses19.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dollhouse</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<b>The Lily (<a href="http://www.simeshousefoundation.org/" target="_blank">Simes House</a>) and The Lily Dollhouse By Corona Concepts</b><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1MhvjLsUistJDE-pWrIEwEsf3MYf4kO7_ke-ajD2hEUGReUdb_Brwyaf79i8gVHmrWXGQg43ZTv2zCDS7OyKBO9In_BnW497GZdmrBxrGNfPQn0Z0smrIuj-QI8ZPFFeFe-_ptoj4n7Q/s1600/sh-1870_1_orig.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="538" data-original-width="985" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1MhvjLsUistJDE-pWrIEwEsf3MYf4kO7_ke-ajD2hEUGReUdb_Brwyaf79i8gVHmrWXGQg43ZTv2zCDS7OyKBO9In_BnW497GZdmrBxrGNfPQn0Z0smrIuj-QI8ZPFFeFe-_ptoj4n7Q/s320/sh-1870_1_orig.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Real</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA3t7QnNmporcO2l1LppeO7aOpa_UHVnA1DD3pTliZ08WdEmZ06IKz3km79YPbEEDME9FCu7ODJYPfKpZThDwL6DyAv_2tDMcmKvhyOe9isncHU6fAwWRaiXUTjm409hALtvA09H_uOvQ/s1600/Lifesizedollhouses21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="437" data-original-width="450" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA3t7QnNmporcO2l1LppeO7aOpa_UHVnA1DD3pTliZ08WdEmZ06IKz3km79YPbEEDME9FCu7ODJYPfKpZThDwL6DyAv_2tDMcmKvhyOe9isncHU6fAwWRaiXUTjm409hALtvA09H_uOvQ/s320/Lifesizedollhouses21.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dollhouse</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<b>The Diana and The Diana Dollhouse By Greenleaf (Assembled and finished by More Minis Dollhouses)</b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKuLLAhWydaPyrUOOTAgcaNSzRkpk-eYBXkOQe2oT3_jj8lRNn2qx7cGfk5B4IrHFy-JnFK96TZXR1QUxKuVQp34HaNvqFLEy7wl5JNFrhwFyyrPRQZnMB4e-KzzhBAvbsk6VdgmTTRc4/s1600/Lifesizedollhouses23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="314" data-original-width="237" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKuLLAhWydaPyrUOOTAgcaNSzRkpk-eYBXkOQe2oT3_jj8lRNn2qx7cGfk5B4IrHFy-JnFK96TZXR1QUxKuVQp34HaNvqFLEy7wl5JNFrhwFyyrPRQZnMB4e-KzzhBAvbsk6VdgmTTRc4/s320/Lifesizedollhouses23.jpg" width="242" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyfFRzJOu1AU5j-kxIgBCYpeH7xprVw2LimwuMkMb1CDhT7sc5bYTqd8H5sMs2Ad3GWUg2s4f781j1SU5ARLxd2Cq4P95Dp6Rp-ohvPMmcHbNJIOuFKJYSaI0AjnF29zq9EEYdu_waf-Q/s1600/Lifesizedollhouses22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="404" data-original-width="449" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyfFRzJOu1AU5j-kxIgBCYpeH7xprVw2LimwuMkMb1CDhT7sc5bYTqd8H5sMs2Ad3GWUg2s4f781j1SU5ARLxd2Cq4P95Dp6Rp-ohvPMmcHbNJIOuFKJYSaI0AjnF29zq9EEYdu_waf-Q/s320/Lifesizedollhouses22.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Add caption</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<b>The Gothic Mansion and The Gothic Mansion Micro Scale Dollhouse By Northeastern Scale Models</b><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjON0myjRfh51gbxVeVOR9NYXbnkDQ_VSDbO-J8dKSchwxPO-cWr6-xFu7XF5nFCKUC65qBM0lrcx8G39Uf7mNrsSpgvXIw3HX5reOGxZPddiXpIbTV7f5DkZimerur7sSGix0qt6UX0o/s1600/Lifesizedollhouses24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="340" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjON0myjRfh51gbxVeVOR9NYXbnkDQ_VSDbO-J8dKSchwxPO-cWr6-xFu7XF5nFCKUC65qBM0lrcx8G39Uf7mNrsSpgvXIw3HX5reOGxZPddiXpIbTV7f5DkZimerur7sSGix0qt6UX0o/s320/Lifesizedollhouses24.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Real</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_KraBsmd4d95oEXhCaf7pBZZV-NZyEuILJnQuMdXTRRUK8mQJpQ0W8-nGy4V3SVDChgXn3C5I9Cfd3sN37H-HUiLXLY_vAayv7xKg_MeTFf7EP6yCBhnwFlG0i82ETUuqbVQli8jVmqU/s1600/Lifesizedollhouses25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="288" data-original-width="432" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_KraBsmd4d95oEXhCaf7pBZZV-NZyEuILJnQuMdXTRRUK8mQJpQ0W8-nGy4V3SVDChgXn3C5I9Cfd3sN37H-HUiLXLY_vAayv7xKg_MeTFf7EP6yCBhnwFlG0i82ETUuqbVQli8jVmqU/s320/Lifesizedollhouses25.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dollhouse</td></tr></center></tbody></table>Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15948614759421548317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-637361802464434024.post-28719929197555233102019-08-12T07:00:00.001-04:002019-08-31T15:12:11.612-04:00Finishing Your DollhouseThere is no wrong or right way to finish your dollhouse. Below are some tips that might be useful when you make your finishing decisions.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Color Schemes and Paint</u></b><br />
<br />
<b>Color</b><br />
<br />
Finding the right color for your dollhouse is one of the hardest things to choose. Even the most well assembled and beautiful dollhouse will lose its appeal, if you just can't live with its color scheme. Colors have to be chosen carefully because once they are on your dollhouse, they are on to stay. Dollhouses can only be painted during the assembly process and not afterwards, so make sure you won't change your mind later on, because you can't.<br />
<br />
If you’re using several different colors, paint wood sticks with them and put them together, so you can see how the colors complement one another. Take the painted wood sticks under different lighting, so you can see how the hues change and interact with one another.<br />
<br />
You might like to try a <a href="http://paletton.com/#uid=1000u0kllllaFw0g0qFqFg0w0aF" target="_blank">color scheme generator</a> and/or other <a href="http://colrd.com/palette/" target="_blank">color palette tool</a> to help you along. <br />
<br />
Plan your colors out carefully and obtain samples. Test them on wood sticks, so you can see what they will look like once applied. The picture on the bottle or paint can will never show you what the color will look like on wood or when the paint dries. The same is true for choosing colors online. Every monitor is different, so the hue you see on yours, is not necessarily the real hue of the paint when you buy it. For this reason, you should always use color samples as a guide only, whether online or on paper.<br />
<br />
Your local hardware store has a wide array of color sample swatches for you to take home and decide on. Swatches are really helpful because they show you an entire scheme of complementary colors together. Sometimes hardware stores have free paint sample pots for you to take home and try out. You can also order free paint sample pots from many paint manufacturers online. A lot of builders use these very samples to paint their dollhouses with. Be fun and think outside the box. Maybe the colors you thought you would never want to see together will turn out being the best scheme for your dollhouse. <br />
<br />
Maybe your dollhouse looks great as is, without any color. All wood exteriors can be made to look interesting by just staining the dollhouse with different color stains, stenciling it with designs of your choice or applying different color washes to the exterior wood.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUUXVQL_7NrUCQWznYJ3HfR_YG47OCJGLyljbma3P0e2LWA2cI4edNaojllmxhPWshrgVuybnAarLT11_NnqePon5Qyf6l7DGIC9wxF9IA4ULcLrHkhkHj6RbB9nLoe7IyGp2AOe39KQk/s1600/Finishingdollhouse01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="757" data-original-width="570" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUUXVQL_7NrUCQWznYJ3HfR_YG47OCJGLyljbma3P0e2LWA2cI4edNaojllmxhPWshrgVuybnAarLT11_NnqePon5Qyf6l7DGIC9wxF9IA4ULcLrHkhkHj6RbB9nLoe7IyGp2AOe39KQk/s320/Finishingdollhouse01.jpg" width="241" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stenciled Washington 2.0 Dollhouse</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Look through dollhouse catalogs and the internet to get inspiration on different schemes. Sometimes it's easy to choose just one color that you really like and create a scheme from it, by choosing different shades of that same color.<br />
<br />
Most dollhouses come with many parts and you get the real impact of all those details when you use as many colors as you can. Victorian Painted Ladies were painted in many colors so, the intricate architectural details could be seen clearly. Color schemes are completely a personal preference and there is no wrong color to paint a dollhouse, if the outcome is right for you.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV8iDosoK8yPJpFShuizKbXfG7cK3bjsoNiIjWaSwaxiTEuwvpUhM38qN0FHF6n3zntl_z7od28l1sHigM99JeS-mQB1l31yUaW5hJ6h9m0V9No3iiq68NPfPUE5bJDxnUqEqYYejdEt8/s1600/Finishingdollhouse02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="757" data-original-width="570" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV8iDosoK8yPJpFShuizKbXfG7cK3bjsoNiIjWaSwaxiTEuwvpUhM38qN0FHF6n3zntl_z7od28l1sHigM99JeS-mQB1l31yUaW5hJ6h9m0V9No3iiq68NPfPUE5bJDxnUqEqYYejdEt8/s320/Finishingdollhouse02.jpg" width="241" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Orchid Dollhouse With Light Walls and Dark Details</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnwhdxtWI4zr7uWYs9aV8gRF6cxUBb-WZrUIaP8XlL4CEFTNNs8fO55fhsU9uN5Th-MLbr2FqSf083WrAvsah9rGAc8Cd1M0vvw7aUoHYdn-kmPYUwXNlG_NavC4bMozmuIG1HCRUmGyc/s1600/Finishingdollhouse03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="757" data-original-width="570" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnwhdxtWI4zr7uWYs9aV8gRF6cxUBb-WZrUIaP8XlL4CEFTNNs8fO55fhsU9uN5Th-MLbr2FqSf083WrAvsah9rGAc8Cd1M0vvw7aUoHYdn-kmPYUwXNlG_NavC4bMozmuIG1HCRUmGyc/s320/Finishingdollhouse03.jpg" width="241" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arthur Dollhouse With Dark Walls and Light Details</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
I like painting my dollhouses in no less than three colors and no more than five. My rule of thumb for choosing a five color scheme is to make white one of the five colors, three of the colors are of a similar hue and one of the colors is the bright accent. This Beacon Hill Dollhouse is an example of a 5 color scheme. The bright blue is the accent color.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxqGmZZItZS8GJuLKmcCkpuAoGn-EBdP8TSAaX4ETm2hx6y6VyoDBrbESzvPCagFBHIGeG22lZsEehwmW69zMIVbw4MjGBdeYffGEO74lX5T1l3GHQP-gQeJLLmWerB0CZ_dik4LFOb5o/s1600/Finishingdollhouse04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="757" data-original-width="570" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxqGmZZItZS8GJuLKmcCkpuAoGn-EBdP8TSAaX4ETm2hx6y6VyoDBrbESzvPCagFBHIGeG22lZsEehwmW69zMIVbw4MjGBdeYffGEO74lX5T1l3GHQP-gQeJLLmWerB0CZ_dik4LFOb5o/s320/Finishingdollhouse04.jpg" width="241" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beacon Hill Dollhouse With 5 Colors In Earth Tones</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
In Victorian times a lot of earth tone hues were used on one house to make it multi-color but what about a brighter look with some stand out colors instead?<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyrMqrhXHYo58Ps2HShDsbVuVrLdQwoFi8Vh9CbJVqph-R1nQ-5mfiIUJqHfA_Gi9bQA0MxAJWBnXbQZCDqYQGm_rXg2jFcsRxKGxu-DcjqqNpTmtsejmNVQnRrz1hx6uNArz_VMYqL-0/s1600/Finishingdollhouse05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="757" data-original-width="570" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyrMqrhXHYo58Ps2HShDsbVuVrLdQwoFi8Vh9CbJVqph-R1nQ-5mfiIUJqHfA_Gi9bQA0MxAJWBnXbQZCDqYQGm_rXg2jFcsRxKGxu-DcjqqNpTmtsejmNVQnRrz1hx6uNArz_VMYqL-0/s320/Finishingdollhouse05.jpg" width="241" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Willowcrest Dollhouse With 5 Colors In Bright Tones</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Just because there’s a preference for a multi-color palette, don’t be afraid of a monochrome look. Some dollhouses look just as detailed and appealing with gingerbread and walls in one color.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaNQH6e-5z8Q5nxAicxnBDlnSQPZpOjD9ll8kgozzWkZA1l69dJIeN2fYO0oyB3fmDKoRjEmRfPN3G7iwNrh61RKb1O6mAr74mOCajTPkpPjLSW_3fn7k77gLBUBypGMjAnkboPJxT58E/s1600/Finishingdollhouse06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="570" data-original-width="757" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaNQH6e-5z8Q5nxAicxnBDlnSQPZpOjD9ll8kgozzWkZA1l69dJIeN2fYO0oyB3fmDKoRjEmRfPN3G7iwNrh61RKb1O6mAr74mOCajTPkpPjLSW_3fn7k77gLBUBypGMjAnkboPJxT58E/s320/Finishingdollhouse06.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monochrome Westville Dollhouse</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
If it's too much to decide on, there’s always the classic three color scheme. In this scheme the walls are painted in the color of your choice and the gingerbread is always entirely white. The third accent color is used for doors and exterior floors, usually a brown or gray. This is the most popular scheme chosen. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhESnfq6rDTVlknYZT-co1zzsyc4yA3Bvg17DYi-0dGCnzKMkoNFph1gUu5iTfimg2nYIv-ZFJFA6FE2ngzwkzuXjDVHnHH5Hp5gkXuG5ANtKFGC8px6HMYrGGKV1-R0jmopgH0sw9tnKA/s1600/Finishingdollhouse07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="757" data-original-width="570" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhESnfq6rDTVlknYZT-co1zzsyc4yA3Bvg17DYi-0dGCnzKMkoNFph1gUu5iTfimg2nYIv-ZFJFA6FE2ngzwkzuXjDVHnHH5Hp5gkXuG5ANtKFGC8px6HMYrGGKV1-R0jmopgH0sw9tnKA/s320/Finishingdollhouse07.jpg" width="241" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Classic Vineyard Cottage Dollhouse</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Keep in mind what you want to do with your dollhouse before you paint it. What style of décor are you looking for, serious or fun? Will it be a display dollhouse or a child’s playhouse? You should also factor in if you're trying to replicate a certain historical era for realism or not. All of those factors have to be considered before, so you can more easily decide on a color scheme.<br />
<br />
Also remember that when it comes to color schemes, size does matter. What works for a small dollhouse may not work for a large dollhouse. With smaller dollhouses it's easier to get away with non-traditional wall colors or brighter schemes. Larger dollhouses usually look better in more muted colors or classic schemes. <br />
<br />
The style of the dollhouse should also be a factor for choosing it's scheme. Victorian mansions can handle more colors than a simpler farm house or modern ranch. And finally, you wouldn't want to put Victorian bright colors on a Tudor cottage.<br />
<br />
Here you can find coloring photos of popular tab and slot dollhouses to help you decide on a color scheme.<br />
<br />
<b>Paint</b><br />
<br />
After deciding the color scheme you want, you have to choose the paint. I recommend acrylic craft paint, found at your local craft store. Acrylic craft paint comes in a variety of colors and has lower moisture content than latex, so it provides excellent coverage and protects the wood nicely. My top brands of acrylic paints are Folk Art and Americana. Delta comes in at a close third choice but any other brand, is not recommended. Below are links to each brand's color charts, so you can browse available colors. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://plaidonline.com/plaid-catalogs/craft-paints-stencils" target="_blank">Folk Art and Delta Acrylic Color Chart</a><br />
<a href="https://decoart.com/colorchart/" target="_blank">Americana Acrylic Color Chart</a><br />
<br />
Always keep a spare bottle of the paint colors you use on your dollhouse for future touch ups and repairs because your local craft store may discontinue carrying certain colors with time. If this occurs you will have to order your specific color directly from the manufacturer online. Sometimes, manufacturers can discontinue a particular color, but you might still be able to find a nearly identical match from another manufacturer. That's when an <a href="https://decoart.com/color-conversion/" target="_blank">acrylic paint color conversion chart</a>, can come in handy. <br />
<br />
Acrylic paint usually comes in a matte finish, which is the ideal for a dollhouse but if you want to add a gloss or satin sheen to it, you may do so by applying a layer of Acrylic Gloss Varnish over your paint after it's dry. You can also choose an acrylic paint that already has a satin or gloss finish. Some acrylic paint brands offer these choices. <br />
<br />
You can also use latex paints, found in the hardware store, for your dollhouse. I recommend avoiding semi-gloss and gloss latex paints because they will highlight any flaw on your dollhouse and interfere with the adhesion of glue. <br />
<br />
Never apply oil based paints to your dollhouse. They have fumes and they will interfere with the adhesion of glue.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Alternate Finishing Options</u></b><br />
<br />
When you think of an exterior finish for your dollhouse, you are more than likely thinking about siding and paint but don't limit yourself. Dollhouses can have many finishes. Stucco, brick, half-timber trim and stone are just a few different styles. <br />
<br />
<b>Stucco</b><br />
<br />
<a href="https://shop.greenleafdollhouses.com/miniature-stucco-for-dollhouses/" target="_blank">Dollhouse stucco</a> comes in a powdered form that's mixed with water or paint to achieve a product that creates texture when applied. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_-_b9ey4m0CVwHRqZflsSD2G0Y1ZJBFmpeQDwfPJtXW_YVPKMBPWyL_ljfAdKSb7c_YWMpKggZCofUGgNY_LBsRZuf0oH1m7lfkY2TEpapxsISGSANGCPriSDq577YRoPDnECYHlK1TE/s1600/19884346_1572858686087380_3546465858502262574_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="570" data-original-width="757" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_-_b9ey4m0CVwHRqZflsSD2G0Y1ZJBFmpeQDwfPJtXW_YVPKMBPWyL_ljfAdKSb7c_YWMpKggZCofUGgNY_LBsRZuf0oH1m7lfkY2TEpapxsISGSANGCPriSDq577YRoPDnECYHlK1TE/s320/19884346_1572858686087380_3546465858502262574_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Haunted House Dollhouse Kit In Stucco</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<b>Brick</b><br />
<br />
Bricks can come in miniature sized, individual pieces or on a mesh. You can use mortar or glue to apply them. There are also faux brick sheets made of polystyrene plastic, rubber composite material or paper to achieve a brick look without the need for mortar. A lot of miniaturists use <a href="http://www.dollhouseminiatures.com/supplies/magicsystem.htm" target="_blank">Magic Brick</a>, to create stone and brick for their dollhouses. Magic Brick is a product that uses stencils and a special type of mortar to <a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=1CvfVg3SZVW8oDhoszl9YrBgp2IyPPZsn" target="_blank">create the brick shapes</a>.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT7yapuObx43Qpt44FiFsThSUvI_W4fPzxZvOcbrQkWRcbNjqx6I44jso3j6G_vgyJri3EbkbaOZg_gjSEqsRmkjJMjMRaQfsdXrBby5bn2InwuKtodTdl4R-hxmt4GIhFsoAv4Z1ZxYY/s1600/19990205_1572859252753990_6919514406377641697_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="452" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT7yapuObx43Qpt44FiFsThSUvI_W4fPzxZvOcbrQkWRcbNjqx6I44jso3j6G_vgyJri3EbkbaOZg_gjSEqsRmkjJMjMRaQfsdXrBby5bn2InwuKtodTdl4R-hxmt4GIhFsoAv4Z1ZxYY/s320/19990205_1572859252753990_6919514406377641697_n.jpg" width="241" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aster Cottage Dollhouse In Stucco and Pebbles</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Some dollhouses can even have a mossy or earthy exterior finish. This is achieved by gluing moss right to the exterior brick or stone of the dollhouse. <br />
<br />
<b>Stone</b><br />
<br />
Stone is also a very popular finish for dollhouses. It can also be bought in polystyrene sheets or paper. Most miniaturists achieve the stone look using air drying, <a href="http://www.paperclay.com/" target="_blank">Creative Paperclay</a>. This product can be made to achieve just about any exterior texture you can think of. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3iXrm_p-UTlBGTQKb5cHkntrnjt-bdv54kx3gA0E8cM0FB3tYZZRDWUKe7gVuJUjMjBsfJkzjobXA9DmWxSKKxQbxQy_Ce7r8v9IEQ5h80_RtseCRtWwFNpKRKADeDmq2KPQg9l6VgQI/s1600/19884147_1572859536087295_6777162590431529742_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="797" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3iXrm_p-UTlBGTQKb5cHkntrnjt-bdv54kx3gA0E8cM0FB3tYZZRDWUKe7gVuJUjMjBsfJkzjobXA9DmWxSKKxQbxQy_Ce7r8v9IEQ5h80_RtseCRtWwFNpKRKADeDmq2KPQg9l6VgQI/s320/19884147_1572859536087295_6777162590431529742_n.jpg" width="241" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rosedale Dollhouse In Paperclay Stone</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<b><u>Furnishing</u></b><br />
<br />
In order to buy furniture for your dollhouse, you need to know its scale first. Most furniture comes in one inch scale because most dollhouses are in one inch scale. But, it doesn't end there because guiding yourself by scale alone, is not enough.<br />
<br />
Miniature furniture is very expensive. Even if you buy mass produced items that aren't custom or artisan made, you can end up paying a lot to furnish your dollhouse, depending on how large it is. It would be a shame to buy all of that furniture and then realize, it doesn't fit in your dollhouse.<br />
<br />
Scale is not scientific and there is a difference between scale and proportion. Scale refers to a ratio and not a measurement. There are a lot of miniature furniture manufacturers out there, so sometimes scale differs with each company. You can view scale conversion charts <a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=1tWQ9x1wwIXS7NUeXjbfCrkMFqTb0IHrm" target="_blank">here</a>. <br />
<br />
For instance, Town Square Miniatures tend to appear large, even though they are in one inch scale. Chrysnbon are also one inch scale miniatures but look at the difference between a Chrysnbon chair and a Town Square Miniatures chair, pictured below. In a one inch scale dollhouse both chairs will look in scale. They are both made for one inch scale dollhouses but when you have limited space in your dollhouse, then this small size difference between chairs, makes a big difference in whether your furniture will fit correctly or not.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz7px9y9ISaPjsQMJ3WtZWmRTqhD2rXhgjkX0okoK-VNGbKF82qJ5PgXuvhCNNwG-eyrpb98lJOgrO00VJSOH7a-o3L99vSx-ZLLUTY6TBlP1sJXAKc6TYuBF0BkR7SMWQDljK4cmhKwo/s1600/Finishingdollhouse08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="570" data-original-width="757" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz7px9y9ISaPjsQMJ3WtZWmRTqhD2rXhgjkX0okoK-VNGbKF82qJ5PgXuvhCNNwG-eyrpb98lJOgrO00VJSOH7a-o3L99vSx-ZLLUTY6TBlP1sJXAKc6TYuBF0BkR7SMWQDljK4cmhKwo/s320/Finishingdollhouse08.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Another reason why you shouldn't guide yourself by scale alone is in these pictures. Check out the one inch scale doll next to the one inch scale door. The doll looks bigger. If it was a real size woman next to a real size door, she would have a hard time getting through it but when you place them together in a scene, your eyes do not capture those slight differences. Even though this one inch scale door is slightly smaller, the doll still looks in scale to this dollhouse.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdTkO1IVZMwIcF-CIu0iPqG3-mUWNixvruDplYo_-zjhb8ZOt6JT2WQwaWaMRlM30HP2rnXDfrUjU-GWODimPTAl32NUjuhBGLqiP9PPmXCUP2eoluMPVHoF34jmV7KQhRqdVszWQ13Aw/s1600/Finishingdollhouse09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="570" data-original-width="757" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdTkO1IVZMwIcF-CIu0iPqG3-mUWNixvruDplYo_-zjhb8ZOt6JT2WQwaWaMRlM30HP2rnXDfrUjU-GWODimPTAl32NUjuhBGLqiP9PPmXCUP2eoluMPVHoF34jmV7KQhRqdVszWQ13Aw/s320/Finishingdollhouse09.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
The same goes for this car. Its scale is 1/16th", not one inch scale but yet it looks in proportion to the one inch scale dollhouse. If I would have put a one inch scale car by the dollhouse, it would have looked enormous. That is why proportion is so important. The only way to know an item's proportion, is to know its measurements, not just its scale.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidPO-baH9H2xfGCP_tRuY2Q5FeCEzKrt3tIZJ_1PSy5YYAcGBta9o7MlZvoVOKUes77rJiy2vLnx6wHoYopuT7sobrhfm2ZlWp2llVxzflKDC-xL-6IMa0tYSaPIHu12ekhsgqy9Tg-xE/s1600/Finishingdollhouse10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="570" data-original-width="757" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidPO-baH9H2xfGCP_tRuY2Q5FeCEzKrt3tIZJ_1PSy5YYAcGBta9o7MlZvoVOKUes77rJiy2vLnx6wHoYopuT7sobrhfm2ZlWp2llVxzflKDC-xL-6IMa0tYSaPIHu12ekhsgqy9Tg-xE/s320/Finishingdollhouse10.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Get all the measurements for your furniture before buying it. Most online merchants will post the measurements in the description of their items. If they don’t, buy at your own risk. There is a chance that what you get, will not fit in your dollhouse. Check the return and exchange policy for the retailer you plan on buying from. <br />
<br />
Measure the rooms of your dollhouse once it's assembled and take into consideration the windows and doors in the room and how they can affect the way you want your furniture positioned. You can't have that nice contemporary sectional sofa, in your living room, if you have a bay on one wall and a French door on the other.<br />
<br />
When you get the measurements for your furniture, make paper templates out of those measurements and place them in your dollhouse, so you can see how much space each furniture piece will require.<br />
<br />
Most people are so excited about decorating their dollhouse that they begin buying furniture for it before it's even finished. I don’t recommend this unless you plan on building more than one dollhouse. The picture on a dollhouse kit box does not give you a real view of how large or small the dollhouse will be once finished. You can end up with too many or too few pieces of furniture once the dollhouse is finished. If you have other dollhouses to disperse your furniture in, it's not a big loss but if you don't, you're going to be disappointed.<br />
<br />
The same is true for window treatments. All windows are different, so make sure that you get measurements before you buy curtains.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Interior Decor</u></b><br />
<br />
A question that always comes up for newbies about decorating a dollhouse is how do you hang pictures, put up chandeliers or keep small items in their place. Well, there are several ways of accomplishing this. It all depends on what you're trying to keep in place and for how long. <br />
<br />
<b>Museum Wax</b><br />
<br />
Museum wax is soft, pliable and becomes sticky with heat. The heat from your hands will make it soft like clay and then it solidifies again at room temperature. Even in a solid state it is still relatively soft. This product is great because it's hardly visible and a little tiny bit goes a long way. One of the more popular brands of museum wax is Mini Hold.<br />
<br />
Like with everything else, museum wax has its downside. It tends to leave a residue on everything you use it on. The residue can be removed by rubbing it off with a soft cloth or warm water but this is very difficult to do on tiny, detailed items. <br />
<br />
There is no way to remove this residue completely from wallpaper. Even after rubbing it off with a soft cloth it can still leave a residue that can be felt and will show up as a shiny spot on photos. You might not have this problem if you use a sealant on your wallpaper. <br />
<br />
Museum wax is very prone to react to moisture and heat levels, so if you have a heavy object like a chandelier or console mirror, the wax may not be strong enough to hold it and these items will eventually fall off.<br />
<br />
<b>Poster Putty</b><br />
<br />
For heavier objects you might try using poster putty which is not as soft as wax. These types of temporary adhesives are sold at all craft stores.<br />
<br />
Many times though, even this adhesive will fail for certain extra heavy, vertical objects like chandeliers or kitchen cabinets. Like museum wax, putty reacts to temperature changes. It will soften in warm temperatures. You might find your objects dangling from a long string of poster putty, as it softens and loses its strength.<br />
<br />
<b>Repositionable Adhesives</b><br />
<br />
Thanks to the world of scrapbooking, there are numerous repositionable adhesives in the market. Adhesives, safe for scrapbooking, are acid free and will not damage paper or leave residues. They are also color fast, so they will not cause bleeding of wallpaper ink. They usually are clear, so they are invisible when applied. <br />
<br />
These adhesives come in a variety of application methods, from glue dots to a product called <a href="https://www.michaels.com/e6000-extreme-tack-repositional-glue/10326833.html" target="_blank">E6000 Extreme Tack Repositionable Glue</a>. With this product, you can create your own glue dots, any size or shape you like. These glues are easily removed by simply rubbing them off with your fingertip. They tend to come off completely, so you will not have the sticky, residue left behind like museum wax. <br />
<br />
Become familiar with these products, so you can purchase the one that best suits your needs. Just always be sure that the product you choose is acid free and safe for scrapbooking, so that wallpaper and miniatures do not become damaged. <br />
<br />
<b>Glue</b><br />
<br />
For hanging heavy, vertical items on walls and heavy chandeliers from ceilings, you might have to resort to glue. You really have no other choice at this point because if your chandelier keeps dropping, it will soon break or smash items displayed under it. <br />
<br />
Most dollhouse lighting fixtures come with a sticky backing, so they can be stuck in place but many times this backing is just not strong enough to hold an object against gravity, like a metal chandelier or kitchen cabinets. Also the stickiness of this backing will wear out the first time you move the object for redecorating or changing a light bulb.<br />
<br />
If you have to use glue to hold an item in place on your dollhouse, try hot melt glue. If you use white, tacky or wood glue you will never be able to pry the object off without doing extensive damage to your interior décor. When using hot melt glue always use a low temp setting and only the smallest dab possible to hold the item in place. The use of hot melt glue to hold an item in place should be considered a permanent solution. Certain hot melt glues, when used on a low setting, allow for items to be gently snapped off without damage to the surface they were adhered to but, this is not guaranteed nor should be expected. <br />
<br />
ALWAYS keep a scrap of every single pattern of wallpaper you use for your dollhouse. That way no matter what damage can occur to it, you will always have the same pattern available to fix it. If you don't have a wallpaper scrap and worse comes to worse, you will have to use colored pencils and try to blend in the damage or put something in front of the damaged area, like a picture or a large piece of furniture.<br />
<br />
Many miniaturists like to create their own miniature displays where the items are permanently placed on tables and cabinets. This is very convenient because items will never fall off and possibly get damaged or lost. Tacky glue works best for these displays. Many times, the items will still be removable because they can be gently pried off the furniture piece, they have been glued to. This is because the polyurethane used to finish miniature furniture, causes the tacky glue to not fully adhere, making the items repositionable. This is also not a guaranteed result and just like with the use of hot melt glue, anything adhered with white or tacky glue should be considered permanently attached. <br />
<br />
Whatever adhesive you decide to use always be careful with your wallpaper. Museum wax can leave an invisible residue but some adhesives can downright ruin it by leaving an irremovable color fast or dye stain on it. Test every adhesive you use, if you’re not sure about it, on a small inconspicuous area to see what its effects are. Also read the manufacturer’s instructions on how and where to use carefully. <br />
<br />
<b><u>Electrification</u></b><br />
<br />
The most asked question about dollhouses is electrification. Any dollhouse can be electrified to have working lights on the interior and exterior. An electrified dollhouse can have flickering fireplaces and working door bells. <br />
<br />
What to use and how to do it though, is a much highly debated topic in the dollhouse world. Each person has their preference and opinion on what works better, lasts longer and is easier to work with. Here is some basic information about electrification.<br />
<br />
I have electrified dollhouses before, using tape wire, but all of the dollhouses that I personally own, are not electrified. I choose to not electrify for several reasons. First, electricity is tricky and you have to keep in mind that all of your wires will be running underneath wallpaper, ceilings and flooring. If there is a problem with your wiring in the future, be prepared to have to take all of these decorations apart, in order to find and fix the problem. Second, no matter how carefully you wire your dollhouse, the wiring is never truly invisible. This is something you have to expect and be prepared to live with. In order to avoid these issues, careful planning and extensive preparation has to be done to the interior finishes and I just can't justify the expense and extra work. <br />
<br />
<b>Traditional Electrification:</b><br />
<br />
There are two types of traditional electrification methods. Tape wire and round wire. <br />
<br />
<ul><li><b>Tape Wire:</b> This is the most common method because most people find it easier to install and easier to hide. Tape wire is a series of copper lined, conductive, flat tapes joined together with brads. Since the tape is flat, it can be easily hidden underneath interior finishes. You apply your flooring, wallpaper and ceiling paper right over it.</li>
<li><b>Round Wire: </b>Round wire is a copper conductive wire that works in much the same way your real house wires do. It is much more difficult to hide. With round wire you will have to drill holes through your floors and out through your ceilings, to be able to hang a chandelier, because round wire will be visible if you run it up to your ceiling, along a wall. Some miniature baseboards and crown moldings have a small groove on their backs, so you can run round wire in them seamlessly against the edges of a wall. Though difficult to make invisible, round wire is much more reliable.</li>
</ul><br />
<a href="https://cir-kitconcepts.com/shop/" target="_blank">Cir-Kit Concepts</a> is the largest manufacturer of electrification accessories and tools for dollhouses.<br />
<br />
The first thing you have to do is choose an electrification kit that’s the right size for your dollhouse. Each kit will tell you how many bulbs it can power. The more bulbs you need powered, the more expensive the kit will be. Depending on how you want the lighting set up in your dollhouse, you might need more wire than what comes with your lighting kit. Lighting kits do not come with specialty tools, that you might need for inserting brads or testing conduction, which we will discuss below. They also do not come with miniature lighting fixtures.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgthiAedvF1dhf57sSFRfqfmspgRClnvCkZLeJue-QJZp3yZW-7kVC-bDLIgEEMKvSibyufCg2Y2LKZN__1shkP3ayTcChHBZa512WIX7fUpckky2KTdMAuP0QL75J1W5yeV8KyQvpBks/s1600/Finishingdollhouse11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="135" data-original-width="115" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgthiAedvF1dhf57sSFRfqfmspgRClnvCkZLeJue-QJZp3yZW-7kVC-bDLIgEEMKvSibyufCg2Y2LKZN__1shkP3ayTcChHBZa512WIX7fUpckky2KTdMAuP0QL75J1W5yeV8KyQvpBks/s320/Finishingdollhouse11.jpg" width="273" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tape Wire</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
You have to plan ahead of time how you will run your wires, whether round or tape. You have to know where you want lighting in your dollhouse and what type of lighting. That means you have to decide, during assembly, if you want chandeliers or lamps in each room, so you can run your wires accordingly.<br />
<br />
You will run into a problem right about here. First, your dollhouse has to be completely assembled but the interior has to be completely unfinished, so you can run the wire through all the rooms and then hide it with wallpaper, ceiling and flooring. This is hard to do when you have a dollhouse that will have inaccessible areas, which need to be finished before the dollhouse is fully assembled or they can't be finished later. You will have to be careful how you run wires in those areas to keep them hidden or just leave them without lighting. <br />
<br />
It takes careful planning to electrify a dollhouse and everything has to be considered before you proceed, in order to avoid problems. Draw a diagram of how your wiring system is set up and keep it in a safe place, so you know where to find problems that can arise in the future. You don't want to have to guess where a wire is, five years down the line, if you have an electrical problem.<br />
<br />
The best tip for those who want to electrify, is to not have finishes permanently glued to your dollhouse. This will avoid destruction of it in the future, to make wiring repairs. Make templates of your walls, floors and ceilings out of thin foam core or poster board. Then, apply your wallpaper, ceiling paper and flooring to these templates, instead of directly onto your dollhouse. That way you can run all of your electrical system and then apply the finished templates over the wiring. Now you will have easy access to your wiring, if there is an issue in the future, by simply removing the finished templates and exposing the wiring underneath, for repair.<br />
<br />
Stick your finished templates to your walls with double sided carpet tape or poster putty. Any non-permanent adhesive will also work. You can hide the template joints by covering them with crown molding and baseboards, which should also be applied using repositionable adhesive. Not only is this good for wiring because it hides it well and is removable in case of problems, but it is also a great option if you like to periodically re-decorate your dollhouse.<br />
<br />
You can view the proper way of creating templates for interior finishes by searching Custom Rehab on the Facebook search bar. Make sure you are searching posts by More Minis Dollhouses in the search filter options. <br />
<br />
<b>Tools of the Trade</b><br />
<br />
All wiring systems need a transformer. This transformer plugs into your wall outlet and it converts your standard 110 volt wall outlet into 12 volt power, which your dollhouse lamps can use.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNby2YrtACdfLtPMC-VST54g18X7f8_0k8M__hMYYv5UMFC36MJwo8i-9iYc8JAmpGbdE7-4VkVk3xCZ5o32mMhsSfXTdnNF7GiYLfk_wCvy8ccd8rWy1UFBp6-tHaK03VfvtmOY_9PiA/s1600/Finishingdollhouse12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="135" data-original-width="133" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNby2YrtACdfLtPMC-VST54g18X7f8_0k8M__hMYYv5UMFC36MJwo8i-9iYc8JAmpGbdE7-4VkVk3xCZ5o32mMhsSfXTdnNF7GiYLfk_wCvy8ccd8rWy1UFBp6-tHaK03VfvtmOY_9PiA/s320/Finishingdollhouse12.jpg" width="315" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Transformer</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
You also need a junction splice. This is the first object you will insert into your tape wire and it basically joins the both strips of copper that run through the tape wire, to create conductivity.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1LQxt-PResCIfsDhiqLqDy5c7mMTF15ohOZWi4MnxGpHfaaWFSCSez8LgjmocFxweexZB4l3GnEHQx0taRH9B4H773Wd6jQWiqya9tev866XsBHinb5N68Co2J6Qm5kuV_Pun0oCNuPE/s1600/Finishingdollhouse13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="119" data-original-width="135" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1LQxt-PResCIfsDhiqLqDy5c7mMTF15ohOZWi4MnxGpHfaaWFSCSez8LgjmocFxweexZB4l3GnEHQx0taRH9B4H773Wd6jQWiqya9tev866XsBHinb5N68Co2J6Qm5kuV_Pun0oCNuPE/s320/Finishingdollhouse13.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Junction Splice</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Brads join two pieces of tape wire together in order to make turns around your dollhouse. They are extremely tiny and you will benefit from a brad replacement tool. It will help push your brads into their pilot holes or remove them if you have to.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ni5BPvokhk9RS1R-QoUj5aKDiChGyWHNs9lYUypXGaDLsLsq4EgjhzEdV2BLrpMfFSdi7usG5esk9RPFahx075mfug2qh6L_NhPR0Qq1GQCta_-YDA6Pgil8O1RBxpMRdByXwWB8Pok/s1600/Finishingdollhouse14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="133" data-original-width="216" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ni5BPvokhk9RS1R-QoUj5aKDiChGyWHNs9lYUypXGaDLsLsq4EgjhzEdV2BLrpMfFSdi7usG5esk9RPFahx075mfug2qh6L_NhPR0Qq1GQCta_-YDA6Pgil8O1RBxpMRdByXwWB8Pok/s320/Finishingdollhouse14.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brads</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUYWYOSplg-FNcD3x5UH018Mvsmxu57mivTiNhd6_oiiyauu7Mh4Z4K_LT5_2vHaNcaCHQQafkMKLgdTnBmMfY1EyN302nRYAOCawbKujWGa6VjZBNPo_hEPg_KKsBnX4-XxeuT-EHRhc/s1600/Finishingdollhouse15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="154" data-original-width="216" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUYWYOSplg-FNcD3x5UH018Mvsmxu57mivTiNhd6_oiiyauu7Mh4Z4K_LT5_2vHaNcaCHQQafkMKLgdTnBmMfY1EyN302nRYAOCawbKujWGa6VjZBNPo_hEPg_KKsBnX4-XxeuT-EHRhc/s320/Finishingdollhouse15.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brad Placement Tool</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
You will need a pilot hole drill because the wood of your dollhouse is too hard to push the brad in without opening up a small starter hole first. This is especially true of MDF dollhouses. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQj9xY-daWqezrVGH4308Dk2vhrkIkptpYZkQzwDzSN6KpOd9cIIT9Al4fpXJGXXnEGgXGGe0Rc3gpuikrNKBYlp8_xzYa1WOskT44FT5xYx4-f3jfGlcwa_ksI5IkvHtVXWFUX_cPZCc/s1600/Finishingdollhouse16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="216" data-original-width="27" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQj9xY-daWqezrVGH4308Dk2vhrkIkptpYZkQzwDzSN6KpOd9cIIT9Al4fpXJGXXnEGgXGGe0Rc3gpuikrNKBYlp8_xzYa1WOskT44FT5xYx4-f3jfGlcwa_ksI5IkvHtVXWFUX_cPZCc/s320/Finishingdollhouse16.jpg" width="40" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pilot Hole Punch</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
A tester is good to have because that way you can test each joined strip to make sure that there is conductivity and the brads are placed correctly. By testing periodically as you install your wiring, will save you time because you can see immediately which strip of wire has the problem before proceeding.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5UbDJhE7VHqUX8bdpLgVz6pSBnVkftxUQutLm8Mjexa6-wgVveJd0RL1Boh5nCY4MXsbyIfOk_Laom8okEf6aCE2kEDbt0EkFHwIj0IpZ9hzjin1S79Jlpi__1JV5a_7l_fFO0GqVuvk/s1600/Finishingdollhouse17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="73" data-original-width="135" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5UbDJhE7VHqUX8bdpLgVz6pSBnVkftxUQutLm8Mjexa6-wgVveJd0RL1Boh5nCY4MXsbyIfOk_Laom8okEf6aCE2kEDbt0EkFHwIj0IpZ9hzjin1S79Jlpi__1JV5a_7l_fFO0GqVuvk/s320/Finishingdollhouse17.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Test Probe</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Depending on the lighting kit you choose, it may or may not come with these extras.<br />
<br />
Tape wiring is meant to be pretty durable, so if there is a problem with your wiring, it is most likely due to a brad. Loose brads, pulled out brads, damaged brads or brads that have been placed incorrectly, are often times the culprit to your system not working.<br />
<br />
You also have to have the right transformer for the amount of lights and voltage you have running through your dollhouse. Many times, wiring will not work because the wrong transformer or amount of transformers were used. <br />
<br />
I suggest you purchase the <a href="https://cir-kitconcepts.com/shop/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=3" target="_blank">wiring instruction booklets</a> that are sold by Cir-Kit Concepts, if you plan on electrifying your dollhouse. It will explain the details of traditional electrification, both tape or round wire, for easier installation. You can also see <a href="http://www.greenleafdollhouses.com/dollhouse_news/FEB2009/dollhouse-lighting-kits.html" target="_blank">Darrell’s electrification guide</a> with pictures and a printable <a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=1YvajvcSrK3QWrQ8Vv1o6PW2U2bIAWYUL" target="_blank">PDF guide on electrification</a> from Real Good Toys. Greenleaf Dollhouses has extensive <a href="http://www.greenleafdollhouses.com/dollhouse_news/FEB2009/Greenleaf-Dollhouse-Kits-FEB-2009.html" target="_blank">electrification articles and tutorials</a> and here are more <a href="http://www.dollhouseworkshop.net/electrical/wiring.html" target="_blank">instructions and videos for electrification</a>.<br />
<br />
Lastly, many advances have been made to dollhouse lighting in the past few years. Gone are the days where you had only two choices for electrifying your dollhouse, tape or round wire. Now there are a series of new product lines available that have demystified electrification for the new dollhouse enthusiast. <br />
<br />
<b>Battery Operated Lighting Fixtures</b><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.miniatures.com/Battery-Powered-Lights-C365.aspx" target="_blank">Battery operated lighting fixtures</a>, look the same as traditional dollhouse lighting fixtures, but do not have to be connected to a flat or round wire system. They simply have an LED bulb and run on a 3V lithium battery. The batteries are replaceable but the LED bulbs are usually not. These lights run cooler than traditional lights and the bulbs have about 4'000 hours of life. Each light fixture has a small on and off switch. <br />
<br />
This option is perfect for the miniaturist that just wants to impress a visitor with a lighted dollhouse but will not use the lights much regularly. This is because these lighting fixtures can be expensive. Once the bulb runs out, your entire lighting fixture must be replaced. <br />
<br />
<b>LED Strip Lighting</b><br />
<br />
You can also use non-working, inexpensive light fixtures, just for decoration, and light the inside of your dollhouse using <a href="https://www.miniatures.com/12-Warm-White-LED-Strip-P21219.aspx" target="_blank">LED strips</a> instead. This option is also very useful for display cases. <br />
<br />
The advantage of LED strips is that they are still connected to a tape or round wire system, eliminating battery replacement. <br />
<br />
You also do not have to run the system throughout the whole dollhouse. You can be strategic in running your wires only along the back edges of floors, where the strips will be hidden behind custom back edge trim. This means that you no longer have to diagram a maze of wiring and apply finished templates to your dollhouse. You can electrify an already assembled and finished dollhouse by adding custom trim, already pre-wired, to all of the back edges. <br />
<br />
The LED strips will light up the interior of your dollhouse, so that miniatures are easier to see and from the front, you will see lights through the dollhouses windows.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Landscaping</u></b><br />
<br />
Landscaping adds life to a dollhouse. Whether you want a lot of landscaping accessories like a full garden, pond and children’s play area or just a few bushes and trees, landscaping makes all the difference in the outer appearance of a dollhouse. It doesn't matter if the dollhouse is large or small, landscaping for either, is done the same way.<br />
<br />
<b>Landscaping Base</b><br />
<br />
You first need a landscaping base. This base will go on top of the table your dollhouse will go on and the dollhouse will sit on top of it. The heavier and larger the dollhouse, the thicker you want the base to be. <br />
<br />
Bases are usually a plywood sheet, cut to the size you want your yard or garden to be. You have to measure your dollhouse's foundation and how much landscaping area you want around it, in order to cut the right size sheet. Take your measurements to the hardware store and buy a plywood sheet of that size or have them cut one to size for you. You will want to landscape the sheet before you sit your dollhouse on top of it, so there aren't any grass seams around your dollhouse.<br />
<br />
Instead of plywood, I use a product called tile board, for large dollhouses. It is sold in the same area as plywood and it's less expensive. You can have it cut to whatever measurement you want. The good thing about this product versus plywood, is that it doesn't warp or crack, it's super strong and doesn't have splinters. A thin sheet has the same strength as a thick plywood sheet. It also has a smooth side, which you can use to face towards your furniture, so it’s not scratched. The rough side is great for adhering faux grass. <br />
<br />
For medium sized dollhouses, you can also make a base from foam core. It is easy to cut with a utility knife and you can even cut it in different, complementary shapes for your dollhouse, instead of a basic square. <br />
<br />
Want a free base? Try using the cardboard from the box your dollhouse kit came in. This cardboard is sturdy and can be cut to size with a box cutter. You just add your grass on top of it and you have a quick and free base for your dollhouse. It works great on smaller dollhouses. <br />
<br />
<b>Grass</b><br />
<br />
Many things can be used for grass. Fabrics, textured paint and foams are just some materials but I'm going to focus on three basic products that are intended for miniatures. Noch Grass, Astro Turf, and railroad grass paper.<br />
<br />
The basic things you need to know about all three products is: <br />
<br />
<ul><li>They all have paper backing, so you can cut them to size with regular scissors.</li>
<li>They all have to be applied to your base with spray adhesive or a glue stick. If you use a regular water based glue, it will seep through the paper and be visible on the “grass” side. The glue stain cannot be removed and will appear as a wet mark, even after the glue dries. This will ruin your grass sheet.</li>
<li>They do not patch well. Any patching you do will leave a visible seam running through your “yard”, so it's best to measure your base carefully, so you get a big enough grass sheet to cover it completely. Also apply your grass first and then your dollhouse, as mentioned above.</li>
</ul><br />
<b>Noch Grass:</b><br />
<br />
This is a material imported from Germany, that looks and feels like grass. These grass rolls come in two sizes, large and small. The large roll is big enough to landscape a pretty large dollhouse. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFO7gqJ1HuHfM4_UF6YTbVkM3RKgEH9zdiwAntRWgHzzzFjkEoSD-yeZMGqllohyphenhyphenW5dt_80G1HYcVWNgyIypdecD2koyBLdqzBApH3uqJAciudWEyH2HplEwpSMD0dFBI8ORZkgFeqLYo/s1600/Finishingdollhouse18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="155" data-original-width="216" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFO7gqJ1HuHfM4_UF6YTbVkM3RKgEH9zdiwAntRWgHzzzFjkEoSD-yeZMGqllohyphenhyphenW5dt_80G1HYcVWNgyIypdecD2koyBLdqzBApH3uqJAciudWEyH2HplEwpSMD0dFBI8ORZkgFeqLYo/s320/Finishingdollhouse18.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<b>Astro Turf:</b><br />
<br />
This is a grass sheet that feels like very thin velvet. It's cheaper than Noch Grass but the rolls are usually smaller than the base for a large dollhouse, so you might end up having to patch and as stated above, this product does not patch well. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu7zOzWcyvEF1BdvBU5rPou17YdqwJHbORJChgTLpI1m3IljJh2zkkLYzvDkogYpDT9cSTUnDG5NYO87MIMf9-hrvhLQ-rj_J11qKsohbM9RiFMdopwouEIXcxeirWKmaLy8g10yqyEx4/s1600/Finishingdollhouse19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="120" data-original-width="216" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu7zOzWcyvEF1BdvBU5rPou17YdqwJHbORJChgTLpI1m3IljJh2zkkLYzvDkogYpDT9cSTUnDG5NYO87MIMf9-hrvhLQ-rj_J11qKsohbM9RiFMdopwouEIXcxeirWKmaLy8g10yqyEx4/s320/Finishingdollhouse19.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<b>Railroad Grass Paper:</b><br />
<br />
This is a large roll of “grass” that is commonly found at any hobby shop that sells model railroad accessories. It's inexpensive and the rolls are large enough to be able to landscape a few large dollhouses. <br />
<br />
This material is different from the others in texture. It's very rough and feels almost like glitter glued to paper. It's very messy and you're going to want to take your base outside or to the garage, for covering. Once all of the loose green particles are shaken off of it, it won't release much anymore. <br />
<br />
This grass sheet can be painted with acrylic paint and a foam brush, to give the appearance of autumn grass or maybe a realistic brown patch on a lawn. You might get away with gluing this grass sheet using tacky glue, used sparingly. Because the grass sheet has such a thick and rough texture, glue does not go through it easily.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoByN3eEgUu79zScFFX4t9YowWhYObt9joaimpZA56Qhr90lsFlyoxko1xEoNrybTjjUT00ganJ7lU-jYPYJ1Vqll_vPH4M0Ga_yjp3eJdzLFZTWpNk5CUhkD4dMxCXQd152-o3YNZxvw/s1600/Finishingdollhouse20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="399" data-original-width="95" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoByN3eEgUu79zScFFX4t9YowWhYObt9joaimpZA56Qhr90lsFlyoxko1xEoNrybTjjUT00ganJ7lU-jYPYJ1Vqll_vPH4M0Ga_yjp3eJdzLFZTWpNk5CUhkD4dMxCXQd152-o3YNZxvw/s320/Finishingdollhouse20.jpg" width="76" /></a></div><br />
Regardless of which grass sheet you use, they all release fine dust and particles. They also collect dust. Because of this, they really aren't intended to be used for a child's dollhouse. Also, be cautious when using these products if you are susceptible to allergies or other breathing problems. <br />
<br />
<b>Spring Grass:</b><br />
<br />
Another popular product is Spring Grass. It’s basically a bag of crumbled foam that looks more like moss than grass but it's sold as grass. It's very difficult to get loose foam to adhere anywhere and expect for it to continue to crumble particles on your floor for the lifetime of your dollhouse.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcGZmJ7-pU_75QNB1qvnTlW4UZG1PIa613l5ft0MfIHzJN2RJgvC2JDN2bMxMiiTayViyyMd_5Grvyyn9hdPXWUtwMV2H6aNMLHNnXBfF_tyZZYfOC3MXXUodiPOdzGBHxJ1PqwAyN6i8/s1600/Finishingdollhouse21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="108" data-original-width="216" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcGZmJ7-pU_75QNB1qvnTlW4UZG1PIa613l5ft0MfIHzJN2RJgvC2JDN2bMxMiiTayViyyMd_5Grvyyn9hdPXWUtwMV2H6aNMLHNnXBfF_tyZZYfOC3MXXUodiPOdzGBHxJ1PqwAyN6i8/s320/Finishingdollhouse21.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<b>Trees</b><br />
<br />
Another important aspect of landscaping is trees and bushes. They are sold in all shapes, types and sizes. You can buy them as tall as your dollhouse roof or as small as your front steps.<br />
<br />
Squeeze Me Trees are a brand of miniatures trees that claim to not crumble or fade. I have many of them around my dollhouses and can say, they are correct. None of my trees have crumbled or faded, even after being on display close to a decade. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ckFRNY4xpbkHLSk_puHC4CWcMPecC89K0yhK1PeFtgPT0S19QuGYEp4U7kyAiyxwduay33jxEUurVv7_3Or0HqGWebbWrG5j8BOADL9_BL6YaiP-ab2oa9KuWTY09RgpG_2Psko3l1A/s1600/Finishingdollhouse22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="162" data-original-width="216" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ckFRNY4xpbkHLSk_puHC4CWcMPecC89K0yhK1PeFtgPT0S19QuGYEp4U7kyAiyxwduay33jxEUurVv7_3Or0HqGWebbWrG5j8BOADL9_BL6YaiP-ab2oa9KuWTY09RgpG_2Psko3l1A/s320/Finishingdollhouse22.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
You can find less expensive trees of all shapes and sizes at any hobby shop that sells model railroad accessories. There are also many trees and bushes available at some craft stores, in their diorama section. They are very useful for smaller scale dollhouses. <br />
<br />
I cannot tell you about their longevity. All I can say is that they are all mostly made the same way. They are crumbled foam, glued to plastic, wire branches and are usually hand made. They are delicate and they do release crumbs. Sometimes they can be made of plastic or paper but that reduces their realism, while increasing their longevity.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVZaVTpulKIbdmlbJW66h00PahdlRP-OpNU7cUZoV0bg_ZuCzvoYfB6XK5XZd6LGXb_RDcGvOJaSRo3sZLY0NspBMfP2GkXKHZwAhd8c0v6l-sUOZAyKQXiDf1_bhi0F1QKnW4wjhe4tM/s1600/Finishingdollhouse23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="135" data-original-width="116" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVZaVTpulKIbdmlbJW66h00PahdlRP-OpNU7cUZoV0bg_ZuCzvoYfB6XK5XZd6LGXb_RDcGvOJaSRo3sZLY0NspBMfP2GkXKHZwAhd8c0v6l-sUOZAyKQXiDf1_bhi0F1QKnW4wjhe4tM/s320/Finishingdollhouse23.jpg" width="275" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2IMSNj5NZUg-Csovre061cVEJ_2SMkkS6ngjJZQ8FKx7oBvURCfh5fbvNPzKh2HqFdIwtLhm2aXCCehu3vcdjr2XC9tZXFZG5laMIOpc1TTmHtbMoEjv4SJomH9JI8hyM8ikj_-kDvn0/s1600/Finishingdollhouse24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="135" data-original-width="120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2IMSNj5NZUg-Csovre061cVEJ_2SMkkS6ngjJZQ8FKx7oBvURCfh5fbvNPzKh2HqFdIwtLhm2aXCCehu3vcdjr2XC9tZXFZG5laMIOpc1TTmHtbMoEjv4SJomH9JI8hyM8ikj_-kDvn0/s320/Finishingdollhouse24.jpg" width="284" /></a></div><br />
Brad Regardless of which trees you use, keep in mind that they are all fragile and you want to put them in a landscape scene that is not going to be bothered by pets or children. Spraying your trees with hairspray will reduce the crumbles and extend their life.<br />
<br />
<b>Flowers</b><br />
<br />
Miniatures flowers can be expensive, depending on the type you get. The most realistic ones are made of clay and of course, are the most expensive. Sometimes you can find less expensive miniature flowers made of silk or foam.<br />
<br />
Take a look around your craft stores floral section. Often times there are quite a large variety of very small flowers that can be used in miniature scenes. Because they are so small, they are usually economically priced. A small bouquet can fill a dollhouses flowers boxes.<br />
<br />
I like to fill my flower boxes with cotton balls, about half way, and I then glue the flowers to it. This allows removal in the future, if I want to change the flower colors. The cotton also helps the flowers stand straight as the glue dries. Once your flower boxes are filled with flowers, the cotton inside will not be visible. Cotton is much easier to use for holding your miniature flowers, than bulky floral foam.<br />
<br />
After my dollhouse is landscaped, I like to run a green ribbon around the exposed edge of the base it's sitting on, so it looks nicer. The ribbon can be made of lace or whatever material you like and is glued with hot glue. It also doesn't have to be green, it can be any color you want. You can also fold your grass sheet over the base edges, so they are invisible. <br />
<br />
Don't limit yourself to just grass and few shrubs around your yard. You can add ponds, lakes, fences, outdoor buildings and even a deck. Many of these items are available at your miniatures dealer but a lot of them can be custom made to fit your available space and preferences. All you need to do is buy the materials at a hobby, craft or miniature store and get creative.Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15948614759421548317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-637361802464434024.post-89164887747020660932019-08-11T07:00:00.000-04:002019-08-24T06:32:18.315-04:00Displaying Your DollhouseThe most important thing you need to be aware of, before buying your dollhouse, is its assembled size. Many dollhouses have been assembled in basements and have remained there because they are too big. Some have had to be given away because of the need for a large display area. You must find an adequate location to display your dollhouse, far enough from windows and heavy traffic. <br />
<br />
You also have to keep in mind the viewing of its interior. Most of us do not have large enough display areas to be able to walk around the dollhouse, for viewing from all sides. This means that rotating and/or moving a dollhouse for viewing, will require more display space. Most manufacturers will have the assembled dimensions, for each of their dollhouse models, listed on their websites. <br />
<br />
You may view the detailed guide on <a href="https://moreminis.blogspot.com/2019/08/dollhouse-back-cover-and-display-case.html" target="_blank">Dollhouse Back Cover and Display Case Guide</a> for more information on these options. <br />
<br />
<b><u>Display Tables</u></b><br />
<br />
Turntable displays for your dollhouse can be expensive, but also a good investment, if you plan on only having one dollhouse. A drawback to turntables is that your dollhouse may collide with neighboring objects while being rotated. For this reason, they must be kept in a spacious area to do their job as intended.<br />
<br />
You can display your dollhouse right on your chosen table or add a base underneath it for landscaping or garden furniture.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIWpSYpZJ5meZKAqM8Ue1NRWLNF4eLE5vZzTZxXNvz1iKfCOv8zvFNTjbImrHBSaE6KblCfY0Q_Izf-CQrtV8tdInIIXD7UTcDnHfW8wHYY67ssgD4jsRar0mWPBeREhX6Rk9MYDoFjQA/s1600/Displayingdollhouse01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="151" data-original-width="216" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIWpSYpZJ5meZKAqM8Ue1NRWLNF4eLE5vZzTZxXNvz1iKfCOv8zvFNTjbImrHBSaE6KblCfY0Q_Izf-CQrtV8tdInIIXD7UTcDnHfW8wHYY67ssgD4jsRar0mWPBeREhX6Rk9MYDoFjQA/s320/Displayingdollhouse01.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
You can buy a separate rotating table top, which can accommodate your desired landscaping and miniatures. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikjnlfJnphnoL__NCC5-418w-tvNC2OBI5QMtBqaJZFBceAB-8Lq-mXMoZwl-MIxTz-UMNPJip12ex4cz3nkoZZfxZ-wdvkJyEsls8npYgnFkJ35J28m-kP4XsuWrAagucLYIuWmEEl3I/s1600/Displayingdollhouse02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="89" data-original-width="216" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikjnlfJnphnoL__NCC5-418w-tvNC2OBI5QMtBqaJZFBceAB-8Lq-mXMoZwl-MIxTz-UMNPJip12ex4cz3nkoZZfxZ-wdvkJyEsls8npYgnFkJ35J28m-kP4XsuWrAagucLYIuWmEEl3I/s320/Displayingdollhouse02.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
You can also buy an inexpensive, metal turntable, to hold your dollhouse, wherever you position it. These metal turntables were intended to be used during assembly, but they will work fine for a fully assembled dollhouse. If you decide to use it to display your dollhouse, you may want to add a sheet of felt underneath the turntable, so you do not damage your furniture. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAQC36w_qqFES_dJr-wdUbgMe4bJa79Z2NcHFg5gjhCphyKsyNLWxFcDPGPCMBfaeaYdcNJqCovVMOXNlgG3-3Gxd-qzaOEUGflKwNhx1y-u-_59-N3LOy516QjDbvYZ9Bdv0oco8o3XQ/s1600/Displayingdollhouse03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="120" data-original-width="216" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAQC36w_qqFES_dJr-wdUbgMe4bJa79Z2NcHFg5gjhCphyKsyNLWxFcDPGPCMBfaeaYdcNJqCovVMOXNlgG3-3Gxd-qzaOEUGflKwNhx1y-u-_59-N3LOy516QjDbvYZ9Bdv0oco8o3XQ/s320/Displayingdollhouse03.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
The ideal is to have your dollhouse easily visible from any angle in the room you are in. Positioning your dollhouse in a corner of a room, often works well.<br />
<br />
If you have power tools and some woodworking skills, you can make your own display table, though not a practical feat for most people.<br />
<br />
Wheeled carts display dollhouses conveniently well. Plus, they are inexpensive, provide good mobility and can save space. These carts were intended to be used for computers or printers and are made of particleboard. For this reason, they work very well for lightweight, tab and slot dollhouses but might not for larger, cabinet grade/MDF models. Check the weight limit of your cart before you purchase it, in order to make sure it can work for your dollhouse model. <br />
<br />
Remember that tables for dye-cut dollhouses are very easy to find because these dollhouses are very lightweight. Stands for heavier cabinet grade/MDF dollhouses are harder to find. Those tables must withstand the weight and size of these heavy dollhouses to avoid collapse, resulting in possible injury or death.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimpwEcRyuwk-5PmtnYFge63sjaZLbqN0vZK5URpiD0pL-616CGS5tZr7KuIhKf3Mi3SM9zXJowLDNL8llDMC1mHAzVDU4g51RvPfi_Zu3ah6Fm9Ych2ilVBJ3iKUkc4UbXkzc5WK0WYjo/s1600/Displayingdollhouse04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="215" data-original-width="215" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimpwEcRyuwk-5PmtnYFge63sjaZLbqN0vZK5URpiD0pL-616CGS5tZr7KuIhKf3Mi3SM9zXJowLDNL8llDMC1mHAzVDU4g51RvPfi_Zu3ah6Fm9Ych2ilVBJ3iKUkc4UbXkzc5WK0WYjo/s320/Displayingdollhouse04.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
If the wheeled cart has an extra bottom shelf, you can also display a smaller dollhouse underneath. This saves space.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCZ4gR92CTjxwYQwmtsqgLApCwAAfMKjDKIBawGcieL0EK5ma6xCgRqZ20qTKYE1ULB9ZQL7xYeKZGfj0uNGcy0Sx210JDDQrQ42VoaumvOQST2_R856J3cd8z89SoHYZJdktpsoQdGak/s1600/Displayingdollhouse05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="757" data-original-width="570" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCZ4gR92CTjxwYQwmtsqgLApCwAAfMKjDKIBawGcieL0EK5ma6xCgRqZ20qTKYE1ULB9ZQL7xYeKZGfj0uNGcy0Sx210JDDQrQ42VoaumvOQST2_R856J3cd8z89SoHYZJdktpsoQdGak/s320/Displayingdollhouse05.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><br />
If you have a large enough furniture piece at home, that can be used, and you don't want to be bothered with a landscaping base, you might want to add stick-on, glider, felt pads to the bottom of your dollhouse to prevent scratches to your furniture. If your dollhouse has a front-opening panel, you may want to buy furniture glider tacks that are hammered to the base of your dollhouse. They will prevent scratches to furniture while opening front panels.<br />
<br />
Some dollhouses are small enough to be displayed on folding, wooden tray tables, even when fully furnished. These tables can be easily rotated by the legs for viewing of the dollhouse, without touching the dollhouse itself.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5L0FiiESy99ir_qDWYJsKITM0pdl_-KYvEMWOUrblrPV0ablGv3qgAF_mDaahwdrvMu-XwRSNtmNfJTx7akxBXSMg2Q3VxtitoBfxyxNhr__MbH6Bt85Og6vtlRSI9M-yoV7ZAHKpssI/s1600/Displayingdollhouse06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="757" data-original-width="570" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5L0FiiESy99ir_qDWYJsKITM0pdl_-KYvEMWOUrblrPV0ablGv3qgAF_mDaahwdrvMu-XwRSNtmNfJTx7akxBXSMg2Q3VxtitoBfxyxNhr__MbH6Bt85Og6vtlRSI9M-yoV7ZAHKpssI/s320/Displayingdollhouse06.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><br />
<b><u>Front Opening Display</u></b><br />
<br />
This type of display method is not recommended for use on a child's playhouse. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1TUsqK3D4K_3fNMMhEzUvunuYLVaBI0K_CWoXYkz5eE62dARKqzVhR0W0ggDBIpNRJP3YQBkOMQk2tJvmbKsKx9f1d6M8vz1cbK5nO_F1LvnIq-580eNnyUbZhadmNOVEYGzXqYmsGNo/s1600/19905048_1572817936091455_730356413025875389_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="270" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1TUsqK3D4K_3fNMMhEzUvunuYLVaBI0K_CWoXYkz5eE62dARKqzVhR0W0ggDBIpNRJP3YQBkOMQk2tJvmbKsKx9f1d6M8vz1cbK5nO_F1LvnIq-580eNnyUbZhadmNOVEYGzXqYmsGNo/s320/19905048_1572817936091455_730356413025875389_n.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br />
If you have a front opening dollhouse, you can create your own display table by adding legs to it. <br />
<br />
<b>Materials</b><br />
<br />
<ul><li>Wooden, unfinished furniture legs can be found in the lumber department of hardware stores. They come in a variety of styles. You will want the legs to be no less than 20" long but no more than 28". That way the dollhouse will sit at a comfortable height and can be viewed easily when you sit in front of it.</li>
<li>You also need a plywood sheet of the same size as the first floor of your dollhouse. Most hardware stores will cut wooden sheets for you, to your specified measurements. This plywood sheet must be 2/8" to 3/8" thick. No less or more than that.</li>
<li>Lastly, you will need 3" nails.</li>
</ul><br />
<b>Preparation</b><br />
<br />
If the furniture legs have screws, staples or other hardware on them, you can easily pull these off with pliers. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxn8r6WdhHdyQRU3noarH_CbWqIGUriUDZdQkg0rKB7JvXKG1M57lYWkntmdrVsRG4A_hxbGMNk2TkIzkcX0xwmMysUvZfy-6uaggkQDzKIfRDFuH22BEH56UquYngdWiuDzJYYBJkNBg/s1600/Displayingdollhouse16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="638" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxn8r6WdhHdyQRU3noarH_CbWqIGUriUDZdQkg0rKB7JvXKG1M57lYWkntmdrVsRG4A_hxbGMNk2TkIzkcX0xwmMysUvZfy-6uaggkQDzKIfRDFuH22BEH56UquYngdWiuDzJYYBJkNBg/s320/Displayingdollhouse16.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgttThhgzLaIbxj7jTdP7TjFY4i46Mv4plpQMdiePyfE-F9xuUFw99iCqp3fr-rpBRLoX1BK-4tU2swpeOtms_76EbEWEZymNg8PT16XQLSASrOE0ztWQWvLzeUY95yjdNL5t80KqIWka0/s1600/Displayingdollhouse17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="638" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgttThhgzLaIbxj7jTdP7TjFY4i46Mv4plpQMdiePyfE-F9xuUFw99iCqp3fr-rpBRLoX1BK-4tU2swpeOtms_76EbEWEZymNg8PT16XQLSASrOE0ztWQWvLzeUY95yjdNL5t80KqIWka0/s320/Displayingdollhouse17.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<b>Assembly</b><br />
<br />
Add wood glue to the top of the furniture legs and place them at all four corners of the wooden sheet. You might need extra hands for help doing this. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpsvn5SqGZyVyZy9E_RTff-eDrJDnnIbmGSrl3UcW14VhyphenhyphenOvS3jinCOmqqxXP1GCPMoRab_BeqrZq5E9ZT_5tHYaW43746fAO9KU7oqDfC4ZOHOM-v26BRB__I0w_mC5Qot0utaUgMaOU/s1600/Displayingdollhouse18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="638" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpsvn5SqGZyVyZy9E_RTff-eDrJDnnIbmGSrl3UcW14VhyphenhyphenOvS3jinCOmqqxXP1GCPMoRab_BeqrZq5E9ZT_5tHYaW43746fAO9KU7oqDfC4ZOHOM-v26BRB__I0w_mC5Qot0utaUgMaOU/s320/Displayingdollhouse18.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Then nail in four nails to the legs, through the wooden sheet. Be careful to center the nails well so they do not accidentally go through the sides of the legs. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQubSJZQ_kN3bNv0zNY_X4OIdQvnH9PXv7mjG5vG7OpFvW3esBLdT_9gptSwcZkmximgO2CffWB4ghfxnBmuv5IdDlskYNMX2Y472REgDaev7QXht2TTLbPuONpViRK27FVFTJz2HxyZI/s1600/Displayingdollhouse19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="638" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQubSJZQ_kN3bNv0zNY_X4OIdQvnH9PXv7mjG5vG7OpFvW3esBLdT_9gptSwcZkmximgO2CffWB4ghfxnBmuv5IdDlskYNMX2Y472REgDaev7QXht2TTLbPuONpViRK27FVFTJz2HxyZI/s320/Displayingdollhouse19.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Now you have a display table for your dollhouse to sit on but it needs to be sturdied with wooden supports between the legs. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiauCCMY5gQDuZghXD21HJnvfaJHnw7Ef1_LRqDzwPPcz2gYKgm7TVgFMLwQmU4re9PGJ4kej2f9UD_MghSJ5vyD8KIMkNsSr2q1tw0uH1jxytqiq9EqTcaPV2LbMrBRwTvNtvqjympAHQ/s1600/Displayingdollhouse20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="638" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiauCCMY5gQDuZghXD21HJnvfaJHnw7Ef1_LRqDzwPPcz2gYKgm7TVgFMLwQmU4re9PGJ4kej2f9UD_MghSJ5vyD8KIMkNsSr2q1tw0uH1jxytqiq9EqTcaPV2LbMrBRwTvNtvqjympAHQ/s320/Displayingdollhouse20.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
You can use wooden square or round dowels to fit between the legs, for this added support. They also sell fancy spindles, used for dollhouse porches, for a more detail look. Glue these on and then use masking tape to clamp the legs together until the glue dries. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk_GR3jxAonE88ke5BLipSALXXWUhX2xdVavhCE5JpjzAn4NOTEcsc1UJmjYfL_V0Zr4P23RMkTJisD6jG0p2EsJRgh1lVNK_8IxQMFLevpbqZf_Ehh47zY_5A9SvVuSlpstSnTKD1-jM/s1600/Displayingdollhouse21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="301" data-original-width="400" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk_GR3jxAonE88ke5BLipSALXXWUhX2xdVavhCE5JpjzAn4NOTEcsc1UJmjYfL_V0Zr4P23RMkTJisD6jG0p2EsJRgh1lVNK_8IxQMFLevpbqZf_Ehh47zY_5A9SvVuSlpstSnTKD1-jM/s320/Displayingdollhouse21.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<b>Installation</b><br />
<br />
Laminate the first floor of the dollhouse to the top of the wooden sheet, which is now a base for your dollhouse to sit on. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEF5wfa1nFwa0zcbcblo1fmeHhhcwwG3hQ2NRzLulv2QzsqRsW0o8hzzkf7-AEVjg6NoKYgXtM80OsJlgbd4Ay0xldoXoEASgiQ_BZWIjdIX4Xt8xS-mq4yDa4bTqHcmQ2Sr2iUBSMuFQ/s1600/Displayingdollhouse22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="301" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEF5wfa1nFwa0zcbcblo1fmeHhhcwwG3hQ2NRzLulv2QzsqRsW0o8hzzkf7-AEVjg6NoKYgXtM80OsJlgbd4Ay0xldoXoEASgiQ_BZWIjdIX4Xt8xS-mq4yDa4bTqHcmQ2Sr2iUBSMuFQ/s320/Displayingdollhouse22.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><br />
Use wood glue and binder clips to clamp the first floor flush to the wooden sheet. <br />
<br />
<b>Finishing</b><br />
<br />
Paint the legs to match your dollhouse. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq52wEr254qyv9C-nurnQRwp7v1fI59JbAqmC3zKEp2L92-DCcYMeW_ErH0C44zdN1Ws609HUmz4krtjJHsuETzeOEx9NXdrUtFx6FxWGpTB5coDLDWc5oMuSd3919iF_ea6s1Mr8MJnw/s1600/Displayingdollhouse23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="376" data-original-width="500" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq52wEr254qyv9C-nurnQRwp7v1fI59JbAqmC3zKEp2L92-DCcYMeW_ErH0C44zdN1Ws609HUmz4krtjJHsuETzeOEx9NXdrUtFx6FxWGpTB5coDLDWc5oMuSd3919iF_ea6s1Mr8MJnw/s320/Displayingdollhouse23.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Adding furniture gliders to the bottom of the legs makes it easier to slide the dollhouse on the floor, the same as with furniture.<br />
<br />
<b>Wall Anchors</b><br />
<br />
Remember that long, thin legs will be supporting a larger top, that is incredibly lightweight, so the possibility of the dollhouse tipping over is always present. Once the dollhouse is filled with heavy furniture, this possibility greatly increases, especially when trying to open the front panel of the dollhouse.<br />
<br />
So, whatever the method used to install this type of display or the amount of supports you add to the legs, you must always use a no-tip, wall anchor in order to brace the dollhouse to whatever wall you plan to display it on. This is especially true, if the dollhouse will be around children. <br />
<br />
Wall anchors are very easy to add to a dollhouse and are sold at hardware stores. There are several types to choose from. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNgtdyM0_yeXyuaMZb3VjdKrtZI-gVLwUjF8VU3GVgeXfyaHVYuI3eO0a0RYnd3uNxQl9WU7K6AjZEpjuZ_9zHqKlar9L0RodCyrsY9so7ssulYH8KdG6LHWR3WDuYQUte4cw6jnY_aSU/s1600/Displayingdollhouse24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="936" data-original-width="1024" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNgtdyM0_yeXyuaMZb3VjdKrtZI-gVLwUjF8VU3GVgeXfyaHVYuI3eO0a0RYnd3uNxQl9WU7K6AjZEpjuZ_9zHqKlar9L0RodCyrsY9so7ssulYH8KdG6LHWR3WDuYQUte4cw6jnY_aSU/s320/Displayingdollhouse24.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCMjHukcDpAdTcN29rv5x6lkAwOfySBhRD6EVtLL91g3rGLQ8odf9h_nSTq4b-PgPUe0sQTpDzKdCL9nQt5dgHX4u9R_i0AqwfMAzwHcGfDoYGq-HJWKjGjmY182YGpmuNZ2s_4uGomro/s1600/Displayingdollhouse25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCMjHukcDpAdTcN29rv5x6lkAwOfySBhRD6EVtLL91g3rGLQ8odf9h_nSTq4b-PgPUe0sQTpDzKdCL9nQt5dgHX4u9R_i0AqwfMAzwHcGfDoYGq-HJWKjGjmY182YGpmuNZ2s_4uGomro/s320/Displayingdollhouse25.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Add the anchor to the top edge of the dollhouse, where several parts have been laminated, making the wood in this area thick and able to hold the wall anchor. The wall side of the anchor, should be screwed into a wall stud. <br />
<br />
Always open the front panel by holding the main body of the dollhouse with one hand and pulling the panel open with the other. The dollhouse is not strong enough for the panel to be pulled opened without supporting its main body and it will tip over, if a wall anchor is not being used. <br />
<br />
<b>Keep in Mind</b><br />
<br />
This type of display method works very well for light weight, tab and slot dollhouses but may not work as well for heavier, cabinet grade dollhouses. Even though the legs have support, with the dowels placed between them, they are not meant to carry heavy weight and will always be somewhat wobbly. <br />
For this reason, I do not recommend this type of display for cabinet grade dollhouse models. If you are handy at making furniture, you might want to use braces or other add on to this display, in order for it to support heavier, cabinet grade dollhouses.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Where to Display</u></b><br />
<br />
Dollhouses should always be kept indoors because attics, basements, garages, and the hot, moist outdoors are not good places to store a completed dollhouse. UV radiation and damp drafts from windows can damage your dollhouse and its finishes. Wooden dollhouses are very sensitive to temperature changes and humidity levels. If the wood is affected by humidity levels and exposure, the glue loses its effectiveness, causing your dollhouse to fall apart.<br />
<br />
Dollhouses that can be displayed in outdoor patios or verandas, have to be sealed and this will affect the types of finishes you can use on them. It also affects the assembly process and materials needed. Unless you're an experienced builder, it is best to display your dollhouse indoors.<br />
<br />
Build your dollhouse when you have adequate space for it. If you're moving and have to store your dollhouse temporarily, make sure it’s a temperature controlled storage facility, to prevent warping and damage to finishes.<br />
<br />
Even though your dollhouse is made of wood, it's not generally susceptible to termites because it's not ideal food. The plywood of your dollhouse is very thin and has a lot of chemicals like stain, glue and wallpaper paste, after assembly. Keep a clean environment to protect from other pests that can cause damage.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Maintenance</u></b><br />
<br />
If you have a dollhouse on display, provide maintenance and attention to increase its longevity. Usual wear and tear is remediated with tacky glue. <br />
<br />
Your dollhouse will collect dust. Cleaning will be tedious but necessary. The best way to dust your dollhouse is using a soft bristled make-up brush. Use it only for cleaning your dollhouse because miniatures are delicate and can react to chemicals or powders. Do not use life-size dusters because they can snag and damage your dollhouse. The make-up brush will even dust off your landscaping wonderfully. <br />
<br />
When you decorate your dollhouse, attach all of your miniatures to furniture using a repositionable adhesive. This is going to make your life easier when you dust. Since everything is attached to furniture, you just remove the entire furniture piece, with everything attached on it, and dust with the brush. This will prevent very small items from falling and getting lost. Once the furniture is out and the room is empty, you can dust the window treatments and flooring. Shake off dust from miniature area rugs.<br />
<br />
Miniature shops sometimes sell a very small micro vacuum cleaner to dust off dollhouses. Micro vacuums they sell for delicate electronic equipment, also work for dollhouses. A dust blower for electronics will work just as good as a vacuum for removing dust. <br />
<br />
A soft bristled cleaning brush works best for dusting shingles. <br />
<br />
<b><u>Longevity</u></b><br />
<br />
When built correctly and given the right maintenance, your dollhouse can last a long time. Whether it's made from 1/8th" or 3/8th" plywood, the secret to a long life span is how the dollhouse was assembled and how it was treated afterwards. <br />
<br />
There are dollhouses that were built in the 1700's and are still on display with only minimal restoration. Back then, the materials used to build a dollhouse were all homemade and natural. Imagine the advantage we have now with stronger and longer lasting, synthetic adhesives and materials. A well-built and cared for dollhouse can truly become a family heirloom.Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15948614759421548317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-637361802464434024.post-18923104406458128442019-08-10T07:00:00.006-04:002022-07-31T11:26:42.214-04:00Types Of DollhousesUsually when we think of miniatures, we think of dollhouses. After all, what better display case is there for your miniatures? In order for you to begin your dollhouse hobby, you will need to know what types of dollhouses there are, so you can make a choice of what option is best for you. <br />
<br />
Let’s begin by discussing the most popular way of owning a dollhouse - buying a dollhouse kit that you assemble yourself. Though there are many different styles of dollhouses, they come in basically two types of construction:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><b>Tab and slot</b>, also known as dye-cut dollhouses</li>
<li><b>Glue and nails</b>, which use cabinet-grade plywood or MDF (medium density fiberboard)</li>
</ul>
<br />
<b><u>Tab And Slot Dollhouse Kits (1/8th" Plywood)</u></b><br />
<br />
These kits are also referred to as dye-cut, budget or punch-out plywood dollhouse kits. Some manufacturers of these dollhouse kits are Greenleaf Dollhouses and Corona Concepts Dollhouses. Both are the same company, but under different names.<br />
<br />
A lot of miniaturists have a negative view of these types of dollhouses because of their complexity and modification difficulty. These dollhouses can be very detailed and intricate, making them difficult to assemble. Plywood requires quite a bit of preparation and this adds to the assembly difficulty. But, it's this very plywood that allows these dollhouses to be true to scale and look more like miniature model houses than dollhouses.<br />
<br />
Tab and slot dollhouse kits consist of punch-out pieces that come in 1/8th" thick plywood sheets. This construction only requires glue. Every single part of the dollhouse is in these plywood sheets. Since they come in flat sheets of plywood, they are completely two dimensional and the building process transforms them into three dimensional objects, once finished. This requires a lot of laminating of wood parts to achieve rich layers and proper thickness.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpCka4EmhbHd6Z51T7X9S9ChcCcbU2SZKP2HVVb7u68sewtLNiNRpt7zaPOG4hYuZzbYRtSWwMFmfkLlATCZv0erJJOqFUZK9VFYT_aTfI0ErKrJBBX9Sh2GMWw-ToTwNKuQZD8CBVBWo/s1600/Typesdollhouses01.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="280" data-original-width="280" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpCka4EmhbHd6Z51T7X9S9ChcCcbU2SZKP2HVVb7u68sewtLNiNRpt7zaPOG4hYuZzbYRtSWwMFmfkLlATCZv0erJJOqFUZK9VFYT_aTfI0ErKrJBBX9Sh2GMWw-ToTwNKuQZD8CBVBWo/s320/Typesdollhouses01.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Garfield by Greenleaf Dollhouses</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>Positives:</b><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>These dollhouses are replicas of real houses. They have realistic and authentic architectural features like curved mansard roofs, bay windows, winding staircases and dormers.</li>
<li>These dollhouses have twists and turns in their interiors that resemble the true floor-plan complexities of a real house.</li>
<li>The end product is very lightweight.</li>
<li>They can be assembled by one person, using only glue. No nails are required.</li>
<li>All of the trim is cut to size, so no cutting is required.</li>
<li>Because of the thin plywood, cutting parts for kit modification will not be difficult.</li>
<li>These kits are inexpensive. The most elaborate ones will cost you a few hundred dollars, sometimes even less if they are on sale.</li>
<li>They include silk screened, acetate windows.</li>
<li>These kits include all the components needed to complete your dollhouse, (e.g.: windows and doors). Many times they will also include built-ins, fireplaces, chimneys, shop signs and furniture. Some kits even have a yard complete with a picket fence.</li>
<li>Some of these kits have siding and shingles included.</li>
<li>These dollhouses are very forgiving and repairs of damaged and/or broken pieces can be done easily.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<b>Negatives:</b><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>The plywood sheets are made of a variety of wood grains and hues and sometimes can warp, crumble and/or delaminate. This gives the impression that the wood is "bad quality" when this is simply not the case. Age and improper storage of the kit are the causes for dry rotting of the wood.</li>
<li>These are not "QuickBuild" dollhouse kits. There are no pre-finished, pre-assembled and/or working components in them. The windows, staircases and doors all have to be assembled piece by piece. Windows and doors have to be hinged or otherwise modified in order for them to work. You have to paint each part before assembly because it will be very difficult to paint afterwards.</li>
<li>These dollhouses do not bring pre-milled sided walls. You must apply each siding piece individually.</li>
<li>Paint and glue is absorbed quickly into the thinner wood, swelling the parts and causing tabs to not fit into slots correctly. You may have to use quite a bit of force to achieve a proper fit. Sometimes the pieces fit too loosely and gaps will have to be filled.</li>
<li>The punch-out has to be done very carefully because parts can break. All edges will require sanding.</li>
<li>You cannot modify the construction of these dollhouses with ready-made components. It’s much harder to find components for them because of their unique measurements. Kit modification is best left to experienced builders, since most of it will have to be custom.</li>
<li>Since the windows have such unique shapes, you might have to create custom window treatments to achieve the right outcome.</li>
<li>These dollhouses tend to have many inaccessible areas in their interiors, so you must plan ahead for the proper application of finishes. It's best to see how the dollhouse fits together in the overall scheme of construction, so you can decide if you should apply finishes, to a certain section, before or after assembly. This can be confusing and time consuming, but it’s the best way to proceed to avoid a visible, yet inaccessible, unfinished space.</li>
<li>Hinging of doors can be very difficult because of the extra laminated parts which create depth and detail.</li>
<li>You have to be careful with these dollhouses and place them in areas where they won't be disturbed or possibly damaged. Little hands are not welcome, unless you buy the less elaborate cottages or leave detailed trim off.</li>
<li>Because of their realistic architectural details, like bay windows, dormers and sloping attic walls, they have limited interior space, making placement of furniture more challenging.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<b>Manufacturer Overview:</b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.greenleafdollhouses.com/" target="_blank">Greenleaf Dollhouses</a> and <a href="http://www.corona-concepts.com/" target="_blank">Corona Concepts Dollhouses</a> are the leading manufacturers of tab and slot dollhouses. The kits are made in the U.S.A, with the company located in upstate New York. <br />
<br />
The dollhouses that this company can produce out of 1/8th" plywood is amazing. This company has put out quite an astonishing series of extremely detailed miniature mansions with replicated, realistic architecture. Each dollhouse is in perfect scale, with incredible details that you just cannot get anywhere else. They are just like the real thing, but small enough to sit on a table. <br />
<br />
This company produces kits with great attention to detail. Some models have fold out attic staircases, closets, fireplaces that are linked to hollow realistic chimneys, incredible winding staircases and those unbelievable wrap around porches. Some feature lift off roofs and turrets for easier access to their interiors. <br />
<br />
They are also the only company that offers several, L-shaped, dollhouse models. The L-shape gives the dollhouse incredible realism, both on its exterior features and interior floor plan. <br />
<br />
<b>Upgrading and Additions:</b><br />
<br />
Greenleaf Dollhouses has made some kits that can be upgraded with the <a href="https://houseworksltd.com/" target="_blank">Houseworks</a> line of components because the measurements are the same. There was a time when they offered working window and door upgrades to some of their dollhouse models, but this is no longer available. You might still be able to find these kits on online auction sites. <br />
<br />
Recently, Greenleaf Dollhouses has added many optional, <a href="https://shop.greenleafdollhouses.com/dollhouse-additions/" target="_blank">laser cut</a> dollhouse components and additions which work well with their models. They have also re-released many popular, discontinued kits from their dollhouse line, in <a href="https://shop.greenleafdollhouses.com/laser-cut-dollhouse-kits/" target="_blank">laser cut</a>.<br />
<br />
<b>Exclusives:</b><br />
<br />
This company has two hinged <a href="https://shop.greenleafdollhouses.com/cheltenham-front-opening-dollhouse/" target="_blank">front opening dollhouse</a> models, one model that can be <a href="https://shop.greenleafdollhouses.com/mckinley-dollhouse-kit/" target="_blank">hung on the wall</a> and a <a href="https://shop.greenleafdollhouses.com/half-scale-dollhouses/" target="_blank">half scale dollhouse</a> line. There is also one <a href="https://shop.greenleafdollhouses.com/limited-addition-arthur-dollhouse-kit/" target="_blank">limited edition dollhouse</a> model. <br />
<br />
This company also offers <a href="https://shop.greenleafdollhouses.com/dollhouse-decorations/" target="_blank">accessories</a> and <a href="https://shop.greenleafdollhouses.com/dollhouse-furniture-kits/" target="_blank">furniture</a>. <br />
<br />
The shingles, siding and flooring, that they offer for purchase on their <a href="https://shop.greenleafdollhouses.com/" target="_blank">web store</a>, are specifically designed to work perfectly with tab and slot dollhouse kits. <br />
<br />
<b>Assembly Process and Instructions:</b><br />
<br />
The construction of their dollhouses has improved significantly, with simpler to follow steps and additions that make the process easier, (e.g.: composite mansard roofs instead of plywood, so the slope is much easier to achieve). <br />
<br />
Most instructions have been updated with lots of real photographs, easy to read steps, great finishing suggestions and fully illustrated schematics, so you know what each and every part is, even if it falls off the sheet. <br />
<br />
<b>Customer Service:</b><br />
<br />
Greenleaf Dollhouses has fantastic customer service. You can buy your kit with confidence. If a piece is missing or damaged in your dollhouse kit, they will replace it at no cost to you, if you bought your kit from a retail store or from them directly. <br />
<br />
You can also get complete assembly help by <a href="http://www.greenleafdollhouses.com/about-us/greenleaf_dollhouse.html" target="_blank">calling</a> them or going to their <a href="http://www.greenleafdollhouses.com/forum/index.php?" target="_blank">online forum</a>. Questions are typically answered in the same day and either by the Greenleaf staff or experienced builders, so you know you're getting the right answers.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Glue And Nail Dollhouse Kits (3/8th" Plywood) </u></b><br />
<br />
These kits are also referred to as cabinet-grade, QuickBuild or Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF) dollhouse kits. The best known manufacturer of 3/8th" plywood and MDF dollhouses is Real Good Toys Dollhouses. These kits are easily modified with pre-assembled components and have large interior spaces for many miniatures. <br />
<br />
These kits come in either MDF, 3/8th" cabinet-grade plywood, or a combination of both. Some of these kits have hinged panels for front access, instead of an open back, or a combination of both. These kits already come with pre-cut parts, so no punching out is required. <br />
<br />
Because of their thicker wood, this construction requires glue and nails. A lot of the components come pre-assembled to avoid handling of small pieces. That’s why these dollhouses are so much easier to build. The wood in these kits requires minimal filling and sanding. The wood is smooth enough to apply wallpaper and paint right onto it, without much preparation. <br />
<br />
These dollhouses come with many three dimensional components and will not require lamination of small pieces. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBjabE_4PcVUlIeS_1KqpxtrGpk3tlWG0jPFUhMwDumeCSf0McEUAIj6wdhHpC5sB1cWoSObPbVesvKLVXERK_RW8Xa1NIgKfjaAIItDYdwHillhBOaSuQgxeQacOkGLuy6YeY9xYHlWs/s1600/Typesdollhouses07.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="544" data-original-width="600" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBjabE_4PcVUlIeS_1KqpxtrGpk3tlWG0jPFUhMwDumeCSf0McEUAIj6wdhHpC5sB1cWoSObPbVesvKLVXERK_RW8Xa1NIgKfjaAIItDYdwHillhBOaSuQgxeQacOkGLuy6YeY9xYHlWs/s320/Typesdollhouses07.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Queen Anne by Real Good Toys</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>Positives: </b><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>These dollhouses have very smooth wood that is easily painted and wallpapered with minimal wood filling or sanding. The priming is much easier on this type of wood because there is no need for filling delaminating wood.</li>
<li>The clapboard siding is already pre-milled into the walls, so you don't have to spend time putting each siding strip individually.</li>
<li>All of the components are three dimensional and pre-assembled. Most of these kits have pre-hinged doors and working windows.</li>
<li>These dollhouse's components are easy to upgrade, making the build versatile, even if you're not an experienced builder. All pre-assembled components fit well with existing measurements.</li>
<li>You can buy prefabricated window treatments because of the dollhouses universal measurements.</li>
<li>These dollhouses are built in a series of steps. Each section is built individually and then the pre-assembled pieces fit together to make the dollhouse. Once you have the basic shell of the dollhouse built, which generally takes a few hours, you're nearly finished.</li>
<li>Staircases and porches have dowel spindles.</li>
<li>The kit's windows are made of Plexiglas rather than thin acetate.</li>
<li>There are no inaccessible areas. The simple, square rooms make for a lot of usable space, as well as making them easier to finish and decorate.</li>
<li>Prepare to have these dollhouses for a lifetime. They are heirlooms that are tough enough for small hands to touch as well.</li>
<li>These kits come in a variety of architectural styles, but tend to have more modern models to choose from, which is often difficult to find in the world of dollhouses.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<b>Negatives: </b><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Raw wood has a tendency to warp, whether thin or thick, once exposed to heat or cold. This causes difficulty hinging panels for front opening models. Because the wood is thicker, the warp is much more noticeable and difficult to fix. When 3/8th" thick MDF warps and it's a hinged panel, you will most likely have to get a replacement from the manufacturer, as it is nearly impossible to fix.</li>
<li>Since doors and windows are pre-assembled, painting them is extremely difficult and time consuming. It’s easier to paint them one, solid color. If you prefer many colors, be prepared for the extended duration of the process.</li>
<li>MDF cannot be stained. You will not be able to stain your dollhouse kit floors, or any other component in your kit, if it's made of MDF. You must use paint instead or create a faux stained finish.</li>
<li>These dollhouses tend to be large and bulky. This limits display space for the dollhouse, so make sure you have a large enough display area and a strong enough table. They are also extremely heavy and cannot be moved from place to place by one person.</li>
<li>MDF and 3/8th" plywood can be difficult to cut if you want to add custom windows or door openings to your dollhouse. If you plan on making modifications, you will need power tools.</li>
<li>You may need help with assembly because of the heavier pieces. The larger these dollhouses are, the more difficult to assemble by one person.</li>
<li>You need nails in some areas in order to complete the assembly. Be extra careful when hammering them in, so you don't damage the finished side of the wood by perforation. Do not attempt to skip the recommended nails. The thick wood pieces of these dollhouses are exceptionally heavy and glue will not be enough to hold the dollhouse together. Omitting the nails can cause the dollhouse to come apart after assembly, causing injury or death.</li>
<li>3/8th" plywood is very hard, but if your kit is made from MDF, it is even harder. Driving nails into this product or attaching hinges will be quite a challenge. You might be forced to use power tools.</li>
<li>Inserting the brads into MDF for electrification will also be very difficult. It is best to invest in specialized tools for this process.</li>
<li>These dollhouses lack the architectural details of their tab and slot cousins. Though they have lovely, realistic details overall, they are more plain. They look more toy-like in appearance. They lack the realistic "model house" look and tend to be more modern looking and box-like.</li>
<li>These dollhouse kits are expensive, depending on the style and size you choose.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<b>Manufacturer Overview:</b><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.realgoodtoys.com/" target="_blank">Real Good Toys Dollhouses</a> is the main manufacturer of 3/8th" plywood or MDF, glue and nail dollhouse kits. The kits are designed in the U.S.A and manufactured offshore. The company is located in Vermont and manufactures their dollhouses using <a href="https://www.realgoodtoys.com/pages/renewable-natural-resources" target="_blank">renewable natural resources</a>. <br />
<br />
Their larger kits are truly breathtaking in beauty and realism. They can be quite impressive in real life. Many of their kits include, pre-assembled, working windows, doors and staircases. <br />
<br />
But, what this company is mostly known for, is bringing dollhouse assembly to the masses with their QuickBuild Kits. You no longer have to be a handy woodworker or spend countless hours in the garage in order to build your own heirloom dollhouse. You can easily spend a weekend or two putting together a dollhouse, that you can be proud of when finished, without the need of any prior experience or know-how. With these kits, you spend less time building and more time doing what most miniaturists consider to be the fun stuff - applying finishes and decorating. <br />
<br />
<b>Upgrading and Additions:</b><br />
<br />
This company has a wide assortment of dollhouses and upgrades for them. You can modify any of their kits easily in any way you can imagine. If you outgrow your dollhouse, you can always find a matching addition, so you can have extra rooms without having to sell or give away your dollhouse in order to buy a bigger one. You also do not need to modify your existing assembly to add an addition. This means you can confidently make these kits an investment for a lifetime. <br />
<br />
This company has made their kits compatible with many Houseworks components. So, if you want working windows or interior doors, it’s easy to upgrade and they will all fit perfectly, without any need for adjustments. <br />
<br />
<b>Exclusives:</b><br />
<br />
Aside from carrying a wide array of dollhouse kits, some of which are <a href="https://www.realgoodtoys.com/collections/1-inch-scale-design-families-front-opening-dollhouses" target="_blank">front opening</a>, this company also offers <a href="https://www.realgoodtoys.com/collections/display-kits-unfinished" target="_blank">displays</a> for miniatures and many dollhouse <a href="https://www.realgoodtoys.com/collections/dollhouse-parts-1" target="_blank">parts</a> and <a href="https://www.realgoodtoys.com/collections/dollhouse-parts-accessories" target="_blank">accessories</a>. <br />
<br />
They have a line of affordable dollhouses in a wide price range, (e.g.: Lilliput), so everyone can have a dollhouse they can afford. The <a href="https://www.realgoodtoys.com/collections/1-inch-scale-design-families-lilliput-dollhouses" target="_blank">Lilliput</a> series has the same ease of construction and ability to upgrade as their more larger, expensive kits do. <br />
<br />
This company offers a line of <a href="https://www.realgoodtoys.com/collections/smaller-1-2-inch-scale-dollhouses-open-backs" target="_blank">half scale dollhouses</a> and upgrade components for them. They also have room boxes in the highly coveted, but rare, <a href="https://www.realgoodtoys.com/collections/dollhouse-kits-for-18-inch-dolls" target="_blank">playscale</a> size which can be used with fashion dolls, (e.g.: Barbie) furniture and accessories. They use to have a playscale dollhouse model, Country Dollhouse, but it is not longer in production.<br />
<br />
<b>Assembly Process and Instructions:</b><br />
<br />
As of this writing, the only thing lacking is good instructions. The instructions for these dollhouses are complicated, confusing and very easily misunderstood. There are no photographs detailing the process, but rather crudely drawn illustrations that can be more confusing than the written instructions. The schematics are very confusing as well and unless you have a tape measure with you, you will not be able to identify parts. <br />
<br />
On some models, you will have to cut trim to the right size. For a beginner, this can be an additional stress added to an already intimidating situation. <br />
<br />
<b>Customer Service:</b><br />
<br />
Real Good Toys has exceptional customer service. They truly express concern about their customers and products. Not only has my experience with them been positive and professional, I can say that other miniaturists have also reviewed them as always being reachable, reliable, quick and very helpful, so you can purchase your kit with confidence. <br />
<br />
There is no forum on their website where you can get help with your construction or ask questions, but they can be reached directly by <a href="https://www.realgoodtoys.com/pages/contact-us" target="_blank">phone</a>. You can ask for missing parts online at their website or by giving them a call. They also have posted many <a href="https://www.realgoodtoys.com/pages/dollhouse-assembly-instructions" target="_blank">instructions</a> for their popular dollhouse models right on their website, so you will not have to contact anyone, if yours are missing. <br />
<br />
As you can see each type of kit has its positives and negatives. It’s up to you to decide which are important to you. But now that we have discussed dollhouse kits, what other options are there?<br />
<br />
<b><u>Pre-assembled Dollhouses</u></b><br />
<br />
If you want to have your dollhouse right now, you can buy one pre-assembled by the manufacturer. These dollhouses are more expensive than an un-assembled kit. If they are not completely finished on their interiors, it will be very difficult to do so later. This is especially true if they have inaccessible interior areas. <br />
<br />
Real Good Toys had a line of pre-assembled and custom finished, cabinet grade dollhouses. Unfortunately, these models do not appear to still be available. You would have to contact them directly for inquiries about this service.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_QSz3fTMNLAUYw4dwhcxAjMzxqaMJX7lwg4SRufEIdvAdAc6AUSwX6LXoZQfQ5ZhEYjy6IgBf0OVf_KYryxJVvoJcQz6UI5_dY0N-qYj68IjcicYuixKrrjZLpwSoyxDYlAt3_WhyphenhyphenClw/s1600/Tan_IMG_5464-edited_1280x1280.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_QSz3fTMNLAUYw4dwhcxAjMzxqaMJX7lwg4SRufEIdvAdAc6AUSwX6LXoZQfQ5ZhEYjy6IgBf0OVf_KYryxJVvoJcQz6UI5_dY0N-qYj68IjcicYuixKrrjZLpwSoyxDYlAt3_WhyphenhyphenClw/s320/Tan_IMG_5464-edited_1280x1280.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finished Victoria's Farmhouse by Real Good Toys</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Museum quality dollhouses also come pre-assembled. These dollhouses are manufactured by <a href="https://lawbre.com/" target="_blank">Lawbre</a>. This company does not make kits. The finishing is left up to you, if you wish.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7jKn-0C4bT-EgeVBgErhESfJZlJG2sgAWjpU2ElWtw_Nfx9D3lJ_gODPTJPRMhPzBYM4k-Pxh4uwjd4-UZZUSv6sApIaOLjWgFKFklQ_l0s029ZqmbF5T3S6GULAR_c2rGxwCD4pXZdI/s1600/Typesdollhouses04.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="187" data-original-width="270" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7jKn-0C4bT-EgeVBgErhESfJZlJG2sgAWjpU2ElWtw_Nfx9D3lJ_gODPTJPRMhPzBYM4k-Pxh4uwjd4-UZZUSv6sApIaOLjWgFKFklQ_l0s029ZqmbF5T3S6GULAR_c2rGxwCD4pXZdI/s320/Typesdollhouses04.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Rosedawn Plantation by Lawbre</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<a href="https://www.thelittledollhousecompany.com/the-house-that-jack-built-m-120" target="_blank">The House That Jack Built</a>, (A.K.A.: Melissa & Doug), also produces some pre-assembled dollhouses which are carried by several online vendors. This manufacturer has a wide arrange of prices. They use to have some select dollhouse models sold as unassembled kits as well, but that does not appear to be the case anymore as this dollhouse manufacturer changed their product line to toys rather than dollhouses.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDH4brz-Ol8JNZhAsqSByqJZ8BrahZlwhr0oBKNuhZOi-CtKagDR8-uaoff8rYvGkU0cQhZIeHIN82uxxls5kRwEABkzgIrr9uTLzbLop-noiwJcbc3raSsKmKWTXHKGG30s4i9zOShTU/s1600/Typesdollhouses05.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="236" data-original-width="236" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDH4brz-Ol8JNZhAsqSByqJZ8BrahZlwhr0oBKNuhZOi-CtKagDR8-uaoff8rYvGkU0cQhZIeHIN82uxxls5kRwEABkzgIrr9uTLzbLop-noiwJcbc3raSsKmKWTXHKGG30s4i9zOShTU/s320/Typesdollhouses05.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Lady Ashley by The House That Jack Built</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Though tab and slot dollhouses do not come pre-assembled by their manufacturer, you can pay to have yours custom-built by someone. This option is also available for other types of kits as well. There was only one company, that I know of, which provided a dollhouse assembly service, but they are no longer in business. <br />
<br />
Though far and few between, there are still some people out there that will assemble a tab and slot dollhouse for you, but unfortunately, there aren't many that will finish the interiors as well. Like I've mentioned before, some of these tab and slot dollhouses have inaccessible areas after construction that do not allow for the installation of wallpaper or flooring. Become familiar with the dollhouse you're interested in and always ask questions about it to someone who is an experienced builder.<br />
<br />
Tab and slot dollhouse assemblies can be priced up to five times the retail cost of the kit, because of their labor intensity and time consumption. This price often does not include interior finishes. Make sure that you go through all of the details of what will be included in the assembly, with your builder, before you commit to the service. You might be able to find better price rates for other types of dollhouse kits which are easier to assemble. <br />
<br />
Whatever your choice, keep in mind that when you do find a builder, they might not be in your home city or state. This means you will have to make arrangements for the pick-up or delivery of your dollhouse. As you can imagine, the finished product is quite large, fragile and heavy, so always get shipping quotes before you invest in the assembly of your kit. <br />
<br />
<b><u>Non-Kit Custom Dollhouses</u></b><br />
<br />
These are dollhouses built from architectural <a href="http://www.renovation-headquarters.com/plans-doll-house.html" target="_blank">dollhouse plans</a> like a real house is. This is for the experienced woodworker and not a beginner. You would have to draw your own architectural plans, measure and then cut all of the wood yourself. It’s best to do this if you have a workshop or empty garage where you can store your power tools. <br />
<br />
You can also hire someone to build a custom dollhouse for you, from their own plans, or buy their plans to build it yourself. <br />
<br />
<b><u>Used Dollhouses</u></b><br />
<br />
Sometimes you can find already assembled dollhouses listed online, at garage sales, thrift shops or miniature shows. You might even be able to nab one for free, if the owner simply cannot keep it anymore. Though they might not be in the best condition, the lure of a bargain price, many times a fraction of what the kit would cost, tempts many new would-be dollhouse owners to go for this option. <br />
<br />
Modifying and/or repairing these already assembled dollhouses, (rehabilitating), is often referred to as "rehabbing" by dollhouse enthusiasts. Just remember that if your bargain dollhouse is in bad shape, rehabbing it can be quite a difficult process. It's all dependent on what exactly you would want to change on it. Repainting it, adding flooring or ceiling paper can be tedious and a little difficult, but doable. Exchanging rotted wood, re-wallpapering, modifying the floor plan, finding missing pieces or keeping it from simply falling apart, is quite another story. <br />
<br />
Rehabbing a used dollhouse requires experience and special knowledge that goes beyond new kit assembly, so when committing to this kind of project, interact with an experienced "rehabber" first and learn the ropes, so you won't be disappointed. You can also pay someone to rehab a dollhouse for you. <br />
<br />
<b><u>Discontinued Dollhouses</u></b><br />
<br />
There are many manufacturers of dollhouses that are no longer in business. One of the most popular ones is Dura-Craft Dollhouses. These dollhouse kits are still being sold in garage sales and online auction sites. Some of these kits are highly sought after because this company produced some very beautiful models. Many models had rare details like gutters. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcirPNIE0pDomyc_8TFktDSKgpP45n7lUCIRJpOvAEBqOQvWYBJnXkenSmEdSI6YOArn59AWDtGoHTJj1N_MeGXKKohr8RgeUVZ4T2de70eg39LHFkeosLGzHMtZNhLYWQYLvx83EqExU/s1600/Typesdollhouses06.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="260" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcirPNIE0pDomyc_8TFktDSKgpP45n7lUCIRJpOvAEBqOQvWYBJnXkenSmEdSI6YOArn59AWDtGoHTJj1N_MeGXKKohr8RgeUVZ4T2de70eg39LHFkeosLGzHMtZNhLYWQYLvx83EqExU/s320/Typesdollhouses06.jpg" width="231" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The San Franciscan by Dura-Craft Dollhouses</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Most of these kits were made from a combination of punch out parts and MDF or cabinet grade plywood. They were assembled using part glue and part glue and nails. Many of the trim pieces were not cut to size, so you would have to follow the schematics and make the cuts yourself. <br />
<br />
If you are looking for one of these kits and you happen to find one, the possibility that it will be incomplete is high. Since the manufacturer is no longer in business you will not be able to order missing parts, but rather have to make them yourself or barter for them on online auction sites or dollhouse forums. <br />
<br />
<b><u>Purchasing a Dollhouse</u></b><br />
<br />
Whichever type of dollhouse you decide on, your next step is to purchase it. We discussed the problems that can arise with used or discontinued dollhouses, but what about others? <br />
<br />
<b>Dollhouse Kits:</b><br />
<br />
Dollhouse kits are very complicated and doing an inventory on a kit, to make sure it is complete and undamaged, can be a lengthy process that only experienced builders can tackle. Few individual sellers, especially if they are unfamiliar with dollhouses, will perform this vital task correctly if at all. If the kit is missing and/or has damaged parts, you will need to replace them. Depending on the kit and the type of missing and/or damaged parts, you might end up paying close to or equal what you just paid for the dollhouse kit in replacement parts alone. If the dollhouse kit is discontinued, you might not be able to replace the missing and/or damaged parts at all. <br />
<br />
For this reason, I recommend you purchase your kit directly from the manufacturer or a reputable miniatures dealer. <a href="https://www.miniatures.com/" target="_blank">Hobby Builders Supply</a> is a retailer I have had positive experiences with. Buying from the manufacturer or an authorized miniatures dealer, will ensure your purchase. This is the only way you can get free replacements for missing and/or damaged parts. Unless you are an experienced builder, I do not recommend that you purchase your kit from an online auction site or an individual seller. <br />
<br />
A lot of people that don't know much about dollhouses find a kit at a garage sale, tucked in their attic or remember that their grandmother had one laying around, which was never assembled. They see the beautiful picture of a dollhouse on the front, a lovely vintage box and immediately believe they have found treasure. They then try to sell these kits, on online auction sites, at ridiculous prices. The truth is that dollhouse kits are not worth very much. Unless the dollhouse kit came on the Mayflower, it’s worth is only what the manufacturer's suggested retail price is. Period. Since auction sites or individual sellers are not retail stores, the kit is worth even less. That's why people come to these sites, for deals, not to pay what they could at a store. <br />
<br />
To avoid being told that a dollhouse kit is worth "hundreds of dollars" by a seller, I recommend you ask them for a picture of the dollhouse kit box first. Do not rely on the seller to give you the name of the dollhouse. They often get that wrong. Google the name of the dollhouse to get information on it. If the dollhouse kit is still in production, it will be listed on the manufacturer's website or some other miniatures retail site. Send the links of the highest and lowest selling price to the seller, in order to bring them back to reality. They should sell you the dollhouse kit for less than the lowest retail price available. <br />
<br />
Remember, a dollhouse kit is not "new" if it's being sold on an auction site. The only one that can sell you a new dollhouse kit, is the manufacturer or a retailer. Just because a seller claims they never opened the kit box, doesn't mean it wasn't opened before by a previous owner. Trying to identify with certainty that a dollhouse kit has never been opened, is extremely difficult. Some manufacturers use staples on their boxes, but others use tape. Some manufacturer’s cellophane their dollhouse box kits, but others do not. Any person can open a box, remove the expensive components, and then staple, tape or cellophane it closed again. So, when buying a kit from an individual seller, "never opened" is relative. A lot of these kits have been passed from person to person, for years. The possibility they were opened, at some point, is very high. Bottom line, just because the kit is in its original box, does not mean it's never been opened. <br />
<br />
If the dollhouse kit is no longer in production, it doesn't mean that it is worth more. It just means you are taking a bigger risk buying it, so if anything, you should pay less. Remember, dollhouse kits are not items that appreciate in value. They are unassembled, unfinished parts that amount to nothing, until you actually put them together. You have to put time, effort and money to make them into an actual dollhouse. <br />
<br />
Discontinued kits may be hard to come by and highly sought after by certain collectors, but that does not translate into monetary worth. This is because a lot of these discontinued kits aren't very difficult to find at all, if you know where to look. There are a lot of people out there trying to get rid of theirs. All you have to do is take some time to ask around a dollhouse or miniaturist forum and your sought after kit, will be found in no time. <br />
<br />
Also, anyone with a little woodworking knowledge and a rotary tool can recreate a discontinued dollhouse, using their own wood, with no need for a kit. A picture of the dollhouse can suffice to be able to do this. They might need to buy pre-assembled components or trim, but the overall design and shape of the dollhouse can be easily replicated without the need of a kit. <br />
<br />
Even though there is no manufacturer suggested retail price available to guide yourself by on discontinued dollhouses, there are other people who most likely bought the kit recently. Guide yourself by what they paid for. There are even some retail stores that might still have an inventory of discontinued kits. Search online and you can guide yourself by what they are selling the kit for. Send that link to the seller and you should be able to negotiate a more reasonable price. <br />
<br />
<b>Pre-assembled Dollhouses and Non-Kit Custom Dollhouses:</b><br />
<br />
If you decided on one of these, then you will most likely need to hire someone to assemble your dollhouse for you. We discussed above how expensive this choice can be, but there are other potential problems to consider than just the cost of assembly and shipping. <br />
<br />
Assembling a dollhouse is different than finishing one. <br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><b>Assembling</b> is putting up walls, floors and a roof, according to kit specifications. It may or may not include the assembly and/or installation of components, like chimneys, fireplaces, windows and doors. This is something that each builder decides to include or not.</li>
<li><b>Finishing</b> a dollhouse includes all of the painting, wallpapering, siding, shingling, interior trim work and the installation of finished components, (e.g.: windows, doors, fireplaces).</li>
</ul>
<br />
Finishing may also include detail work, like hinging of doors and their hardware, finishing a closet or adding stone to a chimney or foundation. What is considered "finishing" can vary from builder to builder. Some builders only consider wallpapering to be finishing, but not detail work, which they consider to be extras. Many builders will not provide detail work as an option at all. Electrification is always done at an additional cost, if at all.<br />
<br />
Make sure that when you hire someone, you discuss what is included in their assembly price. If the price seems too good to be true, it probably doesn't include finishes. The finishing of a dollhouse is labor intensive and requires special planning. It is more time consuming and difficult to finish a dollhouse, than to assemble it. The materials needed for proper finishing can be expensive, depending on the size of your chosen model. The decision making between seller and buyer can also be very difficult, since you're trying to decide on something that cannot be seen beforehand. For this reason, it is very difficult to find someone who is willing to finish a dollhouse, rather than just assemble it. <br />
<br />
When going through this process it's good to keep in mind that dollhouses are one of a kind, handcrafted items whose outcome is completely unknown until it is complete. Dollhouse kits are unpredictable and no two dollhouse assemblies are ever the same, even if they are the same model. Some dollhouses come together pretty easily, but others do not. Finishes are just as unpredictable as the assembly. You can only make educated guesses on how something will turn out, but you just never know, until you begin the process. Pictures and ideas, oftentimes, do not materialize into reality because of unforeseen events during the assembly process. After those decisions are made and finishes applied, it’s almost always impossible to reverse them, without the dollhouse sustaining damage or replacement materials and/or parts reordered. A builder can try to educate their client as much as possible, but unless you have assembled and finished a dollhouse yourself, it is very difficult to grasp just how unpredictable a build can be. <br />
<br />
Ask questions before committing to any part of the assembly and/or finishing process. Become educated in what you can expect from each finish. The builder already has a lot on their mind trying to successfully accomplish these difficult handmade items, so do not hesitate to remind them of something you would like to discuss before you make your final decision. Remember that the agreed upon outcome is always a goal and never a guarantee.<br />
<br />
Lastly, you get what you pay for. Most builders are building dollhouses independently, out of their own homes. They are not companies or businesses that can purchase materials wholesale because it isn't often that someone will order an expensive item, like a custom dollhouse, to be assembled for them. <br />
<br />
If you want for your assembly to be cost effective, then expect for the outcome to reflect that. In order to give you a reduced cost the builder will not have available, to use on your build, expensive materials like flooring or siding. Omitting these options will affect the finished product. The finishing of the dollhouse's original kit floors will have a different outcome than a flooring cover, regardless of how detailed the builder is. Not applying siding to the exterior of the dollhouse, also changes its look. So, take all of these things into consideration when you pick and choose what you are comfortable living with and what you aren't. Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15948614759421548317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-637361802464434024.post-49488518005292018132019-08-09T07:00:00.000-04:002019-08-25T11:57:24.305-04:00Dollhouse Back Cover and Display Case GuideThis is a topic that is often talked about and hotly debated. What works for one person, may not work for another. Below is detailed information on several available options, so you can make the right decision for your dollhouse display.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Back Covers</u></b><br />
<br />
So that your finished product looks more professionally done, I will be discussing clear, acrylic back covers in this section. <br />
<br />
You would think it's a pretty straight forward option for a dollhouse but installing a clear, back cover, to keep dust out and miniatures in, is not as easy as it sounds. This is especially true for larger models like the Beacon Hill Dollhouse or L-shaped dollhouses, like the Garfield Dollhouse. <br />
<br />
First, be aware, that if you would like to have a back cover for your dollhouse, you must make that decision before assembly. Because of the unique measurements and architectural details of tab and slot dollhouses, it is very rare for them to have perfectly square and even backs. You will, more than likely, have to modify certain features in the back of your dollhouse, in order for a back cover to fit properly and this can only be done during assembly, not afterwards. Each dollhouse is different, so there is no "one size fits all" option to a back cover. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW4Tu4z-rZLg_hL11dUhBRDWJHNkncMHGBMli4inFtjtxAe1Ce51aI9LcevelpfROHRIFLcfbfHtc7pRH5CiYaLotnc1vJSrHQzR3TuBdzT9geXSAjRdhS8e40o5emTe2QQLnJ50-48B0/s1600/19598571_1559442087429040_1884043549714630662_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="362" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW4Tu4z-rZLg_hL11dUhBRDWJHNkncMHGBMli4inFtjtxAe1Ce51aI9LcevelpfROHRIFLcfbfHtc7pRH5CiYaLotnc1vJSrHQzR3TuBdzT9geXSAjRdhS8e40o5emTe2QQLnJ50-48B0/s320/19598571_1559442087429040_1884043549714630662_n.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><br />
As you can see in these pictures, the back cover on this Beacon Hill Dollhouse is nearly invisible and can only be seen because of the glare coming from a window.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrOOQLnVwXyi2DzDDEM1oQG6oGG5-StBORypsq8ANRkouvDJocro9A9o3xfMq5P1vXNocgQJLwTvGWufU_yT-Vi09NzRMX7w1bCbCglMks-ZfaU1JqkhSXBqdmp2Wg5VXLVv5jaeJDDvA/s1600/19510617_1559442344095681_8141208928617809857_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="362" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrOOQLnVwXyi2DzDDEM1oQG6oGG5-StBORypsq8ANRkouvDJocro9A9o3xfMq5P1vXNocgQJLwTvGWufU_yT-Vi09NzRMX7w1bCbCglMks-ZfaU1JqkhSXBqdmp2Wg5VXLVv5jaeJDDvA/s320/19510617_1559442344095681_8141208928617809857_n.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><br />
<b><br />
</b> <b>Finding a Back Cover:</b><br />
<b><br />
</b> <br />
<ul><li>The best back cover, that will give the most protection, is aesthetically pleasing and will look professional, is a clear acrylic sheet. The problem is that they are extremely difficult to find. The only place you will find them is at a hardware store, in the windows and doors section.</li>
<li>These sheets are large and they will need to be cut to the size of your dollhouse. Unfortunately, they do not have them thin enough to cut with scissors or a craft knife. The thinnest one they have still requires professional cutting, preferably with a tool designed for cutting acrylic.</li>
<li>Depending on the hardware store you go to, the cutting service may or may not be available. I recommend you call the store first to find out if they cut acrylic before you commit to purchasing an expensive acrylic sheet. Buy your acrylic from a store that is willing to cut it, unless you can find another option for cutting your acrylic sheet elsewhere.</li>
</ul><b><br />
</b> <b>Fitting The Back Cover:</b><br />
<b><br />
</b> <br />
<ul><li>Tab and slot dollhouses have special measurements and architectural designs that cause angles and curves around their open backs. You will not have a perfectly square opening to fit your acrylic on. In the Beacon Hill Dollhouse, you can see the sides of the mansard roof are curved at the top, not square.</li>
<li>You will not be able to get angled or curved cuts done to your acrylic at the hardware store. They will only cut your acrylic piece in straight cuts. This means that the square sheet protrudes from the corners of the mansard roof of this Beacon Hill Dollhouse, shown circled in the photo below. Because the sheet is completely clear, you do not see this when viewing the dollhouse from the front.</li>
</ul><br />
I installed a completely custom back edge trim, to this Beacon Hill Dollhouse, so that the sheet would sit on a flat and even surface. No other modifications were needed, but other dollhouses might need much more modification, so the acrylic sheet fits properly.<br />
<br />
Remember that acrylic sheets are heavy, even if you choose the thinnest one. Rest the bottom edge on the base your dollhouse sits on, so the weight is not carried by your dollhouse. These are tab and slot, glue only, 1/8"th plywood dollhouses. They are not designed to carry large amounts of weight.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdAL4rHYcPZfPLSnwSdF_ff2wc_rECufaJiEgiABWhXRlXI_3g0lcuwscEncbp5gNkZq_LbyaJVHN0K_e39L5aN9DUEVqgXaUdJq5CeSWv6zsTrizudzwPT5WcLY4rICHIeHXBt-75B9c/s1600/19554216_1559443567428892_2319158071119017588_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="469" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdAL4rHYcPZfPLSnwSdF_ff2wc_rECufaJiEgiABWhXRlXI_3g0lcuwscEncbp5gNkZq_LbyaJVHN0K_e39L5aN9DUEVqgXaUdJq5CeSWv6zsTrizudzwPT5WcLY4rICHIeHXBt-75B9c/s320/19554216_1559443567428892_2319158071119017588_n.jpg" width="313" /></a></div><br />
For the Beacon Hill Dollhouse I installed L channels along the top, right side and bottom foundation.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9s048sqqlDwQ7hty5f-QcVDaT3xd9F6FwZe4qvCBIq5sFAyxTIjYrwsWrbdH6T_mqGLQu4dwx9y73yejH1QaO2FKCcy4nw8qQiXvQ7ZFh3C_A64_8vtGbNMe4Fwvn68p14ikAlLtrISc/s1600/19511319_1559443907428858_6902110686559788692_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="638" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9s048sqqlDwQ7hty5f-QcVDaT3xd9F6FwZe4qvCBIq5sFAyxTIjYrwsWrbdH6T_mqGLQu4dwx9y73yejH1QaO2FKCcy4nw8qQiXvQ7ZFh3C_A64_8vtGbNMe4Fwvn68p14ikAlLtrISc/s320/19511319_1559443907428858_6902110686559788692_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2FuhchNZTBohFpoUFUp84hsE32D2FCMqSEIwgdqWMAZy9U4DwXlKrt6R2dBMY0gSJCarkMwd-vudjshg4x1Cs3CF21CHxRnr7JhyDcrdCytqv-H6FKMCvbqZmN4BxZJplQpHwPDwSEj8/s1600/19554358_1559444044095511_6232456357988627598_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="274" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2FuhchNZTBohFpoUFUp84hsE32D2FCMqSEIwgdqWMAZy9U4DwXlKrt6R2dBMY0gSJCarkMwd-vudjshg4x1Cs3CF21CHxRnr7JhyDcrdCytqv-H6FKMCvbqZmN4BxZJplQpHwPDwSEj8/s320/19554358_1559444044095511_6232456357988627598_n.jpg" width="183" /></a></div><br />
These channels will act as rails for the acrylic sheet to sit and slide on. Because I had created custom back edge trim, all of the L channels line up. This is why it is very important to keep your acrylic back cover in mind as you assemble the dollhouse. If the back edge trim is not an even thickness on all sides of the dollhouse, your L channels will not line up correctly and the acrylic sheet's edge will not sit inside all three channels, for a flat and even fit. <br />
<br />
You can purchase miniature L or C channel trim from your miniatures dealer, but I created my own L channels from strip wood, from the craft store. I chose basswood for these channels, rather than the softer balsa wood I usually use. I painted them to match the dollhouses back edge they would be glued to.<br />
<br />
The L channels do not have to meet at the corners. In fact, they most likely will not because of the architectural features of the dollhouse. All they have to do is meet evenly, on all sides, so the sheet is not warped or stressed when slid in place. The side and top channels hold the acrylic sheet in place. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1EZH4yjQvSZQvX32BnyBD8gOdo18hNYwfSYJIi4J6ZddmyVTNmbYuuJSNyP5gEYlWR7ffyxYAg0Po_VEsaD5R-6lh8riWzc-vJEKetHXuHbW4fFLXMN8Iq9NBMeyovSg-p7ORWtKkbag/s1600/19511222_1559444257428823_6591545258270075399_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="628" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1EZH4yjQvSZQvX32BnyBD8gOdo18hNYwfSYJIi4J6ZddmyVTNmbYuuJSNyP5gEYlWR7ffyxYAg0Po_VEsaD5R-6lh8riWzc-vJEKetHXuHbW4fFLXMN8Iq9NBMeyovSg-p7ORWtKkbag/s320/19511222_1559444257428823_6591545258270075399_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Notice that the bottom L channel, pictured above, is placed on the bottom edge of the dollhouses foundation, resting on the display base. Like I mentioned before, the acrylic sheets are heavy and should not be held by your dollhouse. Always rest the bottom edge on the display base. The function of this particular L channel is not to carry the sheets weight but rather to just hide the sheets bottom edge for aesthetic reasons. It also acts as a rail, so that the sheet can be slid, evenly and without falling over. <br />
<br />
Do not move your dollhouse with the acrylic sheet in place. Remove it first and then move and/or store your dollhouse. If you add a little beeswax along the bottom edge of your sheet, it will slide much more smoothly along the bottom channel. If beeswax is not available, you can use a little Ivory soap or clear lip balm.<br />
<br />
Now the acrylic sheet can be slid to the left side and removed when I need to access the interior of the dollhouse. Once your miniatures are in place, you will rarely need to access the interior. Everything can be viewed perfectly because the sheet is clear. With the sheet in place, nothing can go in and nothing can fall out. This is great for dollhouse displays that are around pets or children. This is also useful if you have very expensive miniature displays but still want to show your decorated dollhouse to various visitors. The sheet keeps hands out and expensive items in. <br />
<br />
Depending on the size of your dollhouse model, you can add your channels for the acrylic sheet to slide sideways or slide upwards, for removal. It all depends on what would be easier to do. Back covers for larger, taller dollhouse models, should slide sideways as they would be too heavy to slide upwards for removal. <br />
<br />
Below is the photo of a Willowcrest Dollhouse with a back cover that slides upwards, rather than sideways. This dollhouse is small enough for the cover to be slid upwards, easily. The dollhouse would have also required more modifications of the cornice trim, in order to allow the sideways removal of the sheet. As you can see, the acrylic sheet sits between the two back cornice trims. You can barely make out the top edge of the acrylic sheet, along the top of the mansard roof line.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR1MCqAvvCMO8GPBXpgdnJf9w5v_Y5Bh8rki4OOa37EWEyGP-Z8Xw5jldeTuYRvqq70PbvvTXkWuX5yfzNPE4IViPziKvtOrftdRWXXEbYuMsFJy89t2Y7op1QXzxs94aJXckG5Qx3kvE/s1600/19511140_1559444424095473_6855809012451274014_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="361" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR1MCqAvvCMO8GPBXpgdnJf9w5v_Y5Bh8rki4OOa37EWEyGP-Z8Xw5jldeTuYRvqq70PbvvTXkWuX5yfzNPE4IViPziKvtOrftdRWXXEbYuMsFJy89t2Y7op1QXzxs94aJXckG5Qx3kvE/s320/19511140_1559444424095473_6855809012451274014_n.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><br />
The clear, acrylic sheet is nearly invisible, until you notice the window glare in the sideways photo. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9oBj_VqHLLKMnKjO7bY1I3LzsNLAtg4u5ihzfGiIOxBKgolMjPVNKKgcZuFjGFXdZk_6-w5TvDDDc92WUiH_bRZUd8kFuSgnZJROEqqjynJgJLWmyJ6lEqMdsUcWLyovqGfk-JgmNSXg/s1600/19437623_1559444664095449_946067025341845544_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="361" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9oBj_VqHLLKMnKjO7bY1I3LzsNLAtg4u5ihzfGiIOxBKgolMjPVNKKgcZuFjGFXdZk_6-w5TvDDDc92WUiH_bRZUd8kFuSgnZJROEqqjynJgJLWmyJ6lEqMdsUcWLyovqGfk-JgmNSXg/s320/19437623_1559444664095449_946067025341845544_n.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><br />
Notice how I applied the L channels, which act as rails, along both sides and bottom foundation of the dollhouse. The bottom channel also sits on the landscaped base, like on the Beacon Hill Dollhouse, to prevent the dollhouse from carrying any weight. <br />
<br />
Custom back trim had to be used for this dollhouse, just like on the Beacon Hill Dollhouse, in order to allow for the back cover to lay flat and even. You can see a perfect example of how the channels do not meet at the bottom corners, circled below. The sheet is so clear, you can hardly see the exposed edge. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6v0dzI2CYyKYWMtPL1nJrmjWTR0qQJe4hPhfLsg3PbDTonxFED3guyoSzxQ8BpkuBGu-hdZxAboycoMDtXWNYJYGJzShYcMTQg17JwulCSXLPiLdTmccMCxHtXFrHtg4vupE34UjT7u0/s1600/19437375_1559444847428764_2068583272007838469_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="371" data-original-width="640" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6v0dzI2CYyKYWMtPL1nJrmjWTR0qQJe4hPhfLsg3PbDTonxFED3guyoSzxQ8BpkuBGu-hdZxAboycoMDtXWNYJYGJzShYcMTQg17JwulCSXLPiLdTmccMCxHtXFrHtg4vupE34UjT7u0/s320/19437375_1559444847428764_2068583272007838469_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
This dollhouse had to be modified, at the cornice trim line as I mentioned above, under the mansard roof, in order to accommodate the back cover, circled in the photo below. The cornice trim had to be trimmed back, about one inch on each side, so that the back cover can fit in between and reach the top, covering the attic room.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN0mdaVG0ruDptIUm4OeQdq2Iw5DMC_yW5cSn3GWRGH1oGFbju0qeZHPW64xDk3z7ERPiXPY2w3X5On7PzQk3xhGCxNejiSWx6lJd3k0N_LDpdVi6-RrrK1CxRBrPYqInOGdmu2YFtixo/s1600/19598799_1559445204095395_2312889450028945489_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="318" data-original-width="640" height="159" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN0mdaVG0ruDptIUm4OeQdq2Iw5DMC_yW5cSn3GWRGH1oGFbju0qeZHPW64xDk3z7ERPiXPY2w3X5On7PzQk3xhGCxNejiSWx6lJd3k0N_LDpdVi6-RrrK1CxRBrPYqInOGdmu2YFtixo/s320/19598799_1559445204095395_2312889450028945489_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
So, as I've stated above, the modifications that have to be made will always differ, depending on the dollhouse model. Careful planning ahead is needed to not encounter issues down the line. <br />
<br />
Creating channels for your acrylic sheet to sit in, is the ideal scenario. Even though you will have to plan ahead and modify your assembly to accommodate this feature, it is well worth the extra work. It gives your dollhouse a nice finished look, as if the acrylic sheet is part of the kit itself. It keeps your miniatures clean and safe. <br />
<br />
Avoid using Velcro to hold your acrylic sheet with. Velcro does not provide a strong hold to keep these heavy sheets in place and it is not aesthetically pleasing to look at, even if you find clear Velcro. Velcro is also difficult to work with. Though it does not provide a strong hold on the adhesive side, it sticks to itself very well, making it difficult to remove the sheet from your dollhouse. This will cause the dollhouse to move and miniatures to fall over when you try to remove the sheet. <br />
<br />
Below is a list of covers that are not recommended. <br />
<br />
<ul><li><b>Fabric: </b>You can use it if you want to but it will not give you the finish you might be looking for. Not only does it provide zero protection from pets or children reaching inside, it can actually become a magnet for pets that will want to hide inside or pull the fabric off to play. Hanging fabric on the back of a dollhouse, using Velcro, is not very aesthetically pleasing. You will have to continually move the fabric out of the way to view the dollhouses interior and if curtains become dusty, you can imagine the dust on your fabric.</li>
<li><b>Clear, vinyl plastic:</b> Like curtains, draped objects on the back of a dollhouse is just not a good look. You might be able to stretch the clear vinyl, using clear Velcro dots, at each corner of the dollhouse, so it's nice and flat, but from what I described above about Velcro, I don't believe they will hold under the pressure. You will have loose plastic at each corner often and this does not make for good dust protection. Clear vinyl covers are also not clear enough, so you might have to remove it for viewing details.</li>
<li><b>Poster Frame Covers:</b> Because they are relatively easy to find and can be cut with scissors, they sound like the "problem solved" option but, there are drawbacks to using poster frame covers. Most are not large enough for one inch scale dollhouse models. They are also flimsy, lightweight and easily scratched. These poster frame covers are clear when against a poster but once they are moved further away from an object, they tend to lose their clarity, so you might have to remove them for proper dollhouse viewing. They are also easily scratched, so do not expect for them to be long lasting. Bottom line, poster frame covers should not be removed from your options list but should be used only as the last option or under unique circumstances, like curved attic openings. They might work well for smaller, half scale and quarter scale dollhouses, but not for larger dollhouse displays. They can work for certain types of covers though.</li>
</ul><br />
The only other option for a back cover would be clear acetate sheets, similar to the window sheets that came in the dollhouse kit but thicker and more flexible. I have seen these sheets as scrapbook paper and even though they are easily scratched, they would make fantastic dollhouse back covers. They are lightweight, completely clear and easily cut with scissors, so architectural angles could be created with precision.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately, they are very hard to find and I have never come across any. If you look hard enough, you might be able to find online retail vendors for a product like this but they might only want to sell them in bulk. <br />
<br />
<b><u>Large Display Cases:</u></b><br />
<br />
Trying to create a back cover for a smaller half scale dollhouse would be very difficult. It might end up not looking very nice because of the many small twists, turns and angles. These smaller dollhouses also tend to collect plenty of dust on their exteriors, as well as their interiors. For this size dollhouse, it would be nice to cover it completely under a display case. This is where poster frame covers can come in handy. You can have a custom display case made for an item of this size, but it will run you a few hundred dollars. I was able to make my Fairfield Dollhouse one for under $50. It's just not easy.<br />
<br />
First, even though it's small dollhouse, it's still a large case. For that reason, I decided to use thinner poster frame acrylic, that can be cut with scissors, instead of the usual thicker acrylic that has to be cut with a craft knife. The longer the cuts, the more difficult they are, so using scissors makes it much easier. Also, the larger the case, the heavier it will become, so using a thinner material allows the dust cover to remain light weight, hold together better and be easily lifted for access to the dollhouse. <br />
<br />
It is difficult to tell if the poster frame, you are buying, has thin or thick acrylic until you remove it from the package. Your best bet for determining this is by where the product is located in the store. If you buy your poster frame in the housewares department, where the other frames are, it might have thick acrylic. If you buy it where the posters are, it most likely will be thin. The thinner the acrylic, the cheaper the poster frame.<br />
<br />
To hold this thin acrylic together, I needed to make a frame. I painted wooden sticks white for this purpose. I then measured their height and glued them together in an L shape to create a corner. I then measured and cut the acrylic. The side edges do not have to be perfect, as they will be covered by the corner frames. I then sanded the edges, of the acrylic, a little in order to roughen them for better adhesion with glue. I glued them to the corner frames, until I made a four sided display box. I added an extra frame across the top edge for better stability and for holding the top cover in place.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgueJ0XVrHaiQ0Em6lzByCE5IPIEPGKTvkKUCVI6vcr1Kc-CQEkqKTq0MGcUnSRIXfrAlb6_f0XgWkQ9cACR5-NTkedrC1dmkEGNmCH2a5Buf5TxJIIIaWZRqWrANxJZLvQiFmKJGkith8/s1600/64366102_2472470162792890_5338099068470034432_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgueJ0XVrHaiQ0Em6lzByCE5IPIEPGKTvkKUCVI6vcr1Kc-CQEkqKTq0MGcUnSRIXfrAlb6_f0XgWkQ9cACR5-NTkedrC1dmkEGNmCH2a5Buf5TxJIIIaWZRqWrANxJZLvQiFmKJGkith8/s320/64366102_2472470162792890_5338099068470034432_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I then measured and cut the top cover. The top cover is just placed along the top, horizontal frames and held in place with a small piece of clear packing tape at every side. The tape is practically invisible. This case is light enough to be easily lifted for access to the dollhouse's interior and landscaping. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrXOf25qDfJ86GTkrcFSNxnObc51WrkLHsG_AWmUGsDn0vguT7N_krpRpeHZ7g1P-eE_G3hAJyvPVn3f0o_110OsMCn11iEOn1DwpOtKC_4hQFefxHVGGSZeBlM6bmBHnXuEnTMCQv048/s1600/64311274_2472470569459516_4231467269680529408_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="876" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrXOf25qDfJ86GTkrcFSNxnObc51WrkLHsG_AWmUGsDn0vguT7N_krpRpeHZ7g1P-eE_G3hAJyvPVn3f0o_110OsMCn11iEOn1DwpOtKC_4hQFefxHVGGSZeBlM6bmBHnXuEnTMCQv048/s320/64311274_2472470569459516_4231467269680529408_n.jpg" width="292" /></a></div><br />
This type of case is for keeping dust and hands out. It is not strong enough to protect the dollhouse for an impact.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4RAFGiV-CeF8MoiSvwoYoT4hJDxtPW6PcLMllWhA2C0V54lcW3eKcaoHr-pBNVbcgAP5Xpf_QlcE2O7XpKCezOtpCXudOmCaPGzGteOdQTFJYBwGGNuaLYu-a59olygh00ooERGY1iKI/s1600/64212202_2472470959459477_4910001214013308928_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="917" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4RAFGiV-CeF8MoiSvwoYoT4hJDxtPW6PcLMllWhA2C0V54lcW3eKcaoHr-pBNVbcgAP5Xpf_QlcE2O7XpKCezOtpCXudOmCaPGzGteOdQTFJYBwGGNuaLYu-a59olygh00ooERGY1iKI/s320/64212202_2472470959459477_4910001214013308928_n.jpg" width="306" /></a></div><br />
Most dollhouses will not require a large, custom display case like this one, but the Fairfield's architectural structure makes it too difficult to apply dust covers to the back openings only. This dollhouse is also small enough to become very dusty on the exterior and on its landscaping, so covering the entire thing is more effective for keeping dust and hands out. Though making this case was very difficult and time consuming, it's worth it in the long run. My other dollhouses all have back dust covers and they have remained dust free and their miniatures safe, for years now.<br />
<br />
This kind of display case can also be used to cover certain areas of a dollhouse. My Lily Dollhouse has a rooftop garden and I want to keep it dust free. So, I made a similar case to the one above, but designed it to only cover the rooftop section of the dollhouse. The lightweight material is perfect for placement on top of a dollhouse, since you do not want to add anything heavy to it. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZQIcvKRXEvMaHBFSiP23dFSV3AzV9Jbt9Z4ATkdZ_Na7wTueAyOzxbJFJLlOqKDOlPBIZrMsu0n57QLc9x3UgB33uveylbgPnKa9RmWjKxu03w3xdqaNLtiYxdx58nO-tEvLfBhw7gzM/s1600/37553627_1977116642328247_4669175525778915328_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZQIcvKRXEvMaHBFSiP23dFSV3AzV9Jbt9Z4ATkdZ_Na7wTueAyOzxbJFJLlOqKDOlPBIZrMsu0n57QLc9x3UgB33uveylbgPnKa9RmWjKxu03w3xdqaNLtiYxdx58nO-tEvLfBhw7gzM/s320/37553627_1977116642328247_4669175525778915328_n.jpg" width="252" height="320" data-original-width="756" data-original-height="960" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGBA5NcLT_y5YVCVj7GodO9GOelLp-Ls3oRcxUSldlnCzM9cSLlq5YMD9VFwfDE8aRu5Re151fGyDIYunT0INNwZGv0lTdZKr_S1oA3oXrTu7XeXnT7onWfn1xfQ96GJZrOMbv6qOc2pY/s1600/37582388_1977116572328254_6194055156863074304_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGBA5NcLT_y5YVCVj7GodO9GOelLp-Ls3oRcxUSldlnCzM9cSLlq5YMD9VFwfDE8aRu5Re151fGyDIYunT0INNwZGv0lTdZKr_S1oA3oXrTu7XeXnT7onWfn1xfQ96GJZrOMbv6qOc2pY/s320/37582388_1977116572328254_6194055156863074304_o.jpg" width="320" height="232" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1160" /></a></div><br />
I stained the frame of the case to match the dollhouse exterior trim. The entire case is only placed on top of the roof, not glued on permanently. So that I do not have to remove the entire case, when redecorating the garden, I made a lift-up top for easy access inside. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSESscVpRBVpzLZVJBHg7M9CDVIcHEWXcftWT2p3RpDgoxINnNwlaXGGLhWVqMsOYiZYJ_aSsddpdytLQGOaqGyomg6hXuMqEaWNfNIyylT1PvhrjQStCzgSmRgPDXGqiccVv5yJeSNXY/s1600/37611418_1977116578994920_2502891337045508096_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSESscVpRBVpzLZVJBHg7M9CDVIcHEWXcftWT2p3RpDgoxINnNwlaXGGLhWVqMsOYiZYJ_aSsddpdytLQGOaqGyomg6hXuMqEaWNfNIyylT1PvhrjQStCzgSmRgPDXGqiccVv5yJeSNXY/s320/37611418_1977116578994920_2502891337045508096_n.jpg" width="320" height="245" data-original-width="960" data-original-height="734" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA4NOhI-RXdAp5kH89GFdqk5I8WVMOFlkzp__PiQYY4HdsLah_KhCfX9qIbEK-f35ApEeTAaJpL-ipE7Jxj3sMl3XqKmhMLQYFIIlMfbee3FV5k7TnZdRzaJNcIvAy2OT8gxXq5gjlNo8/s1600/37682840_1977116525661592_6020418489603325952_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA4NOhI-RXdAp5kH89GFdqk5I8WVMOFlkzp__PiQYY4HdsLah_KhCfX9qIbEK-f35ApEeTAaJpL-ipE7Jxj3sMl3XqKmhMLQYFIIlMfbee3FV5k7TnZdRzaJNcIvAy2OT8gxXq5gjlNo8/s320/37682840_1977116525661592_6020418489603325952_n.jpg" width="276" height="320" data-original-width="827" data-original-height="960" /></a></div><br />
<b><u>Small Display Cases:</u></b><br />
<br />
If you have a smaller dollhouse, (e.g., half scale, quarter scale or smaller) you can protect it by placing it in a display case. Display cases, are very difficult to find and they can also be very expensive, depending on the size or shape you are looking for. Using a display case for smaller scales is ideal, because the smaller your dollhouse is, the more difficult it is to install a back cover. Especially for an L-shaped dollhouse like the Fairfield Dollhouse.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif-FqXYFxqOHxYEsOoacxcUsf4rWbwQw6lvy7ST4IuM0jRX83nCzBpx29bASuUdhtR0PkUDwJXkIvg3lQp7RrFE92YeqQNwPYPmFURMC-92np6zvXx3CTiY4yDbaB0f5SMk7GhROYxAPY/s1600/19511394_1559447804095135_6287907156386558457_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="191" data-original-width="263" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif-FqXYFxqOHxYEsOoacxcUsf4rWbwQw6lvy7ST4IuM0jRX83nCzBpx29bASuUdhtR0PkUDwJXkIvg3lQp7RrFE92YeqQNwPYPmFURMC-92np6zvXx3CTiY4yDbaB0f5SMk7GhROYxAPY/s320/19511394_1559447804095135_6287907156386558457_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Display cases can be made of clear Plexiglas, plastic, acrylic or real glass. They can come in a simple rectangular shape, as pictured above, to elaborate shelving units that house multiple items for displaying together. Some have lighting already pre-wired into them. They can be ready-made or you can even have your own custom case made just for you. <br />
<br />
When shopping for a display case, keep an open mind. All you’re basically looking for, is a clear box you can put something inside of. It doesn't necessarily have to be labeled as a "display case" to work. Aquariums, for instance, come in many different sizes and shapes. They are usually inexpensive, if they aren't too large, and you can easily flip them and place them over a half scale dollhouse, enclosing it completely inside.<br />
<br />
I have several quarter scale, dollhouse displays and I used Critter Keepers as display cases. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiccsnTmiFuaSK7matOmvgflt-Mc1D8WYwkeFbM14X9rDw3b1KK5xsGFYhVKBq6ExMwEaTwHxAusp8LLDdVsSn957w1tcEPLLUIf8onA_WAgoaQQ9mRTki_plZFkmRc1y88Vn3UbGlakXQ/s1600/19554589_1559448024095113_5502263296500981377_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="252" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiccsnTmiFuaSK7matOmvgflt-Mc1D8WYwkeFbM14X9rDw3b1KK5xsGFYhVKBq6ExMwEaTwHxAusp8LLDdVsSn957w1tcEPLLUIf8onA_WAgoaQQ9mRTki_plZFkmRc1y88Vn3UbGlakXQ/s320/19554589_1559448024095113_5502263296500981377_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Critter Keepers can be found at most pet stores and come in a variety of sizes. Some pet stores will carry the much larger models but others don't, so shop around. They are made of clear plastic, are lightweight and are relatively inexpensive compared, to an acrylic display case. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuFR2XCaWt_WNzkkyudrveuP5tss6lHbQIyvRGW9_JNA5aUiiVYA3jgZ7BBMJS1rccPltkj7bPhWZiwyAzdXDy977nYPs_cbvaESdC3SHhua_OboieFz3l_r8wFQhTvhVnzWnGZ7TPeUs/s1600/19510428_1559448487428400_5098709429753895993_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="461" data-original-width="640" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuFR2XCaWt_WNzkkyudrveuP5tss6lHbQIyvRGW9_JNA5aUiiVYA3jgZ7BBMJS1rccPltkj7bPhWZiwyAzdXDy977nYPs_cbvaESdC3SHhua_OboieFz3l_r8wFQhTvhVnzWnGZ7TPeUs/s320/19510428_1559448487428400_5098709429753895993_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuVG8Gmhmpdr7j5CU_I8CHGU7hkHYGVWnZMEAdOE285zXeA1p70bEtqOQJNBSeGqgCPgmckkhJF-JkZgMSl1I5v-flA2jxVZuv07foBPut6HG6jIPtNvQbB915cHrFJgc71WDH6Jtyfrk/s1600/19554935_1559448697428379_4519466903307078665_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="386" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuVG8Gmhmpdr7j5CU_I8CHGU7hkHYGVWnZMEAdOE285zXeA1p70bEtqOQJNBSeGqgCPgmckkhJF-JkZgMSl1I5v-flA2jxVZuv07foBPut6HG6jIPtNvQbB915cHrFJgc71WDH6Jtyfrk/s320/19554935_1559448697428379_4519466903307078665_n.jpg" width="257" /></a></div><br />
To make the Critter Keeper into the display cases pictured above, takes minimal effort. First, you have to measure your dollhouse so you can purchase the right size Critter Keeper. <br />
<br />
I tossed away the Critter Keeper lid. I then created a dollhouse base out of foam core, using the Critter Keeper as the size template. I landscaped the base and placed the dollhouse on top of it. I then applied Velcro dots along the four corners, of both the base and the Critter Keeper. I then placed the Critter Keeper over the dollhouse, lining up the Velcro dots. This creates an instant, inexpensive display case. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWgyTsgZ7KgNHmuxV8XqLVVNYwuYIgfb3fF0AhbphsD8MpCsP40e9MOCkfI9876rYb9P1aY80LQnYGHxxre8GznFw3-Fye9UPJWyoVGVcNA4hZhg99bx0Xzj0s6R8h-M-IhwZIJU2DG9k/s1600/19511135_1559448954095020_8795965337757946691_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="358" data-original-width="640" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWgyTsgZ7KgNHmuxV8XqLVVNYwuYIgfb3fF0AhbphsD8MpCsP40e9MOCkfI9876rYb9P1aY80LQnYGHxxre8GznFw3-Fye9UPJWyoVGVcNA4hZhg99bx0Xzj0s6R8h-M-IhwZIJU2DG9k/s320/19511135_1559448954095020_8795965337757946691_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
The dollhouse can be viewed, from all angles, without the need to remove the case. This is especially convenient at this small scale, where miniatures can be lost very easily. Another good thing about these kinds of display cases, is that your landscaping is as protected as your dollhouse and its miniatures. <br />
<br />
Lastly, if front opening dollhouses have panels, then why not create a back opening panel? All you need is plywood and hinges, right? If your dollhouse model is completely, 100% square on its backside, this might be an option but dollhouses are usually not. Installing a hinged back panel will require plenty of planning ahead, work and power tools. If you're handy, you might be able to pull this one off. <br />
<br />
Just remember, that large, plywood panels are heavy and tab and slot dollhouses were not meant to carry heavy weight. Choose plywood that is the same thickness as your kit and avoid warping by finishing the panel on both sides, at the same time. Also, keep in mind that swinging open a large back panel, will require additional display space. Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15948614759421548317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-637361802464434024.post-86728167594982414402019-08-08T07:00:00.000-04:002019-08-24T09:04:40.575-04:00Dollhouse Shingling GuideMiniature shingles come in different shapes. The most common being: square, fish scale and octagon.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh61_rO19Pg5obYyEpqk_sDyZyNktnF0JpO3uGHeQh4DaX2BJV5r9hc0Hp6zUO96p9qyMbDJ3I_lNLhMm3iWiTyEjbFYPV6lbeg1SRS3Tx0xd7GDIerOLq6Y5PB8fdPr5th_FnbICWlfSI/s1600/Shingling02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="134" data-original-width="216" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh61_rO19Pg5obYyEpqk_sDyZyNktnF0JpO3uGHeQh4DaX2BJV5r9hc0Hp6zUO96p9qyMbDJ3I_lNLhMm3iWiTyEjbFYPV6lbeg1SRS3Tx0xd7GDIerOLq6Y5PB8fdPr5th_FnbICWlfSI/s320/Shingling02.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fishscale</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiAUDkoFaijrVifF4mIsYUTKrlMGt9pp_boscWgMRB2uhJzNlHSDOfbDq1-Knu-_2XNqRUUdta2RonyxIdnFqYfTZfW6IuTzNhZVLMet0v9GUaEe0PSa1oQbYXphFu0iLbuADIoOlWJfU/s1600/Shingling03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="137" data-original-width="216" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiAUDkoFaijrVifF4mIsYUTKrlMGt9pp_boscWgMRB2uhJzNlHSDOfbDq1-Knu-_2XNqRUUdta2RonyxIdnFqYfTZfW6IuTzNhZVLMet0v9GUaEe0PSa1oQbYXphFu0iLbuADIoOlWJfU/s320/Shingling03.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Octagon</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisUAF7e71B_VaAF2lC9IORetjNoEQOzBqa9_Li4vtQdMA_iUjybwVgIrE7zgldlFq9nRKIIt0qF6Em5BcDMbmVW4dfKRA74gqT31tkiQ2CuKK4BUGWgWwCqUs6C2A0tzD5ku10x-2u-Kg/s1600/Shingling01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="162" data-original-width="216" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisUAF7e71B_VaAF2lC9IORetjNoEQOzBqa9_Li4vtQdMA_iUjybwVgIrE7zgldlFq9nRKIIt0qF6Em5BcDMbmVW4dfKRA74gqT31tkiQ2CuKK4BUGWgWwCqUs6C2A0tzD5ku10x-2u-Kg/s320/Shingling01.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Square</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
They can be made of various materials from birch veneer, cedar or asphalt. They can also come in strips or as individuals in a bag.<br />
<br />
The most common miniature shingles are made of two types of wood, birch veneer or cedar. Birch veneer is thin and smooth and is usually used on tab and slot dollhouses. Cedar is thicker and has a "ribbed" surface. These are usually used on cabinet grade dollhouses. Both are applied in the same way.<br />
<br />
<b>Application</b><br />
<br />
You can view the <a _blank="" href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=1Aj6zHzzV0qbaUfh9lCZXyBdXJiUlQAzl">Corona Concepts Shingling Instructions</a>, courtesy of Corona Concepts Dollhouses, to get an overview of the shingling process. You can also view the Real Good Toys shingling instructions <a _blank="" href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=1sdDxIbZiOU1bClChABCiu4pcV1BrnoyE">here</a>, courtesy of Real Good Toys Dollhouses.<br />
<br />
If you plan on shingling your roof without templates, always paint your roof in the same color as you plan on painting or staining your shingles, so that you do not see raw wood between them. <br />
<br />
<b>Templates</b><br />
<br />
If your roof has a lot of angles, you will benefit from applying your shingles using templates. Templates allow for you to cut the shingles for your roof angles easily, quickly and smoothly. <br />
<br />
You first need to make the shingle templates from your roof panels. You can make the templates from any type of paper you want but I recommend postal paper because it's inexpensive, it's dark colored and it comes in large rolls, so its long lasting.<br />
<br />
You can trace your unassembled roof panels, onto paper, before you begin your dollhouse. This is the easiest method but your traced templates will never match up exactly with your assembled roof panels. This is because some panels overlap others entirely and/or their edges may sit on top of other panels. Chimneys, skylights and other architectural features may also be in the way. This will end up in you having to trim or modify your pre-cut paper templates for the perfect fit, just when you thought you had completed them. I find that there is less confusion, if you just wait and make your templates after the dollhouse roof is assembled. <br />
<br />
When you make your templates, make sure you carefully mark their front and backs and what panel they are for. That way you do not accidentally shingle the wrong side. <br />
<br />
<b>Creating A Paper Template</b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjKPDD34pQ0ePKFEKZ31sk_XFd5MfOsJMCuYA0YaiXZyy4MdhRIb9stLsnV801BqOULrGvn0ZoR6vCngOqHWEfVNLanj2c4tzDa9pf_3HEeKcAolBxOBu2dX50e_7_JCIBerklyhvUkXw/s1600/Shingling04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="758" data-original-width="570" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjKPDD34pQ0ePKFEKZ31sk_XFd5MfOsJMCuYA0YaiXZyy4MdhRIb9stLsnV801BqOULrGvn0ZoR6vCngOqHWEfVNLanj2c4tzDa9pf_3HEeKcAolBxOBu2dX50e_7_JCIBerklyhvUkXw/s320/Shingling04.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><br />
Lay a piece of paper down on the roof panel and crease it with your fingertips around the edges. Cut with scissors and then dry fit the template, so you're sure you have the perfect fit. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggRbTnWtBZZcDpMiAdkkVc7G3lsQb7aSvzRYBDsFAn7y7TySNHTcE20lvo-uoVJZeoQiq-Zg6gm-iI0O_aLqpPxRdjICbPd90dX8gckkleM8JlOTR6tLgBfuk8VZIRGhkqAkls2vuJ590/s1600/Shingling05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="758" data-original-width="1007" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggRbTnWtBZZcDpMiAdkkVc7G3lsQb7aSvzRYBDsFAn7y7TySNHTcE20lvo-uoVJZeoQiq-Zg6gm-iI0O_aLqpPxRdjICbPd90dX8gckkleM8JlOTR6tLgBfuk8VZIRGhkqAkls2vuJ590/s320/Shingling05.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyAewYxaUETRDLqn1Rvu3C9fiEpJLtpXRtZlGNK__lHAGI1rrZ8EfHj7t9TdT3HOThPPRripDjj3wlKRO_L9B4RVvGNtp8hias5BYAq_8j7LvdgXCXbnz2ZyYbGiEqkZqvfigETl1bgoU/s1600/Shingling06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="758" data-original-width="1007" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyAewYxaUETRDLqn1Rvu3C9fiEpJLtpXRtZlGNK__lHAGI1rrZ8EfHj7t9TdT3HOThPPRripDjj3wlKRO_L9B4RVvGNtp8hias5BYAq_8j7LvdgXCXbnz2ZyYbGiEqkZqvfigETl1bgoU/s320/Shingling06.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
If your paper rolls up on you, roll it in the opposite direction and hold it that way for awhile, until it lays flat. Your paper does not have to be perfect because it will be hidden underneath shingles, so don't be afraid of wrinkles or slight damage. <br />
<br />
Label each template, so you know what panel it belongs to and which side is the front.<br />
<br />
Draw shingle lines on your templates with a pencil. These will be the guide marks on where to position your row of shingles. Shingles are applied staggered and each row overlaps the bottom row. The width of the shingle lines are completely up to you and your preferred look. The general rule of thumb is that your guidelines should be no less than one half the length of one shingle or approximately 3/4" of an inch, for birch veneer shingles. A great "ruler" guide is a birch veneer siding strip. <br />
<br />
Draw your lines from the bottom of your template to the top. Make sure they are straight and that all of your templates have identical, matching lines, so that your shingles meet evenly at gable joints. <br />
<br />
Use hot melt glue to begin applying your shingles from the bottom of the template working your way up, following your guidelines. If you made your guidelines correctly, your first row of shingles overhang the bottom edge of your template. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-w8GLl-kg9wO3JY1OLGM_5YL5x5DX07FE31ITk9yJt8sm_xa0x4UUY96tLbzVphUeuzSroQvsgckCOkFq2e-Flv4RKNeyshFegbsvDawsvofDBr_pRx5e5uuPYv8qO6ACPoz6rq2UQ-k/s1600/Shingling07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="758" data-original-width="1007" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-w8GLl-kg9wO3JY1OLGM_5YL5x5DX07FE31ITk9yJt8sm_xa0x4UUY96tLbzVphUeuzSroQvsgckCOkFq2e-Flv4RKNeyshFegbsvDawsvofDBr_pRx5e5uuPYv8qO6ACPoz6rq2UQ-k/s320/Shingling07.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
After the first row is laid down, hot glue the second row of shingles using the pencil lines as a guide. This will make each row of shingles slightly overlap the row underneath, as you move upwards on your panel. You also want to alternately stagger your shingles with each row.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKm2_PvkYEPXNu0qKVvDUGZZE6_S5KAbd5VYhyeQXF4QN7zKxKHyDWwhybTDGcXxIrA6jt23k2v5H2TnS9QwiPFFJLT0xsSCTHDElg_qHRuU7deF5TFUYG76ODqa0RGuOSaogbhNoN-y8/s1600/Shingling08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="758" data-original-width="1007" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKm2_PvkYEPXNu0qKVvDUGZZE6_S5KAbd5VYhyeQXF4QN7zKxKHyDWwhybTDGcXxIrA6jt23k2v5H2TnS9QwiPFFJLT0xsSCTHDElg_qHRuU7deF5TFUYG76ODqa0RGuOSaogbhNoN-y8/s320/Shingling08.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Hot melt glue is the best way to glue down shingles. You can use wood, tacky or white glue as well but it will make the process take unnecessarily longer and water based glues will warp your shingles. This will make drying times long and there's a possibility that your shingles will shift out of place. Shingles are not holding up any structural parts of your dollhouse, so there is no reason to not use hot melt glue for this process.<br />
<br />
Once your panel is complete, rub all the glue "spider webs" off of your shingles. I recommend you use a stiff bristle brush for this because you want to make sure your shingled templates are thoroughly clear of these "webs". They will interfere with the application of stain or paint, so be meticulous in the removal process. <br />
<br />
Turn your template over, so the backside is visible and you can see the shingles that are hanging off the edges of your template. Use sharp shears, scissors or a utility knife to cut them flush to the template. You are now left with a perfectly shingled replica of your roof panel. Make sure you don't cut off the first rows, bottom overhanging edge. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiVb_zI-ji-kC-p3rrtcAWGGLKslbT0M7RsvX8ZI9k9FY9CSS6TGgmrjwsvVNVita2jnk2gIet7kRR1f3y36nirlsHigHaTn3LCmlt3I7JU7uscLjSFVJTpCmq1gn2Of5IDLt56n9utAE/s1600/Shingling09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="758" data-original-width="1007" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiVb_zI-ji-kC-p3rrtcAWGGLKslbT0M7RsvX8ZI9k9FY9CSS6TGgmrjwsvVNVita2jnk2gIet7kRR1f3y36nirlsHigHaTn3LCmlt3I7JU7uscLjSFVJTpCmq1gn2Of5IDLt56n9utAE/s320/Shingling09.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Using the template method will make shingling your roof come out perfect every time, no matter how many angles your roof may have.<br />
<br />
<b>Shingled Template Application</b><br />
<br />
Once you're finished shingling and staining your shingled templates, glue them to their corresponding roof panel, using tacky glue. Clamp with tape and binder clips for a flat fit. <br />
<br />
Just like with wallpaper, you must apply front panels first and then side, angled, gable panels. This will allow for no joints to be visible. If your roof is mansard, apply sides first and then the fronts and backs. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiBO5-nrdkLvZVD-tj6SxFgOlLojlTUG-LI5T3-Rpft-vs6cYmN5oRu6qdBKfjC-QU9DNY787KuiuvgqVi36dgbJ_LKP2Z9twifl-CHf1OxvO0gv0U4h1LwIygD2Vq7a8LzBwJsGcu-j0/s1600/Shingling10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="570" data-original-width="429" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiBO5-nrdkLvZVD-tj6SxFgOlLojlTUG-LI5T3-Rpft-vs6cYmN5oRu6qdBKfjC-QU9DNY787KuiuvgqVi36dgbJ_LKP2Z9twifl-CHf1OxvO0gv0U4h1LwIygD2Vq7a8LzBwJsGcu-j0/s320/Shingling10.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><br />
<b>Exceptions</b><br />
<br />
Some roof angles make it impossible for you to make templates, in order to shingle your roof. This is rare but it does happen on occasion. The Lily Dollhouse mansard roof, with its angled slope, is a perfect example. If you try to make templates of this roof line, your template will not fit after it’s done because the slope is so extreme that your shingles will not bend far enough to allow the template to sit flat against the panel. You must apply shingles right to the roof to avoid this. <br />
<br />
Dollhouses like The Brimbles Mercantile Dollhouse, which have long corner joints, are best done without templates, so you can get the shingles as close together as possible. <br />
<br />
<b>Application without Templates</b><br />
<br />
First, assemble your roof completely and then paint it, in the same or similar color, as the stain or paint of your shingles. The object is to hide all of the raw wood of your panels, so it doesn't show through, between each shingle, later on. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZZ3quTqxKdu9TKWGJwjJBCDQx4HQz2KhQgrEoOUqLHR9HX_-7RpRhVr0UZ9ZyGJ9tZ1SJStG1j6bq68kzoTpIWaHXqP_tslKlAhLemcT8W_0574H2wSFWU4gqY_PX8rlH4VIoDkmPNwo/s1600/Shingling15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="570" data-original-width="757" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZZ3quTqxKdu9TKWGJwjJBCDQx4HQz2KhQgrEoOUqLHR9HX_-7RpRhVr0UZ9ZyGJ9tZ1SJStG1j6bq68kzoTpIWaHXqP_tslKlAhLemcT8W_0574H2wSFWU4gqY_PX8rlH4VIoDkmPNwo/s320/Shingling15.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Apply your shingles with hot glue, in the same manner as you would a template. Make sure you draw your lines and measure correctly as stated above. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLuKn63vNyjV4aYnGff-xnbYVqUwMusndqEX-nWBTfWGc2Z-r1mf3km-pQEabDv1ImeJLLB8GIOONxwZUmzxJh48z449xEyzr5FxtgMO0acx5fP-UpHcUHOwcOEPfUs0acwZ9GX9N1Ogc/s1600/Shingling16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="570" data-original-width="757" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLuKn63vNyjV4aYnGff-xnbYVqUwMusndqEX-nWBTfWGc2Z-r1mf3km-pQEabDv1ImeJLLB8GIOONxwZUmzxJh48z449xEyzr5FxtgMO0acx5fP-UpHcUHOwcOEPfUs0acwZ9GX9N1Ogc/s320/Shingling16.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
When the roof is complete, stain or paint your shingles, being very careful to not get drips on your dollhouse.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMgqZ6jHynk8cfamDPRQWklRGOdpW_s7WBOL9Otn6sm7cpaGauWfM_M-OUYBisZiksWxyQ7BEeZL8M8AjVIwoasph2DWyq1uG6zWMUweTAhTZjCJdJThg8D-xgYgRlHMRR-FswR4ujU8I/s1600/19437288_1559405510766031_370732660360208113_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="452" data-original-width="600" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMgqZ6jHynk8cfamDPRQWklRGOdpW_s7WBOL9Otn6sm7cpaGauWfM_M-OUYBisZiksWxyQ7BEeZL8M8AjVIwoasph2DWyq1uG6zWMUweTAhTZjCJdJThg8D-xgYgRlHMRR-FswR4ujU8I/s320/19437288_1559405510766031_370732660360208113_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<b><u>Finishing</u></b><br />
<br />
If your dollhouse does not come with top roof trim, you can hide the gap between the adjoining roof panels, with dowels or shingles, laid across the top ridge, overlapping each other.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK-r76Q0dQ43KPvRITwOb5f66ppwJSyXj942zwst5dOe8kMcA-MiAAZEMFyHSNbYCUG2vkQ9e-VwIYFhvf-CMYCcZ4anBsVGLNWw7a6OEzTlAo02ROYl4Pw9-JRzE_UI_9peG9UQaNi2U/s1600/Shingling11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="216" data-original-width="212" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK-r76Q0dQ43KPvRITwOb5f66ppwJSyXj942zwst5dOe8kMcA-MiAAZEMFyHSNbYCUG2vkQ9e-VwIYFhvf-CMYCcZ4anBsVGLNWw7a6OEzTlAo02ROYl4Pw9-JRzE_UI_9peG9UQaNi2U/s320/Shingling11.jpg" width="314" /></a></div><br />
You can also buy L shaped trim that will fit right over your roof ridge or fancy roof ridge trim, available through your miniature dealer.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiozr2jg4RAcET0rq3vM7WAhY1MH9AauBBOzytycmHBPTqUJchJ_mEsdHUW-QLZBI5UO1o0ArCw813hE-lzAeQiK0L_myKKpj2POsYmgYTCWNdBpPBiUdBscjuTUfSiH-3iWClTHONP0HA/s1600/Shingling12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="133" data-original-width="216" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiozr2jg4RAcET0rq3vM7WAhY1MH9AauBBOzytycmHBPTqUJchJ_mEsdHUW-QLZBI5UO1o0ArCw813hE-lzAeQiK0L_myKKpj2POsYmgYTCWNdBpPBiUdBscjuTUfSiH-3iWClTHONP0HA/s320/Shingling12.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">L-Shaped Trim</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVkkGDb19NpY9NCMlJpiuuAFf64mfDR49JdZFQX40IGce-pPTstD1OGRQscIW0MJ3odJ2Iog1vix_CBFy2ms010bX2gr2DUtYdkgvfzCbYro4RFiTTkIXsLoJr5_srIUQRbA0I47wSr6k/s1600/Shingling13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="175" data-original-width="216" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVkkGDb19NpY9NCMlJpiuuAFf64mfDR49JdZFQX40IGce-pPTstD1OGRQscIW0MJ3odJ2Iog1vix_CBFy2ms010bX2gr2DUtYdkgvfzCbYro4RFiTTkIXsLoJr5_srIUQRbA0I47wSr6k/s320/Shingling13.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scalloped Roof Trim</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-u2K4jHVNVCThwZoj5q16UyQx_fxReHY6BkM-oPCEk5COj4m3LjN8v1LNj_XVhpOWN60jTW6wBr4Ry70xCCctCgqVqs98h8TXYSp_U9bzAezqLQXRstnmaz6OIU3fkNFLewP9nyuK3rQ/s1600/Shingling14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="149" data-original-width="216" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-u2K4jHVNVCThwZoj5q16UyQx_fxReHY6BkM-oPCEk5COj4m3LjN8v1LNj_XVhpOWN60jTW6wBr4Ry70xCCctCgqVqs98h8TXYSp_U9bzAezqLQXRstnmaz6OIU3fkNFLewP9nyuK3rQ/s320/Shingling14.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plain Roof Top Trim</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<b><u>Staining or Painting</u></b><br />
<br />
<b>Stain</b><br />
<br />
You can leave your shingles as is, for a natural effect. If you do, I suggest you brush them lightly with a matte varnish, to bring out the natural grain designs and protect them. You can paint your shingles, any color you want, using any latex or acrylic craft paint. <br />
<br />
You can also stain your shingles with any wood stain you prefer or make your own stain color using acrylic paint mixed with varnish or a gel stain medium. I prefer to mix matte, acrylic varnish and acrylic paint, to achieve the perfect stain color. This mixture is fume free and has great results. The mixtures ratio depends on how dark or light you want the color to be. Mix the paint slowly into the varnish and test the hue on a scrap shingle. Continue adding more paint for a richer, deeper color. Remember, add the paint little by little, because you can always add more but you can't take any away. <br />
<br />
<b>Shingle Dye</b><br />
<br />
There is a product called Shingle Dye and it's sold by many miniature dealers. It comes in a brown or gray wash. Many people use it instead of stain because it has no fumes and claims to be non-toxic. It comes in a powdered form and you mix it with water, to make the stain. You choose the intensity of color by applying more or less water to the powder. Because it is mixed with water, this stain is very runny once done. <br />
<br />
You have to be extremely careful when using this product because it cannot be removed, once it's applied. If you get drips of this stain on your dollhouse paint, you will have to sand off all of the paint, in order to remove it. If you try to paint over it, the dye will just seap right back up, through the paint, no matter how many coats you apply. I suggest you use this product away from your dollhouse and wear gloves. <br />
<br />
It is imperative that you seal this product. Apply a clear coat sealant or matte varnish to the finished shingles, once dry, so this stain does not rub off on your fingers when touched. <br />
<br />
<b>Stain Application</b><br />
<br />
There is no wrong or right way to apply stain to your shingles. There are only easier or harder ways. The choice is up to you. I prefer to stain or paint my shingle templates while they are off the dollhouse, before installation. You can do it after they are glued on but you run the risk of getting drips all over your newly painted dollhouse. You might also have issues trying to stain the nooks and crannies of the templates because of the roof angles. <br />
<br />
Another method of staining shingles before applying them to the templates, that some people like to use, is putting them all into a big bowl of stain, at once. After the shingles covered in stain, scoop them out with a strainer and lay them out to dry on top of parchment or wax paper. It is not a difficult process and it ensures that all of your shingles are stained evenly and thoroughly. Make sure you use a disposable bowl, strainer and latex gloves for this process. <br />
<br />
The only downside to this process is the potential warping of the shingles and the interference stain can cause with glue adhesion. Remember, if you cover the shingles in stain, front and back, your covering the side that glue will be applied to, as well. Depending on your stain choice, this can be a problem. <br />
<br />
You can paint each shingle individually, if you'd like. It's really up to you and what you find to be easiest to do. <br />
<br />
<b><u>Patterned Shingle Designs</u></b><br />
<br />
You can use a combination of different shingle shapes, stains and lap widths, on one roof, for visual interest. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUW2LlsVVqMCxzF5s1MnZUpoKiqURqtSaWzq7H_TfV8a-H_4ggctV-2fvFbPxjhVaMZdSccIjaPhAdf41CYYFrSPrZqEoFAr_k_tj6fFzac5qR-44QWjefR5n7_J1PIuNnAxUCJCXsCIM/s1600/19554454_1559405857432663_5763120070700012_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="527" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUW2LlsVVqMCxzF5s1MnZUpoKiqURqtSaWzq7H_TfV8a-H_4ggctV-2fvFbPxjhVaMZdSccIjaPhAdf41CYYFrSPrZqEoFAr_k_tj6fFzac5qR-44QWjefR5n7_J1PIuNnAxUCJCXsCIM/s320/19554454_1559405857432663_5763120070700012_n.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><br />
Check out these two great tutorials on making patterned shingle roofs:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.greenleafdollhouses.com/dollhouse_news/JUN2009/rosedale-dollhouse-roof.html?fbclid=IwAR2IgAy0leutku58StepPBngdmcv_iG4Nf0Bg811qcMaRJ6cfVNiK9SZsbQ">Tutorial 1</a><br />
<a href="http://www.greenleafdollhouses.com/dollhouse_news/JUN2009/new-dollhouse-shingle.html?fbclid=IwAR3fENytopbwQoFgFwC3kReV_KGzqNFO3JtdkWOqDYyaAeN-fMYACu8vlhw">Tutorial 2</a><br />
<br />
Here is an example of Victorian shingle patterns:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzd6jODZhsG01sDEU9wpMJXgxcz84bm_GvkMYa5Pu0_XTcEEFl0xkGaZUT5PPqFkaNjOYK2L71C5A-vur2PzQlTAMTM6fuWgKcrQlGsIlNCq934mtMHYUkO0-mb450zKVORjuS8ktX_PU/s1600/Shingling17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="360" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzd6jODZhsG01sDEU9wpMJXgxcz84bm_GvkMYa5Pu0_XTcEEFl0xkGaZUT5PPqFkaNjOYK2L71C5A-vur2PzQlTAMTM6fuWgKcrQlGsIlNCq934mtMHYUkO0-mb450zKVORjuS8ktX_PU/s320/Shingling17.jpg" width="149" /></a></div><br />
<b>Keep In Mind</b><br />
<br />
If you have minor gaps in your shingling, they can easily be hidden with stainable wood filler. The only stainable wood filler that is an exact color match, to unfinished birch veneer shingles, is Minwax Stainable Wood Filler. <br />
<br />
I find that applying shingles before dormer windows gives the roof a neater finish. Chimneys are also better to apply after shingling, if your roof doesn't have slots for them. I suggest you leave these components for last, only if you're using birch veneer shingles. Cedar shakes, are much too thick to put any components over them. You will have to cut them around your finished dormers or chimneys.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Troubleshooting</u></b><br />
<br />
<b>Warping</b><br />
<br />
Because shingles are small, unlike long siding strips, they usually do not warp but when they do it's because the wrong glue was used. Save yourself the aggravation and always glue on your shingles with hot melt glue. This is the easiest and most effective way to achieve a professional look, without the hassles. <br />
<br />
<b>Light Color Between Shingles</b><br />
<br />
This usually happens when a dark stain or paint is used and the roof panel underneath, was not painted in a matching dark color. Always paint your roof if you are using a very dark paint or stain on your shingles. <br />
<br />
Even if you use the above precaution, you can sometimes see light lines between shingles, when taking a picture of your dollhouse. If this effect is happening, when you are taking a picture, turn off your camera's flash and only take pictures in natural light, so that this effect does not occur. <br />
<br />
This problem does not occur if you stain your shingles using the bowl method, described above, because all of your shingles will be stained in their entirety. You will just to take a risk with the issues of possible warping of shingles and glue adhesion. It is up to you to decide what is more important. <br />
<br />
Using a very fine tipped paint brush, you can paint or stain the areas that appear light, to match the rest of your shingles. The best way to find all of these areas is to use a flashlight. <br />
<br />
<b>Re-Shingling</b><br />
<br />
You can re-shingle any dollhouse by simply prying off the old shingles from the roof panels and applying new ones. <br />
<br />
If the shingles were applied with templates, this can be an easy thing to do but if they were applied without, it might be a little harder. Use a plastic putty knife and hammer, to chisel the old shingles off. Do this gently and slowly. Do not worry about splintering the roof panels with the removal process because the new shingles will go right over any damage. Sand your panels and fill any excessive damage with spackle, before applying your new shingles.Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15948614759421548317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-637361802464434024.post-77159266502802507302019-08-07T07:00:00.000-04:002019-08-24T09:00:30.942-04:00Dollhouse Siding GuideMany people choose to apply siding to their dollhouse to create a more realistic and detailed look.<br />
<br />
There are many options of materials for siding. Dye-cut, tab and slot doll houses usually come with birch veneer wood strip siding in 12 inch long pieces. A lot of MDF or 3/8” plywood dollhouse kits come with pre-milled siding, right on their walls, so there’s no need to apply individual siding strips.<br />
<br />
If your dollhouse kit does not come with siding, you can buy the birch veneer siding strips or pre-milled siding sheets in different lap widths from your miniatures vendor. (The lap width is the distance of overlap between each siding strip.)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuszBTQcnAMUZB8mB7_E5uflJ79L0-N8XSBFxowZfZ4y1Uj6zY2JxmXPahjv9WV30cd_EQIvcFVMBCeAx96a3Wny4stjrA2ZkgqI3FHVNDaI_ct_snjvQ2fybX3xUzRWnbHofHlqSxf_Q/s1600/Siding01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="199" data-original-width="216" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuszBTQcnAMUZB8mB7_E5uflJ79L0-N8XSBFxowZfZ4y1Uj6zY2JxmXPahjv9WV30cd_EQIvcFVMBCeAx96a3Wny4stjrA2ZkgqI3FHVNDaI_ct_snjvQ2fybX3xUzRWnbHofHlqSxf_Q/s320/Siding01.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Birch Veneer Siding Strips</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCCD0sLHmzmOx94GeNOQx7_6ob1R6527E8aVaGlXUs-hAAgNUcGlzMYVhDDKrMf4Mps3Ym6QSOysaCWKrJ41nVuf0L-hmZY_Y_v0SDQIi-i4CpIafNzlMKjk6axnTk7UyYy4D5AMyJGg4/s1600/Siding02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="216" data-original-width="191" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCCD0sLHmzmOx94GeNOQx7_6ob1R6527E8aVaGlXUs-hAAgNUcGlzMYVhDDKrMf4Mps3Ym6QSOysaCWKrJ41nVuf0L-hmZY_Y_v0SDQIi-i4CpIafNzlMKjk6axnTk7UyYy4D5AMyJGg4/s320/Siding02.jpg" width="283" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pre-milled Siding Sheet</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Pqjrox7Cs7xnctR-QAHRj22hMSe7gPgNhi2aADrFNvx4kgABQTjEasnM6sk7XLbR5OBHaLZ1epgZhOd8sjYLNvIiRKtcveZJq0pc56QAhC58vXWWmEGURTDrNrB3zyEIP64Vhkt-nOI/s1600/Siding03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="216" data-original-width="191" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Pqjrox7Cs7xnctR-QAHRj22hMSe7gPgNhi2aADrFNvx4kgABQTjEasnM6sk7XLbR5OBHaLZ1epgZhOd8sjYLNvIiRKtcveZJq0pc56QAhC58vXWWmEGURTDrNrB3zyEIP64Vhkt-nOI/s320/Siding03.jpg" width="283" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lap Width</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Siding a dollhouse can be difficult and tedious. It can also make or break a dollhouse. Poorly applied siding can have a dire effect on the beauty of the finished product. Careful planning is necessary for the job to come out right.<br />
<br />
There is really no wrong way to side a dollhouse. Any method that achieves the outcome you're looking for, is the right method to use. It's more about personal preference and some basic knowledge. <br />
<br />
<b><u>Options</u></b><br />
<br />
There are two ways to side a dollhouse. I suggest you read through both and then make a decision.<br />
<br />
<ul><li><u>Application Before Components:</u> This is when you add all the windows, doors, and mouldings <b>AFTER</b> you apply siding.</li>
<li><u>Application After Components:</u> This is when you add all the windows, doors and mouldings <b>BEFORE</b> you apply siding.</li>
</ul><br />
Once you have decided the method you want, then it's time to get started.<br />
<br />
In this tutorial, I will be describing how to side a dollhouse, using either method above, with individual siding strips.<br />
<br />
<b>Keep In Mind</b><br />
<b><br />
</b> Do not apply siding to unassembled walls. This is going to cause several problems with your assembly.<br />
<ul><li>Siding will not allow for walls and floors to fit flush.</li>
<li>Siding cannot be applied to edges where walls overlap each other. This will not allow your dollhouse shell to be assembled properly.</li>
<li>Siding will cover slots that tabs have to go into. Cutting them out through the siding, so the tab fits, will not give you a neat and finished end result.</li>
<li>It is difficult to know which areas of certain walls will face the exterior of a dollhouse and which areas will face the interior. You might be left with a sided interior wall.</li>
<li>Tab and slot dollhouses are not precise. Walls may not meet at the same height after assembly. This will cause for your siding lines to not match up between walls.</li>
</ul><br />
For these reasons, siding should only be applied to a fully assembled dollhouse shell and never before.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Application Before Components</u></b><br />
<br />
<b>Preparation</b><br />
<br />
To apply your siding <b>BEFORE</b> the components, you have to assemble the basic shell of the dollhouse first, including all bays. Do not install the windows, doors, gingerbread trim, mouldings, trims or porches yet. It's also a good idea to leave the roof off as well, especially if it's gabled. A basic shell is only the floors and walls of the structure.<br />
<br />
Though you can paint the siding before applying it, I recommend you paint it afterwards. Since there will be no components in the way, it will be much easier to paint all of the siding, once it is on the walls of your dollhouse. Painting the siding before it is installed on the dollhouse, will cause it to warp.<br />
<br />
You can lightly sand the edges of the siding before application but this can make the process harder and siding has a tendency to split and break. It is much easier to sand the exposed edges after the siding is applied and the glue dry. Use a fingernail file to tidy up any rough edges or you can also wrap sandpaper around a piece of scrap wood, for easy sanding. Work slowly to avoid splitting the siding. <br />
<br />
Siding strips can be cut with scissors or a craft knife. I recommend scissors because birch veneer is very brittle and can crack easily under the weight of a craft knife, no matter how sharp it is.<br />
<br />
<b>Glue</b><br />
<br />
You must choose a very good quality glue because all of your windows, doors, mouldings, shutters, etc., will be glued over your siding. If your siding is not held down by a good quality glue, the weight of the components will lift your siding and everything will eventually fall off your dollhouse. I recommend Aleene’s Quick Grab Tacky Glue to apply siding with. <br />
<br />
Water-based glues like Aleene’s Quick Grab glue will warp your siding slightly, so you have to clamp it, in sections, with tape while the glue dries. Once the glue is dry, the siding will lay flat on the wall again. <br />
<br />
There are other non-water based glues you can use that won't warp your siding but they tend to have fumes, so use them in well ventilated areas.<br />
<br />
<b>Application</b><br />
<br />
Once your dollhouse shell is assembled and completely dry, you can begin siding. You do not need to prime or paint the exterior of your walls before applying siding before components. <br />
<br />
<i>Tip: If your dollhouse kit came with birch veneer siding strips on a sheet, the best way to remove them is to roll each sheet, folding each strip along its perforation. Roll one way and then the opposite way, until the siding strips loosen and fall off. This will prevent the splitting and breaking of the strips, which tends to occur when they are removed by pulling or prying apart. </i><br />
<br />
Start from the bottom of the wall and apply your first strip. Make sure you don't apply it on the foundation. The first strip is usually applied in line with the bottom of bay walls, anything underneath this area is considered foundation. After the first bottom strip is up, you have to decide what lap width to use in order to continue up the wall.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcC90rPnMFYKQU3RONt29ug070hVRXGE9gvcvUXNRoQDMfxobErqgqi09DEPOzansKkKm9cjuNa78QWKIXUXQFQV-GJc1jfxyDLwBVEKEo4v6EYQsHzG1zyYA_poOihCo3Q6dscKqEO18/s1600/Siding04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="757" data-original-width="570" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcC90rPnMFYKQU3RONt29ug070hVRXGE9gvcvUXNRoQDMfxobErqgqi09DEPOzansKkKm9cjuNa78QWKIXUXQFQV-GJc1jfxyDLwBVEKEo4v6EYQsHzG1zyYA_poOihCo3Q6dscKqEO18/s320/Siding04.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><br />
The lap width measurement is up to you. Some people like wide siding and others like narrow siding. It also depends on the style of the dollhouse. You might want narrow siding for a Victorian but wider siding for a farmhouse.<br />
<br />
Whatever you choose, you have to decide what measurement of lap width you want to achieve and transfer it to a template. This template is what you will use to draw lines, up the wall, with a pencil. That way you know where to apply the next strip of siding, as you move upward. <br />
<br />
<i>Tip: A bag of assorted fingernail files, come in a variety of different widths and make excellent templates to draw siding lines with. These are especially helpful if you want your siding to have different lap widths throughout, instead of even spacing. You can also find strip wood at craft stores in a variety of widths. </i><br />
<i>I sided the Willowcrest and Beacon Hill Dollhouses using a 1/4" lap width, and the Westville and Lily Dollhouses using a 1/2" lap width. </i><br />
<br />
Make sure you make your lines straight, so you don't have crooked siding in the end. It's always best to have a wide view of your dollhouse to make better assessments, so step back every once in a while, as you side, because when you're too close, you tend to miss crooked lines. <br />
<br />
Always eyeball your siding and do not use hard measurement to decide if your lines are straight. Because tab and slot dollhouse components, like roof trim and window openings, are not completely square, what might be straight mathematically, may not look straight in reality. Make sure that you go with what looks straight on your dollhouse. <br />
<br />
Work your way up the wall by overlapping each top strip over the bottom strip, using your pencil lines as a guide. Cut your siding pieces around windows and door openings and along the length of the wall. The edges around window and door openings do not have to be perfect because they will be hidden under components. The same goes for the corners. All of them will be covered with corner trim.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_kCjRiaRIhX7cYeYyY82Fqfp_RhI0HWxZ6nPOQ9CjUfgFw62wvoFN7yrIwW2PiVPdiz_JSKT7WUxZfHyd4baua3AkBeQ91lOV4sb4CrnR7cebLmHaMZgRCMjL1phIo-LB_QRbV7J1Xgo/s1600/Siding05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="757" data-original-width="570" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_kCjRiaRIhX7cYeYyY82Fqfp_RhI0HWxZ6nPOQ9CjUfgFw62wvoFN7yrIwW2PiVPdiz_JSKT7WUxZfHyd4baua3AkBeQ91lOV4sb4CrnR7cebLmHaMZgRCMjL1phIo-LB_QRbV7J1Xgo/s320/Siding05.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><br />
The edges you do want to keep as neat and flush as possible are around the bays and the roof peaks. There is no trim around these parts, so take extra care of cutting the siding neatly around them. Dry fit the siding strip, so you can see where it needs to be cut and then mark it with a pencil to get the perfect fit. <br />
<br />
Do not forget to cut the siding around any slots that might be on the wall for porches or roof trims. Cut closely, but you do not have to be perfect, because the components that go into these slots will cover any uneven edges.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWm5LuxLSC7XWiZBBEr8KNYeo44qdAzVGmwA5aGvCWn2rP_pTh2pjX_6RqTncDSLtVhYslirqnNVHmH4Rrq_kUnR3zZIf5e8Tol62r958Retn0Xnb-Km_F2c34gSjynQV4Bq58rgcgmUw/s1600/Siding06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="757" data-original-width="570" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWm5LuxLSC7XWiZBBEr8KNYeo44qdAzVGmwA5aGvCWn2rP_pTh2pjX_6RqTncDSLtVhYslirqnNVHmH4Rrq_kUnR3zZIf5e8Tol62r958Retn0Xnb-Km_F2c34gSjynQV4Bq58rgcgmUw/s320/Siding06.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><br />
Use masking tape to hold the siding down as it dries. Binder clips hold siding perfectly flat around door and window openings.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxeRow_NO2-9cwpdmt0c4Jpk4ftGxt7a5JichxrmkPQyUI-sigv42VB2Li3PbvMIZRO_yny4iB-1Byz-FI9q7CvxxG1KAAfva0s1UvUeHAOlwWogttlhR9vwdtKiRDFBVnaF5yu3ezWRM/s1600/Siding07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="570" data-original-width="757" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxeRow_NO2-9cwpdmt0c4Jpk4ftGxt7a5JichxrmkPQyUI-sigv42VB2Li3PbvMIZRO_yny4iB-1Byz-FI9q7CvxxG1KAAfva0s1UvUeHAOlwWogttlhR9vwdtKiRDFBVnaF5yu3ezWRM/s320/Siding07.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
When the wall is longer than the siding piece, you will have to butt siding pieces side by side, to make the length. Make sure you stagger the butted joints along the wall, rather than apply them in a straight line. Staggering butted joints will help divert the eyes to different areas of the wall and not make them into one continuous and very visible vertical line.<br />
<br />
Tip: Apply masking tape to butted siding joints. This will allow for both joined siding pieces to warp the same, keeping them even and flush to each other once they dry. Otherwise, one might warp more than the other, causing them to become more obvious.<br />
<br />
Do not worry about warping if you are using a water-based glue. Siding will warp. All you have to do is clamp it down and prevent the siding from shifting. Once the glue dries, the siding will revert back to its original flat state. There’s no need to put heavy books or weights on it, to keep it flat. Binder clamps and masking tape, to keep the lines from shifting, are good enough.<br />
<br />
Once the wall is complete, let the siding dry. After it's completely dry, sand the edges, as described above, if needed, and paint. The paint will not warp the siding because the glue is dry and holding it down to the wall, preventing it from warping.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf7ZOWBMBxRjPrVMuBThxGr_smTaqUxjGYVZHLkbdIfUmqqqb_sYMSjdLUv-kS8ekpTf0xJDH2fBtDg9c-UsnBkPo07uj7o2Jlvf-i7-jrQPrVF_n0Om133LoMKErdV8p9Bz4BzXpNKUE/s1600/Siding08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="757" data-original-width="570" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf7ZOWBMBxRjPrVMuBThxGr_smTaqUxjGYVZHLkbdIfUmqqqb_sYMSjdLUv-kS8ekpTf0xJDH2fBtDg9c-UsnBkPo07uj7o2Jlvf-i7-jrQPrVF_n0Om133LoMKErdV8p9Bz4BzXpNKUE/s320/Siding08.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><br />
Once the siding is painted in the wall color you want to use for your dollhouse, paint all of the window trim and glue it to the window openings. Binder clips keep component trims nice and flat, on the siding. <br />
<br />
There is a lot of debate about whether applying siding first will make the windows and doors not fit the dollhouse. I can tell you from experience to not worry about this. Your windows and doors will fit even though siding is under them. I’ve already sided several dollhouses this way, each with different style windows, and I've never encountered any problems installing the windows and doors with siding underneath. If the siding leaves a gap between your exterior window trim and the wall, you can fill it with lightweight spackling compound, sand and then paint.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVRMi_I1jm7HsTcf3nA5zXLqKj0NXPkyobnWKhIZRoNMRDosC8YWdnHeGWQ0eZrfnL9KDLe04ayTWKX8JouV4NNZWsCnw9t8dMefCViVNDipbj0qQk1GTLVqgP65c3aGeNqTVKRPcQaRo/s1600/Siding09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="757" data-original-width="570" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVRMi_I1jm7HsTcf3nA5zXLqKj0NXPkyobnWKhIZRoNMRDosC8YWdnHeGWQ0eZrfnL9KDLe04ayTWKX8JouV4NNZWsCnw9t8dMefCViVNDipbj0qQk1GTLVqgP65c3aGeNqTVKRPcQaRo/s320/Siding09.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsTM9p0zeBKeFXfKKU23wXnW6zM7vNXsJck05u4rquGQ9DL2XgM4CrkFlrdk1ZvVb0-M1rS0nOmh2DXbXp9eMQ6hBwpqx_1o1pJx94hAf6Pkz_saukUTkWh9FsdKm_0VG7zvA1hHs405g/s1600/Siding10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="757" data-original-width="570" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsTM9p0zeBKeFXfKKU23wXnW6zM7vNXsJck05u4rquGQ9DL2XgM4CrkFlrdk1ZvVb0-M1rS0nOmh2DXbXp9eMQ6hBwpqx_1o1pJx94hAf6Pkz_saukUTkWh9FsdKm_0VG7zvA1hHs405g/s320/Siding10.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwQK9iauRd2aePG5W3XKtk5if-rC6AoNbGK4u5F56YHiDPrsBre2DjjCCEBgapJDKHLIgBNtP1vaWQchbuQMd_BZ2eI6UVYQJz68VIH12wA7U_mQIHYyhy0YrGJquIJDeKiqMWxT9Hz_c/s1600/Siding11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="757" data-original-width="570" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwQK9iauRd2aePG5W3XKtk5if-rC6AoNbGK4u5F56YHiDPrsBre2DjjCCEBgapJDKHLIgBNtP1vaWQchbuQMd_BZ2eI6UVYQJz68VIH12wA7U_mQIHYyhy0YrGJquIJDeKiqMWxT9Hz_c/s320/Siding11.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><br />
Once the windows are in, apply the shutters and corner trim. As you can see, the corner trim hides all the cut siding edges along the wall corners. You can also go ahead and finish applying the porch and balconies.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwMwdE3CdokB6Tw4Utdxpd_Cd3kYRgO0OxBde0pY8dWMa4qTxmPMBlyj6NIf4cgGGSyAIdwU2rF7_h5RSyThLusnqUh-s5wnY_lRQ_FRzT5Liz069dH5mBIcSjVUgFe8htrGKZlXwatLM/s1600/Siding12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="757" data-original-width="570" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwMwdE3CdokB6Tw4Utdxpd_Cd3kYRgO0OxBde0pY8dWMa4qTxmPMBlyj6NIf4cgGGSyAIdwU2rF7_h5RSyThLusnqUh-s5wnY_lRQ_FRzT5Liz069dH5mBIcSjVUgFe8htrGKZlXwatLM/s320/Siding12.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJn_gkf-cvEZRKfYV0quNQ27GPlNoWuvkgL1lpTOITfyXg7q830BRITTKDlkfD5Ezgwqb8vR0i__vttdBnBmGNAi90uPsKgdDRO3rjH7ARCRu6Vw79YQi2gpoCvEx2_GCskm5XJX2WtVg/s1600/Siding13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="570" data-original-width="757" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJn_gkf-cvEZRKfYV0quNQ27GPlNoWuvkgL1lpTOITfyXg7q830BRITTKDlkfD5Ezgwqb8vR0i__vttdBnBmGNAi90uPsKgdDRO3rjH7ARCRu6Vw79YQi2gpoCvEx2_GCskm5XJX2WtVg/s320/Siding13.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
The advantages of this method is that you do not have to cut siding along complicated architectural details. This gives the siding a more finished, professional look. <br />
<br />
<b><u>Application After Components</u></b><br />
<br />
<b>Preparation</b><br />
<br />
To apply siding <b>AFTER</b> the components, you have to assemble the dollhouse shell in its entirety. <br />
<br />
Then you will paint the dollhouse walls. Because siding your dollhouse after installing your components can leave small gaps around them, it's a good idea to paint your walls the same color you will paint your siding. That way minor gaps will be less visible because there won't be any raw wood peeking through. <br />
<br />
Now you can install all completely assembled and finished components to the dollhouse. This includes all windows, doors, porches, balconies, trim and mouldings. You are basically left with a completed dollhouse in front of you, which is only missing the siding. <br />
<br />
<b>Paint</b><br />
<br />
Paint all of your siding before you install it. This will produce the best outcome. It may seem tedious now but it will be worse if you paint after installation. Trying to paint the siding, around complicated, architectural details that are very small, is even more tedious to do. <br />
<br />
If your dollhouse kit came with siding, then it is most likely attached to a sheet. I recommend you paint the entire sheet, before you remove each strip. It will make painting easier. To fix any warping, apply weights on top of the siding sheet until the paint dries. This will help keep it flat. <br />
<br />
If the dollhouse kit did not come with siding, then you most likely will have individual siding strips, rather than sheets. You will have to paint each and every one of them, individually. To minimize warping, paint them on both sides and then lay them on wax or parchment paper to dry. <br />
<br />
<b>Glue</b><br />
<br />
You will want to use hot melt glue, in the high setting for this. You will not need to go through the clamping process required when using a water based glue. Your siding is not going to be holding up anything structural on the dollhouse, so it is perfectly fine to apply it with hot melt glue. <br />
<br />
<b>Application</b><br />
<br />
When I sided my first Beacon Hill Dollhouse after components, I didn't paint the siding beforehand and this is why I recommend it. It would have made my life simple if I had. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi29pj6iepHAbIGr7Ap8TtMqNuCiModnkIOF8xB6ZyfD1eMAbgVq2ipybMV4SPNT5n1LRveYUvMj-CcxQGKSNozqwp7fX7K0fdyvBmDrPhBdSN6K4TopxitLZH4dqxPD4zRRs6hb4nzUrw/s1600/Siding14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="760" data-original-width="572" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi29pj6iepHAbIGr7Ap8TtMqNuCiModnkIOF8xB6ZyfD1eMAbgVq2ipybMV4SPNT5n1LRveYUvMj-CcxQGKSNozqwp7fX7K0fdyvBmDrPhBdSN6K4TopxitLZH4dqxPD4zRRs6hb4nzUrw/s320/Siding14.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOLA6mzyyiG_tPGPUNYbCWEL-j_eEk4TV2MIfRNL0uozr2hwAazps2FaG0v89qoqEagbibJM3aVmNow5uQpBqa7DEQM796Dp39n0ain5yK9_Ovor2tCUW80aToosNcl3DEkGWwWnI_HVs/s1600/Siding15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="572" data-original-width="760" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOLA6mzyyiG_tPGPUNYbCWEL-j_eEk4TV2MIfRNL0uozr2hwAazps2FaG0v89qoqEagbibJM3aVmNow5uQpBqa7DEQM796Dp39n0ain5yK9_Ovor2tCUW80aToosNcl3DEkGWwWnI_HVs/s320/Siding15.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Just like applying the siding before, you have to decide on the lap width you want and make a template. Draw straight pencil lines up the wall using your template as a guide. Begin applying siding from the bottom of the wall and work your way up, overlapping each top strip to the one underneath it. Make sure your lines are straight and even.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijEf6ZC9Moo9rt53-x9tV4Rc2hZQl1WLbg_8Pz_NXWxoYNUVr0jE6oEi2gnrsvr3YNGlfki5GO9XyzQ7i7FGOTgab9akDgXC2zGW-yIi8tp87XKBfeMREcQILDppslnD_uVXV6rgnqDvM/s1600/Siding16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="570" data-original-width="429" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijEf6ZC9Moo9rt53-x9tV4Rc2hZQl1WLbg_8Pz_NXWxoYNUVr0jE6oEi2gnrsvr3YNGlfki5GO9XyzQ7i7FGOTgab9akDgXC2zGW-yIi8tp87XKBfeMREcQILDppslnD_uVXV6rgnqDvM/s320/Siding16.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><br />
When you get to a component, you will have to cut the siding around it. Since these will not be straight cuts, you will get a more precise cut if you use a very sharp craft knife instead of scissors. Work carefully, so you get nice clean cuts and minimize splitting the siding. Shutters should be installed after all of the siding is in place. <br />
<br />
Perform any touch-ups with lightweight spackling compound. A Q-Tip will help you get spackle into small areas.<br />
<br />
There really aren't any advantages to installing the siding in this way. Some people prefer it because they claim it gives the dollhouse a more authentic sided look. <br />
<br />
Neither method is right or wrong. It all comes down to preference and what type of work your comfortable performing. <br />
<br />
<b><u>Siding Versus Double Hung Windows</u></b><br />
<br />
Some dollhouses have double hung windows and these type of windows cannot be installed over siding. You have to install them before. The Lily Dollhouse is a good example of a sided dollhouse, with double hung windows.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVXQNYtBM_NbWNSqpQEUJMSs6noEXXon9TSuV8iMtDG7kkLCBsh8QJAbx0xviZsDP3fTAaiog9TzEJTLF285JUE2HgyiPffk_w-8vbD8yUg02jtNBK4APoGsDSUdkvMM-dU3GqHlyNsKM/s1600/Siding17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="570" data-original-width="757" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVXQNYtBM_NbWNSqpQEUJMSs6noEXXon9TSuV8iMtDG7kkLCBsh8QJAbx0xviZsDP3fTAaiog9TzEJTLF285JUE2HgyiPffk_w-8vbD8yUg02jtNBK4APoGsDSUdkvMM-dU3GqHlyNsKM/s320/Siding17.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I suggest that you install the windows and window trim first and cut the siding around them. This should be easy since it's straight cuts, as the window casings of double hung windows are always square.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih4WI1X2iefBhSjAikmRz_rxUhB0yGLJq0H_rqZRKsvAoCDCtwLM848M9ByLSOBGvVIoavmG351uWXclHsy4v1CHrZZUrejXD19TtLXLdiL4KY27YDLU0kpyiDU1c_VIWCiUiEtd3qq9s/s1600/Siding18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="570" data-original-width="757" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih4WI1X2iefBhSjAikmRz_rxUhB0yGLJq0H_rqZRKsvAoCDCtwLM848M9ByLSOBGvVIoavmG351uWXclHsy4v1CHrZZUrejXD19TtLXLdiL4KY27YDLU0kpyiDU1c_VIWCiUiEtd3qq9s/s320/Siding18.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Leave the sills, bottom trim and pediments for after your done siding. That way you don’t have to cut around them.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Siding Fan Patterns</u></b><br />
<br />
This option is for more experienced builders because it is a very difficult project, unlike shingle patterns.<br />
<br />
I first saw this option used on a dollhouse while browsing Jenny's Willowcrest Dollhouse blog. I knew I had to try and recreate it for my Willowcrest Dollhouse. <br />
<br />
In order to create this fan siding design, you have to make sure you can work on it until it is finished. You can not leave it half done and then return to it later. If the glue dries, before the design is perfect, you will have to scrape it off and start over. <br />
<br />
You also can not use hard measurements to create this design. You have to eyeball everything. Hard measurements will more than likely cause for the design to not appear straight. Remember, walls, trim and the components of a tab and slot dollhouse are not precise, so hard measurements will not help you.<br />
<br />
Finish all of the components that will go around this sided area. You will need to dry fit them constantly, so you can see how the siding falls underneath them. <br />
<br />
You first have to side the dollhouse as you would normally and begin slowly fanning out your siding as you reach the top circle of the barrel roof. You will need to fan out the siding on both sides, at the same time. This is the only way to ensure the siding meets evenly on both sides. Try to continue the same lap widths as you fan each strip of siding outwards.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixU-1TBrShu4KZizUsWU86_N2qUnSbfz__tkAwsRqaEXWQbNIaNHHMZjzon_GVQOn7U6YBiM_DW2l4uj3WdaSZ5CewaUAfR8sQqnpk4pFwXgV24TMdZP6BPNlxKr_jQ5ssjZJ8ec3N8KU/s1600/Siding20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="638" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixU-1TBrShu4KZizUsWU86_N2qUnSbfz__tkAwsRqaEXWQbNIaNHHMZjzon_GVQOn7U6YBiM_DW2l4uj3WdaSZ5CewaUAfR8sQqnpk4pFwXgV24TMdZP6BPNlxKr_jQ5ssjZJ8ec3N8KU/s320/Siding20.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Because of its long drying times, using a tacky glue will allow for you to shift the design, multiple times, in order to get a perfect fit. This design can not be done with hot melt glue.<br />
<br />
You have to stand away from the dollhouse and have it on a table where the siding design will be at eye level to you. This will ensure that you are fanning the siding evenly on both sides. Every Time you add a siding piece or tweak the design, you have to stand back and see how it looks from afar. You will not be able to see defects if you only work on it up close. <br />
<br />
You have to make sure that the siding goes under all of the components but does not "peek" through the architectural details, like the holes along the curved trim or the hole on the top of the attic window. This requires constant dry fitting of components, as your siding, so that you can shift or cut siding, in order to correct any issues before the glue dries. That is why I recommended above, for these components to be completely assembled and finished before you start your siding. <br />
<br />
The middle siding piece, goes on last and over both fanned sides, in order to join them together. <br />
<br />
After the glue is dry, you can paint the siding. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmBEhne3QW3bgSi5CpuxmLABsP-4bUd7sKn5NVY-Pe9ITC-epRkL8JV4hcS1isQRtzQ0IzJU86YtqUXWXV-YmIEplpvpseVZJTfU-Qxjm7GlefSpj0mcsVmC4x-0AtMvsYLwTJC6PXDA0/s1600/Siding21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="638" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmBEhne3QW3bgSi5CpuxmLABsP-4bUd7sKn5NVY-Pe9ITC-epRkL8JV4hcS1isQRtzQ0IzJU86YtqUXWXV-YmIEplpvpseVZJTfU-Qxjm7GlefSpj0mcsVmC4x-0AtMvsYLwTJC6PXDA0/s320/Siding21.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Finally, you can add the components over the siding. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg15lP2eLclchnh-XfGuM2q4zpsbrxTIOF6mnMDk1pRh1jIucn5cqe7sanJaoazru4wNNplmOJjYvOZzFUSVpnusXIzc2CrSYFf0gVoIGGTTEI0RzVOPSE4Sn4lmk2a0YnHSy6TRxcgp0A/s1600/Siding22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="638" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg15lP2eLclchnh-XfGuM2q4zpsbrxTIOF6mnMDk1pRh1jIucn5cqe7sanJaoazru4wNNplmOJjYvOZzFUSVpnusXIzc2CrSYFf0gVoIGGTTEI0RzVOPSE4Sn4lmk2a0YnHSy6TRxcgp0A/s320/Siding22.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Because there are multiple layers of siding under these components, you will need to use spackling compound to hide gaps between the window trim and wall. <br />
<br />
<b>Keep In Mind</b><br />
<br />
Some dollhouses do not bring siding or corner trim with their kits. This means that your jagged cut siding edges will be visible on all corners. You can buy separate, L shaped, corner trim from your miniatures dealer to hide all the edges or you can make your own by simply gluing two pieces of strip wood together, to make an L shape.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE6dtPLxnz_x3rcvM83lAY1zN5CjPO6z3Fr2CffuylHvBq5ygHON9f1UgPgogaHRkF6rSfScyWZuOubLCB4LP6P43eRuu7wdc9iBWdKArWgt9zZfGvHonAQJ9T5UgoEsW_PF8rXJ-Duw4/s1600/Siding19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="133" data-original-width="216" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE6dtPLxnz_x3rcvM83lAY1zN5CjPO6z3Fr2CffuylHvBq5ygHON9f1UgPgogaHRkF6rSfScyWZuOubLCB4LP6P43eRuu7wdc9iBWdKArWgt9zZfGvHonAQJ9T5UgoEsW_PF8rXJ-Duw4/s320/Siding19.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Some people side their bay window walls as well as the main walls on their dollhouses. If you do this, you won't have any trim for the joint edges. You will need to buy corner trim or cut the siding extremely close together at the joints. Use spackle to cover any gap that's left in order to get a nice smooth finish. The same goes for siding tower walls.<br />
<br />
Your dollhouse kit may not bring corner trim for walls that butt together, to create an inside corner. If you have this issue, you can create your own corner trim using strip wood but I do not recommend it, as this can adversely affect the look of the dollhouses exterior. Some areas were just not meant to have trim and adding it can cause an awkward look. Added trim may also not line up with the rest of the dollhouses trim. <br />
<br />
I suggest you use spackle along inside corners instead. Apply it with a wet, flat tip paint brush, so the spackle does not create globs along siding lines. Always butt your siding as close as you can when applying to inside corners, so any gap will be minimal. <br />
<br />
Lastly, remember that tab and slot dollhouses are not square, plumb or level. You can try very hard to line up your siding lines between walls, only to find a slight deviation somewhere. Some walls just do not line up perfectly, in height, and this causes for siding lines to not match perfect between walls, even when the siding is started in the exact same area on both walls. <br />
<br />
Don't give this too much thought. As long as the overall appearance of the dollhouse is correct, there is no reason to nitpick tiny inconsistencies. These are not machine made, pre-milled sided walls. They are hand made. No one will notice or even care, once they see the beauty of this one of a kind structure. <br />
<br />
<b><u>Troubleshooting</u></b><br />
<br />
<b>Laying Flat</b><br />
<br />
Due to the nature of birch veneer siding, it will never truly lay completely flat once installed. This siding is very thin and highly susceptible to moisture and heat. This means that the siding will react to the moisture in glue and paint. Both are needed for installation and finishing. <br />
<br />
Even when using hot melt glue, which will give you the flattest outcome, you will still see slight variations between strips. There will always be a little lift in the siding, especially along the bottom exposed edge of each strip. These variations are most noticeable along walls with minimal components and wide widths. These slight variations and lifts are what gives the product its realistic finish.<br />
<br />
<b>Warping</b><br />
<br />
There have been some cases where people have experienced severe warping of their birch veneer strip siding that does not go away, even after the glue has completely dried. Some have had the warping go away after the glue dries, but it has returned after painting and will not go away even after the paint dries. This is caused by high humidity.<br />
<br />
The only way to solve it is to use a hair dryer and heat up each strip of siding, one by one, holding it flat with your fingers until it cools. Yes, this is a very tedious thing to do, but short of scraping all of your siding off and starting over, it's your only alternative to fix the problem.<br />
<br />
Avoid this problem by not siding your dollhouse in damp places like basements. Stay away from garages and side your dollhouse indoors if you live in hot and/or humid areas.<br />
<br />
Use good quality paint. Avoid using paints that are too watery with poor coverage per coat, especially if you're in a hot and/or humid area of the country. Remember, the more moisture you put on your siding, the more water it will soak up and the longer it will take to dry. Let the glue dry before you paint and always allow for each coat of paint to dry before applying the next.<br />
<br />
Running a fan in your work area will reduce humidity and help the siding dry quicker, thereby not allowing it to soak up too much moisture. <br />
<br />
<b>Rough Edges</b><br />
<br />
Birch veneer siding will sometimes have rough and uneven edges. That is just the nature of the product. You can certainly discard any strips that are too uneven. Like I mentioned above, you can lightly sand any rough edges, with a fingernail file, once your siding is installed and dry. <br />
<br />
<b>I Want Pre-milled Siding On My Tab And Slot Dollhouse.</b><br />
<br />
Generally, you will not be able to apply pre-milled siding on your tab and slot dollhouse. Tab and slot dollhouses have too many architectural details on their exteriors that must fit properly, for the assembly to be successful. Adding extra thickness to the exterior walls can impede this. Therefore, the correct siding for a tab and slot dollhouse is birch veneer siding strips. <br />
<br />
<b>Can I Sand Pre-milled MDF Siding?</b><br />
<br />
Many cabinet-grade dollhouses use pre-milled, sided walls made of MDF. You should NEVER sand pre-milled sided walls with sandpaper. If you want to smooth them out, use a crumpled brown paper bag to rub against your pre-milled sided wall, in the same direction as the siding. This should give you a smooth finish without damaging your siding.Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15948614759421548317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-637361802464434024.post-65947257601965424312019-08-06T07:00:00.000-04:002019-08-24T09:11:12.859-04:00Dollhouse Flooring GuideThere is an extensive variety of flooring available for your dollhouse. Each one has its own unique set of challenges. Here is some information and tips for the application of popular flooring options.<br />
<br />
<b><u>The Basics</u></b><br />
<br />
<ul><li>One thing holds true for most floor covers and that is you should always apply the flooring AFTER the dollhouse is assembled, so that you can take into account the different twists and turns of a room and achieve the perfect fit for your flooring. Covering your floors before assembly will make slots inaccessible, causing an ill-fitting dollhouse. You also do not want to glue walls to covered floors, as the extra thickness will hinder a tight flush fit that a dollhouse needs, for successful assembly.</li>
<li>If you’re staining the dollhouses kit floors, do so before you wallpaper but if you're adding a floor cover, do so after wallpapering. This will help minimize damage to your flooring or wallpaper.</li>
<li>All interior doors must be modified, if you plan on hinging them, so they will fit with the new floor height that added flooring will create.</li>
</ul><br />
So, before we begin discussing the different flooring options available for dollhouses, let’s go through some of the things you need to know beforehand.<br />
<br />
<b>Floor Preparation</b><br />
<br />
Your floor covers are only as good as your original floors, so make sure that you sand your floors and make them as smooth as possible. This will allow for your flooring to lay flat and even. You should also paint the original dollhouse floors a matching color to the floor cover, in order to insure color quality and evenness.<br />
<br />
<b>Flooring Versus Trim Work</b><br />
<br />
The most challenging aspect of dollhouse flooring, whether staining the original floors or covering them, is the possible difference between hues of the flooring stain and the staircase, window and door trims. Stain will not cover these differences.<br />
<br />
Remember that your dollhouse is made of varying wood sheets, with different hues and grains running through them. This will affect your interior trim and staircase, which are comprised of all these parts. Your window trim can have a completely different hue than your flooring. Your staircase can have a different hue than both your interior trim and your flooring. These varying hues of wood can look beautiful when put together, giving the dollhouse an authentic look since real houses are also made up of different woods, but some people may not like this outcome.<br />
<br />
Make sure you inspect your kit well, when it arrives, to identify if this is an outcome you will not like. The hue and grain differences in trim, floor and staircase are easily observed before staining, so a decision can be made beforehand. You can always paint your trim and staircases to hide these different hues, rather than staining them, if you want to avoid variations in hue and wood grain throughout your dollhouse.<br />
<br />
This inconsistency in wood is not exclusive to tab and slot dollhouses alone. Cabinet grade/MDF dollhouses experience this same problem as well. Especially if the dollhouse is a combination of both cabinet grade plywood and MDF. Your floors might be MDF, while all of your trim work is plywood. This would make staining of the original dollhouse floors, impossible and a floor cover would have to be used instead. <br />
<br />
<b>Making A Template</b><br />
<br />
Templates will help you to apply many popular flooring covers to your floors. Templates are required for the application of carpet, fabric or polystyrene plastic flooring sheets. <br />
<br />
You can use any kind of paper to make a template. I use printer paper because it's easily available and inexpensive but you can use anything, including old magazines or postal paper. Just make sure that you do not use any paper that might transfer ink, like printed newspaper, as you can accidentally stain wallpaper or the flooring you use it on.<br />
<br />
Place the paper in your room and crease it around walls to transfer its shape. If your room has extra twists and turns you might have to join strips of paper with masking tape, in order to get the right shape.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg73gW0ObWp3yxb1mi92oFl_4jqE6BkqQXBI_-9GQ_6ROyQsNmgp5WYcKICfKGhSglWxPb48szpnj90K2b7ZAKlvYT76sYh_nA4w3tZj40oTyhlCXm3wgY-GPDeKPLayYkIAIrGSsa-nQI/s1600/flooring01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="525" data-original-width="697" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg73gW0ObWp3yxb1mi92oFl_4jqE6BkqQXBI_-9GQ_6ROyQsNmgp5WYcKICfKGhSglWxPb48szpnj90K2b7ZAKlvYT76sYh_nA4w3tZj40oTyhlCXm3wgY-GPDeKPLayYkIAIrGSsa-nQI/s320/flooring01.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Once you have your floor impression transferred to paper, you can then use it to cut out your flooring cover with.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ49QqmQy-nhni5KUxXTa1DZg-u1Us7MsY4rlzgEg65nU9zsrpIAZowNrlCm02QWj_5a1mZ20aKIdbjrF31SfSVWg-EQI-_TFR3G6dxmlnugODmmnxf2ZZVK2Zo0aKXvQxk152bG19Suk/s1600/flooring02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="525" data-original-width="697" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ49QqmQy-nhni5KUxXTa1DZg-u1Us7MsY4rlzgEg65nU9zsrpIAZowNrlCm02QWj_5a1mZ20aKIdbjrF31SfSVWg-EQI-_TFR3G6dxmlnugODmmnxf2ZZVK2Zo0aKXvQxk152bG19Suk/s320/flooring02.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
If your dollhouse is small and has only one room per floor, you can trace the flooring onto paper before you assemble the dollhouse, saving you the time of creasing paper around walls afterwards. Just keep in mind that your template might have a slight discrepancy in size, as sometimes walls sit over the edges of floors. After your dollhouse is complete, modify your paper template size by fitting it into the finished room and trimming any excess.<br />
<br />
<b>Baseboards and Trim</b><br />
<br />
No floor is complete without baseboard trim. You can choose real miniature baseboards in a variety of styles for your dollhouse or use your own economical alternative. <br />
<br />
Tab and slot dollhouses have true to scale, unique measurements that can make choosing and applying trim difficult. There are many twists and turns in their interiors, so you must be familiar with making miter cuts, if you plan on using real miniature baseboards.<br />
<br />
Here are two tutorial links for making miter cuts for baseboards. These are for life scale houses but they work the same way for miniature dollhouses. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=1hvp-UBEbaNVpmC9vqbeacRVllI3erCxd">Ruler Guide</a><br />
<a href="https://www.blocklayer.com/crown-molding.aspx">Moulding Angle Chart and Calculator</a><br />
<a href="https://homeguides.sfgate.com/miter-cut-cope-crown-molding-99366.html">Outside Corner Baseboard Miter Tutorial</a><br />
<a href="https://homesteady.com/how-6225107-cut-inside-corner-baseboard-molding.html">Inside Corner Baseboard Miter Tutorial</a><br />
<br />
Because of tab and slot dollhouses true to scale designs, you might find that real miniature moulding, in the one inch scale, is quite large in proportion to your dollhouse. This is especially true for smaller cottages. You might want to use the half scale version of these mouldings instead. <br />
<br />
Aside from real miniature baseboards, great baseboard trim can be found in the wood craft section of your local craft store and works very well with tab and slot dollhouses. There you will find easy to cut strips of wood of varying widths and lengths for your convenience. These strips usually cost less than a dollar each and one strip is long enough to trim up to three rooms. You can also find fancy wood strips in the framing department, for a more ornate look to your baseboards. <br />
<br />
Wooden skewers can be used as simple baseboards and even fabric ribbons can be painted and made into flooring trim, to match fabric floors.<br />
<br />
<b>Clamping Baseboards</b><br />
<br />
Trim is not the easiest thing to clamp down as the glue dries. The easiest to use and most effective clamp I have found is hot melt glue sticks and masking tape. Just butt the glue stick up to the trim and hold it in place by taping it to the floor with masking tape.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhitOrRDsYOfXYcCTGswLD3SVUHTNmnRkKzx9quWzB6ze9Hs2qP8pevfN0DhFbPdE94jzB4VybNwKsyrvRXjrkoYUfHN5XLUGj5haL_D8hOkllBAccjjGWMnXpVh8GU4_hmSJUVbKI6bLI/s1600/flooring03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="570" data-original-width="757" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhitOrRDsYOfXYcCTGswLD3SVUHTNmnRkKzx9quWzB6ze9Hs2qP8pevfN0DhFbPdE94jzB4VybNwKsyrvRXjrkoYUfHN5XLUGj5haL_D8hOkllBAccjjGWMnXpVh8GU4_hmSJUVbKI6bLI/s320/flooring03.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmFTD7ixx2Pt63K-GRRQMBTzpM1Ev45KSt0Y4-qmLnQBnWHeiG_8BksBaRJlzFKil4mQNWJPyP0AmeFX2snZOLMG1om0Jm0POajYbeRm83qAg9GnlXhCdcqEkytfoKUdlLtfBD08EpOjY/s1600/flooring04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="570" data-original-width="757" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmFTD7ixx2Pt63K-GRRQMBTzpM1Ev45KSt0Y4-qmLnQBnWHeiG_8BksBaRJlzFKil4mQNWJPyP0AmeFX2snZOLMG1om0Jm0POajYbeRm83qAg9GnlXhCdcqEkytfoKUdlLtfBD08EpOjY/s320/flooring04.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
If your floors are paper, carpet or fabric and you do not want to risk using masking tape on them, you can buy the long glue sticks and pry them between the trim and the opposite wall. These long glue sticks can also be pried between the floor trim and the ceilings, in order to clamp stubborn trim downwards, towards the floors.<br />
<br />
Glue sticks can be cut to size, so you can pry them between narrow hallway walls and other tight spaces. They are flexible and smooth, so they will not damage wallpaper but are still strong enough to be effective clamps. They are also reusable, so you will not need to buy more for future projects.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Popular Flooring Options</u></b><br />
<br />
<b>Staining The Dollhouses Original Floors</b><br />
<br />
This is the most economical finish chosen for flooring by dollhouse enthusiasts and usually the first choice for beginners. It is also the finish with the most versatility, when it comes to application and product selection.<br />
<br />
First, let's begin with the products available for staining wood. You can use a real wood stain or you can use a faux stain. Both will work on wood and have similar outcomes.<br />
<br />
<b>Wood Stain</b><br />
<br />
Real wood stain comes in a variety of hues. Some even come with the polyurethane already blended in and some are water based. They also come in a variety of containers, from your average cans to sprays and even pens. Regardless of the type of stain or the container you get it in, they all work the same way on wood. Real wood stain can be found at your local hardware store and there is a limited selection in craft stores as well.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpnUb59uMX2zmhQ5hf6NP7bNrYDBpEJaitIom1r-NJOXyRLbiLJATNTKQ8ZNUHqAqVF9GO6_Uwgcf95CdkHTsR-wcUQbcq4jPMeCwv636p358VrM0ZZ2xKxPRcbkEGSeLcqC9GO9f1pNE/s1600/flooring05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="220" data-original-width="220" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpnUb59uMX2zmhQ5hf6NP7bNrYDBpEJaitIom1r-NJOXyRLbiLJATNTKQ8ZNUHqAqVF9GO6_Uwgcf95CdkHTsR-wcUQbcq4jPMeCwv636p358VrM0ZZ2xKxPRcbkEGSeLcqC9GO9f1pNE/s320/flooring05.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Real wood stain has an oily consistency, so it can compromise your glues ability to adhere. Also remember, that stain needs to penetrate the wood in order to achieve its hue. Stain is not like paint and will not cover mistakes on your floors. Areas on your wood floors that have been previously sealed or have any type of glue on them, will not stain properly. Wood glue does not dry clear, so it will be visible over or under stain. <br />
<br />
<b>Faux Stain</b><br />
<br />
The advantage of a faux stain is that it has no fumes and can be used in a non-ventilated area. You also have more control with the color selection because you can basically use any acrylic craft paint to make a stain with.<br />
<br />
Even though faux stain is more forgiving when it comes to penetrating glue, you should always be careful and sand off completely, any glue or paint that may have dripped on the areas you want to stain.<br />
<br />
There are several methods that can be used to create faux stain. All you have to do is dilute your choice of acrylic craft paint using a Gel Stain Medium, Acrylic Varnish or plain water. I have tried all three but Acrylic Varnish works best. Gel Stain Mediums and Acrylic Varnish can be found at your local craft store. <br />
<br />
<b>Gel Stain Mediums</b><br />
<br />
Gel Stain Mediums can be expensive and they tend to streak the paint a little, making it difficult to achieve a nice, even finish.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE0xjPIpbfXr-mxCUUdRaAqitq6yE23tLYxxiSd9n_S7r6sTlzbDhcHpxRjY7WMGppQPmDkqS0fv83UFX2CZ9a5tB5knGpMBTJ-cgwlCHYZLjEmu-lfoSGj5zMT4069_RY5smHtcwazfs/s1600/flooring06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE0xjPIpbfXr-mxCUUdRaAqitq6yE23tLYxxiSd9n_S7r6sTlzbDhcHpxRjY7WMGppQPmDkqS0fv83UFX2CZ9a5tB5knGpMBTJ-cgwlCHYZLjEmu-lfoSGj5zMT4069_RY5smHtcwazfs/s320/flooring06.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<b>Acrylic Varnish</b><br />
<br />
Acrylic Varnish has the right consistency to dilute craft paint and will apply evenly to your floors. I suggest a Gloss Interior Varnish. The gloss will add extra shine to your floors and because it's an interior varnish, it is water soluble for easy clean up.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihFMp-IfxEoaDdWq9oqGRa-yZ4-7NRDxEvC8-jTnU76bQfy87dQphK0VXcakS1KJKwr3ZbC-xGdQxEuoVJcXhMFnRAyU8N9aDC7ewrWlkNUVrqfUQ43m60nHmZhAB4t2nrDHOu4EuOMUo/s1600/flooring07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihFMp-IfxEoaDdWq9oqGRa-yZ4-7NRDxEvC8-jTnU76bQfy87dQphK0VXcakS1KJKwr3ZbC-xGdQxEuoVJcXhMFnRAyU8N9aDC7ewrWlkNUVrqfUQ43m60nHmZhAB4t2nrDHOu4EuOMUo/s320/flooring07.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<b>Water</b><br />
<br />
Though water is readily accessible and will dilute paint, I do not recommend it because it dulls the paint color and you really do not want to add too much moisture to your wood.<br />
<br />
When making a faux stain, acrylic craft paint is the preferred paint to use. It is thick and mixes well. Latex paints are very watery, so it might be harder to achieve a vibrant stain color with them. You should also check with the manufacturer to see if they can be made into stains using Acrylic mediums, as I've never tried myself.<br />
<br />
Leftover faux stain can easily be stored in a sealed disposable storage container for future use.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Sealing</u></b><br />
<br />
Whether you use real wood stain or a faux stain, they both have to be sealed after application to achieve a nice smooth and shiny finish. They both also have to be lightly sanded between coats to achieve maximum shine. Real wood stain is sealed with polyurethane and faux stain can be sealed with Acrylic Gloss Varnish, though they can be used interchangeably. You may also use a matte or satin finish for your sealant, if preferred.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Ovi8e3WnQuRs2j8jyqbfNy1zY3uC0Xb8afTgrbt4MSNwjem6cHRtUyuajZ-_IlblPAzjosQVGI-M7jiTG-0GkN1ChgFn-e-I7I5Jk1_O4VPOw1Gc1Ts0YWaf_hS9DJLQJqYvNazFe6g/s1600/flooring08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="220" data-original-width="220" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Ovi8e3WnQuRs2j8jyqbfNy1zY3uC0Xb8afTgrbt4MSNwjem6cHRtUyuajZ-_IlblPAzjosQVGI-M7jiTG-0GkN1ChgFn-e-I7I5Jk1_O4VPOw1Gc1Ts0YWaf_hS9DJLQJqYvNazFe6g/s320/flooring08.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Just like polyurethane, Acrylic Gloss Varnish is clear and will add shine to your floors. If you used varnish to make your faux stain, you still have to give your floors two coats of varnish after the stain is dry. Always allow for varnish to completely dry between coats. If the varnish is not allowed to dry, it will develop a white film that cannot be removed.<br />
<br />
<b>Application</b><br />
<br />
Usually a foam brush is recommended for applying stain. This may be true with real wood stain but faux stain can be applied with a regular bristled brush if desired. <br />
<br />
Apply stain to all flooring evenly, and without overlapping. Do not apply fresh stain to previously dried stain or in separate sections. Plan to finish staining what you start, for best results. <br />
<br />
<b>Challenges</b><br />
<br />
Now that you are familiar with the materials for staining it's time to figure out what you want to stain. Usually when you talk about staining, you're talking about your dollhouses original wood floors. But, your dollhouse's flooring can present its set of challenges.<br />
<br />
Your first challenge is the grain of the flooring. We touched on this before but it's important enough to go over again in more detail. This is one of the main obstacles, novice dollhouse builders are going to encounter and they will quickly blame the kits quality or their own abilities, when in reality, its lack of knowledge. <br />
<br />
The grain in a dollhouses original floors, can run in different directions between floors and/or rooms. There can also be different hues between floors and/or rooms. When you apply stain to these different hues, you will get a different color outcome, even though you have used the same color stain throughout your dollhouse.<br />
<br />
You can clearly see both of these potential problems on the floor of this Garfield Dollhouse.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidPGaubW_y2mZ1hAfClyKH5XYRsdEt6wsXFVrsqChYvGtWO9FmaOkpWC9SWjMoJIxstrbSUgpwVyLLSodbEWw3Og8CVUTiAG-sOfUB5lp3E-3FIZ8W8EbnX-8PfMz6mHq6StcQePbiZbI/s1600/flooring09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="527" data-original-width="700" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidPGaubW_y2mZ1hAfClyKH5XYRsdEt6wsXFVrsqChYvGtWO9FmaOkpWC9SWjMoJIxstrbSUgpwVyLLSodbEWw3Og8CVUTiAG-sOfUB5lp3E-3FIZ8W8EbnX-8PfMz6mHq6StcQePbiZbI/s320/flooring09.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Even though the same stain was used on the entire floor, one side of the floor is much darker than the other. Of course, these two floors will be divided into two different rooms, once the dollhouse is assembled, but you should keep this in mind regardless, just in case it's not the look you would like for your dollhouse.<br />
<br />
It is not often that you come across a dollhouse whose floors stain evenly between rooms and floors. You can see how evenly the wood stained on this Lily Dollhouse, Westville Dollhouse and Coventry Cottage Dollhouse.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidwIjsdlVxCFDB4pg0be8gRcgtpN5vHQVfX-JWn13MsvtqTkEbapLXu4dUyufnnHRjMLvRK_UPyTAV1pDrBO8JwC3nPE9ViD6MrwUIR4AuvtFxg4VWyoCN1uJOR5SOw7asqQp4tNiHo6A/s1600/flooring10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="757" data-original-width="570" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidwIjsdlVxCFDB4pg0be8gRcgtpN5vHQVfX-JWn13MsvtqTkEbapLXu4dUyufnnHRjMLvRK_UPyTAV1pDrBO8JwC3nPE9ViD6MrwUIR4AuvtFxg4VWyoCN1uJOR5SOw7asqQp4tNiHo6A/s320/flooring10.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFHbxG7TCalSdL4zn9JG0NcNEoOVqZVNIFaauI6suFqt_hlSM7B1xCqrhSIq7VlPrv5n-M3h8T0txUcr7s6uC933BxWr5PfMbpGrG9zKMqj3YCzYsMiDYjqkdt46RnNxRKZZmymM4yqMw/s1600/flooring11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="570" data-original-width="757" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFHbxG7TCalSdL4zn9JG0NcNEoOVqZVNIFaauI6suFqt_hlSM7B1xCqrhSIq7VlPrv5n-M3h8T0txUcr7s6uC933BxWr5PfMbpGrG9zKMqj3YCzYsMiDYjqkdt46RnNxRKZZmymM4yqMw/s320/flooring11.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXms7rRtlQ3FjNi6C5BmtVbM6z9vNIioysvYob5242WLu4ub-sEkx1KnqcRqAwVj4QCLR_WsWwy8uh8I8kaTrLSFeJF3Js2CNmFneTaopiFFY1HTpkwz0LSaHIj9N6ffdPWu1_Tz76aZU/s1600/flooring12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="757" data-original-width="570" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXms7rRtlQ3FjNi6C5BmtVbM6z9vNIioysvYob5242WLu4ub-sEkx1KnqcRqAwVj4QCLR_WsWwy8uh8I8kaTrLSFeJF3Js2CNmFneTaopiFFY1HTpkwz0LSaHIj9N6ffdPWu1_Tz76aZU/s320/flooring12.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><br />
Even the staircases and interior trim, of all three dollhouses, stained to match the flooring and each other, perfectly. Do not assume that your dollhouse kit will have this good fortune. The reality is that most tab and slot dollhouse kits are made from a variety of reclaimed, wood sheets, all with different grains and hues. <br />
<br />
Tab and slot dollhouses are not the only dollhouses whose original floors can have potential problems when stained. Even cabinet-grade dollhouse can experience the same outcomes.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ8c3b7SDYPpEYQ1DzCb0hWFktFTsA6bP3cPM3BmTIsc52uzwjR0h4xeLlJ9Ftw2IjkVNJcnWYzNcDQTAACvDm26ffUCMXeKFz91n2byE3m0jWP2IZg2afPNoXIrJ_YyWeNa3EF7JpVuc/s1600/flooring13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="572" data-original-width="760" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ8c3b7SDYPpEYQ1DzCb0hWFktFTsA6bP3cPM3BmTIsc52uzwjR0h4xeLlJ9Ftw2IjkVNJcnWYzNcDQTAACvDm26ffUCMXeKFz91n2byE3m0jWP2IZg2afPNoXIrJ_YyWeNa3EF7JpVuc/s320/flooring13.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
The Strawberry Patch Dollhouse's stained floors, had plenty of grain detail, even on the staircase. Some people may prefer less grain showing in their wood, for a more even look.<br />
<br />
Staining your dollhouse's floors will also not hide certain inconsistencies in the wood, like the dark pattern running along the right side of the attic floor, of this Emerson Row Dollhouse.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh434n0YojjZFoC1bveeSjOI6RtPKPYgvu2nhgAVlAHshBzd0P-tMSy-76DP4TdFGYH0_UzS1avManr3zzy6EP0SbtdHhMwTUFBylqThYgNxN3F7DcjCkW7kju2m74nCtMdL036JKA5zZo/s1600/flooring14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="399" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh434n0YojjZFoC1bveeSjOI6RtPKPYgvu2nhgAVlAHshBzd0P-tMSy-76DP4TdFGYH0_UzS1avManr3zzy6EP0SbtdHhMwTUFBylqThYgNxN3F7DcjCkW7kju2m74nCtMdL036JKA5zZo/s320/flooring14.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Maybe this is something you wouldn't mind seeing on real life scale wooden kitchen cabinet but they could be an eyesore for some, when it's on their dollhouse floor.<br />
<br />
Not all dollhouse floors can be stained. Some have water or burn marks that would be too unsightly to leave exposed.<br />
<br />
<b>Tabs and Slots</b><br />
<br />
Stained dollhouse floors will also have exposed tab and slots that have to be sanded, filled with wood filler and then re-stained. The only wood filler that stains well is Minwax Stainable Wood Filler. Even though you may do a great job trying to hide the tab and slots on your flooring, they will never be truly invisible, so this is something you will have to decide if you can live with or not.<br />
<br />
Taking everything stated above into consideration, you should always inspect your dollhouse floors when your kit arrives, in order to make a determination if they are suitable enough for you to stain or if your better off applying a floor cover.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Hardwood Floor Covers</u></b><br />
<br />
<b>Real Wood Flooring</b><br />
<br />
A real wood floor cover is the most popular choice with dollhouse builders. Wood floor covers are sheets of thin real wood veneer, cut to look like wood planks and applied over your dollhouse's existing floors. The veneer is thin enough to be easily cut with scissors. They are laminated to a special paper backing, so they can be glued to your dollhouse floors easily. You can use tacky glue or double sided carpet tape to adhere this flooring. They can be purchased in scale to match your dollhouse. More often than not, this flooring is already stained and ready to go, you just choose the hue you're looking for.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH1kIWUcX-kabNv3nY15LEjYpOHZ124RIxFN1CcNTLbK2BVcBwk-m-zoJWWGj54KdQihFGGNh4TAVQ0HcfdIJXQBiwy3t7nE_WEOfHCHn3JwrHhEen0aeiB6lXjYWclS_fHDU8Q7-Fvk8/s1600/flooring15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="160" data-original-width="160" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH1kIWUcX-kabNv3nY15LEjYpOHZ124RIxFN1CcNTLbK2BVcBwk-m-zoJWWGj54KdQihFGGNh4TAVQ0HcfdIJXQBiwy3t7nE_WEOfHCHn3JwrHhEen0aeiB6lXjYWclS_fHDU8Q7-Fvk8/s320/flooring15.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walnut Real Wood Floor Cover</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Iy-PcRGEYUwVkuHSRDajbuoaJHaRxXnUNfoiHgRKOCottC2uI9zMHQ1AhCDXg3bqQ6atJxhrAPZgmVN523TRS-7PCQj39FWEQkAGHnXLVG52exxqJtjZ9xawfxkXSXEiVCsic_9xhsU/s1600/flooring16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="160" data-original-width="160" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Iy-PcRGEYUwVkuHSRDajbuoaJHaRxXnUNfoiHgRKOCottC2uI9zMHQ1AhCDXg3bqQ6atJxhrAPZgmVN523TRS-7PCQj39FWEQkAGHnXLVG52exxqJtjZ9xawfxkXSXEiVCsic_9xhsU/s320/flooring16.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Parquet Real Wood Floor Cover</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir__vEeWNfunJCT8NFlUbmauccSMcUiUsSVN_gE48NBWLdYdEzOP8m6TReNfOIBWwMe9r77QPZqMOPqMt35tdU1beTxg3j14Sp-5dwU7v97iK7eKEaiUAJb_pt_93yxwCOjLerMX7jx3Y/s1600/flooring17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="160" data-original-width="160" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir__vEeWNfunJCT8NFlUbmauccSMcUiUsSVN_gE48NBWLdYdEzOP8m6TReNfOIBWwMe9r77QPZqMOPqMt35tdU1beTxg3j14Sp-5dwU7v97iK7eKEaiUAJb_pt_93yxwCOjLerMX7jx3Y/s320/flooring17.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oak Real Wood Floor Cover</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
The easiest way to apply this flooring is to make a paper template of the floor you want to cover and then cut your flooring sheet to match.<br />
<br />
<b>Vinyl Wood Flooring</b><br />
<br />
Wood look flooring does not have to be necessarily made of wood. You can get the same look using inexpensive vinyl floor. Vinyl wood floor comes in 12" long strips, cut to the right scale for your dollhouse. You peel and stick the planks to your dollhouse floors, staggering them throughout for realism. The floor is easily cut with scissors. <br />
<br />
This vinyl flooring is ideal for tab and slot dollhouses and exclusively made and sold by <a href="https://shop.greenleafdollhouses.com/dollhouse-flooring/">Greenleaf Dollhouses</a>. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl6AEyykVKlG1gl7hHUiVbA9MqontnUtFIiAo8-7eKv2La-Fsv7dOeExeckNxfcIeN6Gd4cfhGPNqMvfGoIVgWv0Snt41DBZgywbfpDpPtelgMlGrOSWto8lNMV8W7cRKEaiDylc0_9P4/s1600/flooring18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="150" data-original-width="150" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl6AEyykVKlG1gl7hHUiVbA9MqontnUtFIiAo8-7eKv2La-Fsv7dOeExeckNxfcIeN6Gd4cfhGPNqMvfGoIVgWv0Snt41DBZgywbfpDpPtelgMlGrOSWto8lNMV8W7cRKEaiDylc0_9P4/s320/flooring18.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walnut Vinyl Floor Cover</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh67Ziv0zMXe1dV0O2Vlvx1eVEvQKUKyA-OsfOOf5RdDwLM9RWSSCmd-knuH1P9aR5igNsypWhm7iJOUMp2ge9yJSf4GfD789zxckRBg1PbJoL97UVI7C4GT_cRllCH9rxPJ6ZrxNyJYeg/s1600/flooring19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="150" data-original-width="150" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh67Ziv0zMXe1dV0O2Vlvx1eVEvQKUKyA-OsfOOf5RdDwLM9RWSSCmd-knuH1P9aR5igNsypWhm7iJOUMp2ge9yJSf4GfD789zxckRBg1PbJoL97UVI7C4GT_cRllCH9rxPJ6ZrxNyJYeg/s320/flooring19.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oak Vinyl Floor Cover</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
I applied this flooring to the Aster Cottage Dollhouse. It is best to first paint your dollhouse floors with a similar color as your floor coverings. This will hide any areas around your flooring cuts and between your floor planks.<br />
<br />
Though it is a peel and stick floor, you should always use tacky glue to adhere each plank regardless, for a long lasting hold.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLhQTQgpnUoQr1DrqJrp5IveOB38rYEVeecGnmO-BplP7bHBFW4dDUjI2PX1rnDmqdrIySKuO1R8goGzSCUfGd5o5zVx8LJ5FiwEm304NTK2QISbXCMtwD0kLTOUhKb1_IU7GL_AG6hS4/s1600/flooring20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="452" data-original-width="600" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLhQTQgpnUoQr1DrqJrp5IveOB38rYEVeecGnmO-BplP7bHBFW4dDUjI2PX1rnDmqdrIySKuO1R8goGzSCUfGd5o5zVx8LJ5FiwEm304NTK2QISbXCMtwD0kLTOUhKb1_IU7GL_AG6hS4/s320/flooring20.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6KaXfC9JT9QWp7NEQOmmwruA7oGeDN_ssRpqKYwMNJZcUcwn9JaBWUTNCFK6LY66xVBZiNbe7L0Den4oKNYGlNp7_s9PZnhJEFezsLulwXXrmn4DAyyJ-mH3o4FSehZt6F33Anha8k4g/s1600/flooring21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="452" data-original-width="600" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6KaXfC9JT9QWp7NEQOmmwruA7oGeDN_ssRpqKYwMNJZcUcwn9JaBWUTNCFK6LY66xVBZiNbe7L0Den4oKNYGlNp7_s9PZnhJEFezsLulwXXrmn4DAyyJ-mH3o4FSehZt6F33Anha8k4g/s320/flooring21.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
You should stagger your plank joints around your floor for realism. Butt your planks as close as you can to each other and start from the back of the dollhouse (closest to you), working your way to the front wall (farthest from you). You can also use these flooring strips as matching baseboards for your floor.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8NcdqcyHdCNCZE8wGIo9qIwcZrBDfTIitlKq47F7_v0lPlctQf4VKGPC0yxPyRqKOvzaEh39ZSTcDP_x3tdZ7n3Y0-SSr5KUUOGhCRLzYdKh0ckFioem2GiwhlkVLkURjZ9AajyRLG9I/s1600/flooring22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="452" data-original-width="600" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8NcdqcyHdCNCZE8wGIo9qIwcZrBDfTIitlKq47F7_v0lPlctQf4VKGPC0yxPyRqKOvzaEh39ZSTcDP_x3tdZ7n3Y0-SSr5KUUOGhCRLzYdKh0ckFioem2GiwhlkVLkURjZ9AajyRLG9I/s320/flooring22.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
As you can see, this flooring has a beautiful and realistic finish. This flooring does not require a sealant. <br />
<br />
If you have sticky areas on the surface of your flooring, you can remove them using Goo Gone and follow their instructions. Goo Gone will not harm this vinyl flooring but be careful to not touch your wallpaper or surrounding trim with it. Use a cotton ball for a more precise application and use sparingly as not much is needed to remove the adhesive residue on the floors surface. You can also rub the residue off, using an eraser.<br />
<br />
You do not have to settle with just a plain wooden floorboards look. You can use miniature wooden flooring in a variety of ways. You can learn how to create your own wooden floor designs by following this <a href="https://mitchymoominiatures.blogspot.com/2011/09/most-boring-jigsaw-ever.html?fbclid=IwAR3yxl_sXFDGvCDvusu9pgqLXw9uWNNSHJIMI6ekSh5meg6zMKo8X1b8bwc">parquet flooring tutorial</a>. Once you have mastered how to create parquet, you can use the same technique to create any design with wooden flooring or strip wood. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://freepatternsonline.com/quiltpatterns2.htm?fbclid=IwAR1I6Cmj4hAMg-vrATtJ_zSx57iHmJe-tk8s_GbCMHmiiRSEgjL0eol5Hj4">Quilt patterns</a> make great templates for designing wood flooring and/or to create your own floor medallions. <a href="https://www.mosaicheaven.com/patterns-page/">Mosaic patterns</a> and <a href="https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/stone-pattern">stone templates</a>, also make great guides for customizing floors. <br />
<br />
<b><u>Carpet and Fabric Floors</u></b><br />
<br />
Carpeting comes in a variety of textures and color but regardless of the style, it is always more difficult to apply than other flooring choices. Miniature carpet is expensive and easily damaged if cut wrong. You only get one chance to cut it right because most miniature carpeting comes in one sheet per package and are only large enough for one room.<br />
<br />
You must make a paper template of your room’s floor, to use as a cutting guide for your carpet. Then place the paper template face down on the back side of your carpet sheet and use a fabric pencil to trace it onto your carpet. Then cut the shape out with sharp scissors. Carpet does not patch well, so make sure you cut a piece large enough to fit your entire floor. <br />
<br />
Depending on the backing of your carpet choice, you can adhere it to your floors, with double sided carpet tape, spray adhesive or a thin and even coat of tacky glue. Be careful you do not use too much glue. If glue bleeds through your carpet or causes a colorfast reaction, it will be ruined permanently.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAuKbCO3RkEGaUcT_Un-A7b7p6P4tuA6FTK2nr2eFpFNdy337qZ_5dKOhQhb2J44SnhX8rkHqpOv3ahgzeC6P8sY1U3eyTmrGBOu3eQES_b_iODCbAHYTu9PRwuQ2H4JuZ5FxKI3pedR0/s1600/flooring23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="572" data-original-width="760" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAuKbCO3RkEGaUcT_Un-A7b7p6P4tuA6FTK2nr2eFpFNdy337qZ_5dKOhQhb2J44SnhX8rkHqpOv3ahgzeC6P8sY1U3eyTmrGBOu3eQES_b_iODCbAHYTu9PRwuQ2H4JuZ5FxKI3pedR0/s320/flooring23.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
You do not have to use miniature carpet on your floors to have carpet. There are many economical fabrics available, at fabric or craft stores that will give you the look of carpet. You must make a template of your room to trace onto your fabric, just like you would with carpet.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRJiK_AoBM-Z0LmfLatyizK2BQNJw8ceB-TeaidkN5gqf059LyzhnfuBRtMhGtcgSJ7Cfv8blLKGu6y6KE0AiIL2NYtd-WkxpjX_owFr4OdU1rD0XS_lM3_DmVp2ajRF3jE62purs3XAo/s1600/flooring24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="376" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRJiK_AoBM-Z0LmfLatyizK2BQNJw8ceB-TeaidkN5gqf059LyzhnfuBRtMhGtcgSJ7Cfv8blLKGu6y6KE0AiIL2NYtd-WkxpjX_owFr4OdU1rD0XS_lM3_DmVp2ajRF3jE62purs3XAo/s320/flooring24.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><br />
As with carpet, color fastness will have to be determined before fabric can be applied with a spray adhesive, double sided carpet tape or thin and evenly spread tacky glue. Always test a small piece of fabric to check its color fastness. It is best to glue this small test piece of fabric to a wood scrap and let it dry overnight. You want to make sure that there isn't a delay in the fabric reaction to adhesive. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFcfyqPdJ7rqe0zavHx_LI4p7K7BnY-zAeLEHlumzfQ_q8JcmgN6R3XEsHazsYhpcMR9aIOLMKaooj7N9aRk7e_2jvAv3_IZq-vKg0ZOMXh_yJvilqqN5sapDYt-f2b2J4kjiZeudy-h4/s1600/flooring25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="697" data-original-width="525" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFcfyqPdJ7rqe0zavHx_LI4p7K7BnY-zAeLEHlumzfQ_q8JcmgN6R3XEsHazsYhpcMR9aIOLMKaooj7N9aRk7e_2jvAv3_IZq-vKg0ZOMXh_yJvilqqN5sapDYt-f2b2J4kjiZeudy-h4/s320/flooring25.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><br />
Choosing your own fabric can allow you to make matching runners or carpet for your staircases as well.<br />
<br />
You do not have to worry about frays in carpet or fabric because baseboards will cover the edges. For the back floor edge, run a little bit of tacky glue or fabric glue, along the fabrics cut edge, to prevent fraying.<br />
<br />
Remember that you can find many products at the craft store than can be used for dollhouse carpeting. Peel and stick felt and fabric textured scrapbook paper, are some other popular choices.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Tile Floors</u></b><br />
<br />
Individual tiles are likely to achieve the realism you may be seeking for your dollhouse. They also give you the freedom to create your own patterns like mosaics or murals.<br />
<br />
Tiles come in solids or patterns and can be made of ceramic, vinyl, plastic or wood.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUsYZpoI-PCpEmV2_mVC0Dah2rWiMD0o0nZAPGYI5wWqzPvoC5aokR8GAf7eLe24rvTie6GkFHMzEX5FQHjUnK51Oha5hIgr7LdQQ2eHgERPN-pgQTl4DKwokh3e2BJIhJaBtLQH75E6s/s1600/flooring26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="81" data-original-width="79" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUsYZpoI-PCpEmV2_mVC0Dah2rWiMD0o0nZAPGYI5wWqzPvoC5aokR8GAf7eLe24rvTie6GkFHMzEX5FQHjUnK51Oha5hIgr7LdQQ2eHgERPN-pgQTl4DKwokh3e2BJIhJaBtLQH75E6s/s320/flooring26.jpg" width="312" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ceramic Tile</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Ceramic tiles can be adhered to your floors using tacky glue.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjghNtqBERVd7vG5RAswj9d6ivbrnSoWpiLxOtLDyRoFkPjq3RtJH3Nz9N9V8OCvZeGh6t0Hr-GmL1aDPeKh5NIoAs4PlMB-_jJtOYdxMF3XcMu8oFINSgq1GZBfuFSTXKRToQ3divqsXQ/s1600/flooring27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="149" data-original-width="149" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjghNtqBERVd7vG5RAswj9d6ivbrnSoWpiLxOtLDyRoFkPjq3RtJH3Nz9N9V8OCvZeGh6t0Hr-GmL1aDPeKh5NIoAs4PlMB-_jJtOYdxMF3XcMu8oFINSgq1GZBfuFSTXKRToQ3divqsXQ/s320/flooring27.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peel And Stick Vinyl Tile</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSYvcrbUGF2p77RAyRfYTuaKBH80gFlpyv8ttvERSg5QqHARjzTCTvS0-L_i03fCUv-xsbyTYZyOyr7-iTZJ9ZI_X4c1UlXoBsXnWcj3RIFwHPnoX0MqJgi-BsU0kGkgGikc2rEq7gfNg/s1600/flooring28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="155" data-original-width="117" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSYvcrbUGF2p77RAyRfYTuaKBH80gFlpyv8ttvERSg5QqHARjzTCTvS0-L_i03fCUv-xsbyTYZyOyr7-iTZJ9ZI_X4c1UlXoBsXnWcj3RIFwHPnoX0MqJgi-BsU0kGkgGikc2rEq7gfNg/s320/flooring28.jpg" width="242" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peel And Stick Flat Plastic Tile</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7jupmQ8SvS3zINajwKrAKQIBRqAMWlm7-_he9VV1cjYIQh6BlgiXZ6V1AsW4M56HvgBSiXMDDpfauh8DqoBHMbovx22sRx7O22anjbdxQauEXVxEcsltQdK9qu0_tYi0GKyKgbrny0Gg/s1600/flooring30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="160" data-original-width="160" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7jupmQ8SvS3zINajwKrAKQIBRqAMWlm7-_he9VV1cjYIQh6BlgiXZ6V1AsW4M56HvgBSiXMDDpfauh8DqoBHMbovx22sRx7O22anjbdxQauEXVxEcsltQdK9qu0_tYi0GKyKgbrny0Gg/s320/flooring30.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peel And Stick Glass Look Plastic Tile</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Vinyl and plastic tiles usually come on a paper backing so you can peel and stick them. Regardless of this, you should always use tacky glue to adhere them for longevity. Plastic peel and stick tiles usually look like real "glass" tiles and are great for backsplashes, bathrooms or to add other architectural details to your dollhouse.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilC5cJUAGdtalOD2G2OBKWaDSi5evUdSR3sg4NiL1r2bYZcaVQWalk0vheXTc0SUJ9GP6UJcQHsTCDY4khxPU8jPTEq1SCOJKgEB5GlbqdX22deeivSXixpk-dDLLQhjonvj0pHVhQUtU/s1600/flooring29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="149" data-original-width="149" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilC5cJUAGdtalOD2G2OBKWaDSi5evUdSR3sg4NiL1r2bYZcaVQWalk0vheXTc0SUJ9GP6UJcQHsTCDY4khxPU8jPTEq1SCOJKgEB5GlbqdX22deeivSXixpk-dDLLQhjonvj0pHVhQUtU/s320/flooring29.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wood Tile</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Wood tiles are very versatile and can be stained or painted to match any decor. These tiles are made of thin, real wood veneer. The variation of grains and hues between each, allow you to leave the tile natural, with just a sealant, for a beautiful effect. These wood tiles are exclusively made and sold by <a href="https://shop.greenleafdollhouses.com/miniature-scale-floor-tiles-wood/">Greenleaf Dollhouses</a>.<br />
<br />
I used them to make terra-cotta "tile" floors on the Spanish style Loganberry Dollhouse and a rustic handmade ceramic "tile" look for the Mediterranean inspired Haunted House Dollhouse.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioNpTeleQHV01FTAEtxyyuKXrZtFm9AtljlP5QmllPKtKswbuMf2Pqndk5pIpzfsaG1jo9PGwFJiT-EJpIbE35MJup2uYvgHYTfItwljBRL-MdhNjrr4d4_veOZjHP2ETP_OC0PQQoJn0/s1600/flooring31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="597" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioNpTeleQHV01FTAEtxyyuKXrZtFm9AtljlP5QmllPKtKswbuMf2Pqndk5pIpzfsaG1jo9PGwFJiT-EJpIbE35MJup2uYvgHYTfItwljBRL-MdhNjrr4d4_veOZjHP2ETP_OC0PQQoJn0/s320/flooring31.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrGfdX0mUK-rRmZYW-SmkNkeuz7IY67XZu8NNBf3yY1zonPvjGaSW2V8ZHV3H73wkG0xItwZ2UjmU84Ym-EqbxMwiB7kh56LMVGZjnp6BBap7hpLaPgISRXwdyPNMA2A95yjDrs7gc5tE/s1600/flooring32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="570" data-original-width="757" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrGfdX0mUK-rRmZYW-SmkNkeuz7IY67XZu8NNBf3yY1zonPvjGaSW2V8ZHV3H73wkG0xItwZ2UjmU84Ym-EqbxMwiB7kh56LMVGZjnp6BBap7hpLaPgISRXwdyPNMA2A95yjDrs7gc5tE/s320/flooring32.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Always sand your wood tiles after application, so they lay as flat on the floor as possible. The best glue for wood tiles is hot melt glue. It will not warp your tiles and your pattern will not shift while drying.<br />
<br />
You can also make paper templates of your floors and apply these wooden tiles to them, in order to create mosaic wood designs. <br />
<br />
<b>Application</b><br />
<br />
The most common way of applying tiles, regardless of what material they are, is by using a <a _blank="" href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=1HLQa30u-HDcq_21VI2DAJ1MyzIm8RKMO">Standard Flooring Guide</a>. This flooring guide is courtesy of Greenleaf Dollhouses and even though it was made for their peel and stick vinyl floors, you can use this guide for any type of tile flooring.<br />
<br />
<b>Grout</b><br />
<br />
You can use lightweight spackling compound as "grout" for any type of tile. Lightweight spackling compound can be mixed with craft paint to make it any color "grout" you want, just be careful when using a painted mix with wooden tiles as you can end up staining them by accident. You should seal wooden tiles first before applying painted grout.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Plastic Flooring Sheets</u></b><br />
<br />
Many styles of flooring will come in polystyrene plastic sheets. These sheets can resemble brick, stone and many different patterns of tile. Some sheets even come clear, so you can paint them yourself, in any color you wish, on the underside. When you flip the sheet over, you have perfectly painted, shiny tiles.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvcqk7d3LRq3Da1XPW9JH56kuzLc9mdskvuVMOeC2DmpdEK_czlzn2TJI_O6ydY7nHNjDCLY0fz5gZdkdXir_6QaAggAcufD3IADZYd_flRCHzaV80DER20vGepVt9P5psVUKUr2ioZM0/s1600/flooring33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="160" data-original-width="160" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvcqk7d3LRq3Da1XPW9JH56kuzLc9mdskvuVMOeC2DmpdEK_czlzn2TJI_O6ydY7nHNjDCLY0fz5gZdkdXir_6QaAggAcufD3IADZYd_flRCHzaV80DER20vGepVt9P5psVUKUr2ioZM0/s320/flooring33.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stone Pattern Plastic Flooring Sheet</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis1OnCQz7jxynAjSb7t7DF_tjShr94SnueST6ZQaDemsg2kCs_azQUqk-K9h5UeFSU-PkPWxgats2Q9e-plRgekQVg-4N1cVz2748cplgf3-b8Fqtqc_JqHgwLEInQxg4vf031iUdAUrs/s1600/flooring34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="160" data-original-width="160" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis1OnCQz7jxynAjSb7t7DF_tjShr94SnueST6ZQaDemsg2kCs_azQUqk-K9h5UeFSU-PkPWxgats2Q9e-plRgekQVg-4N1cVz2748cplgf3-b8Fqtqc_JqHgwLEInQxg4vf031iUdAUrs/s320/flooring34.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Octagon Tile Pattern Plastic Flooring Sheet</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Q_Kkfi5v1wYfC0j6n6SUSRr5cN9hvMy0qqdrewXf2qJtCTijyV9JzDKvS4n0jycUAENGwwMYaqVRSJr-xtGNaNJ24uW798g_IOFofmmjg8dXz4rqtB_dasxreTNawWOinGhYyrsX_V4/s1600/flooring35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="160" data-original-width="160" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Q_Kkfi5v1wYfC0j6n6SUSRr5cN9hvMy0qqdrewXf2qJtCTijyV9JzDKvS4n0jycUAENGwwMYaqVRSJr-xtGNaNJ24uW798g_IOFofmmjg8dXz4rqtB_dasxreTNawWOinGhYyrsX_V4/s320/flooring35.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Square Tile Pattern Plastic Flooring Sheet</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3vDE0NabqfAZ_jmFwZKXyw5Y5WOyGVajQxat1C8-5mKxdfdRYHcr3H4baO6QdB3vkDk70b516tGQcRnx6l9SD7fakr-xPM49v4vRJH2bIdefKAEytHnNh1pB07zMMCpq-NyAGfK1AIZE/s1600/flooring36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="160" data-original-width="160" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3vDE0NabqfAZ_jmFwZKXyw5Y5WOyGVajQxat1C8-5mKxdfdRYHcr3H4baO6QdB3vkDk70b516tGQcRnx6l9SD7fakr-xPM49v4vRJH2bIdefKAEytHnNh1pB07zMMCpq-NyAGfK1AIZE/s320/flooring36.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clear Tile Pattern Plastic Flooring Sheet</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
These plastic flooring sheets are inexpensive and easy to install. They eliminate the hassles of positioning tiny individual tiles. The sheets are easily cut with scissors.<br />
<br />
<b>Application</b><br />
<br />
The best way to apply these sheets is to first sand your floors and make sure that they are smooth. Bumps or small hard areas on your floors caused by glue or paint drips, will show through your plastic sheet. They are also easily damaged if something pokes them. You want the sheet to lay on your floors completely flat with nothing bulging anywhere.<br />
<br />
After your floors are smooth, paint them in a neutral, light color. This will prevent dark, raw wood, areas from showing through your floor sheet. Though the sheets are plastic, they are quite thin and unevenness in your floor color will show through. Even if your tile sheet is a dark color, you should always use a neutral light base because chances are that your grout lines will be white and you won't want to darken them by placing the flooring over a dark floor.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiZmJ_8K_6n4ZExgPToqoZEQWVTdBBs7qWi5jcGxqcauSEAnmpyaodj-oZzuMOlEvFUxVXB6BGSuVhdNTMtP-kd3DR0qd7BZmVzH5R1u3R7kwke076OnbD0RCSGp0TPIUcUx77I7OkDF4/s1600/flooring37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="570" data-original-width="757" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiZmJ_8K_6n4ZExgPToqoZEQWVTdBBs7qWi5jcGxqcauSEAnmpyaodj-oZzuMOlEvFUxVXB6BGSuVhdNTMtP-kd3DR0qd7BZmVzH5R1u3R7kwke076OnbD0RCSGp0TPIUcUx77I7OkDF4/s320/flooring37.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
After your floor has been prepared, make a paper template of it and then transfer it onto your plastic sheet. This will help ensure that your sheet is nice and even throughout your room.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOB89l0zwjQO3udnJRxflPqphlrR93c3CvOFOsUhBIa7l5SqG7-Dmoi1xXaRJ9KWqtuo3n6aja7IEFRAqMms2HvVz_yIx4tJyBdLGYYKkQzhtEAlwskAO7GJfSMk5_DdcWzJaVRBI0Y5g/s1600/flooring38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="570" data-original-width="757" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOB89l0zwjQO3udnJRxflPqphlrR93c3CvOFOsUhBIa7l5SqG7-Dmoi1xXaRJ9KWqtuo3n6aja7IEFRAqMms2HvVz_yIx4tJyBdLGYYKkQzhtEAlwskAO7GJfSMk5_DdcWzJaVRBI0Y5g/s320/flooring38.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFy6bJ5IzHq8iJYRxdmbKTLRLLaHnl349vqH3vFSCh8WLY-YDwkH9JIPrGRoUobjjOR0rgzXjwNkdLcooHvWg5c08_aU09jhJ_eiumFWNRnQdvagyp5mQ9-fi8dyWlbVEJslj-lR7TEuc/s1600/flooring39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="570" data-original-width="757" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFy6bJ5IzHq8iJYRxdmbKTLRLLaHnl349vqH3vFSCh8WLY-YDwkH9JIPrGRoUobjjOR0rgzXjwNkdLcooHvWg5c08_aU09jhJ_eiumFWNRnQdvagyp5mQ9-fi8dyWlbVEJslj-lR7TEuc/s320/flooring39.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
You can adhere these sheets with double sided carpet tape or tacky glue. No sealant is required for this flooring. It already brings all of the shine it needs.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFpTRfBoCk_JMOEa4BUnojY5_mcqMLT24e0XZX4GPOHiaNsP1LWlMnzeF_PxkWlIzeQAs1umdkGBFnQl_uAPWd37gzA5B_Z00S61QxBRAbYVieeVkro2k61UY0NBOXlqM_wz4_9VQjbfQ/s1600/flooring40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="570" data-original-width="757" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFpTRfBoCk_JMOEa4BUnojY5_mcqMLT24e0XZX4GPOHiaNsP1LWlMnzeF_PxkWlIzeQAs1umdkGBFnQl_uAPWd37gzA5B_Z00S61QxBRAbYVieeVkro2k61UY0NBOXlqM_wz4_9VQjbfQ/s320/flooring40.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhapSur6iPkhkBuUYIprfinMN5-URnTnuhl2V_h9LlSvCtM3k6l6Rgx-fxdPC2VPailqp39cO6BLz0tiWGeLDPDK3f7sipTgILyX1v7vuB7S7nz7mqACf-23f53YiE8GLlofy83FXbMz_c/s1600/flooring41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="570" data-original-width="429" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhapSur6iPkhkBuUYIprfinMN5-URnTnuhl2V_h9LlSvCtM3k6l6Rgx-fxdPC2VPailqp39cO6BLz0tiWGeLDPDK3f7sipTgILyX1v7vuB7S7nz7mqACf-23f53YiE8GLlofy83FXbMz_c/s320/flooring41.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><br />
You do not want to patch this flooring as it will not patch well, so always cut a piece large enough to fit your entire dollhouse room.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Paper Flooring</u></b><br />
<br />
Paper has to be just about the most versatile and inexpensive flooring method available for dollhouses. Flooring paper can come printed to look like wood, tile and stone and in just about any design you can think of. They can even be recreations of real historical patterns. It comes in multiple scales to match your size dollhouse.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBtAmZ8LAwuxUgrFo8j28zI036Fe62UpHpHagABNLz1JvAOgY7NpKVYl5JNJ4IqGF67QskvbAb2xJ_15Fcy0DBhnXU7IY9ltZqaIBJMd63y7rJ-o-14IjQ3eQAgDI8obuhHeJjN_1cxX4/s1600/flooring42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="160" data-original-width="160" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBtAmZ8LAwuxUgrFo8j28zI036Fe62UpHpHagABNLz1JvAOgY7NpKVYl5JNJ4IqGF67QskvbAb2xJ_15Fcy0DBhnXU7IY9ltZqaIBJMd63y7rJ-o-14IjQ3eQAgDI8obuhHeJjN_1cxX4/s320/flooring42.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Victorian Tile Printed Paper Flooring Sheet</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifjlI1MV78WU2Zc19kiZwWodKdI6rnvHuy5QKCn-9fRaz1U5wlvJPZbl-MlEw1EYYKJYGe4EGu4r_o6UA8MmekG8hdMUdFNWJ3DgYU9OxqUllDQIxA-EwNQPBGCtIp9jVBEM_dDmptyc4/s1600/flooring43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="160" data-original-width="160" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifjlI1MV78WU2Zc19kiZwWodKdI6rnvHuy5QKCn-9fRaz1U5wlvJPZbl-MlEw1EYYKJYGe4EGu4r_o6UA8MmekG8hdMUdFNWJ3DgYU9OxqUllDQIxA-EwNQPBGCtIp9jVBEM_dDmptyc4/s320/flooring43.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Herringbone Printed Paper Flooring Sheet</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju0ct1s59eTVpNm4gaqUoo6HlAy7vJtNgin8hJxRkw8_vkXujwNVRp1XiQ8Knwm36j7THRThJwfHCjld7qYyi4q8NtbsNkQJDQvgunUCpAilX9efYxZIv6SqO_5g8A0QsIt-Pv7_P7yDo/s1600/flooring44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="160" data-original-width="160" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju0ct1s59eTVpNm4gaqUoo6HlAy7vJtNgin8hJxRkw8_vkXujwNVRp1XiQ8Knwm36j7THRThJwfHCjld7qYyi4q8NtbsNkQJDQvgunUCpAilX9efYxZIv6SqO_5g8A0QsIt-Pv7_P7yDo/s320/flooring44.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marble Tile Printed Paper Flooring Sheet</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilPftNQTAm-CkiXa27Btxud-fdkZpjzdM_k9lSFIjSsOeE9D8DQTWwTnOjirr5AsOudpVQdZWkAEwwvCk_pvlgPWu_sYwUuFPLkG70wcX4lAL17VfU5veU6IQq13L1AsuTLyo8YySI1lQ/s1600/flooring45.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="160" data-original-width="160" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilPftNQTAm-CkiXa27Btxud-fdkZpjzdM_k9lSFIjSsOeE9D8DQTWwTnOjirr5AsOudpVQdZWkAEwwvCk_pvlgPWu_sYwUuFPLkG70wcX4lAL17VfU5veU6IQq13L1AsuTLyo8YySI1lQ/s320/flooring45.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Parquet Printed Paper Flooring Sheet</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
You can buy miniature flooring paper from your miniatures dealer but you can also print them or even buy real life scale wallpaper or contact shelf paper, in the right pattern.<br />
<br />
Flooring paper can be patched as easily as wallpaper. Just make sure that the overlapped seam is facing away from you so that it is invisible. You also do not need to make paper templates of your floors in order to install paper flooring. You can simply use the paper flooring itself and crease it along walls to make the template. Always paint your floors first with a light, neutral color for evenness and to enhance the flooring paper's hues.<br />
<br />
Flooring paper from your miniatures dealer is usually a high quality, thick grade paper. The patterns have been printed to be in perfect scale to use with miniatures. It can be applied with a spray adhesive or thinly spread tacky glue. You can also use wallpaper adhesive but I find that the thinner the adhesive layer the better and wallpaper paste, tends to be thick.<br />
<br />
You have to be careful with the amount of glue and how you spread it on the floor. Blobs can wrinkle the paper or even cause tears from excessive moisture. Glue should be spread thinly and evenly, with a foam brush, on the entire floor, before applying your paper. Stay away from quick grabbing glues, like those used for scrapbooking, because you want to be able to have enough time to move your paper around, after it's been laid down, for a precise fit.<br />
<br />
Depending on how thick the paper is, you might see a little buckling and bubbling but just as is true with wallpaper, it will flatten out as the glue dries.<br />
<br />
Be sure you determine how colorfast your paper is. Most miniature flooring paper, from your miniatures dealer, is colorfast and good quality but others may not be. The moisture in glue could change the color hue of your paper if it is not colorfast.<br />
<br />
<b>Computer Printed Paper Flooring</b><br />
<br />
Flooring printed from your home printer is most susceptible to ink loss, streaking and not being colorfast. You also will lose details in your flooring, like wood grain effects or tiny flowers on tile. Bottom line is that if it's printed from your home printer, you will not get a nice crisp, professional print. <br />
<br />
It is also not as cost effective as you might think, considering that it takes a lot of ink to produce a high quality print out and printer ink can be expensive. I printed a large size flooring design for the Vineyard Cottage Dollhouse from my printer. The one and a half floors worth of paper caused me to run out of color ink.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqxT80ARsAQfZt1v5wq_lHVttY68Xj8Ad5WM_j6NkdZCKjBOamkKWvDF5e6RakDT3CufnKfGkAyz3OC3VFGE0hojdIgeLA2h6WUbEikR0l8Wty_zAzBtvN3d0MBynH8RcvfNeKDbTjlE4/s1600/flooring46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="570" data-original-width="757" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqxT80ARsAQfZt1v5wq_lHVttY68Xj8Ad5WM_j6NkdZCKjBOamkKWvDF5e6RakDT3CufnKfGkAyz3OC3VFGE0hojdIgeLA2h6WUbEikR0l8Wty_zAzBtvN3d0MBynH8RcvfNeKDbTjlE4/s320/flooring46.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
If you do find a beautiful design online that you just have to have as your flooring, take it, in PDF format, to your local office supply store and have them print it out for you. You will get a high grade paper and sharp image from their printer, at just pennies per sheet.<br />
<br />
<b>Life Size Paper Flooring</b><br />
<br />
Contact Paper or real life scale wallpaper, in a semi-solid pattern can be used to create a marble effect on your floors. Contact Paper or shelf liner paper is a peel and stick paper, so you will have to make paper templates of your room and transfer them onto the Contact Paper. Even though it's peel and stick, I still suggest spreading tacky glue on your floor for a stronger, more lasting bond. Contact Paper can be quite thin, it is not as thick as it use to be, so you have to be sure your floor is nice and smooth or you will see rough parts on the surface. I used a marble look Contact Paper for the Gloucester Dollhouse.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglrQp9JnCpU9HdEEXYLTJN9cmQhu_zaOM_UBlVtQ6GMeN39-dcOvCno3H9h5Xg_kopx3EBVVdthDnXiwZrBpbTaK_Q8Z_m5YzOhCx70twWOksTONZmUAaidz_1rH7X_hR3Tt7Uzjwgsak/s1600/flooring47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="376" data-original-width="500" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglrQp9JnCpU9HdEEXYLTJN9cmQhu_zaOM_UBlVtQ6GMeN39-dcOvCno3H9h5Xg_kopx3EBVVdthDnXiwZrBpbTaK_Q8Z_m5YzOhCx70twWOksTONZmUAaidz_1rH7X_hR3Tt7Uzjwgsak/s320/flooring47.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Sometimes, depending on the look you’re trying to get, it might be easier to apply the flooring paper before the dollhouse assembly. This is especially true for smaller scale dollhouses that have very limited visibility and accessibility once assembled. Flooring paper is thin enough to not interfere with the assembly of the dollhouse. I had to apply the paper, tile flooring to the Fairfield Dollhouse, before assembly.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCsab3ke8O1wilGmN18aQOQ3469kI9yGQl5W316swruOu17rAd2WBM1DpEoLyAuq_fVWjs-y5rYuAQzGycF9-gnLsa4KhvqO83e__5ENktW2zZ1nCbdibihjmKHTPvahydCcvsl5nS-5M/s1600/flooring48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="572" data-original-width="760" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCsab3ke8O1wilGmN18aQOQ3469kI9yGQl5W316swruOu17rAd2WBM1DpEoLyAuq_fVWjs-y5rYuAQzGycF9-gnLsa4KhvqO83e__5ENktW2zZ1nCbdibihjmKHTPvahydCcvsl5nS-5M/s320/flooring48.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<b>Sealing</b><br />
<br />
Always seal your paper flooring after it's dry. My favorite sealant is Acrylic Gloss Varnish but you can also use a satin or matte finish varnish, depending on the look you're trying to achieve.<br />
<br />
Test your sealant in a small area first, preferably a scrap of paper that's away from your dollhouse. You want to see how colorfast the paper is. A sealant on a non-colorfast paper can actually streak and/or lift the ink from the paper. It can also cause a change in hue color. Never brush varnish on, too long, in one area. You want to move along the paper quickly, to prevent tearing the paper with the moisture of the varnish.<br />
<br />
Never sand between varnish coats when applied to paper flooring because you can accidentally sand off some of your paper. Use a paper bag instead, to rub the dry varnish with and then apply the second coat.<br />
<br />
You can spray seal your flooring paper before application but make sure you only seal the printed side, as the paper will not adhere if you accidentally seal the glue side. <br />
<br />
<b><u>Painted Floors</u></b><br />
<br />
Many people completely dismiss painted floors but there is a lot that can be done with paint or pencil.<br />
<br />
You can make your own tile flooring using masking tape and paint. Paint your entire floor in one of the colors you would like to use. Then draw a grid on your floor with pencil and use masking tape to cover the grid lines you don't want to paint over. Once the paint is dry, you remove the masking tape and you are left with a checkerboard tile pattern on your floor. Apply Gloss Varnish over it for a shiny look.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY65ifXaxgjXMr8mvyIwEn9yaCW2tEJYwaRJ8ZGcMKDZFUnIagaPayDGZs0s73AB0OxYaHadUxWdfHY_6D4lB_NWhJjpOgXEI3QQTGwukyUK8w8iS0UnP2yg4orZruJYaR4Eg3LF3dFs8/s1600/flooring49.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="570" data-original-width="757" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY65ifXaxgjXMr8mvyIwEn9yaCW2tEJYwaRJ8ZGcMKDZFUnIagaPayDGZs0s73AB0OxYaHadUxWdfHY_6D4lB_NWhJjpOgXEI3QQTGwukyUK8w8iS0UnP2yg4orZruJYaR4Eg3LF3dFs8/s320/flooring49.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjRnSq1ByizWqTEXUmjTwpmUXpa3mN3MVnt6dE7tH3wCbMIYrkz27Rd5iYSeYOtGJhxTEwPeDX7wtM-vZtHDIGHx5A8uc4pYTXANU8Yw2p0cDBenGl00JV30u413L5XT6GCyMAiHUGRho/s1600/flooring50.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="570" data-original-width="757" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjRnSq1ByizWqTEXUmjTwpmUXpa3mN3MVnt6dE7tH3wCbMIYrkz27Rd5iYSeYOtGJhxTEwPeDX7wtM-vZtHDIGHx5A8uc4pYTXANU8Yw2p0cDBenGl00JV30u413L5XT6GCyMAiHUGRho/s320/flooring50.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
With paint, you can create a faux marble or stone look.<br />
<br />
You can also stain your floors and then draw plank boards with a pencil. An Emory Board Fingernail File is the perfect template for the plank widths. You can even use a sharp utility knife to score the planks in, for added texture. Stagger your board joints for realism.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXZYuzIZjxKTlDQQufyd-q0ycKQ0k66Wl8jyhJKZsaeeIFWvFQRzFqstJ4P9x_F8oABWOUyOxobE5f83DcK1JJOmYRcx4nJFLDkAT8mxcFXFC6GpjSK2qi1hcuO6VnHFww7eRTQzf5TXg/s1600/flooring51.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="572" data-original-width="760" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXZYuzIZjxKTlDQQufyd-q0ycKQ0k66Wl8jyhJKZsaeeIFWvFQRzFqstJ4P9x_F8oABWOUyOxobE5f83DcK1JJOmYRcx4nJFLDkAT8mxcFXFC6GpjSK2qi1hcuO6VnHFww7eRTQzf5TXg/s320/flooring51.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsZ68DS0f678Krayl0VFQRzuRd8GVhVUOaLDqxl-V0-tHglC7sIbd5mB1fKvXVkm3Y5OhyphenhyphenTI_E_qjNdIaJ_KAqfMIQSmWiqF485SfWiT8oRnz0SUlQmPl8maiS9QFRobNBtHDhdUQOJXY/s1600/flooring52.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="527" data-original-width="700" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsZ68DS0f678Krayl0VFQRzuRd8GVhVUOaLDqxl-V0-tHglC7sIbd5mB1fKvXVkm3Y5OhyphenhyphenTI_E_qjNdIaJ_KAqfMIQSmWiqF485SfWiT8oRnz0SUlQmPl8maiS9QFRobNBtHDhdUQOJXY/s320/flooring52.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Painting should be done before the dollhouse is assembled for easier access to the entire floor.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Stone Veneers and Brick Floors</u></b><br />
<br />
Stone veneer is made with high density casting plaster. They can be cut with a craft knife and adhered with mortar mix. They come in a variety of styles and give a very realistic look. They are perfect for porches and driveways.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkXDqg_LlVWAep9E6OY925v6WExEVIwpl0mJaXuKYyhXvIPgLxxJobUMsM5sCn2PP6Ri8keDHF06Owr0ovewUOkbnEnqSwu1-tIEbO0BJRt7R4Hm4CywIHB99poGfWA1bsmpDtwj5D11g/s1600/flooring53.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="160" data-original-width="160" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkXDqg_LlVWAep9E6OY925v6WExEVIwpl0mJaXuKYyhXvIPgLxxJobUMsM5sCn2PP6Ri8keDHF06Owr0ovewUOkbnEnqSwu1-tIEbO0BJRt7R4Hm4CywIHB99poGfWA1bsmpDtwj5D11g/s320/flooring53.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fieldstone Veneer</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQXCSMju-xsO-vi9p4QFlHcrbtW4Jej3lNbrWRpGb-X-uvNBJh9v44gtxmKBKP21pFGUOTwPa9f5cf5Ty0mAuXfLkW_HiGNFlvQcIWrOEZEaQvHyDWCN12NwlF8MVKu-px4NCRFCGlMhQ/s1600/flooring54.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="104" data-original-width="74" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQXCSMju-xsO-vi9p4QFlHcrbtW4Jej3lNbrWRpGb-X-uvNBJh9v44gtxmKBKP21pFGUOTwPa9f5cf5Ty0mAuXfLkW_HiGNFlvQcIWrOEZEaQvHyDWCN12NwlF8MVKu-px4NCRFCGlMhQ/s320/flooring54.jpg" width="228" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cut Stone Veneer</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMmLeDeki5A2HqEkGHxxWafProcbX0JWBhX-q8564PxZQha5v5CY1DikQ9T5SWYzhJYNLFXrRaDJER_DV6Laux3QHrLvxWH0Q81D62AB1ZdTuoO0MYVyyut_nOQPWc8T3y9xIEAJtdETg/s1600/flooring55.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="240" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMmLeDeki5A2HqEkGHxxWafProcbX0JWBhX-q8564PxZQha5v5CY1DikQ9T5SWYzhJYNLFXrRaDJER_DV6Laux3QHrLvxWH0Q81D62AB1ZdTuoO0MYVyyut_nOQPWc8T3y9xIEAJtdETg/s320/flooring55.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Miniature clay bricks are also adhered with mortar mix and made of real clay. They would make a perfect rustic kitchen floor. You can also use Dollhouse Stucco as mortar.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiiCT7QP0pLhLGr54ea9rm-zrNIIqtHb9T8uGP0l_h7-utwFpx68DOPKpeBxLusyBsX03ApBLRemARA4hyphenhyphen1pIvvtGLip-dZzOF9xfsuQyGX0_m0PRBabEv0KqfWSK3dodhS4AQFaOTyuc/s1600/flooring56.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="130" data-original-width="235" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiiCT7QP0pLhLGr54ea9rm-zrNIIqtHb9T8uGP0l_h7-utwFpx68DOPKpeBxLusyBsX03ApBLRemARA4hyphenhyphen1pIvvtGLip-dZzOF9xfsuQyGX0_m0PRBabEv0KqfWSK3dodhS4AQFaOTyuc/s320/flooring56.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
You can certainly seal your stones or bricks with varnish. I'd recommend a matte finish.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Stencils and Detailing for Floors</u></b><br />
<br />
You can use stencils to create details on your floors for visual interest. I used temporary tattoos to create a unique floor design on the Buttercup Cottage Dollhouse.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq6ZkZDsQh70St47_ph9Wp7S99N_kiLLjnVCBxdmZYhunlF4lyGhtkP51XrydSTDFilc0m4DSYScprHGqybxI9hx3zKa2crfOcKI4hqGqbJXEPjiQYHU7i0zgw1mGjryKCkGXt7kiXoUc/s1600/flooring57.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="570" data-original-width="757" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq6ZkZDsQh70St47_ph9Wp7S99N_kiLLjnVCBxdmZYhunlF4lyGhtkP51XrydSTDFilc0m4DSYScprHGqybxI9hx3zKa2crfOcKI4hqGqbJXEPjiQYHU7i0zgw1mGjryKCkGXt7kiXoUc/s320/flooring57.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Use Gloss Varnish over your stencil designs to seal them in place.<br />
<br />
You can print wood inlays from your computer and glue them to the middle of your floors for a nice focal point. I decided to do this for the Orchid Dollhouse.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh34zInytJqVHv22wLB_DaW8Tq3gqXLUhdyyyTd3KiSvMQ3TLMPVQ6xE9H3YV8_5GtfnuGmHSa8chAxb39UulJirX6R4LvelROhqoJm1u2eyVxY07S62-AONsD7OyuMIKrVgbMwoTuYGuc/s1600/flooring58.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="572" data-original-width="760" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh34zInytJqVHv22wLB_DaW8Tq3gqXLUhdyyyTd3KiSvMQ3TLMPVQ6xE9H3YV8_5GtfnuGmHSa8chAxb39UulJirX6R4LvelROhqoJm1u2eyVxY07S62-AONsD7OyuMIKrVgbMwoTuYGuc/s320/flooring58.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Stencils and printed decorations for flooring should be applied before dollhouse assembly. Make sure you're aware of how the walls will sit on your finished dollhouse, so you can position your decorations on the floor properly.<br />
<br />
<b>Keep In Mind</b><br />
<br />
You don't have to limit yourself with traditional flooring materials. You can certainly think outside of the box and create flooring using a variety of other methods.<br />
<br />
Craft sticks, skinny sticks and birch veneer siding can give you a variety of ways to finish your floor. Craft sticks and skinny sticks can be used as wood planks to create your own hardwood flooring. You can create your own wooden inlays using birch veneer siding, which is easy to cut into different shapes. Corkboard can be a unique flooring choice as well.<br />
<br />
Don't forget <a href="http://www.paperclay.com/">Creative Paperclay</a>. This modeling clay can be stamped with a variety of stone or brick finishes and adheres very well to wood. You can even use the backside of a polystyrene plastic sheet, in a stone or brick pattern, to stamp the clay with for perfectly scaled designs.Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15948614759421548317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-637361802464434024.post-38353824803949321952019-08-05T07:00:00.000-04:002019-08-24T09:02:34.795-04:00Dollhouse Roofing GuideShingling with birch veneer shingles or cedar shakes is the most common choice for finishing a dollhouse roof but there are other options available as well. They can be used instead of shingling or in combination with it.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Copper Roofs</u></b><br />
<br />
A very popular choice for finishing roofs is copper. Finding the materials to create copper roofing though, can be difficult. The roofing itself can be made from copper colored cardstock or poster board but these are hard to come by, especially in the sizes needed to cover an entire roof. There are rolls of real copper that can be used for miniatures but it can be expensive and difficult to work with. Lastly, the joint strips which many copper roofs have, are even more difficult to come by. They can be made with copper tape, found in the garden center of most hardware stores, but this tape is not available in some areas. So, below are two simple and easy to re-create methods that do not require special materials. <br />
<br />
<b>Main Roofs</b><br />
<br />
The easiest method to create a copper roof is by using copper, metallic paint. Metallic paint can be found in spray cans but the more user friendly acrylic craft paint, will work just as well. You just need to purchase a good quality, metallic craft paint. My favorite brands are Folk Art or Americana. <br />
<br />
First, create the joint strips along the roof, using strip wood from the craft store. They are so much easier to find that copper tape. You can choose whatever width strip wood you like for your style project. Just make sure they are all equally spaced. The amount of spacing is also decided by your preferred style. There is no right or wrong way to do this. You can Google images of copper roofs to get an idea of different styles and use one as a guide. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf9aMkBG5LViPrQkjDGK-taLHhdaZSDx6_Vp9vVBymsWebJI8b_rk2PzfZ9SBOl-a0UGZtGNffII64zuy05_YiPtG7YoVwPgPoE3lmCOR6hynOMWI9OgQ1c4hovFNl2JrzQ33LQA2v2zk/s1600/19943006_1571707752869140_2712995914655193079_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="956" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf9aMkBG5LViPrQkjDGK-taLHhdaZSDx6_Vp9vVBymsWebJI8b_rk2PzfZ9SBOl-a0UGZtGNffII64zuy05_YiPtG7YoVwPgPoE3lmCOR6hynOMWI9OgQ1c4hovFNl2JrzQ33LQA2v2zk/s320/19943006_1571707752869140_2712995914655193079_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
When the joint strips are dry, paint your roof with the copper paint. You will need to apply several coats for a smooth finish. Always wait for each coat of paint to thoroughly dry before applying the next one. You also want to sand lightly, between coats. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDTJBNc-EUnkBc6F5jTYE-qJ5G5C54vd-5TLkJ0Ml0iabLoWToYMBiwvjIPR65pXMelCDDQWlwvJJ15ywALju2L2CnRpiG0fZYfpKMmb7X-Ss-iEkakkkyxqg6ddmqLgPnmkLYxonnTLg/s1600/19958903_1571708296202419_329503481699409042_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="638" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDTJBNc-EUnkBc6F5jTYE-qJ5G5C54vd-5TLkJ0Ml0iabLoWToYMBiwvjIPR65pXMelCDDQWlwvJJ15ywALju2L2CnRpiG0fZYfpKMmb7X-Ss-iEkakkkyxqg6ddmqLgPnmkLYxonnTLg/s320/19958903_1571708296202419_329503481699409042_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
The roof doesn’t need any type of preparation before you paint it but some people like to prime their roof with black paint first and then paint it copper. Others prefer to cover their roofs with poster board or paper for a smoother finish but neither are necessary. If you chose a good quality paint and remember to sand between paint coats, the wood grain will not show through.<br />
<br />
Mansard panels are done the exact same way and if you would like the look of copper shingles, just paint your shingles copper instead of staining them.<br />
<br />
<b>Dormer Roofs</b><br />
<br />
Copper roofing is especially seen on dormer roofs. You can use paint for this, as described above, but you can also use a copper look cover, since dormer roofs are much smaller. <br />
<br />
An easy to find and free copper cover is found in the paint department of the hardware store. Paint swatches. Most paint swatches are large enough to cover the small roofs of dormers, easily. They also come in a variety of metallic hues. <br />
<br />
Because dormer roofs are curved, you will need to make a paper template of your roof first and then cut the paint swatch to size. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil-o47PHe9M8LOehnYI9RCWk_n5KGeooYgrQxs2PQNzV2AwhsW33Z2XqV2DxfzrO9_kxhDch8UV7uCFQQoi8wULiR_mGGtH8fGNJufWEz5YnbDDPFDU4vGXAQ-8xh76GjqQtYoA4aIFcM/s1600/19884222_1571708832869032_2877179771702295785_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="638" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil-o47PHe9M8LOehnYI9RCWk_n5KGeooYgrQxs2PQNzV2AwhsW33Z2XqV2DxfzrO9_kxhDch8UV7uCFQQoi8wULiR_mGGtH8fGNJufWEz5YnbDDPFDU4vGXAQ-8xh76GjqQtYoA4aIFcM/s320/19884222_1571708832869032_2877179771702295785_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Then you can glue the paint swatch to your dormer roof. Because the roofs are curved, you will need to clamp down the paint swatch until the glue dries. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv29X4rp3hhDS3v1gPx6R0qQF9Tu47KXfgu-KOwxfWYSWal_jG9XdB2Hg0gETij_CHkSANh-laKQi4BBhZ1AD6rlrArVM8XnCi0wY7hy6Nx0q57gKMQScGI5ZXD0fR9svMKtfXQ7OApKM/s1600/19904997_1571709336202315_4623622021711428518_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="638" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv29X4rp3hhDS3v1gPx6R0qQF9Tu47KXfgu-KOwxfWYSWal_jG9XdB2Hg0gETij_CHkSANh-laKQi4BBhZ1AD6rlrArVM8XnCi0wY7hy6Nx0q57gKMQScGI5ZXD0fR9svMKtfXQ7OApKM/s320/19904997_1571709336202315_4623622021711428518_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Be careful when clamping paint swatches because masking tape can tear them and certain clamps can cause indentations to their finish. Paint swatches are made of thick cardstock, which can become indented easily. On a metallic finish, the indentation is more pronounced and cannot be fixed. Good thing the swatches are free and you can always pick up more if one becomes damaged. So, clamp gently. <br />
<br />
<b>Tower Roofs</b><br />
<br />
Copper finishes can also be used for tower roofs. <br />
<br />
Trace your wooden tower roof panels on poster board and cut them out. Black poster board is best for use with metallic copper paints. <br />
<br />
Toss out your wooden panels and use the poster board panels, for assembling your tower roof, instead. These poster board panels will allow for a proper mansard curve and tight flush joints.<br />
<br />
Instead of cutting your joint edges, to make them flush and even, sand them down with a fine grit sandpaper. This will ensure a smooth finish and no jagged edges. You can also fill in any small gaps with lightweight spackling compound.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1VIHBVgnT4JNOpmavWvo2x-iM1UrZA_UBluIx7NhSxnGjKarUOnpHvXRd8VxoERys8K6J1KV2-YnCTbMUGgexybbwhvLOnE0e-MGD3kgJS1FLQg6YQDyTM7Rh7jQtzY0IIB1P3JDjQiI/s1600/3102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1VIHBVgnT4JNOpmavWvo2x-iM1UrZA_UBluIx7NhSxnGjKarUOnpHvXRd8VxoERys8K6J1KV2-YnCTbMUGgexybbwhvLOnE0e-MGD3kgJS1FLQg6YQDyTM7Rh7jQtzY0IIB1P3JDjQiI/s320/3102.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Now paint your tower panels with a good quality, metallic, copper paint. You will need about three to four coats. Make sure that each coat dries before the next is applied. <br />
<br />
You can embellish your finished copper tower roof with copper painted trim and jewelry finials. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH7YSQiCuNrLzoQce27QG9cU9chIcOC6D3G0zRpnsgbEXbgb4Nnmpqyz-dANbLUlndGH7a2wugnC_S4jy0dwRwH6hhLcdK-EJuz5pcRBuawcpaEFcg7nruO6FsaYMm8cyWoAo7CtDGNBI/s1600/3202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH7YSQiCuNrLzoQce27QG9cU9chIcOC6D3G0zRpnsgbEXbgb4Nnmpqyz-dANbLUlndGH7a2wugnC_S4jy0dwRwH6hhLcdK-EJuz5pcRBuawcpaEFcg7nruO6FsaYMm8cyWoAo7CtDGNBI/s320/3202.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<b><u>Sandpaper Roofs</u></b><br />
<br />
Covering porch, bay and flat roofs with sandpaper is a popular finishing choice for tab and slot dollhouses. Sandpaper comes in a variety of colors and sizes. Shop around for the right size sandpaper because some stores do not carry large sheets but others do. <br />
<br />
<b>Flat Roofs</b><br />
<br />
Priming your roof first, with a dark paint color, similar to your sandpaper color, is vital for a good outcome. If you're using a brown sandpaper, prime with a dark brown paint and if you are using gray, prime with a dark gray paint. <br />
<br />
Always choose a dark paint to prime with because some sandpaper has dark lettering on its back side and this lettering will show through, if you apply the sandpaper to a light colored area. Also, make sure you are using a flat or matte finish paint. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj04nC12NBvDArSVdko_xs_AgiMJjL9z2_-VIhjeQ4BCdOGzstJFkGAyveKIQ_7BuEWqvq2z7CyWEHK9-gb04sWOdTOsJBqz6vc013qJzm9tbr6MkZv3Y2j3X2SSEL9OltT_H7wUJMFHzs/s1600/19875090_1571710382868877_392182348759877831_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="638" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj04nC12NBvDArSVdko_xs_AgiMJjL9z2_-VIhjeQ4BCdOGzstJFkGAyveKIQ_7BuEWqvq2z7CyWEHK9-gb04sWOdTOsJBqz6vc013qJzm9tbr6MkZv3Y2j3X2SSEL9OltT_H7wUJMFHzs/s320/19875090_1571710382868877_392182348759877831_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
After the paint is dry, make a paper template of the roof area you would like to cover. A template will prevent you from patching sandpaper unnecessarily. Use the template as a guide for cutting the sandpaper. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ztAk-9B57UJ1wNYFYsX7ou0_Go6zaaip9vaZfRfWW076rwwcDydD1n-1XF5Hzz4ItAZTAeJfYInr2nWbhyb8APXKUfqfElwZko0zKG9NCAXu0nRkme__q6ZziqLn1z9bzz5QnJLdXOI/s1600/19958913_1571710762868839_1540625285831985042_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="638" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ztAk-9B57UJ1wNYFYsX7ou0_Go6zaaip9vaZfRfWW076rwwcDydD1n-1XF5Hzz4ItAZTAeJfYInr2nWbhyb8APXKUfqfElwZko0zKG9NCAXu0nRkme__q6ZziqLn1z9bzz5QnJLdXOI/s320/19958913_1571710762868839_1540625285831985042_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Apply the sandpaper to the roof. Tacky glue spread, thinly and evenly works best for adhering the sandpaper to flat surfaces. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvEG25Yy6zwbkoKil_LFSFzNh06ViCJCZUIXdNmFpKdWxeJZRdUrJZ6jm7fyPt_AmuZxPnN88fc4Q5OrddpZiEx2v-wwhqsEFi8M8cNs3JjPP4Rk_vBvqMjqAPriCCDQ6fygCGA0l100g/s1600/19884081_1571710989535483_950029375617718566_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="638" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvEG25Yy6zwbkoKil_LFSFzNh06ViCJCZUIXdNmFpKdWxeJZRdUrJZ6jm7fyPt_AmuZxPnN88fc4Q5OrddpZiEx2v-wwhqsEFi8M8cNs3JjPP4Rk_vBvqMjqAPriCCDQ6fygCGA0l100g/s320/19884081_1571710989535483_950029375617718566_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<b>Bay Roofs</b><br />
<br />
Covering bay roofs with sandpaper is done in a similar way but adhered differently. <br />
<br />
First, prime the bay roof with a similar color paint as your chosen sandpaper. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDuGlwZUz2_ZsatmG6NnJRxKnrol0MPpeKxcafDx9c4vmO0lvSgP8RXF1_Lo-RQkRuP_xn_S2kHjfmvjzVvrRkTW5-n-P47kztim3Jw5GxHc6jg9im_yiTFa5_dkpqbod3NTpY0nSyETY/s1600/19894887_1571711349535447_2571492642339860886_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="638" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDuGlwZUz2_ZsatmG6NnJRxKnrol0MPpeKxcafDx9c4vmO0lvSgP8RXF1_Lo-RQkRuP_xn_S2kHjfmvjzVvrRkTW5-n-P47kztim3Jw5GxHc6jg9im_yiTFa5_dkpqbod3NTpY0nSyETY/s320/19894887_1571711349535447_2571492642339860886_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Make a paper template of the bay roof and use it as a guide to cut out the sandpaper. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYeXGDkUCwFrK-QJQtRRCvmwwDoIazBxp_MmIuGYwshOuapmLATWPCH8WD6X3v9qQIhG4AHQ-mbmgrPDGCstV1NAPKZcyOFbQRqCL9GzGW6ATvK1-k-faC3WVVEjRF6ZaQ1kOAk0SlEjc/s1600/19990087_1571712089535373_6196867167748763388_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="638" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYeXGDkUCwFrK-QJQtRRCvmwwDoIazBxp_MmIuGYwshOuapmLATWPCH8WD6X3v9qQIhG4AHQ-mbmgrPDGCstV1NAPKZcyOFbQRqCL9GzGW6ATvK1-k-faC3WVVEjRF6ZaQ1kOAk0SlEjc/s320/19990087_1571712089535373_6196867167748763388_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Dry fit the cut sandpaper to the bay roof and continue cutting as needed, until you achieve the perfect fit. Glue it on the bay roof using hot melt glue. Hot melt glue will prevent the sandpaper from lifting or shifting out of place. Glue one side first, then the middle and then the final side. This method ensures the perfect fit. Do not attempt to glue the sandpaper all at once. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhI87nbF8lUq3ahIO7kx9Sebkvdf4vs2sr9uYU6b1DwUWN_94Z7x_PnvXd4Ye2FZCizGRYEshNHB-KA-1KuybRdXO98TvfnD_BS5MsOPs4om73i9CxgDQv9-4vVbHjYP38aEtg41WH8o8/s1600/19884029_1571711972868718_6805743548577437538_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="638" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhI87nbF8lUq3ahIO7kx9Sebkvdf4vs2sr9uYU6b1DwUWN_94Z7x_PnvXd4Ye2FZCizGRYEshNHB-KA-1KuybRdXO98TvfnD_BS5MsOPs4om73i9CxgDQv9-4vVbHjYP38aEtg41WH8o8/s320/19884029_1571711972868718_6805743548577437538_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<b>Keep in Mind</b><br />
<br />
Sandpaper is difficult to patch but there is a great possibility that you will have to. Try to avoid it but if you simply cannot because the roof area is too large for the sandpaper sheets to cover all at once, then butt the sandpaper edges up against each other. Do not overlap them. <br />
<br />
Always use the factory edges to butt together, not the edges you cut with a scissor. Scissor cuts are not completely straight, so the edges will never butt seamlessly together. The factory edges will. <br />
<br />
Make sure that there is glue under the butted edges and apply weights on top of them while the glue dries. This will keep the edges down and flush together. When sandpaper is butted together, the joints are semi-invisible but if you overlap the sandpaper, then the joints are very obvious and not aesthetically pleasing. <br />
<br />
Always try to make your patched joints in areas that are less visible. The paper template of the dollhouse roof will help you plan this out, before the sandpaper is applied. <br />
<br />
Sandpaper can be easily ruined with glue or paint. Be careful you do not get neither on your sandpaper roofs or they will be permanently damaged. The only solution for paint and/or glue on sandpaper, is to remove the sandpaper and reapply it. Install your sandpaper when your assembly is nearly done or cover them during assembly with paper, so that they aren't damaged. <br />
<br />
<b><u>Textured Roofs</u></b><br />
<br />
You can apply texture, to any roof, using <a href="https://shop.greenleafdollhouses.com/miniature-stucco-for-dollhouses/" target="_blank">Greelnleaf's Miniature Stucco For Dollhouses</a>, but you can also use plain lightweight spackling compound, mixed with acrylic paint. <br />
<br />
Just mix the spackling compound, in a disposable container, with your chosen paint color. The ratio of paint to spackle will determine the intensity of the paints hue and the texture of the finished product. The thicker the mixture, the rougher the texture. <br />
<br />
Make sure that the area you wish to apply texture to is smooth and all tab slots have been filled and are dry. Unfilled tab slots will cause the spackle to sink and make them visible. Use masking tape to protect any areas that you do not want to get texture on. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoplIyM0KdzhkcJgVGDqM4cjUvI90gS2-uWP81yKFkqw_yC_xGlcDCeb8Uz5QckU9w7CFH0Sy3YTWKILg22wSA_CLcCCzrUDZ3jNIUEf-DkXrlpyt_ZjSLRD2UYwOTErvizuFNDvTs7MI/s1600/2116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoplIyM0KdzhkcJgVGDqM4cjUvI90gS2-uWP81yKFkqw_yC_xGlcDCeb8Uz5QckU9w7CFH0Sy3YTWKILg22wSA_CLcCCzrUDZ3jNIUEf-DkXrlpyt_ZjSLRD2UYwOTErvizuFNDvTs7MI/s320/2116.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Then slather the texture onto your desired roof using a coarse bristle paint brush. Apply your texture evenly and use the brush to create your desired effect. You can create anything from swirls to pebbly. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUVN5R6dmpGZKkR9yV2nDWX7KjQmQ6G8UB81FWO0P5zNia5wf-ojSXgzjYtKk61ombCnrwzu6IAh-pczCFpQ8-TnkgYkI0g8g1GQhVm0XdSSftfRYQ8kmpmMOPXGCoM3u669PamJLFiqw/s1600/2118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUVN5R6dmpGZKkR9yV2nDWX7KjQmQ6G8UB81FWO0P5zNia5wf-ojSXgzjYtKk61ombCnrwzu6IAh-pczCFpQ8-TnkgYkI0g8g1GQhVm0XdSSftfRYQ8kmpmMOPXGCoM3u669PamJLFiqw/s320/2118.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
For roofs with large joint gaps, like where two panels meet, use masking tape to cover them and then apply your texture right over it. The masking tape will become invisible underneath the texture. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKD1qpa2UfemJyHjToc_hrU93a_AJmQXCHbN5i8BA4ZblCdoEM396QCiMqOA-4Eg5R-Ai_gwx0MUyPmdi4N7L6j3yNqH0uoRBumMkdZGOo-tj6peW6Awo-rKE7xWHMHT_Lg4tQncRq0EY/s1600/10Willowcrest04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="637" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKD1qpa2UfemJyHjToc_hrU93a_AJmQXCHbN5i8BA4ZblCdoEM396QCiMqOA-4Eg5R-Ai_gwx0MUyPmdi4N7L6j3yNqH0uoRBumMkdZGOo-tj6peW6Awo-rKE7xWHMHT_Lg4tQncRq0EY/s320/10Willowcrest04.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyQzkw1DPoiY4A7ZgGev71bYYtBFWecHz2sFci7xYsWusp9wHfqFWopXrQSH71hcwDRDyt2qaST3S4l4-zNy0I75CxAN47mFALgXjGIc-77u35SONwzFOU2Q34XMgdYmsWgOJuRdRetw8/s1600/10Willowcrest05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="637" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyQzkw1DPoiY4A7ZgGev71bYYtBFWecHz2sFci7xYsWusp9wHfqFWopXrQSH71hcwDRDyt2qaST3S4l4-zNy0I75CxAN47mFALgXjGIc-77u35SONwzFOU2Q34XMgdYmsWgOJuRdRetw8/s320/10Willowcrest05.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<b>Keep In Mind</b><br />
<br />
Mixing lightweight spackling compound with paint will technically create a custom paint hue. This mean that you will not be able to touch up the roof, in the future, if you did not keep some of the original mixture. If you do decide to keep some of this mixture, for future touch ups, make sure you store it an airtight container, as it has a tendency of becoming moldy or drying out if not stored properly. <br />
<br />
<b><u>Thatched Roofs</u></b><br />
<br />
If you want to thatch the roof of your dollhouse for an authentic Tudor look, then I recommend thatching with faux fur. There are many other methods for achieving a thatched look but this method seems to be the most realistic looking. I learned this technique from Deb Roberts of Deb's Minis.<br />
<br />
First, you need to buy the faux fur. A fabric store is the best place to find faux fur in large enough sheets to cover an entire dollhouse roof. <br />
<br />
Measure your roof, so that you know exactly how much fur you need. It's best to have some material left over than to end up short. You also want to have extra fabric for any mistakes. Remember, you might not find that same fur next time you go to the fabric store. You can get faux fur in any color and texture you want, depending on the type of thatch you're looking to achieve. <br />
<br />
As an example, I'm going to thatch the roof of the Glencroft Dollhouse by Greenleaf Dollhouses. I bought light brown faux fur.<br />
<br />
<b>Preparation</b><br />
<br />
You first want to make templates of your roof. If your roof is already in place, use paper and crease it along the edges of each roof panel, to transfer the roof shape onto it. Cut along the creased edges with scissors. If your roof panels are still off your house, you can trace them directly onto the fur. <br />
<br />
Label each and every template with the name of the roof panel it belongs to. You also need to label each side of each panel with a FRONT and BACK mark, so you don't position your templates wrong side up on the fur. Faux fur can be expensive, so take these extra measures and test them thoroughly until you are certain of the outcome before you begin cutting the fur.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDKgNcQgrPZF9JtpBfsuqz7BHm5vLalzffbtQFlweV2kJfGnWem52Q5ORhgKxq72lhka-TwFBwyvRM1Bx4dpzJm-ed8xtonbKgROsZSvAculJSA8_J8u20NQNre6J4Ov7PxeNq_pWknQo/s1600/Roofing05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="570" data-original-width="757" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDKgNcQgrPZF9JtpBfsuqz7BHm5vLalzffbtQFlweV2kJfGnWem52Q5ORhgKxq72lhka-TwFBwyvRM1Bx4dpzJm-ed8xtonbKgROsZSvAculJSA8_J8u20NQNre6J4Ov7PxeNq_pWknQo/s320/Roofing05.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Turn the fur over to the back side where the batting is visible and trace out your roof panel, whether you're using the actual wood panel or paper template, and then cut along the traced mark. You can trace using a fabric pencil or chalk, so that it's visible on the dark fur.<br />
<br />
Make sure you position your template so that the side you marked FRONT is facing down on the batting. That way your template will be furry on the correct side. Also, you want the fur grain to run in the same downwards direction on every panel. You don't want any of them running upwards or sideways because then you won't be able to comb it down correctly and you'll have a hairy roof, rather than a thatched one.<br />
<br />
If it's confusing for you to do all of this with the fur facing down, you can always place your panels on the fur side instead and cut them out that way. The only difference is that you won't be able to trace them and the side of the template marked FRONT, must face up towards you, so the panel is furry on the correct side. Getting the fur on the correct side of the panel and running in the right direction, is the trickiest part to this whole process because it can be confusing. <br />
<br />
<b>Cutting</b><br />
<br />
First, make sure you have very sharp, large scissors. <br />
<br />
It's going to be very difficult to cut fur to the exact shape and size of your templates because it's such a tricky fabric. The goal is to always cut it a little larger than the template, so you're not short. It doesn't have to be exact. You will cut it to a perfect fit once it's on its corresponding roof panel. <br />
<br />
If you decided to place your template on the furry side instead of tracing it on the batting, keep the template and fur flat on a large surface and then cut. This makes cutting easier and the fur shifts out of position less. You can use binder clips, paper clips or pins to try and hold the template onto the fur. <br />
Adhering<br />
<br />
Once you have all the roof panels cut out in fur, use tacky glue to glue the fur onto each panel. If your roof had not been assembled yet, assemble it now and then apply the fur. You have to apply the fur on an assembled roof because you will not be able to assemble it correctly if it's covered in fur. <br />
<br />
You can then cut any excess that overhangs to give each panel the perfect fit. Always glue on main roofs first and then gables. That way all the seams will be hidden. Join the fur well where each panel meets, so there’s no gaps.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Psqd8ffx3HM7EDgZ7XpGcloVFpQSqbKJyz4ZZDOLA8j3AqSlU00uUycf2B8-3FKpGry4muV9z_mJELPCgvGspPT03jmbctWIFh8StpijDNtk_anx-EC3HHTUFhiw4PX8TKsZEy7430M/s1600/Roofing06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="570" data-original-width="757" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Psqd8ffx3HM7EDgZ7XpGcloVFpQSqbKJyz4ZZDOLA8j3AqSlU00uUycf2B8-3FKpGry4muV9z_mJELPCgvGspPT03jmbctWIFh8StpijDNtk_anx-EC3HHTUFhiw4PX8TKsZEy7430M/s320/Roofing06.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
The fur has a strange sheen in my photos because of the camera flash but it doesn’t have that same sheen in real life, even with all the lights on and windows open. You won't have shiny fur, I promise.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4FLEhqJiWKzoY0bRi2Q0GcOBI8N0aZyqSL1DRt4oocJqP9orWb1ajF6UC4h-Ege4X0wWEphJK6wu8CshsDbaeh4QaA2wNHOaCAEvYdf1oB7fcOwtoL-XngQbhKe-xmxYfibFQbFH6EDQ/s1600/Roofing07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="570" data-original-width="757" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4FLEhqJiWKzoY0bRi2Q0GcOBI8N0aZyqSL1DRt4oocJqP9orWb1ajF6UC4h-Ege4X0wWEphJK6wu8CshsDbaeh4QaA2wNHOaCAEvYdf1oB7fcOwtoL-XngQbhKe-xmxYfibFQbFH6EDQ/s320/Roofing07.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLQyGFe0fwrALoErhL99gOHhbBW1onkHT1ftDTwWPZtCFEI-C0knqVPaME9Y4Sw6L1gVPtJGnWVE-hE_kRuKeKnFiQFngvjeof37HEUMzt64tQVYkckV7GSs-1QBRl5El-0mWu7dc_1T8/s1600/Roofing10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="570" data-original-width="757" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLQyGFe0fwrALoErhL99gOHhbBW1onkHT1ftDTwWPZtCFEI-C0knqVPaME9Y4Sw6L1gVPtJGnWVE-hE_kRuKeKnFiQFngvjeof37HEUMzt64tQVYkckV7GSs-1QBRl5El-0mWu7dc_1T8/s320/Roofing10.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Comb all loose pieces off the fur. Believe me, there will be plenty. Faux fur sheds a lot so this will be a messy process.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoa52Z_4MXeJz5T18_vQ1lh4Xyql5DsPJoJgpRB5p4rdOV-eOTohCudnoI0p-6-jGxtrwvp4lH2lKztNATOC3cHUESf_1LQeXylIT9s_dXPr5rX2ggQzyV__fOJZE752HDGTbphvEoOGA/s1600/Roofing08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="570" data-original-width="757" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoa52Z_4MXeJz5T18_vQ1lh4Xyql5DsPJoJgpRB5p4rdOV-eOTohCudnoI0p-6-jGxtrwvp4lH2lKztNATOC3cHUESf_1LQeXylIT9s_dXPr5rX2ggQzyV__fOJZE752HDGTbphvEoOGA/s320/Roofing08.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWAD_eDnI8WaCZD8qeJh1kucrnbiWXeFsjYwuJUtdrPsdTD709m5ew2TEswwvsV72yVJYi1xMP1UpNXwkX2wjnztaK8b_iuO3XqwiDPoJ5aa6q01ZQ0crhDMm0bor4gdGJGDHJnyVId3I/s1600/Roofing11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="570" data-original-width="757" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWAD_eDnI8WaCZD8qeJh1kucrnbiWXeFsjYwuJUtdrPsdTD709m5ew2TEswwvsV72yVJYi1xMP1UpNXwkX2wjnztaK8b_iuO3XqwiDPoJ5aa6q01ZQ0crhDMm0bor4gdGJGDHJnyVId3I/s320/Roofing11.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<b>Finishing</b><br />
<br />
Without using the camera flash you can actually see the true hue of the thatch on the photos below. As you can see, it's extremely realistic looking. Apply matte varnish to the fur, with a stiff paint brush and then comb it with a fine tooth comb. Do not brush it too much or the varnish will cloud.<br />
<br />
Dip your brush in the varnish and apply it to all of the roof panels, in the direction of the fur, which should be downwards. You might have to give the roof two coats.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgzzPgpLMlGlilcB213mWPG8RBgOrGIAJC2u0x6qnr8K8FEY_g__NfXMKmaKYsnzyEIyOFDyCfBbH_cVv8L2HwA7jAwXelfgATIlgdR59H4CyL8QFxwDEZy8T0KC_sxdnnOkxdsbHSMRc/s1600/Roofing04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="570" data-original-width="757" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgzzPgpLMlGlilcB213mWPG8RBgOrGIAJC2u0x6qnr8K8FEY_g__NfXMKmaKYsnzyEIyOFDyCfBbH_cVv8L2HwA7jAwXelfgATIlgdR59H4CyL8QFxwDEZy8T0KC_sxdnnOkxdsbHSMRc/s320/Roofing04.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Do one panel at a time and only apply a second coat of varnish once the first coat has completely dried. If you apply it while still wet, the varnish will cloud. If the varnish clouds, you will not be able to fix it. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie8-ng645DeLAm4fw0LuH6w9HfHGSdW8-lQJtr_66svQPxLyuY5bYAOTPnYhL9TC6S2f73me6_icaWp87JKVuxFxWWJqfLobSnIwITNYCNtTZ12JH_cbwnSgVzQqs6PbpEm6-ETR40AA4/s1600/Roofing02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="570" data-original-width="757" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie8-ng645DeLAm4fw0LuH6w9HfHGSdW8-lQJtr_66svQPxLyuY5bYAOTPnYhL9TC6S2f73me6_icaWp87JKVuxFxWWJqfLobSnIwITNYCNtTZ12JH_cbwnSgVzQqs6PbpEm6-ETR40AA4/s320/Roofing02.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Now let the fur dry thoroughly. As you can see the varnish gives the fur a real thatch look.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfAbzZ0RpaNVfT9tkpbXblGZH7Y8GmDjY_QlySu_IIaFwBYjHDWd4Enrj9ioYab2SGcYOHJIQDko80cKTlA5HUI3ppHt4-ZrDEO9V6zlquHQP_sNW9UuIWHD7XWveYO57PMvtcw_f-i9M/s1600/Roofing03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="570" data-original-width="757" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfAbzZ0RpaNVfT9tkpbXblGZH7Y8GmDjY_QlySu_IIaFwBYjHDWd4Enrj9ioYab2SGcYOHJIQDko80cKTlA5HUI3ppHt4-ZrDEO9V6zlquHQP_sNW9UuIWHD7XWveYO57PMvtcw_f-i9M/s320/Roofing03.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
You can make your thatch any style you want. You can leave some overhang at the edges, if you want but I decided to cut the edges short. Always cut your edges to the desired length AFTER you have varnished your roof and it's dried. If you try to do it before, you will end up with a lot of uneven edges.<br />
I put “thatch weave” on the roof ridges and where certain panels meet. It's made of cotton lace ribbon in a beige color. You can cut fancy shaped strips, out of your fur, and apply them horizontally over the edges of your roof as well.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjExvanonz6CuRV8oL4gvJ4b0A_9Oa3mUK3DC6z3Z5VWqM28_fo0JIpUDxKsFLonH6UyKyVykcpPrk8zyPNOvqTcco71qnj6w2XoOQ1Eo5kWeE69QWC6-r3G-XUnIKAYu02uCuMsZa6c4Y/s1600/Roofing01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="570" data-original-width="757" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjExvanonz6CuRV8oL4gvJ4b0A_9Oa3mUK3DC6z3Z5VWqM28_fo0JIpUDxKsFLonH6UyKyVykcpPrk8zyPNOvqTcco71qnj6w2XoOQ1Eo5kWeE69QWC6-r3G-XUnIKAYu02uCuMsZa6c4Y/s320/Roofing01.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
An example of dark brown thatch can be seen in the Aster Cottage Dollhouse, pictured below.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg33zIlOVAnutmogki-C7m5mndKw-8F5r_FYTx5b6wz5Xa7-GjTygQPY0GCDspuuMoCbudHRsmyPRvSOHSm9ON60ZJRFcv2wc112lTfbUSZRWbrtVf-U6TfBx2LqlTD5747G5TNyjNOF1s/s1600/19989283_1571716839534898_4031922361750201689_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="452" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg33zIlOVAnutmogki-C7m5mndKw-8F5r_FYTx5b6wz5Xa7-GjTygQPY0GCDspuuMoCbudHRsmyPRvSOHSm9ON60ZJRFcv2wc112lTfbUSZRWbrtVf-U6TfBx2LqlTD5747G5TNyjNOF1s/s320/19989283_1571716839534898_4031922361750201689_n.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><br />
Try your hand at thatching. It's not a difficult project if you follow the above steps. Google search “thatched roofs” and you will get many pictures of real thatched roofs for inspiration and authenticity.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Replacing Mansard Panels</u></b><br />
<br />
The plywood of tab and slot dollhouse kits is extremely hard and nothing embodies how true this is more than mansard panels. Some newer kits have composite mansard panels, so that it is easier to achieve the mansard curve but there are many kits out there that still have plywood mansard panels. <br />
<br />
My recommendation is to get rid of those panels. They are extremely difficult to work with and no amount of preparation will get them to curve. Even though they are scored, to make them easier to bend, it’s not enough. You will put your dollhouse and yourself under unnecessary strain to make these hard, panels curve, for absolutely no reason.<br />
<br />
Switching out plywood mansard panels for a more user friendly material will in no way affect the assembly process or compromise the dollhouse. Mansard panels are not a structural component and they do not hold up any part of the dollhouse. All curved, mansard roofs have an interior frame, that holds the top roof and third floor together. The exterior, curved mansard panels are not a part of this inner, structural frame.<br />
<br />
The best material to replace your mansard panels with is heavy, cardstock, poster board. One sheet is large enough to cut all of the roof panels, of most dollhouse models. You can buy poster board in a variety of colors. I chose a black poster board for the Willowcrest Dollhouse, shown below. This was because I eventually shingled the dollhouse with black, stained shingles. Try to find a poster board that is similar in color to the shingles you plan on using but if you don’t, that’s fine. Poster board primes with paint very well. Do not attempt to do this with foam core. It will not curve smoothly but bend and crease instead. <br />
<br />
First, trace all of your mansard panels onto the poster board.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeloYJql3jOzvKwRgM5mW1Nb977hWLoOi3kG9Sdq4Hgv4qGLLCyXzapmLaNRUi1rJOHslvnlju-wOl6ZMejD8MVsqC6LezG8qG23lva-BHVdBE70CnnZr_fJR3ABmWt5rGsK-5-B3D6gY/s1600/19942893_1571717186201530_1714914906734051660_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="956" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeloYJql3jOzvKwRgM5mW1Nb977hWLoOi3kG9Sdq4Hgv4qGLLCyXzapmLaNRUi1rJOHslvnlju-wOl6ZMejD8MVsqC6LezG8qG23lva-BHVdBE70CnnZr_fJR3ABmWt5rGsK-5-B3D6gY/s320/19942893_1571717186201530_1714914906734051660_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Second, cut along the traced lines.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIOl5temenDR1GkRkS4A9MAh0sY0MKGZEfUVXZIhNq-eJqueL7ieSqBulAEOh58puDV181MSdmqCSlaynifGts5eIsJmH4-YFZ9eIC9zUN0mTEEnqRN1jaWJ47L6g-CJSI5vK2xTg69Jg/s1600/19956205_1571717446201504_1756592834925240549_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="956" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIOl5temenDR1GkRkS4A9MAh0sY0MKGZEfUVXZIhNq-eJqueL7ieSqBulAEOh58puDV181MSdmqCSlaynifGts5eIsJmH4-YFZ9eIC9zUN0mTEEnqRN1jaWJ47L6g-CJSI5vK2xTg69Jg/s320/19956205_1571717446201504_1756592834925240549_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Third, enjoy the easiest to install, mansard panels in the dollhouse world. Just install them as you would the wood panels, following your dollhouse kit instructions. These panels always have a perfectly, curved slope, without a bit of effort. Trim any areas that are difficult to fit around dormers, etc. You can achieve the perfect fit with just your scissors.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCiadn9MPA3k7ozTEKMc4EAsOH8y2i15FfwXhI7mtijtTrPXf_3lNQGRFh5VZpOj6UCcxfnBgfESPvahTFF1sCCZKcQhz4wqXM593_tReZerZrUQ13F736Tku-WS_AdBrTTMK2bO-UjfY/s1600/19222879_1571717876201461_8446708899305776449_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="956" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCiadn9MPA3k7ozTEKMc4EAsOH8y2i15FfwXhI7mtijtTrPXf_3lNQGRFh5VZpOj6UCcxfnBgfESPvahTFF1sCCZKcQhz4wqXM593_tReZerZrUQ13F736Tku-WS_AdBrTTMK2bO-UjfY/s320/19222879_1571717876201461_8446708899305776449_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Apply shingles to these panels, using hot melt glue, exactly as you would the wooden panels. <br />
<br />
In some dollhouses, the back of the mansard panels make the interior walls of the third floor attic. This is true for the Lily Dollhouse. The method to switch out the mansard panels, is the same as above. <br />
<br />
The only difference is that you will apply wallpaper to the inside of the panels before installation. Apply your wallpaper to the panels with a thinner glue, rather than with the standard wallpaper paste. A glue stick or thinly spread tacky glue will work well. You don’t want to oversaturate your poster board panels with moisture, so they don't end up warping or wrinkling the wallpaper. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhidrZewA7XgKv0qANsdvQjr8X5DiGTIyvwWwD9lR2l1Lwy2kNOOxfRdcKhfo8NtSS_ZY6EAcSF7t1OOeW5niQ4Ze58mDXMAt1D5JoNh-qcW-7Ncu-Ns7R-Tt5bindce_7LQHfg-scFJho/s1600/19756582_1571718076201441_4654729141639444860_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="570" data-original-width="757" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhidrZewA7XgKv0qANsdvQjr8X5DiGTIyvwWwD9lR2l1Lwy2kNOOxfRdcKhfo8NtSS_ZY6EAcSF7t1OOeW5niQ4Ze58mDXMAt1D5JoNh-qcW-7Ncu-Ns7R-Tt5bindce_7LQHfg-scFJho/s320/19756582_1571718076201441_4654729141639444860_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Ozf5wG6_jmqVCL1NVn8Y87z3RiTFdl1Puhnz6aXql-NGHhyphenhyphenzkabG-_KDlrhbex94Itibk_2ze9egMi57q4cGiTlzeHyUg4XMpsTtHnvJuB1URRYcxJBtp5EpaYb61Gv5EUBN_APUEkM/s1600/19894997_1571718302868085_8927452522550526198_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="570" data-original-width="757" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Ozf5wG6_jmqVCL1NVn8Y87z3RiTFdl1Puhnz6aXql-NGHhyphenhyphenzkabG-_KDlrhbex94Itibk_2ze9egMi57q4cGiTlzeHyUg4XMpsTtHnvJuB1URRYcxJBtp5EpaYb61Gv5EUBN_APUEkM/s320/19894997_1571718302868085_8927452522550526198_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
If you used a white poster board, like I did on the Lily Dollhouse pictured above, paint the exterior of the poster board in a similar color as your shingles so the white doesn’t show through. <br />
<br />
Lastly, take the original kits wooden mansard panels and use them for kindling.Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15948614759421548317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-637361802464434024.post-16027233260307665852019-08-04T07:00:00.000-04:002019-08-24T09:14:06.527-04:00Dollhouse Window GuideThere's more to your tab and slot dollhouse kit windows than meet the eye. You might think you don't have many options for them but below are a few you might want to consider, including how to repair and replace your windows. <br />
<br />
<b><u>Window Repair and Replacement</u></b><br />
<br />
The acetate windows that come with tab and slot dollhouse kits are beautiful but very fragile. It is easy to accidentally damage them during your assembly. <br />
<br />
<b>Damaged Windows</b><br />
<br />
You want to always avoid damaging your windows. Though they can be replaced, it can be very time consuming and it is very likely that areas around the window, will be damaged during replacement.<br />
<br />
You should contact the manufacturer, so they can send you replacement windows for your model dollhouse. Greenleaf Dollhouses stands behind their products and if you bought your dollhouse kit new, from a retailer, they will send you replacement parts, whether the damage was there when you opened the box or caused during assembly. You do not even have to pay for shipping and handling. You will need to give them information about your order, like the name of the retail vendor you bought the dollhouse kit from and/or your order number.<br />
<br />
Once you have the replacement window, you need to cut out the damaged window, with a sharp craft knife. Try to cut as close to the casing as possible.<br />
<br />
Next, you have to remove the surrounding trim/casing that the window was sandwiched between. Since tab and slot dollhouses are made up of layers, always try to remove the layer of trim that is glued to the acetate window. If your trim is part of another trim, like for instance a damaged window that's above a door, you will have to cut the window part of the trim off of the door trim with a utility knife, so you don't have to take apart your door as well as your window.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlMa5Tm_jsk6A61Y4CUNPbq4982SYFE9dJCxJJ50hPRkxzmW8xumWHRf3XIre8WeYL_OvRI8ncP4dVGpce8RUbxvbJLuSfb1cmqwvw2UDFWLXdjl7rBHBY-Tt8EZGf_OGEaVstRY9VOqs/s1600/Windows01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="376" data-original-width="283" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlMa5Tm_jsk6A61Y4CUNPbq4982SYFE9dJCxJJ50hPRkxzmW8xumWHRf3XIre8WeYL_OvRI8ncP4dVGpce8RUbxvbJLuSfb1cmqwvw2UDFWLXdjl7rBHBY-Tt8EZGf_OGEaVstRY9VOqs/s320/Windows01.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><br />
Use a misting spray bottle to spray water on your trim and let it soak in a little. Then begin prying the trim off with a tiny, flat head screwdriver. You will have to chisel it carefully until the trim comes up. The screwdriver I use is the kind used to repair eyeglasses. It is small enough to get into tiny areas and cause minimal damage.<br />
<br />
This is an exercise in patience. It can take you a while before you're able to pry off the trim. Work on it a little bit throughout the day, so you don't become impatient and end up damaging the trim or the wall around it. Glue can adhere pretty strongly to wood. Just keep spraying with water and prying a little at a time. The more of the trim that comes up, the easier it will be to lift the rest.<br />
<br />
Avoid using solvents to try and loosen the glue. Doing this can leave a residue that will prevent new glue from adhering to your trim and/or damage the surrounding paint. If water is not enough, try heating the glue a little with a hair dryer. Slowly heating and moistening the glue will allow for the trim to come up easier.<br />
<br />
Once the trim is off, remove all of the extra glue and the broken window edge that remains. Then cut out your replacement window to fit the opening and glue it in place. Lastly, replace the window trim you had previously removed.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzUZ5hzb87J6aqPHYqZaBeF-lxci8j7qjypOEH0Ptu2al3iGTl8KGPkj_wPUBNeIbwEtZLfuKe49nd3nbUP1faBtfWkxKFnHudiVLoXIYjNnefFeHsCyDmi6h-VwYlt57mQw5jxSbNRWo/s1600/Windows02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="376" data-original-width="500" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzUZ5hzb87J6aqPHYqZaBeF-lxci8j7qjypOEH0Ptu2al3iGTl8KGPkj_wPUBNeIbwEtZLfuKe49nd3nbUP1faBtfWkxKFnHudiVLoXIYjNnefFeHsCyDmi6h-VwYlt57mQw5jxSbNRWo/s320/Windows02.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Use spackle to join the top trim to its bottom part seamlessly, if needed.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6eSdp0kd9YjbVXV56Rqj4xMrb1gCn03aHph0cvPEQ7vRajPDJHz6d4cEZwxlBF6aMHlNVr43U6K4nWiLU1CqcspqNCplWNMYIAMvQa4CqkGmGhIysCbLywZBdxQYgOba_G0yxRH0F7f4/s1600/Windows03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="376" data-original-width="283" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6eSdp0kd9YjbVXV56Rqj4xMrb1gCn03aHph0cvPEQ7vRajPDJHz6d4cEZwxlBF6aMHlNVr43U6K4nWiLU1CqcspqNCplWNMYIAMvQa4CqkGmGhIysCbLywZBdxQYgOba_G0yxRH0F7f4/s320/Windows03.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><br />
Extra care will have to be taken if the window is on the interior and glued to wallpaper. You have to be careful you do not rip the wallpaper in areas that will not be hidden under replaced trim. Use a sharp craft knife to cut the wallpaper close to the window trim edge, so that when you lift the trim, it doesn't rip the wallpaper. <br />
<br />
<b>Scratched Windows</b><br />
<br />
Always avoid damaging your windows by keeping them out of the assembly area. But, if your window becomes scratched, you can repair it with lip balm. Floor or car wax may also work but lip balm is safer on acetate. Always test a small area of your acetate when using any other product. Any brand lip balm will work, as long as it's not tinted with any kind of color and it's unscented. <br />
<br />
Apply the balm over the scratch. It has to be applied on the side the scratch occurred on. Then, buff with a very soft cloth. The best cloth for this is made of microfiber. Usually eyeglass lens cleaning cloths are made of this material. You never want to use a regular cloth towel or paper towel, of any kind, because these windows are so delicate that they will scratch if you try to buff them with even the slightest abrasive cloth. Buff gently but quickly and continue applying lip balm. Soon you will see the scratch disappear right before your eyes.<br />
<br />
This only works with surface scratches or scuff marks on your windows. If your window was dented, creased or cut through, you must replace them.<br />
<br />
<b>Replacing Windows</b><br />
<br />
If losing the silk screen design is not a problem for you, then you can go to an office supply store and buy transparencies, used in overhead projectors, to make new windows. Sometimes, they sell clear acetate sheets in the scrapbooking section of the craft store. The film used in poster frames will also work and one poster frame is large enough to make new windows for your entire dollhouse. <br />
<br />
If you need replacement acrylic for pre-assembled, cabinet grade windows, you can find small acrylic sheets at some craft stores. They can be found in the aisle where the stained glass materials are. You will need a specialty tool to cut this product. Scissors cannot cut this kind of acrylic.<br />
<br />
<b>Keep in Mind</b><br />
<br />
When replacing the acetate that comes in your tab and slot dollhouse kit, with another material, you might not get the same hazy/frost effect when using clear nail polish to create stained glass. The acetate that comes in your dollhouse kit is the only material that will have this effect when coated with clear nail polish. You will have to use wax or parchment paper for a hazy/frost effect, when using a replacement acetate for your windows. <br />
<br />
Never replace your tab and slot windows with thick acrylic. This can impede the assembly process and you will have to modify your dollhouse kit windows. Find suitable, thin products that are as close to the original acetate as possible, for replacement. <br />
<br />
<b><u>Stained Glass</u></b><br />
<br />
You can modify a tab and slot dollhouse kits window glass to better suit your decor or the effect you're trying to achieve. One of the most popular modifications is creating stained glass. There are countless ways to achieve a stained glass effect for your dollhouse windows, including using the same techniques you would use to create life size stained glass. Below are some of the simplest and easiest techniques for those of us who are artistically challenged. <br />
<br />
Regardless of which method you choose below, all you need to create any of them are:<br />
<br />
<ul><li>Permanent markers in assorted colors</li>
<li>Clear nail polish of any brand</li>
</ul><br />
<b>Using the Kit Windows Silk Screened Design</b><br />
<br />
You can create stained glass using the windows silk screened design as a guide. <br />
<br />
To do this, you need to identify which is the front and back sides of your window. The front of the window is the side where the silk screened design feels raised and the back is flat. Just flip the window, so that the back is facing up towards you. You will always apply your design to the back of the window. <br />
<br />
First coat the back of the window with a coat of clear nail polish. This is going to cause the window to haze over, like stained glass. Let the nail polish dry thoroughly because you will be coloring over it with markers.<br />
<br />
Using the permanent markers, begin filling in the silk screen pattern in different colors or whatever color you want. Placing your window on top of white paper, will allow you to see the hue of the colors more clearly.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-U0hKRQV_BSa1f8EEYIFV7m00D9nBPWs0JdS0MEXsoxDrvj9R9z1_JoNeuWv2yDNhB8ZB1nLjkhSczjnVuU3xIDCqXzkg80lqsLRNmouoyP7jRK4_HpotFAiI6mn36affySt_vbOoqnI/s1600/20108365_1581891495184099_2352756422591769577_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="638" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-U0hKRQV_BSa1f8EEYIFV7m00D9nBPWs0JdS0MEXsoxDrvj9R9z1_JoNeuWv2yDNhB8ZB1nLjkhSczjnVuU3xIDCqXzkg80lqsLRNmouoyP7jRK4_HpotFAiI6mn36affySt_vbOoqnI/s320/20108365_1581891495184099_2352756422591769577_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
After you're finished and you turn your window over to the front, you can see a stained glass effect.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigCp24dObsZkpnN1GQU97F9FyBKoY-JVIMca3AOkL6M40UkjGaLH4nBeCBqDAY5f5pDcd3pGsLtM6eCfT4Lt8DMKTuWu7NcWi9W8ovztrXClqVRjxmwNRxIYdVT1Ysn6HDz9n714dx804/s1600/20108301_1581892058517376_9203736348005865918_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="638" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigCp24dObsZkpnN1GQU97F9FyBKoY-JVIMca3AOkL6M40UkjGaLH4nBeCBqDAY5f5pDcd3pGsLtM6eCfT4Lt8DMKTuWu7NcWi9W8ovztrXClqVRjxmwNRxIYdVT1Ysn6HDz9n714dx804/s320/20108301_1581892058517376_9203736348005865918_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
When you hold the window up to a light, you can see this effect better.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw5aO9xJ1JfPWUkpmQFWUm8gn-BcGafnlLP6s7NTECVxxci2gq51sAetf_4CBE0O6OChkxF6xsV1r99tpFQYhMBwcSCp_6esKggkDfPU1dhOSSG9ZvdM-64irE6uzy3ACaC5K5AoPFl3g/s1600/20108427_1581892155184033_5246935180868220615_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="638" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw5aO9xJ1JfPWUkpmQFWUm8gn-BcGafnlLP6s7NTECVxxci2gq51sAetf_4CBE0O6OChkxF6xsV1r99tpFQYhMBwcSCp_6esKggkDfPU1dhOSSG9ZvdM-64irE6uzy3ACaC5K5AoPFl3g/s320/20108427_1581892155184033_5246935180868220615_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<b>Using Your Own Design</b><br />
<br />
You can create stained glass using your own design. <br />
<br />
This requires that you replace the silk screened, original window, with another clear one. As stated above, this is a little tricky because the acetate used for your kits windows is affected by clear nail polish differently than other materials. When you coat the kits acetate windows with nail polish, they develop a milky haze. This causes the frosted effect found in stained glass. Other materials do not seem to do this when coated with clear nail polish. So, you will have to test how clear nail polish effects the material you choose as a replacement window. <br />
<br />
Luckily, I was able to salvage a small piece of the dollhouse kits acetate to create the stained glass window shown below, which was used as a skylight. <br />
<br />
Just like the technique above, you have to coat the back side of your window with clear nail polish and let it dry thoroughly. Make a print out of the design you wish to use, as a template, for the stained glass. Make sure that it is the right size to fit your window.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJDEQMUDZkGe7htV4QMwPmxGHuL-wuK9HAPvwTmv4890kvRLDk38gakIJzUVf2IiZRgfDd0I1TGhYV0waWp98H8blJ8FqeS0HSnJGbNLfB2sLScdOHZ1hkdmuYh-Mnhvb0Zkd5ETmejJg/s1600/20245466_1581892431850672_3911934541615493914_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="638" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJDEQMUDZkGe7htV4QMwPmxGHuL-wuK9HAPvwTmv4890kvRLDk38gakIJzUVf2IiZRgfDd0I1TGhYV0waWp98H8blJ8FqeS0HSnJGbNLfB2sLScdOHZ1hkdmuYh-Mnhvb0Zkd5ETmejJg/s320/20245466_1581892431850672_3911934541615493914_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Place your window on top of the print out, with the back side that was coated in clear nail polish facing towards you, and use markers to transfer the printed design onto the window.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWt0zSUTMPg6Y5SH3Kdyrhmcf7NGko2R_ysGIP7WPgnlbRALf2T2WLkH57TCm8NX5pE1f9xjY9CQs_Cw40WPPy_764dkZlUhU-uu1DoSlgcEDalECUZ1qWZS_SWdirDlphb0jNE0TcfWo/s1600/20108325_1581892571850658_2108763297512293822_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="638" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWt0zSUTMPg6Y5SH3Kdyrhmcf7NGko2R_ysGIP7WPgnlbRALf2T2WLkH57TCm8NX5pE1f9xjY9CQs_Cw40WPPy_764dkZlUhU-uu1DoSlgcEDalECUZ1qWZS_SWdirDlphb0jNE0TcfWo/s320/20108325_1581892571850658_2108763297512293822_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
When you flip the window over, you will see the design, which looks like stained glass. But, it does not have the leaded outline yet. You have to make the leaded outline on the front side of the window. This will give it a "raised" feel. I used a very fine tip paint brush and black paint to create the lead outline on the window shown below. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAuN3Kua1EGuqv-4IZNQf_wMIZwTL3D_CkLD1hjVdl448neqshxTcn7QAJTcpow2P51wb6yGdrDDBIq4pjg4RfV_xlGpmTI87uVVwCZ_ECWvRmYhh-5zmdRRoxWljVOQWojqGcXSDCfXI/s1600/20229373_1581892808517301_9183890828440855970_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="638" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAuN3Kua1EGuqv-4IZNQf_wMIZwTL3D_CkLD1hjVdl448neqshxTcn7QAJTcpow2P51wb6yGdrDDBIq4pjg4RfV_xlGpmTI87uVVwCZ_ECWvRmYhh-5zmdRRoxWljVOQWojqGcXSDCfXI/s320/20229373_1581892808517301_9183890828440855970_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Making the leaded outline freehand, like this, makes it look like authentic stained glass because your hand is never going to outline the design perfectly. These slight inconsistencies look like the leaded glass used in stained glass. Do not use a black permanent marker, for creating the leaded outline, because it tends to change hue on acetate and turns into a purple color rather than black. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyGZfFccmwtpgLRAVRl2TAAi4n7_NxEBzroTYZC64BULCu4Wgd7LRl4EG6_EXGZXW5eTUocPbFUEvPDTd1PW6nvDs9tZGQUIQUjbi1jxH4uGnxH4OgWXaDJCTlEfq_dhtULw33YBPgoAU/s1600/20108322_1581893038517278_139082346809029390_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="213" data-original-width="640" height="107" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyGZfFccmwtpgLRAVRl2TAAi4n7_NxEBzroTYZC64BULCu4Wgd7LRl4EG6_EXGZXW5eTUocPbFUEvPDTd1PW6nvDs9tZGQUIQUjbi1jxH4uGnxH4OgWXaDJCTlEfq_dhtULw33YBPgoAU/s320/20108322_1581893038517278_139082346809029390_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY7ONvNe-B-KpImcUSF-sFNBLMQYWTCCfFvnuErIHJh01k78r_zgsLP-PpbrGiKlmwmdOavxhyBZtqwnhqNvuc3DGQXb25XLEiRyN1j6Cd_-WzUfvqQkKJs-aauqBGwiW78tQ-_fCDKuk/s1600/Windows04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="441" data-original-width="640" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY7ONvNe-B-KpImcUSF-sFNBLMQYWTCCfFvnuErIHJh01k78r_zgsLP-PpbrGiKlmwmdOavxhyBZtqwnhqNvuc3DGQXb25XLEiRyN1j6Cd_-WzUfvqQkKJs-aauqBGwiW78tQ-_fCDKuk/s320/Windows04.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
If you're a little decent with your freehand designs, you do not necessarily have to use a printed template as a guide. You can just make your own design, right on the acetate, using the same technique described above. I freehanded the design below from memory. It is an antique stained glass design that was used on a real Victorian house.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsQlfRkZB2RMns_S6gz7kEPGP2MNp9Z1ba1SjSuvxiIPiHeuqGU-F7D5z5cRw8VNYr_7hmDnTYQB4BhGw_Q56Q9cS9tliQ0TqqflQAiuTVq62BUUp6WHJYKGCNto-W4KOKhI0hEnR3vpg/s1600/Windows05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="563" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsQlfRkZB2RMns_S6gz7kEPGP2MNp9Z1ba1SjSuvxiIPiHeuqGU-F7D5z5cRw8VNYr_7hmDnTYQB4BhGw_Q56Q9cS9tliQ0TqqflQAiuTVq62BUUp6WHJYKGCNto-W4KOKhI0hEnR3vpg/s320/Windows05.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<b>Keep in Mind </b><br />
<br />
Sometimes the process used to create the silk screening, on the kits windows, interferes with the evenness of the haze/frost effect when using clear nail polish. If this happens to your windows you can go over the nail polish with a silver/white marker to help even out the haze. Always test on a small area first, to make sure the outcome is what you want. If it fails, you can apply wax or parchment paper over the clear nail polish to try and even it out. <br />
<br />
<b><u>Frosted Glass</u></b><br />
<br />
If you don't want to create stained glass but also don't want to leave your windows plain, you can go for a frosted look. There are two ways to do this.<br />
<br />
<b>Using Clear Nail Polish</b><br />
<br />
You can create a frosted look by simply coating the backside of your windows with clear nail polish. This creates the hazy effect.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_93u4T4Mz90t_xMYOcMYnZSz6OL7LYJbeP3fXmM2dKz4IXGdgbAoj12mM3ppfBNL_dyD2EMJxAwp3dYAbXVbwPARnSmCOc7XB5Hi62e5fvRv6y7-71ucLeH7fR46IwSUh_4PiR8HsczA/s1600/1982031_1581893991850516_3181343488576155110_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="638" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_93u4T4Mz90t_xMYOcMYnZSz6OL7LYJbeP3fXmM2dKz4IXGdgbAoj12mM3ppfBNL_dyD2EMJxAwp3dYAbXVbwPARnSmCOc7XB5Hi62e5fvRv6y7-71ucLeH7fR46IwSUh_4PiR8HsczA/s320/1982031_1581893991850516_3181343488576155110_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<b>Using Wax or Parchment Paper</b><br />
<br />
For a more even frost, you can cover the back side of your windows with wax or parchment paper. This method would also be a good choice if you replaced your windows and they do not frost over properly with clear nail polish.<br />
<br />
First, assemble your windows as the kit instructs. Create a paper template of the back side of your window by creasing copy paper, around the windows opening, and then cutting the transferred shape out. Place it on the back side of the window and continue cutting until it fits perfectly. Use this template to cut out of wax or parchment paper. Glue the wax or parchment paper to the back of the window using a glue stick. <br />
<br />
This creates an even frosted effect on the window. Gift tissue paper can also be used for this and comes in a variety of colors. It is applied the same way. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQGE_f7NpGKNPshWYiXYkv_3vnuiXkG2yoO4MUvaiox7jP0OL7-aJ3-mO13jvTHp-tNH823FiIabQahyphenhyphenwz7TsMdk66UImlNAJOuOZU7eKY85SQ7ckAHbFhwbtRgL8m15ofmI_EXKcSaks/s1600/20108383_1581894311850484_6685687355987895603_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="638" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQGE_f7NpGKNPshWYiXYkv_3vnuiXkG2yoO4MUvaiox7jP0OL7-aJ3-mO13jvTHp-tNH823FiIabQahyphenhyphenwz7TsMdk66UImlNAJOuOZU7eKY85SQ7ckAHbFhwbtRgL8m15ofmI_EXKcSaks/s320/20108383_1581894311850484_6685687355987895603_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<b>Keep in Mind</b><br />
<br />
Be gentle when applying the wax or parchment paper to your window because it creases easily and the crease causes a permanent line on the paper. This is why making a copy paper template first, makes the process easier. <br />
<br />
Never try to sandwich the wax or parchment paper between the window trim and window, in order to make it easier to apply. This can cause for the window to pull apart later. Remember, wax and parchment paper are made to be non-stick, so adhesives do not work on them very well. You do not want this type of paper holding together a component of your dollhouse. Also, this paper is easily damaged, so if you ever have to replace it, you can do so easily if it's applied after your window is installed. But, if you sandwich it in with your trim, you will have to pull the window apart to correctly remove it. <br />
<br />
Always adhere this type of paper to your window using a glue stick. Never use any other type of adhesive because it can apply extra moisture to the paper and change its hue, tear it or leave streaks. Other adhesives may also be visible through your window, even if they dry clear. They are too heavy to use on such thin and delicate paper.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Leaded Glass</u></b><br />
<br />
Leaded glass can be made multiple ways and everyone has their own technique but below are a couple of easy ones. <br />
<br />
For plain windows, that do not have silk screening, like the Haunted House Dollhouse windows, you can make your own lead designs by printing out a template from available graph and grid papers found here.<br />
<br />
Then place your dollhouse windows on top of the template, so you can use it as a guide for your leaded design. You should make your leaded design on the front side of the window. You can hold the windows in place, so they do not shift while you're making your designs, with a scrapbooking glue dot or a bit of museum wax.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhObh_gxsm4qRG8cdPUHuBuMUMGHF7-jPjlfyCnh3xguZnlUAOCcMdECBIfOaOQJrYvXJYC9rFvHq9aNo6krSYEjWuwj-WAcWKDixkZhljz3ahyphenhyphent-yxChIMiDPC_55IcpNrPOisOBOVVAo/s1600/20108472_1581894848517097_7794403450468323132_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="570" data-original-width="757" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhObh_gxsm4qRG8cdPUHuBuMUMGHF7-jPjlfyCnh3xguZnlUAOCcMdECBIfOaOQJrYvXJYC9rFvHq9aNo6krSYEjWuwj-WAcWKDixkZhljz3ahyphenhyphent-yxChIMiDPC_55IcpNrPOisOBOVVAo/s320/20108472_1581894848517097_7794403450468323132_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I used a thick, glass paint to make the leaded design shown below. Glass paint comes in a variety of colors but I chose silver for this design. <br />
<br />
I poured the glass paint into a disposable squeeze bottle which had a fine metal tip. You can find these bottles and metal tips in the baking aisle of some craft stores. They are great for these kinds of projects, where you have to be precise in the application of glue or paint. The freehand application helps achieve an authentic look to the leaded design. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOS-Zuu2_PmbJuEyLJi_GABEuSjz0emFDofC1g75RI6FfGtPowVWnmZOHmJVkh5R62Kx6EsUB9nYVnRIh8avLD8_hcGTObVYJWyOy8dPweea1ExgzFkxfo57LjXxy6a2ybiETJab8oTp8/s1600/20228941_1581895115183737_7162718707320764448_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="570" data-original-width="757" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOS-Zuu2_PmbJuEyLJi_GABEuSjz0emFDofC1g75RI6FfGtPowVWnmZOHmJVkh5R62Kx6EsUB9nYVnRIh8avLD8_hcGTObVYJWyOy8dPweea1ExgzFkxfo57LjXxy6a2ybiETJab8oTp8/s320/20228941_1581895115183737_7162718707320764448_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
You can see, under the spotlight, how the design is raised to simulate a leaded effect. The glass paint is thick enough to create this illusion.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOVN_9B96_c2ZpguQUqT-Ml4rIiw62K9DMbulveivGPK6yM0OnxCY2hjqmeun1Do0Mv3BHnaspHUGX2gNDUIsNSJcM2wGQGNQtEfCRavmNrT7Fy4jPUOT2nj2kEbXeYX_dbGRV8cer8Yc/s1600/20140106_1581895385183710_7097512510319113510_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="570" data-original-width="757" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOVN_9B96_c2ZpguQUqT-Ml4rIiw62K9DMbulveivGPK6yM0OnxCY2hjqmeun1Do0Mv3BHnaspHUGX2gNDUIsNSJcM2wGQGNQtEfCRavmNrT7Fy4jPUOT2nj2kEbXeYX_dbGRV8cer8Yc/s320/20140106_1581895385183710_7097512510319113510_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
When the glass paint is dry enough to be handled, paint the back of the windows with a coat of clear nail polish, in order to achieve the hazy effect of leaded glass. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9mTrz6guaMMPQFkpEeTsGMbGVc4A9TLhnRFmXS0oCfEXruEYBIMouyRClFVOwOHZvhY3DzeWliBCl1e0Ye-m43FDXfd7WGCrvehfCYKrfur-_6byn-LBC47-uhA_LBy3sHZlp1b-9hko/s1600/20106603_1581895531850362_1934103463188443384_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="570" data-original-width="757" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9mTrz6guaMMPQFkpEeTsGMbGVc4A9TLhnRFmXS0oCfEXruEYBIMouyRClFVOwOHZvhY3DzeWliBCl1e0Ye-m43FDXfd7WGCrvehfCYKrfur-_6byn-LBC47-uhA_LBy3sHZlp1b-9hko/s320/20106603_1581895531850362_1934103463188443384_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1zSj6YNaJNZcueKXM7bII1keZJzPuaBYQ_JX-aTTaIhQ5OaVrPER5exXJ3WcNqI5PFtXcPOzmPU7TiUwuNXnupgHmb0-2qPDD_wZr1wTkkDV4-EMSWYFV2GGLiKEnH-zFzk7l1EraA6o/s1600/20108328_1581895848516997_1903735112738800989_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="570" data-original-width="757" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1zSj6YNaJNZcueKXM7bII1keZJzPuaBYQ_JX-aTTaIhQ5OaVrPER5exXJ3WcNqI5PFtXcPOzmPU7TiUwuNXnupgHmb0-2qPDD_wZr1wTkkDV4-EMSWYFV2GGLiKEnH-zFzk7l1EraA6o/s320/20108328_1581895848516997_1903735112738800989_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Leaded designs can be made with glass paint squeezed out of a bottle for precision and control, like shown above, but you can make leaded designs using other methods as well. A lot of miniaturists like using thin tapes, like the kind used for decals on miniature cars or even life size ones. <a href="https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/company-us/all-3m-products/~/All-3M-Products/Adhesives-Tapes/Industrial-Adhesives-and-Tapes/" target="_blank">3M</a> makes a series of specialized tapes that can be used for leaded designs. Browse through your local craft store and become familiar with all of the different products that can be used for lead. Use your imagination and try out different techniques until you find one that you like. <br />
<br />
You can also use the dollhouses own silk screening to make leaded designs with. You can go over the silk screening with tape or glass paint. You can also go over them with acrylic paint and a fine tip paint brush.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikVB25IX1-V5kgAaZ094ic7o7RrtxTCHd5ZGb2vNE7AAZHGIkTjFZE_E3WOD4SlqJQG-CIgk5jMWKujr6aWVo3RL61TRJT_UtGQyhEfTY7kKQQyb4vOrscDH_daSGitFMWJmDua2uUaR0/s1600/20257973_1581896305183618_8396826829924007097_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="452" data-original-width="340" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikVB25IX1-V5kgAaZ094ic7o7RrtxTCHd5ZGb2vNE7AAZHGIkTjFZE_E3WOD4SlqJQG-CIgk5jMWKujr6aWVo3RL61TRJT_UtGQyhEfTY7kKQQyb4vOrscDH_daSGitFMWJmDua2uUaR0/s320/20257973_1581896305183618_8396826829924007097_n.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><br />
<b><u>Creating Operable Windows</u></b><br />
<br />
Just because tab and slot dollhouses do not come with operable windows, does not mean you can't make them so. You do not have to spend a lot of money buying expensive, pre-assembled, operable windows and then try to modify your kit for them to fit. You can use the unique, detailed windows that came with your kit and a little imagination to create working windows. <br />
<br />
This process may not be able to be done with all types of tab and slot dollhouse windows but it can certainly be done with many of them. The process to go about making a tab and slot window operable will vary, depending on the dollhouse model and the windows assembly method but before you permanently install your windows, fiddle with them a little and think outside of the box. Often times, with a little tweaking here and there, you can come up with an idea that can make your windows operable. <br />
<br />
<b>Dormer Windows</b><br />
<br />
If it goes together in a way that allows it to swing open, then it can be made to swing open permanently. The Beacon Hill Dollhouse dormer windows are an example of this. <br />
<br />
These dormer windows consist of a simple window system where the window casings are separate from the window trim. This will allow for the casings to not be permanently attached to the trim. Because of this, you can make them operable.<br />
<br />
I simply finished and assembled the trim and casings away from the dollhouse. I sanded the casings down until they fit smoothly inside of the trim and moved within it, without snagging or being under pressure.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8KBw6aQ3lBNTgxAvb_kptsD20Y1H5hvaO6eJigpADdmNkUbeWroAYGmJhQ6k038F5v9j3_5lhp_d0h-XBB7vYQSTIYbGGau9uido3DrFsb_FTgH7K72bFJAxXmd5hPOc8NSLs1psq5u4/s1600/20106711_1581896631850252_6342087578131062619_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="638" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8KBw6aQ3lBNTgxAvb_kptsD20Y1H5hvaO6eJigpADdmNkUbeWroAYGmJhQ6k038F5v9j3_5lhp_d0h-XBB7vYQSTIYbGGau9uido3DrFsb_FTgH7K72bFJAxXmd5hPOc8NSLs1psq5u4/s320/20106711_1581896631850252_6342087578131062619_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
The simplest and most seamless way for the dormer windows to move, was using the <a href="https://moreminis.blogspot.com/2019/08/dollhouse-door-guide.html"_blank">chamois strip method</a> for hinging. The only difference was that instead of chamois, I used masking tape. The application technique is the same as for chamois.<br />
<br />
I decided on masking tape because it is very thin and lays flush against the window casings and trim. This was important because these windows do not have much leeway for movement. Masking tape not only has better movement for tight areas, but it can also be painted and these windows are completely white. A piece of brown or blond chamois, showing at the window edges, would not have been very attractive. Fabric is also too thick and cannot be made invisible. <br />
<br />
Masking tape is very durable, especially for lightweight, simple, windows like these which will generally not be handled much. I would recommend masking tape instead of cardstock for simple hinging of this kind. Paper, no matter how thick it is, will eventually get worn. <br />
<br />
As you can see in the photos below, the windows are hinged before installation to the dollhouse. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFzawZTL6dDPI9rw90dzykonKwuz4HtDV4F8e5Fa1lRk-gKtRuZQiinDi8wrZ6IoE4f4V_Nbyhv8XMvzob8pT7Jbv-YaQviER0W0xfqRXXG5f9SpX2rkQkMzYcxuVAdb8XEXPY_QblOhU/s1600/20139798_1581896831850232_1571410844233782706_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="638" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFzawZTL6dDPI9rw90dzykonKwuz4HtDV4F8e5Fa1lRk-gKtRuZQiinDi8wrZ6IoE4f4V_Nbyhv8XMvzob8pT7Jbv-YaQviER0W0xfqRXXG5f9SpX2rkQkMzYcxuVAdb8XEXPY_QblOhU/s320/20139798_1581896831850232_1571410844233782706_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
The entire assembled and hinged window is then glued, over its opening, on the dollhouse. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin-VxJ8pZnvt-xK67r1P-RiCMeYG2ru6Izs3Lgo6sgFmk06ZummG6UoBOlQK21qd_YoXODUxcd1QxJv6AJL3U52ufoJ42oPHbkUPBUSmSf-3zy4ClRFFpZPRTKYY8Htmp5GUhyphenhyphenrJhIehQ/s1600/20139703_1581897068516875_2356154413901743008_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="638" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin-VxJ8pZnvt-xK67r1P-RiCMeYG2ru6Izs3Lgo6sgFmk06ZummG6UoBOlQK21qd_YoXODUxcd1QxJv6AJL3U52ufoJ42oPHbkUPBUSmSf-3zy4ClRFFpZPRTKYY8Htmp5GUhyphenhyphenrJhIehQ/s320/20139703_1581897068516875_2356154413901743008_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Now the dormer window is a completely operable window. I used a jewelry bead on the interior to act as a knob for opening and closing.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbrhXpqG2TrmAv79Jf8jw1viep0qwzdmA94bQh5KYp5T2T_ObQ4vSg07xahCj4V5iUwlal3ohJFziCvY51f1eYQUoEygoT4lZ3wwRE2WrwgJcKptFboXfMFNhPOhvitTFEwd5J1vj0mMk/s1600/20228246_1581897415183507_2330107862794685660_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="638" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbrhXpqG2TrmAv79Jf8jw1viep0qwzdmA94bQh5KYp5T2T_ObQ4vSg07xahCj4V5iUwlal3ohJFziCvY51f1eYQUoEygoT4lZ3wwRE2WrwgJcKptFboXfMFNhPOhvitTFEwd5J1vj0mMk/s320/20228246_1581897415183507_2330107862794685660_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiLOuODHsmlQO1k7jTtQJNUiJUOHLU2sAmX8_CBk0VFTKxsC4q6Y9_Xxgd9sRVtkXt5gkix7NuQbkfFQ1fMr-oKAGmgDNCdNRi3_hDQ24-Z-BIiL16eGINWv2VAsd3R4wPWSXZJicE0rY/s1600/20245482_1581897591850156_7992482681311180015_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="638" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiLOuODHsmlQO1k7jTtQJNUiJUOHLU2sAmX8_CBk0VFTKxsC4q6Y9_Xxgd9sRVtkXt5gkix7NuQbkfFQ1fMr-oKAGmgDNCdNRi3_hDQ24-Z-BIiL16eGINWv2VAsd3R4wPWSXZJicE0rY/s320/20245482_1581897591850156_7992482681311180015_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
These dormer windows can be hinged to open inwards, like mines, or outwards. Both have slight advantages and disadvantages. Because of the curved interior dormer roof, when you hinge the window to open inwards, it will not open all of the way. It will only go about half way. <br />
<br />
If you decide to make the window open outwards and avoid that issue, you will have to make modifications to the trim or the casing. For the trim modification, you would have to laminate the larger, wider trim on top of the smaller, narrower one. This will alter the look of the detailed layering on the exterior of the dollhouse. Basically your dormer windows will look slightly different than the other windows. <br />
<br />
To modify the casing, you would have to sand it down far enough, so that it fits into the smaller, narrower casing. Therefore allowing it to sit on the exterior of the dollhouse and open outwards. This also alters the layering effect a little but it will mostly interfere with the placement of the exterior window top sill trim. You will have to omit it, so that the window can open. <br />
<br />
Whatever your choice, there is no wrong or right way to do this. What holds true for either decision made is that this is a nice detail to add to your dollhouse. It is not meant to operate like a real window would and you should be gentle when opening and closing it. <br />
<br />
Do not be afraid to deviate from the kit instructions in order to achieve an added detail like this one. Slight deviation, in order to make a component operable, will not impede the proper assembly of the dollhouse. <br />
<br />
<b>Double Hung Windows</b><br />
<br />
Some tab and slot dollhouses come with “double hung windows”. A good example is the Lily Dollhouse. With some simple modifications, you can make these windows operable without the need to buy expensive, pre-assembled windows and then go through the trouble of modifying the window openings so they can fit. <br />
<br />
Just assemble the interior window according to the dollhouse kit instructions but don't install the window sills just yet. <br />
<br />
Find strip wood at your local craft store that is slightly wider than the kits interior window side trims. (Take the window trim with you to get the exact match. The trim you choose should be no more than 1/8” wider.) Cut this strip wood to the length of the side window trim and paint or stain them to match.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir3VDxiOqJdMJ7L5tiYOjzh1Iirin1lLumF7jr9-M-KebNBUJ5w8oDeJ46rOsb26N4Iydtlu4uNXp_7zYLGVKvwO1zhLPOtHMaDU1C1ku3ThllMYL2aERMhjFQLfZHDu7UkCGqQ6Gtplc/s1600/20139851_1581898108516771_5715725893512710186_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir3VDxiOqJdMJ7L5tiYOjzh1Iirin1lLumF7jr9-M-KebNBUJ5w8oDeJ46rOsb26N4Iydtlu4uNXp_7zYLGVKvwO1zhLPOtHMaDU1C1ku3ThllMYL2aERMhjFQLfZHDu7UkCGqQ6Gtplc/s320/20139851_1581898108516771_5715725893512710186_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Glue them right on top, laminating the windows side trims to make a wider trim, like a rail. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRfX1c6j2rgLukp3hpwvVw14KPPI1DwfHgGeSIwnR_x78ZL40iZnsmWef0bBIFZC9i_hLQTXyumioM4Eg8tjTfdzVzVKh5vBgzNlOVdsQrs76sQwPvXUVGbCRaiTFHfKQ_Bxq6uVAEbbM/s1600/20108479_1581898328516749_6479048457567726066_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRfX1c6j2rgLukp3hpwvVw14KPPI1DwfHgGeSIwnR_x78ZL40iZnsmWef0bBIFZC9i_hLQTXyumioM4Eg8tjTfdzVzVKh5vBgzNlOVdsQrs76sQwPvXUVGbCRaiTFHfKQ_Bxq6uVAEbbM/s320/20108479_1581898328516749_6479048457567726066_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Make sure your window panes are painted or stained and the glass is installed.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVk_ZamVu3npgJFfOIye89Ksq51lHL67b5fLnStsjo61ktBHqW6edS1tXUoVNDYNZ7wDKA09xbq4wk-zGIUfuUT0aVLy9s_fZeamS3T3XgR8fr2cSq9v4qV5Ow23iTrdBEGcHqk3jZA4Y/s1600/20229176_1581898771850038_3276250219066777254_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVk_ZamVu3npgJFfOIye89Ksq51lHL67b5fLnStsjo61ktBHqW6edS1tXUoVNDYNZ7wDKA09xbq4wk-zGIUfuUT0aVLy9s_fZeamS3T3XgR8fr2cSq9v4qV5Ow23iTrdBEGcHqk3jZA4Y/s320/20229176_1581898771850038_3276250219066777254_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Slide the finished pane into the “railing” system you created, through the bottom. Make sure that the glued side of the glass is facing towards the exterior. Make sure that the pane slides easily up and down the rail.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXVrFw4gOsAmDQ_KCkBNkIrn2qopHMEHhJF1pS6JK7uVp9-PTiegrWutC56TYwMyFjVePNN8Qj0yrkiajB2VqHxmZt1gRqAIg-wrUhbfyVaGHkFDYrZ0_QLqq3HWCVwGqqDXG48dmOo5g/s1600/20228957_1581899075183341_6544047000990998227_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXVrFw4gOsAmDQ_KCkBNkIrn2qopHMEHhJF1pS6JK7uVp9-PTiegrWutC56TYwMyFjVePNN8Qj0yrkiajB2VqHxmZt1gRqAIg-wrUhbfyVaGHkFDYrZ0_QLqq3HWCVwGqqDXG48dmOo5g/s320/20228957_1581899075183341_6544047000990998227_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCFef33vWuVkzyN8mU4AWjaKpuhKGckKhUTYxz5rgbUfpqivLNAA05osBet7HLc56btRh1IGFOJSQpNpA0CAPQNCXjd0e8TY29CH8f8IaWtFt3pk_bXahA-LypZkCc7IhWm9zwNFTFscg/s1600/20228881_1581900215183227_240287558298433437_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCFef33vWuVkzyN8mU4AWjaKpuhKGckKhUTYxz5rgbUfpqivLNAA05osBet7HLc56btRh1IGFOJSQpNpA0CAPQNCXjd0e8TY29CH8f8IaWtFt3pk_bXahA-LypZkCc7IhWm9zwNFTFscg/s320/20228881_1581900215183227_240287558298433437_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvZTkUQ2PlaMsEAZDaTOiefp6V46mr0QTpPVx8w5w6c4TzsToX36WzhifZSVXDTjNGaPthE7MKgyOtbbcuhyphenhyphenc47Q_IPuTxwJb7v5f2DQmXIa0bxOLuIRj0SPFuSxjdGS8ZZN_ttqZ6vVE/s1600/20140140_1581899671849948_8960099623776101031_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvZTkUQ2PlaMsEAZDaTOiefp6V46mr0QTpPVx8w5w6c4TzsToX36WzhifZSVXDTjNGaPthE7MKgyOtbbcuhyphenhyphenc47Q_IPuTxwJb7v5f2DQmXIa0bxOLuIRj0SPFuSxjdGS8ZZN_ttqZ6vVE/s320/20140140_1581899671849948_8960099623776101031_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Glue on the window sill, which will also act as a stopper so the pane does not fall out of the bottom. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1zLkdWid326sW3Rsc2rl-55PGSg9AA8fV-qrDSrKz4dP7eR3I-E9PF5s_4yUwPzeoN2A7WNiGJ0kK9wUsbpRSFItfKN-URkns9o7uJXIr90M4Pv5wfbT_3ZroXgab6EWU0PgHrebqBdE/s1600/20108516_1581900848516497_2429264052350252838_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1zLkdWid326sW3Rsc2rl-55PGSg9AA8fV-qrDSrKz4dP7eR3I-E9PF5s_4yUwPzeoN2A7WNiGJ0kK9wUsbpRSFItfKN-URkns9o7uJXIr90M4Pv5wfbT_3ZroXgab6EWU0PgHrebqBdE/s320/20108516_1581900848516497_2429264052350252838_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
The above instructions show photos of the Lily Dollhouse dormer windows but you can also use this same technique to do all of the windows. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCLBt8KIMtD6xxWdCyNXm2KglqrmteD2SF-QUTmBv9xlpPTQJjFJbtdGdFkb3hyvHFfqWRKrfC_0A7CFQdciJP1pF_7DTPuySl2N_tveOq5BdFq580Ul0eTg6HWk7pcttjB0vPZMe41Fc/s1600/20106732_1581901238516458_5534848614106063896_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="576" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCLBt8KIMtD6xxWdCyNXm2KglqrmteD2SF-QUTmBv9xlpPTQJjFJbtdGdFkb3hyvHFfqWRKrfC_0A7CFQdciJP1pF_7DTPuySl2N_tveOq5BdFq580Ul0eTg6HWk7pcttjB0vPZMe41Fc/s320/20106732_1581901238516458_5534848614106063896_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggt25uaCmT38Bt1rbsktFQ9_u_jl2RPAiX1amIZlQr_84dtmidAcnZ2kCLx6l0KIJtXvhgXV5nGMoSsgX5Hk-y1AfmJpSWixpdWZvpMKWwtFk1VpENGDk2SVdd-5fqov46nOFvVhZbzdQ/s1600/20108104_1581901508516431_6988841062641542576_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="576" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggt25uaCmT38Bt1rbsktFQ9_u_jl2RPAiX1amIZlQr_84dtmidAcnZ2kCLx6l0KIJtXvhgXV5nGMoSsgX5Hk-y1AfmJpSWixpdWZvpMKWwtFk1VpENGDk2SVdd-5fqov46nOFvVhZbzdQ/s320/20108104_1581901508516431_6988841062641542576_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<b><u>Pre-Assembled Windows</u></b><br />
<br />
Tab and slot dollhouse kits do not come with pre-assembled, operable windows but they deserve their own mention in this guide. Pre-assembled, working windows usually come in cabinet grade, dollhouse kits but you can also order them for your tab and slot dollhouse kit. You would just need to modify your window openings, so they fit. <br />
<br />
Regardless of how you got your pre-assembled windows, they all have the same problem: they are terribly difficult to finish. Because they are pre-assembled, you cannot finish each, intricate, individual part on its own and then put them all together. You have to finish them all at once. If you want your pre-assembled, Victorian windows to be multiple colors, you are in for a challenge. I recommend a lot of patience and a few, fine tip paint brushes. It is much easier to paint pre-assembled windows, in one solid color. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnKyy07b3k9J5-frKwqoy2ALrnBm2XXdUB92t6RRYCNgoLF0ta74gphlgjb_DMwDaJfjxo0Eo1GESDpDjnZi6FmZegyJ0Ozkil0Uij1g77pUklty6yOwkYaU_ICwnWr9oRvAWZqo6CXB0/s1600/Windows06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnKyy07b3k9J5-frKwqoy2ALrnBm2XXdUB92t6RRYCNgoLF0ta74gphlgjb_DMwDaJfjxo0Eo1GESDpDjnZi6FmZegyJ0Ozkil0Uij1g77pUklty6yOwkYaU_ICwnWr9oRvAWZqo6CXB0/s320/Windows06.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnLVRGdq8whsmOoJi6EmPu140lmURNpmkrE5ldNqDvpxC-cn77lnkaMPdOcOtELg2fNaE8lv0BafunKHLt16S4TU8nq0Fa7iVL5xzjo7mdT4MQ61T0XUXzBL7p1KBXnS78asoaZrg0OC0/s1600/Windows09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="99" data-original-width="91" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnLVRGdq8whsmOoJi6EmPu140lmURNpmkrE5ldNqDvpxC-cn77lnkaMPdOcOtELg2fNaE8lv0BafunKHLt16S4TU8nq0Fa7iVL5xzjo7mdT4MQ61T0XUXzBL7p1KBXnS78asoaZrg0OC0/s320/Windows09.jpg" width="294" /></a></div><br />
But painting, even in one solid color, has its own set of challenges. If the window has removable acrylic panes and trim, it will be much easier to paint. There are many cabinet grade dollhouse kits out there that do not have this option though, so here are some tips to make painting easier.<br />
<br />
First, your paint. Usually you want a nice, thick, one coat coverage paint but in this instance, you do not. The thinner the paint, the better. Latex paint would be an excellent choice for this task but cheaper brand acrylic paint will work well also. I painted the working windows, shown below, using a store brand acrylic paint, rather than my usual brand. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi60KrTK29iNaoMYurlLppAvzB962Ka2UpNvi5QUczfocvemiA_eKILzoVE9PCwqGC2c91l31SCIZb8_lzy1uPxjQFuGaopKtg91jrJX2hNHbc2JRAteZscp8jizs2HBLj5lPO1zPO_34s/s1600/Windows11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="638" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi60KrTK29iNaoMYurlLppAvzB962Ka2UpNvi5QUczfocvemiA_eKILzoVE9PCwqGC2c91l31SCIZb8_lzy1uPxjQFuGaopKtg91jrJX2hNHbc2JRAteZscp8jizs2HBLj5lPO1zPO_34s/s320/Windows11.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Second, patience. Drying time for your paint is vital, so that your windows do not become globby. Globby, thick paint will interfere with the operation of the windows. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7vnoJU7NDHKRdgnenSjFssCqZmb8LY9TlRIgEZrHEpez8Axfa8oA8hEBXWmhX1CgaVhQmoFhWatshhWf0NcTdD2E1Zz3HM95W643-mz-EhGrCAEXZXwHUPEgAh7lnx4I_0tBNwozLI-M/s1600/Windows10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="638" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7vnoJU7NDHKRdgnenSjFssCqZmb8LY9TlRIgEZrHEpez8Axfa8oA8hEBXWmhX1CgaVhQmoFhWatshhWf0NcTdD2E1Zz3HM95W643-mz-EhGrCAEXZXwHUPEgAh7lnx4I_0tBNwozLI-M/s320/Windows10.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
You want to apply your paint in thin, even layers. Do one side of the window first, wait for it to dry and then do the other side. Use fine tip paint brushes to get into all of the nooks and crannies but one coat of paint is suffice for these areas. Especially the rails where windows slide open and closed on. You want to make sure that these areas are thoroughly dry before you try to operate the window. <br />
<br />
This is why you want to paint in small sections and allow each section to dry completely before moving on to the next. Do not go over the same area multiple times. You do not want to create a thick layer of paint. <br />
<br />
If you accidentally touch the windows acrylic panes with your paint brush, don't worry. The paint is easily removed with your fingernail. Scrape off the paint gently, you don't want to accidentally scratch the acrylic.<br />
<br />
Once your window is installed and thoroughly dry, it should slide and move without a hitch. You can apply a little beeswax, Ivory soap or lip balm, to the rails, for smoother movement. <br />
<br />
<b><u>Louvre Shutters</u></b><br />
<br />
Just because you have a tab and slot dollhouse doesn't mean you can't have beautifully detailed and realistic louvres shutters. <br />
<br />
These can easily be made by using corrugated cardboard paper. They sell this paper as scrapbook paper in some craft stores but also ask about it in your local cafe or coffee house. They usually have a lot of this paper and they usually are willing to let you have some. You do not need much for a mini mansion. <br />
<br />
Use the shutter trim as a template to cut out the corrugated paper. Use small, thin strip wood to create the mullions for your shutters. Make sure you paint or stain this strip wood before installation onto your shutters.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivxXZecnDfWifbxD6H8a2WvfaTrQ0dLGwlP8VzoIWtQ_Ma9nUiYWJO5ovxC1yesbhtcM4z1IHD9cF6ft6_zrFvvFXzzQBVNwzlKXsiEJJt2NO0UPzTOluG1c9sJTP42SXAKW7urVYDp8w/s1600/20245774_1581902911849624_8952474030773271581_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="638" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivxXZecnDfWifbxD6H8a2WvfaTrQ0dLGwlP8VzoIWtQ_Ma9nUiYWJO5ovxC1yesbhtcM4z1IHD9cF6ft6_zrFvvFXzzQBVNwzlKXsiEJJt2NO0UPzTOluG1c9sJTP42SXAKW7urVYDp8w/s320/20245774_1581902911849624_8952474030773271581_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI6hGp4OOv5UQg4jsuxSLdjhjoHrhsVghq0uy5UJO6GUm0A4hbphs_3DI3eLbWVPi0ohaL6yc__q5TzicCCEa282vLjScN5GWJPeyzFyqlWxBlL4vpBVGGpQli480rZ3dfg26Y5zUVhqg/s1600/20229293_1581903101849605_1419665404151733719_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="638" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI6hGp4OOv5UQg4jsuxSLdjhjoHrhsVghq0uy5UJO6GUm0A4hbphs_3DI3eLbWVPi0ohaL6yc__q5TzicCCEa282vLjScN5GWJPeyzFyqlWxBlL4vpBVGGpQli480rZ3dfg26Y5zUVhqg/s320/20229293_1581903101849605_1419665404151733719_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Paint the corrugated pieces before installation. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6boUnJAQ_0xbC8U2c9Krk9APV910t5rSAbALAYANuXLu-KzJSZ3MCRkpCXt1S-aQrtdjPDSFmUTtonrdA16uFotcyu2S6zByOIdkjGwoKLTZ_2PVNcbhmFx_8SidxDTltLNy8aXgyPG0/s1600/20155843_1581903358516246_1268610171152817541_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="638" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6boUnJAQ_0xbC8U2c9Krk9APV910t5rSAbALAYANuXLu-KzJSZ3MCRkpCXt1S-aQrtdjPDSFmUTtonrdA16uFotcyu2S6zByOIdkjGwoKLTZ_2PVNcbhmFx_8SidxDTltLNy8aXgyPG0/s320/20155843_1581903358516246_1268610171152817541_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Glue the corrugated cardboard pieces into the shutters panel openings. Then you can apply the mullions to the center of each panel.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXx9KSE6y6fbcUWKtJxf0kS5u7F5-KTPc5y0v9PtJi7jJ1KZ2Fw3S9YGBVp85PjtkuQV16t6Z17ljVVDkk3ShD32b7WqIROufkZgmD5Dj0UGIhoOXSz913UeHipuA_WcFkb0EHv3uM7mE/s1600/20108615_1581903701849545_7226929179977361686_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="638" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXx9KSE6y6fbcUWKtJxf0kS5u7F5-KTPc5y0v9PtJi7jJ1KZ2Fw3S9YGBVp85PjtkuQV16t6Z17ljVVDkk3ShD32b7WqIROufkZgmD5Dj0UGIhoOXSz913UeHipuA_WcFkb0EHv3uM7mE/s320/20108615_1581903701849545_7226929179977361686_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPRWwXRfoGVrKW5UG7utGLVlBkxA9PczYT-AnNycDDRhd4yEqWHp2tADrTEPl62c29s62G8iVTb4kO_DcwAsZSZSgahw874LoNs8NUeI2uV_89TXcqqYNYQ0IIXai5viZn1WEWcqql8Ls/s1600/20108525_1581903508516231_4757588549681468349_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="638" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPRWwXRfoGVrKW5UG7utGLVlBkxA9PczYT-AnNycDDRhd4yEqWHp2tADrTEPl62c29s62G8iVTb4kO_DcwAsZSZSgahw874LoNs8NUeI2uV_89TXcqqYNYQ0IIXai5viZn1WEWcqql8Ls/s320/20108525_1581903508516231_4757588549681468349_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Do not attempt to glue the shutter trim over the corrugated paper. This will cause the shutter to have a gap between the backing and the trim piece, since the corrugated paper is thick. <br />
<br />
<b><u>Other Options</u></b><br />
<br />
Fingernail art comes in a variety of styles and colors and is in perfect scale to decorate your windows with. They are especially useful if you want tiny, precise designs that cannot be made freehand. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirD5ItnqltUu1SoljdYRuzIlYp5WvwfhLNFO08e5hdO-h3VS-Wwjph5beBIv2p7UnEfMXPs4Hi1v20c4bvmiI10zW0KWZ2V4VcqaTI6kzFKmzRW88vc6M7guchzXI__1XwEEq9cEPfTos/s1600/Windows07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="428" data-original-width="428" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirD5ItnqltUu1SoljdYRuzIlYp5WvwfhLNFO08e5hdO-h3VS-Wwjph5beBIv2p7UnEfMXPs4Hi1v20c4bvmiI10zW0KWZ2V4VcqaTI6kzFKmzRW88vc6M7guchzXI__1XwEEq9cEPfTos/s320/Windows07.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Temporary tattoos and stickers can also dress up larger windows and there are multiple designs and patterns online, which can be printed and added to plain windows. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_KEO-dZ3y5qgJpE_hTmhGCxcPVW3MrZAbssM0QzOKtXiP1H_dd3r7NkZ7HSjnU9bmldWVzDfBjQkPAjsYDXiE_lVvwxwb7TKchEd4MdWPcw52BpJfd43AQBlq66D2SFhMr-_p1iSF8CI/s1600/Windows08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="215" data-original-width="210" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_KEO-dZ3y5qgJpE_hTmhGCxcPVW3MrZAbssM0QzOKtXiP1H_dd3r7NkZ7HSjnU9bmldWVzDfBjQkPAjsYDXiE_lVvwxwb7TKchEd4MdWPcw52BpJfd43AQBlq66D2SFhMr-_p1iSF8CI/s320/Windows08.jpg" width="313" /></a></div>Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15948614759421548317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-637361802464434024.post-52415737657552180342019-08-03T07:00:00.000-04:002019-08-29T06:17:54.383-04:00Dollhouse Shell Assembly GuideYour dollhouse shell is the most important part of your dollhouse. If it is not assembled correctly, you will be left with large gaps, walls and floors that are not straight and the worse thing of all, parts that do not fit properly. <br />
<br />
You should read through the <a _blank="" href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=1Twwp4AbCmwdVma05g1-HlYjWvU1Abeai">Greenleaf Warm Up Sheet</a> before beginning your dollhouse. Besides the tips I will give here, it also has useful information for your assembly. <br />
<br />
Though dye-cut, plywood dollhouses have a reputation for parts not fitting correctly, 99% of the time it's because the shell was not assembled properly. The other 1% is a misalignment with the dye stamp, which is extremely rare. <br />
<br />
Dollhouse shell assemblies start from the base of the dollhouse on up and if the base is just a millimeter off alignment, the entire dollhouse will not come together properly. The more parts you add to it, the more parts will not fit. By the time you reach the roof, your entire dollhouse will look more like a fun house. That little neglected millimeter, at the base when you first started, has turned into inches by the time you reach the second floor.<br />
<br />
But why does this happen? The main reason is simple, tabs are not fitting into slots. Sometimes the slots are too narrow for the tabs to fit into them, other times finished parts will swell with moisture from paint or wallpaper paste, causing tabs to swell larger than the slots they have to go into. Whatever the reason, one tab not going properly into a slot, can mean disaster for your project. <br />
<br />
A lot of first time dollhouse builders can become very frustrated when this happens. Many will simply just cut their losses and leave the tab out of its slot and proceed with the rest of the build. Sometimes they will leave a large gap where the tab did not go fully into the slot because they are tired of struggling with it. Unbeknownst to them, they just made a serious mistake. <br />
<br />
Like it or not, tab and slots serve a purpose. They are there as a guide to make sure that the dollhouse's walls and floors are aligned properly for correct assembly. They also help add strength to the dollhouse joints and keep the dollhouse together. You have to make sure that all of your tabs go into their slots fully. The best way to ensure this, is to begin this process from the base. <br />
<br />
Below I have a list of tips for assembling a dollhouse shell correctly and to successfully cross over the tab and slot hurdle. Though I made this guide specifically for dye-cut, tab and slot dollhouses, the tips below work for any type of wooden dollhouse kit. <br />
<br />
<b><u>Check Your Materials</u></b><br />
<br />
After you have <a _blank="" href="https://moreminis.blogspot.com/2019/08/preparing-dollhouse-assembly-area.html">prepared your work area</a>, make sure you have all of the materials needed for the assembly on hand. The materials needed to build a simple dollhouse shell are:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Pencil</li>
<li>Craft/utility knife</li>
<li>Black marker</li>
<li>Wood glue</li>
<li>Tacky glue</li>
<li>Masking tape</li>
<li>Medium grit sandpaper and a sanding block</li>
<li>Nail file</li>
<li>Small, sharp scissors</li>
<li>Rubber mallet</li>
<li>Binder clips and clamps</li>
<li>2 lb hand held weights (2 or more)</li>
</ul>
<br />
<b>About Hot Melt Glue</b><br />
<br />
Never use hot melt glue to assemble your dollhouse shell, even if the instructions suggest it. If you want a long lasting, well-built dollhouse, you need to assemble it using a combination of tacky and wood glue and you will have to wait out the drying times. The disadvantages of using hot melt glue are listed below.<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>It can loosen and crack with time causing a failing structure some years later.</li>
<li>It makes the dollhouse too rigid causing parts to not fit properly.</li>
<li>It dries thickly between surfaces not allowing for parts to fit tightly and flush together.</li>
<li>It is aesthetically unpleasant with its many blobs and "spider webs". Both of which will interfere with the application of finishes.</li>
<li>It dries too quickly, not allowing for parts to be positioned correctly.</li>
<li>It can cause serious burns as you struggle with a glue gun while working with a complicated assembly process. You need both hands free for proper assembly.</li>
</ul>
<br />
Though many dollhouses have been assembled with hot melt glue and are still around, why risk it? It's better to be safe than sorry. Hot melt glue was not meant for wooden dollhouse building and should only be used for applying shingles or siding. It can also be used to tack together a stubbornly loose part until your glue dries.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Check Your Dollhouse Kit</u></b><br />
<br />
When opening your dollhouse kit for the first time, be very careful to cut the packing tape, at the box seams, only. Do not try to cut the box in half as this can damage the windows, instructions and schematics which may be laying on top of the sheets. <br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><b>Open your dollhouse kit box</b> and find the windows, schematics and instruction sheets. Store your windows away from your kit and work area. They are extremely fragile and can be scratched easily. Do not remove them from the film they come in or bring them into your work area until you are ready to install them.</li>
<li><b>Read the instructions</b> all the way through before assembly. This will help you become familiarized with each step and with all of your dollhouse's parts. Sometimes the instructions have specific tips for each step that can be missed if you try to read through them while assembling. Also, some instructions offer kit specific recommended finishes which you might like to use.</li>
<li><b>Check your kit</b> to make sure that it is complete. Sometimes a kit can come with missing sheets or scratched windows. Compare each sheet in your kit with the schematic drawings and use a black marker to mark each plywood sheet with its number. This makes the number easier to read and the sheet easier to find. Make sure you write the number over the original stamped number on the sheet so you don't accidentally mark a needed part.</li>
</ul>
<br />
If your kit has missing parts, you have to contact the manufacturer. If you bought your dollhouse from a retailer, the manufacturer will most likely replace the missing part(s) free of cost. You might only have to pay for shipping.<br />
<br />
If your dollhouse is from a manufacturer that is no longer in business you will have to make the missing part yourself. Many times the missing parts can be made using existing parts as templates (e.g, a right missing wall usually will be the same as the left wall, which you might have.) In this case, you can just use the left wall as a template to make your missing right wall. This is also usually true for missing floors. This would be the best case scenario and you have several options for doing this.<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><b>Using Wood From The Hardware Store:</b> If you have power tools, you can make the parts out of the same thickness plywood as your kit. These plywood sheets can be found in the lumber section of most hardware stores.</li>
<li><b>Using Foam Core: </b>If you don't have power tools, you can make the missing part from the same thickness, as your kit, using foam core and a box cutter. Once foam core is finished, it is indistinguishable from wood. The only downside is that you cannot stain it. You must paint or cover it.</li>
<li><b>Using Basswood or Balsa Wood Slabs:</b> If you wish to stain your part or need smaller, missing parts, you can buy a slab of basswood or balsa wood from your local craft store, in the same thickness as the rest of your kit. You can find these in the wood craft section where the strip wood is. Though the slabs they sell at the craft store are not large enough to make missing floors or walls, for a one inch scale dollhouse, they are ideal for making missing window, door or porch trim. Balsa wood especially is ideal because it is very soft and light and can be easily cut with a craft knife or box cutter, using existing dollhouse parts as a template. Balsa wood can also be sanded easily, with a fingernail file, into more detailed, elaborate shapes.</li>
</ul>
<br />
If you need larger parts and don't want to buy a large plywood sheet from the hardware store, you can buy a very thin piece of foam core. Cut the foam core into the shape of the missing part you need, using the available part as a template, and then laminate it with the smaller slabs of basswood or balsa wood, until it is covered. This process is especially useful if you want to stain the part, like a floor.<br />
<br />
Hopefully you will not have any missing parts and if you don't, then you can move on to the next step of preparing your kit. <br />
<br />
<b><u>Preparing Your Dollhouse Kit</u></b><br />
<br />
Preparing a dollhouse kit requires a little decision making. There are two methods that can be used and they both have their positives and negatives.<br />
<br />
<b>Method 1:</b> Leave all of the parts on the sheets and only remove them when the instructions tell you to. Sand them as you need them. (Recommended method for new builders.)<br />
<br />
<i>Positives:</i><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>It helps you identify parts quicker when you keep them neatly in their sheets.</li>
<li>You don't have to worry about mislabeled parts or small parts becoming lost.</li>
<li>It is far less confusing when your parts match your sheet schematics.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<i>Negatives:</i><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Leaving all of the parts on their sheets until they are needed can be time and space consuming. You need to position large, wooden sheets in an area where you can flip through them easily and find the sheet you need.</li>
<li>You will have continuous wood scraps everywhere as you remove more and more parts from the sheets. Handling the sheets continuously to look for parts can loosen them and you will have falling parts everywhere.</li>
<li>It can be very annoying to have to pause the build in order to sand parts as they are needed. You will have to deal with sanding dust daily until your build is done. This can take weeks or months.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<b>Method 2:</b> Label and remove all of the parts from their sheets, sand them and group them by component. (Recommended method for advanced builders.)<br />
<br />
<i>Positives:</i><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Everything you need is already prepared. You don't have to pause your build in order to sand a part so you can move to the next step.</li>
<li>You don't have to store large plywood sheets anywhere because your parts are neatly bagged and waiting for you.</li>
<li>You only clean up wood scraps and sanding dust one time during your build and never have to do it again. Sometimes the scraps on these plywood sheets can weigh more than the assembled dollhouse!</li>
</ul>
<br />
<i>Negatives:</i><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>You must follow the schematics very carefully when labeling your parts so you don't become confused later and not know what a part is.</li>
<li>A dollhouse kit can come with dozens of tiny parts that may look all the same, like a bunch of tiny, indistinguishable squares for example, and you can easily lose track of what they are.</li>
<li>Removing parts from their sheets can easily cause you to lose a part, if they aren't labeled, bagged immediately and stored safely.</li>
</ul>
<br />
It is up to the builder to decide what works best for them. What works for one dollhouse may not work for another. You should always do what is most comfortable for you to work with. At this point, there is no right or wrong way to proceed.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Getting Ready</u></b><br />
<br />
Always cut out the box photo of the dollhouse, if available, before you discard the kit box. Many times the box photo is the only good quality photo you will have of the assembled dollhouse and you would be surprised how helpful it will be as you build. <br />
<br />
Keep the bottom side of the kit box your dollhouse came in. Flatten or cut off the sides and you can use it as a turntable while building, for easy access to your dollhouse from all angles. <br />
<br />
<b>About Sealing Wood</b><br />
<br />
<b>Never use a sealant on your dollhouse.</b> I am asked this question many times. I know that there are older dollhouse kit instructions that recommend sealing your dollhouses wood with shellac to protect it from paint, glue and paste. These are all of the materials needed to build your dollhouse so sealing it from these basically seals it from assembly and none of these materials will adhere or dry properly on your dollhouse. <br />
<br />
Your dollhouse's wood does not need to be treated in any way. Later on, when you are ready to apply finishes to your dollhouse, you will use a light colored, matte primer to prepare the wood for wallpapering. <br />
<br />
<b>Punching Parts Out</b><br />
<br />
You must always punch out pieces from the front to the back. The front side of your parts sheet is the side you can clearly see the dye cuts on. This is also the "good side" of your parts sheet and the side you will apply finishes to like paint and/or stain. You can use the eraser side of a pencil to help you punch out stubborn parts. <br />
<br />
Sometimes, you will need to use a utility knife to help you punch out parts where the dye machine did not cut all the way through. This is rare with new kits but some older kits will have this problem. <br />
<br />
<b><u>Beginning Assembly</u></b><br />
<br />
Once you have decided how you will prepare your kit, there isn't much else to do than to begin.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrNOeH_U-UL1ADl31vbFHAoSuzepZKFNraZraiUos6FWPDYe3lxXxhvUPruGpcjXIMEoAbR90hyphenhyphenJnanCCZ2ffbH_Fo70kK_MjDJalR0PTqpIbskf79Up2-3qcCWkJQhAkIikSZZcBxzrI/s1600/Shell01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="452" data-original-width="600" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrNOeH_U-UL1ADl31vbFHAoSuzepZKFNraZraiUos6FWPDYe3lxXxhvUPruGpcjXIMEoAbR90hyphenhyphenJnanCCZ2ffbH_Fo70kK_MjDJalR0PTqpIbskf79Up2-3qcCWkJQhAkIikSZZcBxzrI/s320/Shell01.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Always follow the instructions when assembling your dollhouse shell. The instructions will take you step by step on what to do next. If you jump ahead of yourself, you will find that you may not be able to install the top floors because the walls are in the way. If you accidentally skip a wall, you might not be able to install it later because of other walls and floors in the way. It is vital that you take it one step at a time and are familiar with the sequence of steps.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnHgU32d3pHDCTD-i7RMdqd-HtSjP6mEdH9PT7FBDkn36hUAwA4SssJDHZ9_RwdhXrbwPu9V7OsqAJM1oqcrj5kdwnwBaR_QKbs1YCG7LuSLFWaDT7Z4cLLj1OrPXczi7ND3kofpAiJMY/s1600/Shell02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="362" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnHgU32d3pHDCTD-i7RMdqd-HtSjP6mEdH9PT7FBDkn36hUAwA4SssJDHZ9_RwdhXrbwPu9V7OsqAJM1oqcrj5kdwnwBaR_QKbs1YCG7LuSLFWaDT7Z4cLLj1OrPXczi7ND3kofpAiJMY/s320/Shell02.jpg" width="241" /></a></div>
<br />
Assemble using tacky glue. It does not drip easily and it's thick enough to remain where you put it even if you turn parts in different angles. <br />
<br />
Be sure you are aware of the next step in the instructions as your finishing the current one. This will help you decide if you can stop the assembly and return to it later or not. Sometimes you must continue the assembly before the glue dries or you will not be able to fit parts properly afterwards. A rigid shell can cause unforeseen issues. <br />
<br />
Using tacky and wood glue to build your kit, gives you more time to fit parts correctly, since the glues drying time is longer but be cautious. You need to be aware if your kit needs some flexibility in order to continue or not. The instructions will let you know ahead of time of this issue. That's why it's vital to not get ahead of yourself. <b>Proceed in sequence. </b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXhakDrNy6vERCfnrjKTgxjALTefAFZQjiwflNDkExuOYwHOlJdgWJbVrEl2_aqr6uHV3r2kjhHFDiDhw3t-3IPs3hVKyEDH0icajxH9EQNcvcMoOKWjLDl2F3GyARSowqL62hhshFsJY/s1600/Shell03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="452" data-original-width="600" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXhakDrNy6vERCfnrjKTgxjALTefAFZQjiwflNDkExuOYwHOlJdgWJbVrEl2_aqr6uHV3r2kjhHFDiDhw3t-3IPs3hVKyEDH0icajxH9EQNcvcMoOKWjLDl2F3GyARSowqL62hhshFsJY/s320/Shell03.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Once the shell is assembled, go over every seam and joint with wood glue. This reinforces the structure. Wood glue is very runny and will easily fill in any spaces that the tacky glue did not cover. It's all right if it's a little messy. This is the dollhouse's shell and it will all be covered with finishes in the end. Wood glue is highly visible when wet but soon it will soak right into the wood and become semi-transparent. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgau9XDzBMcNs07OLabVwXCvgIoSjU21fIkmWyCUHHrStuJHEt3kjN5V2C4l9SDIR79vAabyB6Xu990LsLlPc0GnShc1sI7U6EDAk0GxTOfXVLL3UHLHjlyTWdXZ4V6dmNxWK1dcLPG2pU/s1600/Shell04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="452" data-original-width="600" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgau9XDzBMcNs07OLabVwXCvgIoSjU21fIkmWyCUHHrStuJHEt3kjN5V2C4l9SDIR79vAabyB6Xu990LsLlPc0GnShc1sI7U6EDAk0GxTOfXVLL3UHLHjlyTWdXZ4V6dmNxWK1dcLPG2pU/s320/Shell04.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Remember that wood glue does not dry clear, so never apply it on finished areas or areas you wish to stain. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqqErwGdApFOtxQrWDdNla7pFzhevHsXZbDzT7alWyF15C_WARXT5Sa3fqBcLvB8DnnQlhBC3wn6ZzifwD-hcq7LLpVkmPVyU9ttwpi32e7RPMzsrJmkuJvqHvVQmkWFjTWmiqvk2nYaU/s1600/Shell05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="452" data-original-width="600" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqqErwGdApFOtxQrWDdNla7pFzhevHsXZbDzT7alWyF15C_WARXT5Sa3fqBcLvB8DnnQlhBC3wn6ZzifwD-hcq7LLpVkmPVyU9ttwpi32e7RPMzsrJmkuJvqHvVQmkWFjTWmiqvk2nYaU/s320/Shell05.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
If you want to write the date the dollhouse was assembled or sign your name, now is the time to do it. Just turn it upside down and sign on the underside of the dollhouse's base. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFGlFY3XNDqOqpQaOtzSnA8sNwz4ecVwliskkb0HrPvetw3bP2Bh9rpbqoXP0BdT1XZY-pvjrUKbodcDvAj_CEo5_HKeR2jKX9xk-BOiBxii5EIhP3qmXdXja70Egi8BHGE3iFW7fi8Vo/s1600/Shell06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="452" data-original-width="600" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFGlFY3XNDqOqpQaOtzSnA8sNwz4ecVwliskkb0HrPvetw3bP2Bh9rpbqoXP0BdT1XZY-pvjrUKbodcDvAj_CEo5_HKeR2jKX9xk-BOiBxii5EIhP3qmXdXja70Egi8BHGE3iFW7fi8Vo/s320/Shell06.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>Planning Ahead</b><br />
<br />
Never apply any finishes (e.g., wallpaper, flooring, ceiling paper) to your dollhouse until the shell is completely finished. Not only can you damage these finishes during the assembly process but they can also impede the proper placement and fit of parts. The only time you apply finishes to a dollhouse, during assembly, is when an area will become inaccessible later (e.g., stairwells, closets). <br />
<br />
As you assemble your walls and floors, take note on what will become inaccessible. These areas will have to be finished as you're putting the shell together or they will not be able to be reached later on. This is especially true of L shaped dollhouses like the Garfield Dollhouse and the Pierce Dollhouse. <br />
<br />
<b>Dollhouse assembly instructions do not take into account the application of finishes.</b> If you see an area will not be accessible after assembly, you must finish it prior. Sometimes the instructions will tell you to not assemble a certain area yet, even though you know you must because you need to apply finishes before you can move forward with the build. If you are caught in a situation like this, assemble and apply the finishes to the area, regardless of the instructions. Ability to apply finishes always takes precedence over assembly instructions. There will never be a time where you cannot finish an assembly because of this problem.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOkKcfnrgPzianS0ufzND5USWX0_Vcc89QGbvGsj3LAnvYPpi2e4hLMxQuOSCp7YwWXKA6xHwRq5rXFWe5nI_SZ_Aj4RIKekkq5vBs1Q16lqslKDh_3Fbsls_PDFTcCnTYQjJWPs7rZSw/s1600/Shell07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="452" data-original-width="600" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOkKcfnrgPzianS0ufzND5USWX0_Vcc89QGbvGsj3LAnvYPpi2e4hLMxQuOSCp7YwWXKA6xHwRq5rXFWe5nI_SZ_Aj4RIKekkq5vBs1Q16lqslKDh_3Fbsls_PDFTcCnTYQjJWPs7rZSw/s320/Shell07.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Do not let smaller, fewer room dollhouses fool you. Just because all of their areas will be accessible once assembled, you might find yourself in a pickle when it comes to finishing an assembled attic. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ZHicqDHElW1lDoTfVNhyphenhyphenOovxe_1ywPJBut3Lq2ozT6tl-Kol_MKBEGtGKR0aJK4FG4vFsgKWwwnPkSybelnNzhRQGhQug5V6nypc-RWKpIZg1_vsQIsvKcl9sTHu_sUn23av-Na8pOo/s1600/Shell08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="452" data-original-width="600" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ZHicqDHElW1lDoTfVNhyphenhyphenOovxe_1ywPJBut3Lq2ozT6tl-Kol_MKBEGtGKR0aJK4FG4vFsgKWwwnPkSybelnNzhRQGhQug5V6nypc-RWKpIZg1_vsQIsvKcl9sTHu_sUn23av-Na8pOo/s320/Shell08.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Most attic rooms are filled with slanted walls and tiny nooks and crannies which will make wallpapering difficult. The majority of these attic walls are the interior of the roof panels. It is always best to wallpaper and finish these walls before the roof goes up. This takes careful planning and measuring to find which area of the roof panels will be the attic walls and which will be the exterior eaves. Usually the slots along the roof panels will be a guide for you to decide this. The slots are where the walls will go so anything between them would be attic wall space. That's where your wallpaper would go.<br />
<br />
If your dollhouse has a slanted wall attic space, you might want to stop your assembly before the roof panels go up and finish the bottom floors before proceeding. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQNWtQkYg6SRDTPP3TYCYLsjEOaLz1JjyqhjLZBdB25pr_zPwmwZDBMmfhQgmhpLnxgzNABPlC15Urycq-Bmq7eT-jMGA3ufhlKXZCkPcxUZdDAXg8uYhHmsII6ZGqw442dO7BntTMyl0/s1600/Shell09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="452" data-original-width="600" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQNWtQkYg6SRDTPP3TYCYLsjEOaLz1JjyqhjLZBdB25pr_zPwmwZDBMmfhQgmhpLnxgzNABPlC15Urycq-Bmq7eT-jMGA3ufhlKXZCkPcxUZdDAXg8uYhHmsII6ZGqw442dO7BntTMyl0/s320/Shell09.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Make sure all of your wallpaper designs are going in the right direction as you wallpaper the interior of unassembled roof panels. It can be quite confusing so never paste or glue anything down until you are certain of how it goes. Dry fit and do test runs as much as necessary until you have no doubts. Always order extra wallpaper for attics because they have a lot of walls to cover.<br />
<br />
Never apply ceiling or flooring trim to your dollhouse before it is fully assembled unless you encounter an area that will not be accessible after assembly. Applying trim beforehand can cause parts to not fit properly on your dollhouse. <br />
<br />
<b><u>Troubleshooting</u></b><br />
<br />
<b>Delaminated and Warped Wood</b><br />
<br />
You may encounter these as your building your dollhouse and neither of them will prevent the structure from coming together.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRkyrnj-m1fP-_ShvcIRQr_cM-xbfXEnR-tzNOlEWnkGSRX_JIlTJx2b0cBdLATyfgsDLWS0ydixGXTr1Vak4Q0nRTpYzEfDeHzgIMEk2UOVOqLHgm2azT-R3_p3DepiPOeH4cj_V490k/s1600/Shell10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="452" data-original-width="600" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRkyrnj-m1fP-_ShvcIRQr_cM-xbfXEnR-tzNOlEWnkGSRX_JIlTJx2b0cBdLATyfgsDLWS0ydixGXTr1Vak4Q0nRTpYzEfDeHzgIMEk2UOVOqLHgm2azT-R3_p3DepiPOeH4cj_V490k/s320/Shell10.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<ul>
<li><b>Delaminated wood </b>can be easily repaired by sanding and smoothing down with spackle or wood putty. Going through this extra step is really not necessary though. The plywood of these dollhouses usually delaminates on the rough side, not the side you are going to finish. These rough sides are either glued together or wallpapered. Wallpaper smooth’s out and hides delamination, so unless you plan on painting your interior walls (not a recommended option for plywood dollhouses) you will not have to worry about it. You will get a much better finish if you add a cover to your interior walls like stucco or wallpaper.</li>
<li><b>Warping wood</b> will not prevent you from assembling your shell and there is really nothing you need to do to correct it. It corrects itself as you assemble your dollhouse and you force parts to fit together. If you are extremely bothered by warped sheets, you can always go through the extra step of submerging them in water and letting them dry in the sun, with weights on top to keep them flat.</li>
</ul>
<br />
Warped sheets become a problem only when it occurs to a front opening dollhouse, hinged front panel. This panel is not glued to anything. It is only attached to the dollhouse by hinges. For this reason, the panel can never be straightened out during the assembly process and the warp will be noticeable. It can also interfere in the operation of the panel.<br />
<br />
Prevention is better than having to fix this issue. It is best to finish front opening panels on both sides, at the same time, to avoid warping. If your panel is already warped then you should correct the warp using the method described above or get a replacement panel from the manufacturer. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK1uQ9LCU89PTZG-8G6YxXxuwZHxjEy8zt5HJKrjCBtcy4uUzyp4FHxiSZ1uB5lKnic_31QKqndywZgjph1LFaIV3_DwmqDVziPRfRnEcLs6Eyeks5DONNWDhQlbLoHFZThaYVFIoJYBk/s1600/Shell11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="452" data-original-width="600" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK1uQ9LCU89PTZG-8G6YxXxuwZHxjEy8zt5HJKrjCBtcy4uUzyp4FHxiSZ1uB5lKnic_31QKqndywZgjph1LFaIV3_DwmqDVziPRfRnEcLs6Eyeks5DONNWDhQlbLoHFZThaYVFIoJYBk/s320/Shell11.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>Broken Parts</b><br />
<br />
Parts sometimes can break when coming out of their sheets or from sanding. Some dollhouse parts, like gingerbread, can be pretty delicate and you will have a broken piece from time to time. Just glue it back together, clamp and sand the seam smooth. It's just wood which can be repaired and once finished no one will ever know. <br />
<br />
<b>Fitting Tab and Slots</b><br />
<br />
Get those tabs into their slots any way you can. Like I said before, it is extremely important to do so. Your dollhouse is made of some pretty strong plywood. It can take a lot of pressure so you can really use your muscle, without fear, to get parts to fit. Below are some tips to help you fit tabs and slots.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisg7jSFi22DthygV2suFMQYZp918vueCj92O8AAEop28J5OylU8tK4ifQKu_4cfJ4PesNObsRfC8UW-xyd55vBpwYSDTd6He8v1zm4-uz8F4U6pqV9D3dLHOZNEQhobPjOMjy6IwuvRr8/s1600/Shell12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="452" data-original-width="600" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisg7jSFi22DthygV2suFMQYZp918vueCj92O8AAEop28J5OylU8tK4ifQKu_4cfJ4PesNObsRfC8UW-xyd55vBpwYSDTd6He8v1zm4-uz8F4U6pqV9D3dLHOZNEQhobPjOMjy6IwuvRr8/s320/Shell12.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<ul>
<li>Sand down the edges of the slot with a fingernail file so the tab can fit. Vice versa, you can sand the tab down if it's too thick so it fits in the slot.</li>
<li>Use the tip of a flat head screwdriver and insert it into the slot. Gently turn it so the screwdriver opens the slot wider. Sand down any splinters.</li>
<li>Use a rubber mallet to hammer the tabs into the slots. Be careful, but firm.</li>
<li>When all else fails, cut the tab off. It's better to just cut it off than to have it cause a gap because it could not be inserted into the slot correctly. Only do this when all of the above fail. You do not want to get into the habit of cutting off tabs. Remember, tabs not only reinforce the parts so they stay together, they are also alignment guides so your structure stays straight. Tab and slots also straighten warped sheets, this is especially true of floors.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl5a-iKN3-tMvZXO8CiaTfLG-a3pJynil_mHN9qSJUa_KFUgttBosSMhyu_AnU36SkoXeeRmleg2iHbN4ZfgC010-CTMiryQaKf1eXq4z0YLzYGP442SAzGtif7ckPzKcv-A0WEm-VsTE/s1600/Shell13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="452" data-original-width="600" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl5a-iKN3-tMvZXO8CiaTfLG-a3pJynil_mHN9qSJUa_KFUgttBosSMhyu_AnU36SkoXeeRmleg2iHbN4ZfgC010-CTMiryQaKf1eXq4z0YLzYGP442SAzGtif7ckPzKcv-A0WEm-VsTE/s320/Shell13.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Sand down tabs that are protruding from your walls and floors. Protruding tabs will interfere with the placement of flooring and siding. Make sure you do this on your interior walls as well or a protruding tab will break through your wallpaper or cause it to have a lump.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBcGJrJ5MJCwcSGG3ggMR7Y-yC1WtoZHV1HSnZ10oBMiGNenIdalfNvFrcEgT9JGZJ6snBM1xq5xLv-3KzaixRGPgbrgDEQySf1awlv6j4md4a0vjwobMRMJLWpz_RAJ3Qg6DeNQY5boY/s1600/Shell14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="452" data-original-width="600" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBcGJrJ5MJCwcSGG3ggMR7Y-yC1WtoZHV1HSnZ10oBMiGNenIdalfNvFrcEgT9JGZJ6snBM1xq5xLv-3KzaixRGPgbrgDEQySf1awlv6j4md4a0vjwobMRMJLWpz_RAJ3Qg6DeNQY5boY/s320/Shell14.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Use spackle to hide sanded tabs on surfaces you plan to paint and stainable wood filler on surfaces you plan to stain. <br />
<br />
<b>Gaps and Misalignment</b><br />
<br />
Many first time dollhouse builders believe that neither of these should ever be present, as you're building your dollhouse, but that is just not true. More often than not, you will have to deal with one or both of these problems. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3cydQqmIRvTkHFDuf9j7nFy6beJv0bIsOTmgZgKnEaVM28yVfN4y-cGhzFhGCJlfBRZlyUb4f9rZg1E3x1DNnnuYDhqWWHhErELskcq1TZx0Z5zk-bP4oU3zgfKBoT5MOV8Jgc0jG3z0/s1600/Shell15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="452" data-original-width="600" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3cydQqmIRvTkHFDuf9j7nFy6beJv0bIsOTmgZgKnEaVM28yVfN4y-cGhzFhGCJlfBRZlyUb4f9rZg1E3x1DNnnuYDhqWWHhErELskcq1TZx0Z5zk-bP4oU3zgfKBoT5MOV8Jgc0jG3z0/s320/Shell15.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<ul>
<li><b>Gaps</b> are unavoidable. Your dollhouse shell will have gaps in some places. The gaps should not be excessive or highly visible if the shell was correctly assembled. All gaps are hidden when finishes are applied to your dollhouse. Use lightweight spackling compound to smooth out gaps on painted surfaces. Minor gaps along floors and ceilings are easily hidden with trim. Sandable and stainable wood filler will hide gaps on surfaces you wish to stain.</li>
<li><b>Misalignment </b>of certain parts are another common problem you will have to deal with. This usually happens on roofs where two gable panels meet at the top. As long as all of the tabs are correctly and completely in their slots, this is not a problem to worry about. It is not caused by incorrect assembly, so you did nothing wrong. This is just slight inconsistencies in the dye stamp cuts. Shingles, roof trim and finials hide this slight defect and that's why your dollhouse kit has them, aside from their added beauty.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<b>Glue Interference</b><br />
<br />
You will have glue along the edges of your interior floors. All joints in your dollhouse will have glue if you assembled your dollhouse correctly. The glue will appear to be a wet area along the edges of your floor. <br />
<br />
It should not be excessive but if you plan on staining the dollhouse kits original floors, you have to lightly sand around the floor edges to remove some of the glue. This will help the stain penetrate better along the edges. You should also apply stain around the glued area rather than on it. That way the stain soaks into the wood, under the glue, allowing it to match the surrounding floors. <br />
<br />
Baseboard trim will also hide any glue when applied after you finish your floors.Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15948614759421548317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-637361802464434024.post-6855018963498673252019-08-03T06:00:00.002-04:002023-08-15T11:30:37.920-04:00Preparing A Dollhouse Assembly AreaOne of the most important things you have to do first, before beginning your dollhouse assembly, is to prepare your work area.<br />
<br />
Assembling a tab and slot dollhouse is a task that cannot be completed in a weekend or even a week. You should be prepared for a long-term project. An important part of assembly preparation is finding a good area in your home for it. The more comfortable your work area is, the less chances you will have of becoming impatient and overwhelmed with the building process.<br />
<br />
Your assembly area should preferably be away from your main living area. You might not be working on your dollhouse every day, so having a designated area that you can close off from your main living space, would be ideal. That way you can take a break from your project without having to clean up and put everything away or worry about little hands misplacing parts and possibly losing them. Dollhouse assembly is messy, noisy, dusty and there will be a lot of tools laying around, that can cause injury.<br />
<br />
Though a preferred assembly area is away from your main living area, it is not recommended to assemble a dollhouse in either a garage or a basement, unless these areas are temperature controlled. Humid, too cold or too hot areas will prevent proper adhesion of materials. It might also affect the application of wallpaper. <br />
<br />
Running a fan during assembly will speed glue and paint drying times. <br />
<br />
<b><u>Preparing An Assembly Area</u></b><br />
<br />
Regardless of the area you choose for your assembly, preparation of the area is the same in all instances when building a wooden dollhouse. <br />
<br />
<b>Table</b><br />
<br />
You need a sturdy, large table. Depending on the size of your dollhouse model, 2 four foot or longer, tables are required. You need one table to set your dollhouse on, as you assemble and another table for finishing of parts and assembling sub-assemblies that will be installed onto your dollhouse later. <br />
<br /><b>
Folding banquet tables</b> are inexpensive and work very well. They are sturdy enough to hold the largest tab and slot dollhouse. Unfortunately, they are not waterproof. They are generally covered with wood grain, laminated, paper that bubbles and creases when wet. Because of this, it's best to take a few minutes to waterproof your table.<br />
<br />
Waterproofing is done by covering the table’s top surface with vinyl, <b>shelf liner paper</b>. This paper comes in all colors and styles. I have my table covered with a wood grain shelf paper, similar in design to what the original table's surface was. <br />
<br />
The shelf paper roll is not wide enough to cover the entire table at once, so you will have to do one half of the table first (the long way) and then the other. The seam that overlaps, in the middle of the table, will be invisible when done.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9EmQ5H0pq_IU9v2uTa85oP131sf8uon1MdTJWZ6qKiFy7eI1Cz73YTxGxYbFaSrV4DqT0i0Alf1i5O8oS-YKGE-CqQyUsH44r1laBRxZ0NcLWMxFEAg67NAOh0LSZwtTJI3abrjfF3Ow/s1600/Preparingarea16.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="638" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9EmQ5H0pq_IU9v2uTa85oP131sf8uon1MdTJWZ6qKiFy7eI1Cz73YTxGxYbFaSrV4DqT0i0Alf1i5O8oS-YKGE-CqQyUsH44r1laBRxZ0NcLWMxFEAg67NAOh0LSZwtTJI3abrjfF3Ow/s320/Preparingarea16.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Having someone help you with this process will make it easier but it can be done by one person. It's best to stick the paper to the table, slowly, as you unroll it. Smooth it down at the same time to prevent bubbles. The best way to smooth it down is using a small hand towel and rubbing it down as it is unrolled. <br />
<br />
Don't forget to read and follow the paper manufacturer's suggested application method, alongside the above tips.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZBtI2zF2k5-vnHpvibY-5FlmJRI7AwzSSuysCpBvErOWv66dHkW1eFFg6QOfSTkJYj947OTBTOnXOZDdwdjHhZoJR3jF_kdty5wDk5wcMpcuEZyDyAzIkO5LED4Cz_RZr2ovVFtvUtfw/s1600/Preparingarea18.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="638" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZBtI2zF2k5-vnHpvibY-5FlmJRI7AwzSSuysCpBvErOWv66dHkW1eFFg6QOfSTkJYj947OTBTOnXOZDdwdjHhZoJR3jF_kdty5wDk5wcMpcuEZyDyAzIkO5LED4Cz_RZr2ovVFtvUtfw/s320/Preparingarea18.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
After you have one half of the table covered, cut the excess off the table edge with a craft knife. Then you can do the other half.<br />
<br />
The paper allows for the table to be easily cleaned with a moist cloth. You can also clean spilled paint and glue easily from it. If the paper becomes damaged, just remove it and re-cover the table. You will always have a new craft table using this method. <br />
<br />
Keep in mind that when you remove the shelf paper, the top layer of the table will be damaged. You should only remove the shelf paper if you plan on recovering the table with new shelf paper.<div><br /></div><div>Aside from shelf liner paper, you can also use a <b>shower curtain</b> to cover your table. Use masking tape to hold the curtain to the table tightly. <br />
<br />
Plastic, utility tables will also work well for assembling a dollhouse. These tables are more expensive, and they don't have to be covered with shelf liner paper since they are already waterproof and easily cleaned. Because these types of tables fold in half though, rather than just having folding legs, they are not as sturdy as the banquet tables, especially around the leg joints they fold at. <br />
<br />
The best thing about both of these types of tables, is that they can be easily folded, and the table put away when not in use. <br />
<br />
You should position your tables in an L shape, if possible, for easier access to your dollhouse shell and finished parts but if you have limited space, you can position them side by side, with space in between, so you can fit your chair. This way you have easy access to both work areas. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAPmujcfIsYIg9QIlTiIZ9XjkgJfH24Et63gzRlwJQeeUYr_GCzuuqxilrnFR0lQ3RzxyXCrLHxoNG0n2ndgmnKnsqBS8HhP8LSzk-spzayiLZXf8VeflpqreD0H6hDxBUPHGDdoJW5_w/s1600/Preparingarea23.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="638" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAPmujcfIsYIg9QIlTiIZ9XjkgJfH24Et63gzRlwJQeeUYr_GCzuuqxilrnFR0lQ3RzxyXCrLHxoNG0n2ndgmnKnsqBS8HhP8LSzk-spzayiLZXf8VeflpqreD0H6hDxBUPHGDdoJW5_w/s320/Preparingarea23.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>Lighting</b><br />
<br />
A <b>spotlight</b> is necessary for assembly, especially when finishing the interior of a dollhouse. You want to have plenty of light, so that details of what your finishing can be viewed easily. A spotlight gives you the flexibility of focusing light where you need it. You can also move it easily into your work area when needed. <br />
<br />
Use a fluorescent, low energy, cool burning bulb, so that you can get up close to your project without excessive heat or burning yourself by accident.<br />
<br />
<b>Power</b><br />
<br />
Keeping a <b>power strip</b> on top of your table, makes it more comfortable to plug and unplug items like hot glue guns, sanding and rotary tools without having to bend over constantly to find an outlet. <br />
<br />
If you plug your power strip into an outlet that works with your wall switch, you can just turn your power tools, glue gun, etc., on or off with one push. <br />
<br />
<b>Chair</b><br />
<br />
A <b>wheeled chair</b>, with or without a backrest, is much more comfortable to use during assembly than one without wheels. <br />
<br />
<b><u>Keeping Things Organized</u></b><br />
<br />
Plastic, <b>utility shelves</b> work very well to keep all of your materials and tools in place. They are space saving, so they can go right in a closet or corner of a room. They are also easy to clean. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo7U6nbwgWCTHTg8q8mJZaPKTjCrzrPVTgAlqEQ7rueai9D5w_cOHYNtBqvqd4Ki1jH2f7SqW1PEi-k3oVp8etil79TxbU7rFxXctZYjmA0tM-mVGnGYgD_mFvuePad4KTyy-x5rspRXM/s1600/Preparingarea21.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="361" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo7U6nbwgWCTHTg8q8mJZaPKTjCrzrPVTgAlqEQ7rueai9D5w_cOHYNtBqvqd4Ki1jH2f7SqW1PEi-k3oVp8etil79TxbU7rFxXctZYjmA0tM-mVGnGYgD_mFvuePad4KTyy-x5rspRXM/s320/Preparingarea21.jpg" width="241" /></a></div>
<br /><b>Office supply trays</b> help keep small parts, like wooden caps and fabric flowers organized.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJBIT4QGSLLJv0mpWxY_xDyyhGaYuNL96OjfDIC9VIjgkN9_c5CLgG56iMWABR-d3LRqQf_dQvyDVw6y8At4RF-RUbZID0Gke7knRY_txyl5bbLrQN5e8nMqn25NAzhTueNI0-otD2xrs/s1600/Preparingarea08.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="638" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJBIT4QGSLLJv0mpWxY_xDyyhGaYuNL96OjfDIC9VIjgkN9_c5CLgG56iMWABR-d3LRqQf_dQvyDVw6y8At4RF-RUbZID0Gke7knRY_txyl5bbLrQN5e8nMqn25NAzhTueNI0-otD2xrs/s320/Preparingarea08.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Using <b>snap hooks </b>to hang your power tools, from a wire shelf, keeps them easily accessible and their power cords tidy. Use zip ties to hang them, so that your wire shelves do not become scraped by the metal snap hooks.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6gFkBMNaUpS26wtCp-TrraXKYsex8Z8kbQW7r-DbVZjfmnFtIsoicvWAwRK_6YepSU5MHnQAIksH9oiYyHxrHGKM52WlYTn4iSJdG0W_vwjODalE_ikOaw3jVhO4YRN_vwpGgE2G55mc/s1600/Preparingarea05.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="638" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6gFkBMNaUpS26wtCp-TrraXKYsex8Z8kbQW7r-DbVZjfmnFtIsoicvWAwRK_6YepSU5MHnQAIksH9oiYyHxrHGKM52WlYTn4iSJdG0W_vwjODalE_ikOaw3jVhO4YRN_vwpGgE2G55mc/s320/Preparingarea05.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /><b>
Plastic cups </b>from the dollar store are great for storing items like different brushes, markers and rubber bands. Small plastic bins also come in handy for fabrics and other larger items that would not fit in the cups. They fit perfectly on top of closet shelves or cube organizers. You can label the cups and bins using masking tape.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh52dRPg3TDv1nZPdxodSlYl2FWrtqDaD9dR_K7cFBSnXm6efVh4G1PpP-0Mv5LKv85pogi78P4G-Kw3AakfMbNMa18gRYERjHYVs1WD5bm5vb3Xi08VzDx3EG9dcPXP4pd-BEqudUrms4/s1600/Preparingarea07.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="638" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh52dRPg3TDv1nZPdxodSlYl2FWrtqDaD9dR_K7cFBSnXm6efVh4G1PpP-0Mv5LKv85pogi78P4G-Kw3AakfMbNMa18gRYERjHYVs1WD5bm5vb3Xi08VzDx3EG9dcPXP4pd-BEqudUrms4/s320/Preparingarea07.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Always place items you do not use often, on the lower shelves and the ones you use most, on the higher ones. Hand held weights should always be stored on the bottom shelf, so they don't accidentally fall and cause injury.<br />
<br />
Outside of your closet, a wooden shelf can store items you're using on a current project, like windows, wallpaper and flooring. It can also store dollhouse instructions, parts and sub-assemblies. Cube organizers will help you store small items, like miniature furniture that you plan on using for your project later or fabric.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidFThuWe2vIaRFLm-xNsqwRi9wR2abuZjBWIuJuzjBnXBOs-OnbG-B-LMt9s0ozkTvpYrhCKRWA1HjC6KXdFB_Liz1ZULb9VgwQLSOoSYEy97Dvve2bcwTMsCRKcIQc3gFMhymmOgYVqE/s1600/Preparingarea10.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="638" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidFThuWe2vIaRFLm-xNsqwRi9wR2abuZjBWIuJuzjBnXBOs-OnbG-B-LMt9s0ozkTvpYrhCKRWA1HjC6KXdFB_Liz1ZULb9VgwQLSOoSYEy97Dvve2bcwTMsCRKcIQc3gFMhymmOgYVqE/s320/Preparingarea10.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid3io4PC-8LL_I5xinTI3rEgnPJW21l7vZInkyRQMoiGKru2IsWGxlcT7yio2yAjm8dbyfcOOR0OuXrthc2ZALS0sH52pW8rL3Nn9gi2n2t_lbrSpW-PD8qr6ZKIDnZvnqhpTzQ1BXakM/s1600/Preparingarea22.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="638" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid3io4PC-8LL_I5xinTI3rEgnPJW21l7vZInkyRQMoiGKru2IsWGxlcT7yio2yAjm8dbyfcOOR0OuXrthc2ZALS0sH52pW8rL3Nn9gi2n2t_lbrSpW-PD8qr6ZKIDnZvnqhpTzQ1BXakM/s320/Preparingarea22.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>Your Supplies Should Move With You</b><br />
<br />
The best thing a dollhouse builder can purchase is a <b>wheeled caddy</b>. There are many styles of craft caddies out there but the best one for a dollhouse builder is a wire one. Wire caddies are very inexpensive and easy to keep clean. You can keep all of the items you use most on it, and wheel it to your work area, no matter where it is. This keeps you from having to constantly get up and go to your closet or shelf unit for supplies. When you're done for the day, just wheel your caddy out of the way. With a caddy your worktable remains free of supplies and that means more space to work on your project. No constant clean ups and organizing of tools required. Because of this easy mobility, any area can become your work area. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi4sosdFpxCcebCPo2-WNI1uPRilGvZMZjDwt61T0tVyjph251IA0frmHg7R-geFnplreewxsjYIUC6oGpy9SPKyMDozY8iFqdHER4zWJVVbBdCAfRrAUdxtwF_GtQY7ljYQVshtMiFME/s1600/Preparingarea01.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="361" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi4sosdFpxCcebCPo2-WNI1uPRilGvZMZjDwt61T0tVyjph251IA0frmHg7R-geFnplreewxsjYIUC6oGpy9SPKyMDozY8iFqdHER4zWJVVbBdCAfRrAUdxtwF_GtQY7ljYQVshtMiFME/s320/Preparingarea01.jpg" width="241" /></a></div>
<br />
Just like with closet shelves, I put my most used items on the top shelves of the caddy and lesser used items on the bottom. <br />
<br />
Notice how I placed all of my paint bottles on the bottom shelf and added a foam core piece for them to rest on. This prevents the small bottles from turning over because of the wires of the caddy. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb-wP5GAfnYjo7tqAMidPQ_rR8joX8ZYds11xQbHmPJSRBOjZIMoFzcyqN0TeakKLEKuqPh7-zTW1UPwx1zzBPv2fnoIu54ZZx9S6OAQgJY2PYvsNXt8t5qfYBH0BMmX3Znw3jP4pNatc/s1600/Preparingarea15.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="638" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb-wP5GAfnYjo7tqAMidPQ_rR8joX8ZYds11xQbHmPJSRBOjZIMoFzcyqN0TeakKLEKuqPh7-zTW1UPwx1zzBPv2fnoIu54ZZx9S6OAQgJY2PYvsNXt8t5qfYBH0BMmX3Znw3jP4pNatc/s320/Preparingarea15.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I place the paint brush container on top of a foam bowl, so that water does not get on the caddy and the other supplies on the lower shelves. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvcRauBDCJY6DiYAsglnNSSCk24TnVaMjHV8-6ckVIJRVUJ-ysWRpQ1RijgksFpP7TMG0cXtzlOUflDtPJjswB26LsPRpaCCyiEavvfJC-yxqf5fS3kJzDjQRcvDEvN-YdpTGPqrkY9Xo/s1600/Preparingarea19.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="638" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvcRauBDCJY6DiYAsglnNSSCk24TnVaMjHV8-6ckVIJRVUJ-ysWRpQ1RijgksFpP7TMG0cXtzlOUflDtPJjswB26LsPRpaCCyiEavvfJC-yxqf5fS3kJzDjQRcvDEvN-YdpTGPqrkY9Xo/s320/Preparingarea19.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Smaller snap hooks can be used on the caddy to hold items like a dusk mask, measuring tape and safety goggles. Always use zip ties to hang the snap hooks from. Just like with the closet wire shelves, the wires on the caddy can be damaged with the constant rubbing of the metal snap hook. <br />
<br />
I placed cups with my most used items like, sanding boards, utility and craft knives on the caddy.<br />
<br />
You can upgrade your caddy and add more organizing features to it. I added these two <b>shower caddies</b> from the dollar store, made of the same white wire, to the sides of my caddy. They give me more storage shelves and hooks I can use. I attached them to my caddy using zip ties. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7L_cKdnWj_UkqacPMb6AK8rvNMc8IVA0MRaQuh347BT5BgX0YeN6yZHqP1zw178ZXmhwhttHyVu3UPpIPA5xs0ZUlw5PLZSfReywB9_NhcYOZqUjK7E4gQoG6_Xnrun3CaHoperH3Ot8/s1600/Preparingarea13.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="361" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7L_cKdnWj_UkqacPMb6AK8rvNMc8IVA0MRaQuh347BT5BgX0YeN6yZHqP1zw178ZXmhwhttHyVu3UPpIPA5xs0ZUlw5PLZSfReywB9_NhcYOZqUjK7E4gQoG6_Xnrun3CaHoperH3Ot8/s320/Preparingarea13.jpg" width="241" /></a></div>
<br />
I placed my glue bottles upside down, so they flow easier. I also found another plastic organizer tray, that can be hung on a hook. In here, I organized my doorknobs and hardware. Do not place your brads in this organizer because it is hanging vertically, and the brads can fall out of the tray.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig7ZPynPeMNSvXxz2awP1c-gbI4W7ryd6OS_qV8LtlEGyKBxa0p_T_qHtCrJiyhKy_NWWDUKD4525FCo-04iaP5M9EkZFdK7VdSiqOAJ0qbuICCLVKJ2svmd7TLmKSI94sFI9BSQ7vrTk/s1600/Preparingarea17.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="361" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig7ZPynPeMNSvXxz2awP1c-gbI4W7ryd6OS_qV8LtlEGyKBxa0p_T_qHtCrJiyhKy_NWWDUKD4525FCo-04iaP5M9EkZFdK7VdSiqOAJ0qbuICCLVKJ2svmd7TLmKSI94sFI9BSQ7vrTk/s320/Preparingarea17.jpg" width="241" /></a></div>
<br />
Brads and small beads can be placed inside of these little, tightly sealed <b>containers</b> that can be kept in a shelf of your caddy. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCBlqG9K_Daf12agJOgvPWAw7O0RtnPIeHP2YQkE67lk5hJ5yXhGiAi0GuqbRXF9zHWs_dQ3GuuqwL-GLQI_kITQwkoPAlFKzeQi94xM2zE8LZk4b2lY9-5rhv-_AGhLxx1rzcc0B49rg/s1600/Preparingarea11.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="398" data-original-width="640" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCBlqG9K_Daf12agJOgvPWAw7O0RtnPIeHP2YQkE67lk5hJ5yXhGiAi0GuqbRXF9zHWs_dQ3GuuqwL-GLQI_kITQwkoPAlFKzeQi94xM2zE8LZk4b2lY9-5rhv-_AGhLxx1rzcc0B49rg/s320/Preparingarea11.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
But the very best thing about this type of caddy is that it can hold, hard to store, wood trim of all shapes and sizes. These trims usually end up broken and some are so thin that they become lost when they fall off shelves and land behind other items. Storing them in this type of caddy eliminates those common problems. <br />
<br />
Just place a cup on the bottom shelf of the caddy and run your trim through the wires until the bottom ends rest in the cup. Now your trim is safe and sound. Keeping them in the caddy also makes them accessible when you need them and organized. This tip was given to me by Casey of <a href="https://caseymini.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Casey’s Minis</a>. <br />
<br />
All of the above items are inexpensive. All of the storage containers and organizers can be found at a dollar store. You might even already have some of these items in your home. All you have to do is find an area to set them up in. They can be used for one dollhouse project or many. Regardless, you can always find new uses for these items if you plan on assembling only one dollhouse.<br />
<br />
<b>Small Dollhouses and Miniature Furniture/Accessories Assembly</b><br />
<br />What if you aren't assembling a large wooden dollhouse but working with other type of miniatures instead? </div><div><br /></div><div>Preparing your work area for small dollhouses and miniatures is different. Because you will not need to store large items like power tools, you can set up your work area a little differently. You can use the same table and table cover tip above, but your materials can now be placed closer to you for easier access. <br />
<br />
Because small projects do not require you to move large items around your assembly area, you can use a desktop craft organizer for your materials. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPXgDwRs9vrXhrcB9hricPBr9DkhHjN7uxcxi-8QkvZtRzTKyxb-96z-6rciCcMbQcePVgpzNa2j1aIHKRiepKipJdX_CcCld_ymHa0e9PHiHV5eWThYzPMu95gErsgOMNM26hjqoqdE4/s1600/IMG_0297.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="997" data-original-width="1600" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPXgDwRs9vrXhrcB9hricPBr9DkhHjN7uxcxi-8QkvZtRzTKyxb-96z-6rciCcMbQcePVgpzNa2j1aIHKRiepKipJdX_CcCld_ymHa0e9PHiHV5eWThYzPMu95gErsgOMNM26hjqoqdE4/s320/IMG_0297.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /><b>
Rotating desktop organizers</b> can be expensive, but you can achieve the same thing using <b>makeup organizers</b> instead. I found these makeup organizers at Target for $3 each. They are stackable and compact, so they do not take up much desk space, but yet have plenty of storage compartments, nonetheless. Sometimes these organizers are round and can be placed on top of a lazy Susan. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAxo8rdKx8Cx0MM9eRMn8MmAcPvV_YZnXNhjOyVAn-ib8D4JcsWFt0GfE3TwRd8vgvDpeL_Kw4fXBB0d6zZ_ZZIkouiLlDCaPlFJhlvUqKS_VK3mZqNUxUaqwLNAEbSNNIzkqk7Vt6xdA/s1600/IMG_0310.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAxo8rdKx8Cx0MM9eRMn8MmAcPvV_YZnXNhjOyVAn-ib8D4JcsWFt0GfE3TwRd8vgvDpeL_Kw4fXBB0d6zZ_ZZIkouiLlDCaPlFJhlvUqKS_VK3mZqNUxUaqwLNAEbSNNIzkqk7Vt6xdA/s320/IMG_0310.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Compartmentalized food <b>party trays</b> can be bought at the dollar store. They help keep small items, you are working on, organized and handy.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcRXZfb3nsnayYXjeIlwA1XIOuRp7gIjtxH741NGh6G5ZwQk3zF_Gg3sCXNTqCPMYhrw_gch1Rndaiju4v4tl1xAybZQgxA3KRnl1xZYQRZC13-Olmbiie8Ryhfb0aKhiC4jrvTPLY-j4/s1600/IMG_0311.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcRXZfb3nsnayYXjeIlwA1XIOuRp7gIjtxH741NGh6G5ZwQk3zF_Gg3sCXNTqCPMYhrw_gch1Rndaiju4v4tl1xAybZQgxA3KRnl1xZYQRZC13-Olmbiie8Ryhfb0aKhiC4jrvTPLY-j4/s320/IMG_0311.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>Pegboards</b> are also great way to keep materials for small items tidy in your craft room and your worktable free. Though pegboards, and craft furniture that feature pegboards, have become quite pricey, there are still ways of getting them inexpensively. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhINPKU6E2HQlVhjciGbAShm4ZxWVEJfAqbQo5_-79CnragSNZbXb7ZnE43Ot4OJEYsPEJaXMWIM6_S8lUTPgKdm_6RQsywXciZz6fRcGfNb0-mYIsDIYCwXpw9d2GlNMmnqrXTIfGnss4bOWjkW7zEPjgjPgRZ0sVzuGYndiWSXKr7CcK_17Msu3Z-fgw/s2720/359546314_841126650653187_4925855771717137568_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2150" data-original-width="2720" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhINPKU6E2HQlVhjciGbAShm4ZxWVEJfAqbQo5_-79CnragSNZbXb7ZnE43Ot4OJEYsPEJaXMWIM6_S8lUTPgKdm_6RQsywXciZz6fRcGfNb0-mYIsDIYCwXpw9d2GlNMmnqrXTIfGnss4bOWjkW7zEPjgjPgRZ0sVzuGYndiWSXKr7CcK_17Msu3Z-fgw/s320/359546314_841126650653187_4925855771717137568_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I was able to find this pegboard at Home Depot for only $12. It's huge, so I had to have them cut a foot off so that it would fit perfectly over my table. I then ordered the accessories on Amazon for about $15. I spent another $5 at Home Depot for the mounting hardware and some additional hooks. You can accessorize your pegboard for just about any craft material you want to store on it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Since the edges of this pegboard are rougher than I would like, I bought a ribbon for $1 and glued it to all the edges to make a frame. I think it turned out pretty good. Good thing this Home Depot pegboard is already painted white, so you won't have to paint it yourself. You can always spray paint it if you want it to be another color. You can find a lot of nifty, cheap ideas online for accessorizing and decorating your pegboard.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">When working with DIY miniature kits, you will have plenty of left over un-used doodads that you can use on a future project. I recommend you keep anything that is left over because oftentimes, these kits will be missing these tiny items, or you can lose them during assembly. Having spares will prevent you from having to go to a craft store and try to hunt down the item you need. A lot of these items are found in the sewing and jewelry department of craft stores, but they can still be hard to find, so always keep any spares. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH4PkyZmFyk4dzxMJyllM42TilyAdqEocBS0rotR445lhE2Q3Tc3MvyjfREGzF45dUvEw5bFyqWcYHuBU3qZN-HYD36fLOFt72eF6lxOPoTvZ49OCAT0JTBV2jrsFP660bIUocTMqdNw900vK49jtGtd-1C3L3eGf6s8GpIy7pY4vq0e0_E8eEipJ-btA/s1860/367554074_670973955058396_1735479956138182517_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1860" data-original-width="1510" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH4PkyZmFyk4dzxMJyllM42TilyAdqEocBS0rotR445lhE2Q3Tc3MvyjfREGzF45dUvEw5bFyqWcYHuBU3qZN-HYD36fLOFt72eF6lxOPoTvZ49OCAT0JTBV2jrsFP660bIUocTMqdNw900vK49jtGtd-1C3L3eGf6s8GpIy7pY4vq0e0_E8eEipJ-btA/s320/367554074_670973955058396_1735479956138182517_n.jpg" width="260" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">A good way to store these tiny items is by placing them in little sealed containers you can find at the dollar store. I placed my containers on a pencil/pen holder caddy so I can easily turn it around and find the container I am looking for. </div></div>
</div>Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15948614759421548317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-637361802464434024.post-89665565236365771382019-08-02T07:00:00.000-04:002019-08-24T09:08:00.877-04:00Dollhouse Wallpapering GuideAside from the demonstration provided in this guide, you can also get more tips and help from the <a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=1xL5IJ3WO0AX7-UOBETHDblh45c5AN9IM"_blank">Real Good Toys Wallpapering Guide</a>, courtesy of Real Good Toys Dollhouses. <br />
<br />
<b><u>Wallpapering Before Or After</u></b><br />
<br />
Wallpapering <b>AFTER</b> assembly is the preferred method and should always be done unless it's impossible because of inaccessibility afterwards. When you wallpaper after assembly, it prevents gaps from showing in your wallpaper where walls meet. Also wallpaper paste will make your structure even sturdier as it seeps into wall joints.<br />
<br />
There are many reasons why you shouldn't wallpaper prior to assembly. <br />
<br />
<ul><li>It's confusing because you do not know which way walls will face once assembly is complete and this can cause you to apply the wrong prints to the wrong rooms.</li>
<li>Your wallpaper borders might not line up because of slight height variations in the assembled walls.</li>
<li>You will damage your wallpaper as tabs go into wallpapered slots and glue drips onto your walls.</li>
<li>Wallpaper will interfere in the assembly process, as edges of walls go over other already wallpapered edges.</li>
<li>It will be difficult to clamp your shell together with masking tape, without ruining your freshly applied wallpaper.</li>
</ul><br />
To be able to successfully wallpaper your dollhouse you need to have the right materials. You must choose the right wallpaper and the right wallpaper paste.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Types Of Wallpaper</u></b><br />
<br />
<b>Miniature Wallpaper</b><br />
<br />
You need a good quality paper. Miniature wallpaper sold at your miniature dealer is best. Miniature wallpaper already comes in the appropriate thickness, size and texture for a dollhouse. Mini Graphics is the brand I recommend because I have never had any problems using this wallpaper. It has worked well, even when using less ideal application methods. <br />
<br />
<b>Scrapbook Paper</b><br />
<br />
Scrapbook paper is a good second alternative. Though it works best with smaller dollhouse scales, than one inch scale, it can still be used on small, one inch scale dollhouses successfully. Try to find large scrapbook paper pieces. Small ones will require a lot of patching. Too many patches will break your pattern and be visible. <br />
<br />
Make sure you choose a sturdy, good quality scrapbook paper. Avoid glossy photo paper finishes or thin and soft papers. These types of papers can end up bubbling, tearing or creasing from the moisture in the wallpaper paste. Photo and/or glossy papers especially, have an almost waterproof surface that will make it extremely difficult for the wallpaper paste to dry thoroughly and adhere properly. <br />
<br />
If the paper is too thick, like cardstock, you might have problems adhering it with wallpaper paste. The thicker the wallpaper, the more it will absorb moisture, making it buckle or crease while on the wall. It will also be difficult to get a thick card stock paper, to turn into and/or over wall corners. <br />
<br />
<b>Other Papers</b><br />
<br />
Lastly, I do not recommend any paper printed from your computer, to be used as wallpaper, for any dollhouse scale larger than quarter inch scale. Not only is computer printed wallpaper expensive (printer ink is costly), it will not have clear and crisp designs or be the right size for a dollhouse wall, causing you to have to patch many areas. You will also have a lot of ink bleeding issues and tears or you will be forced to use card stock, which, as stated above, is not an ideal paper for wallpapering. <br />
<br />
You should never use real life wallpaper on a dollhouse. This wallpaper will have out of scale prints and be too thick to use on small scales. Life size wallpaper can only be used on dollhouse ceilings. There are plenty of inexpensive life size wallpaper rolls, with slight texture, that are ideal for dollhouse ceilings and the rolls are large enough to cover the ceilings of a very large dollhouse.<br />
<br />
<b>Non-Paper Wallpaper</b><br />
<br />
Don't be limited to just wallpaper. Some people use fabric rather than paper. With all of the beautiful prints on fabrics to choose from, it's not a mystery as to why. The same rules apply to fabric as to paper. The only difference is the type of glue. Diluted tacky glue works best for fabric. You can dilute it yourself with water or buy it in a pre-diluted tub. You can also buy it in spray form. <br />
<br />
A suggestion I received from a fellow miniaturist, is to use spray starch on your fabric wallpaper and this will adhere it to the dollhouse wall but still keep it removable for future redecoration. <br />
<br />
Always test your adhesive on a small scrap of fabric first, as some fabrics are not colorfast and/or can stain or change color when wet. Always allow the test fabric to dry for 24 hours, just in case there is a delay in its reaction to the adhesive.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Shopping For Wallpaper</u></b><br />
<br />
Be careful who you buy your wallpaper from. A lot of miniature dealers online are selling computer printed paper as wallpaper, leaving you with subpar prints and wrong sized sheets. The ideal sheet of wallpaper for a one inch scale dollhouse is no less than 11" x 17" or 12" x 18". Be wary of anything smaller than that. Make sure the retailer has the wallpaper sheet measurements on it's description. You do not need to pay for wallpaper and its shipping if it was printed from a computer. You can do that at home for free. <br />
<br />
<b><u>Quantity Of Wallpaper</u></b><br />
<br />
The rule of thumb for how much wallpaper to use, is a standard sheet (11" x 17" or 12" x 18") per wall. 99% of the time, this means three sheets of wallpaper per room, since all dollhouse rooms have three sides. Some people skimp out on buying the required amount of sheets but I wouldn't recommend it. Remember that some rooms have bays, stairwells or gabled ceiling angles that will use up your wallpaper sheets very quickly. You don't want to run out of wallpaper in the middle of wallpapering. It's always best to have left over wallpaper than to run out of it. So unless the room is unusually small, three sheets is the ideal.<br />
<br />
If you're using scrapbook paper, my rule of thumb is four to five sheets per room. Even large scrapbook paper sheets tend to be much smaller than real miniature wallpaper so, you want to make sure you have enough. Scrapbook paper, especially, has a tendency to show variable hues from different printing batches, so buying more later, is not recommended. If you buy scrapbook paper by the roll, then you won't have to buy extra.<br />
<br />
Remember, when in doubt, measure. Measuring your rooms and how much wall space you have to cover will help you buy the exact amount of wallpaper you will need. <br />
<br />
<b><u>Sealing Wallpaper</u></b><br />
<br />
If you want to protect your wallpaper, spray it lightly with a matte sealant before applying it. When you apply your sealant, make sure you only apply it to the printed side, not the paste side that's going on the wall. The sealant is only to protect the ink of your printed side from rubbing off or bleeding during application. Sealing both sides will make your paper unable to absorb wallpaper paste, therefore making it unable to adhere to the wall. <br />
<br />
Sealing your wallpaper will also allow you to use museum wax, to adhere paintings or wall clocks to your dollhouse walls without leaving a residue.<br />
<br />
Always test your sealant on a small piece of wallpaper, to test for colorfastness, before spraying it on the entire sheet. Sealants will change the color hue of your wallpaper, so make sure you like the outcome before you commit to spraying the entire sheet. <br />
<br />
<b><u>Types Of Wallpaper Paste</u></b><br />
<br />
I recommend only two types of glue for wallpaper, <a href="https://www.miniatures.com/Wallpaper-Mucilage-P17925.aspx?fbclid=IwAR3s9WRL-CXy2HtuzwWWrzHusYh7bGFARQqs_aG3U0t1g2-naa6pwF6DMQY" target="_blank">wallpaper mucilage</a> (any brand) or <a href="https://www.ganebrothers.com/product/yes-pastehojoij" target="_blank">Yes Paste</a>. This is especially true, if you are not experienced in wallpapering dollhouses.<br />
<br />
<b>Wallpaper Mucilage</b><br />
<br />
Mucilage is sold at your miniature dealer and can be of any brand, but you can also use the wallpaper mucilage at the hardware store used for life size wallpaper. Mucilage is perfect for thinner porous papers. These are your regular variety of scrapbook papers and Mini Graphics wallpaper. Mucilage is easily spreadable and should be applied with a foam brush.<br />
<br />
<b>Yes Paste</b><br />
<br />
Yes Paste is sold at most craft stores. I recommend Yes Paste especially for thicker, non porous papers because of its thick consistency. Non porous papers usually have a photo glossy finish or are heavy like card stock. These papers take a very long time to dry and this long drying time can cause wrinkles or buckling if a wetter paste is used. Yes Paste can be diluted with a bit of water but I haven't had a need to. Apply it with a paint brush because foam brushes are too fragile for such a thick paste.<br />
<br />
Both the mucilage and the Yes Paste will allow you to slide your wallpaper into place once it's on the wall. They both dry clear, are acid-free and are specially made to not buckle, warp or wrinkle your paper.<br />
<br />
<b>Other Adhesives</b><br />
<br />
A lot of people use other types of glue for wallpapering with successful results. From diluted tacky glue or contact cement, to spray glue or scrapbook paper paste (e.g., Mod Podge), all of these glues will adhere your wallpaper but I do not recommend them, especially for large dollhouses, since they make application more difficult. Each one of these products has its own quirks for application, which a new builder can easily find out about, with unfavorable results. These products should only be used by experienced builders, who are familiar with them.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Dollhouse Preparation</u></b><br />
<br />
Before you wallpaper your room, you must prime the walls. You can prime your walls with regular primer, latex paint or acrylic craft paint. Always prime with white or any light color paint. Priming will help seal the wood so it doesn't soak up your wallpaper paste, reduce the acid wood naturally releases with time and it also help in hiding dark wood blotches from showing through your wallpaper. <br />
<br />
<ul><li>Prime with flat paints only. Satin or glossy paints will not allow for your paper to adhere properly to the wall. You do not need more than one coat coverage when priming.</li>
<li>Some people go through the trouble of sanding and spackling little cracks or grooves on walls before wallpapering but I've never had to do that. Miniature wallpaper is good quality, sturdy paper and once applied it smooths out any little nook or cranny in your wooden walls. The wallpaper paste also acts as a filler of rough spots and small gaps. Unless it's a very large gap, delaminated area or rough spot, there is no need to make any other preparations to your walls besides priming.</li>
<li>Finish your ceilings before you wallpaper. This is true whether you plan on adding paper to your ceiling or painting it. It must be done <b>BEFORE</b>.</li>
<li>If you plan on finishing the dollhouses original floors, you must finish them <b>BEFORE</b> you wallpaper. If you plan on using a floor covering like carpet, hardwood, tile, paper or vinyl, you have to apply it <b>AFTER</b> wallpapering.</li>
<li>Wallpaper should always be applied before staircases, interior window and door trims, so do not install any interior components until wallpapering is finished.</li>
<li>Cut all of your wallpaper first and dry fit it around the room you wish to cover, in order to make sure you have enough. You don't want to find out you're running short, after half the room is completed. Wallpaper dyes, even in identical patterns, vary during printing, so there can be differences between paper batches. It's best to buy all the wallpaper you need at one time to reduce the possibility of choosing from different printing batches.</li>
</ul><br />
<b>Application</b><br />
<br />
For the sake of demonstration, let's pretend this clear box is a dollhouse room. 99% of dollhouse rooms will be square, with three walls and an open back, just like this box. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnmGxFhXPBsTHgYsBbNmJutR4Ns_-OIT5Tg8Bu4O7j4G55kMfS01boSFpW18tivUL86LOgOfaTrjN-mjejWfV10OI0043L1OEb4YGvPJnpJQJ6a14bq934JIvckE7-z5-bvdTTdjAB47c/s1600/Wallpapering01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="637" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnmGxFhXPBsTHgYsBbNmJutR4Ns_-OIT5Tg8Bu4O7j4G55kMfS01boSFpW18tivUL86LOgOfaTrjN-mjejWfV10OI0043L1OEb4YGvPJnpJQJ6a14bq934JIvckE7-z5-bvdTTdjAB47c/s320/Wallpapering01.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
You must begin with the far front wall. Measure the height of the room by dry fitting a piece of wallpaper against a side wall, with the top edge flush with the ceiling and then crease the bottom against the floor edge with your fingertip. Cut the wallpaper on this crease. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0UkxXZgNGY4TMgeXv_tbjAL9JZluMbbNBwMMxXCQ1bQEIowTyYA9JeEKdH5wxI8Wdp1f5a2kfnlbUDez_WNj5bD7ohKJdIC2wwQjBQ5IRINlbnFaF-KWMRqQkbnsDdmSamTrGb7byD8o/s1600/Wallpapering02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="637" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0UkxXZgNGY4TMgeXv_tbjAL9JZluMbbNBwMMxXCQ1bQEIowTyYA9JeEKdH5wxI8Wdp1f5a2kfnlbUDez_WNj5bD7ohKJdIC2wwQjBQ5IRINlbnFaF-KWMRqQkbnsDdmSamTrGb7byD8o/s320/Wallpapering02.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Now dry fit that piece on the far front wall and cut it to the width of that wall, leaving about a half inch extra on each side. Make sure the paper is a good fit with the floor and ceiling. It doesn't have to be perfect, if you're planning on using baseboards or crown moulding, which you should use. A dollhouses interior will only have a finished look with the addition of interior trim. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZAmcoZyMwnKoRm1stx9DWG-XbvecPjuEegfKbMS2TyNJO9NWxWPf6OaGsitsAdTWrCLoy5WoqpPCqqZsnUmi7QngA-BK090UvKGAx8qgvjCvRHl8LaK-AIzoqAodxguTlidje-riIqPo/s1600/Wallpapering03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="637" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZAmcoZyMwnKoRm1stx9DWG-XbvecPjuEegfKbMS2TyNJO9NWxWPf6OaGsitsAdTWrCLoy5WoqpPCqqZsnUmi7QngA-BK090UvKGAx8qgvjCvRHl8LaK-AIzoqAodxguTlidje-riIqPo/s320/Wallpapering03.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Now the side walls. Get a piece of wallpaper, measure the height of the room in the same way you did the front wall piece and cut on the crease. Slide the paper all the way to the corner of the front wall, until it's flush with it, overlapping the half inch of the front wallpaper. Then crease the back edge and cut along that mark as well, so you have the right length. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDP8RLEudxx0_tceG1rI_Dgqt3R2Ddewqc2Z-J-4tcQueQ_Qen6JsIldqcAlpNjwmXvKjCtL9stytpUgOS1O-cUCAQDm84j7ULtXyXE99Pv5mGq5Nf6CYmdv1L0VLaePq8-7UFAwQU_LU/s1600/Wallpapering04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="637" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDP8RLEudxx0_tceG1rI_Dgqt3R2Ddewqc2Z-J-4tcQueQ_Qen6JsIldqcAlpNjwmXvKjCtL9stytpUgOS1O-cUCAQDm84j7ULtXyXE99Pv5mGq5Nf6CYmdv1L0VLaePq8-7UFAwQU_LU/s320/Wallpapering04.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVznL3tvtMVaWzN2eJ1iXm1JN4b83idxxu_31wwns4y5NbIjwlsi01OOLhyphenhyphenQ8R1rS0nizlXKVx8UsonGH484jeHrUx7e9nt3BYxB1S2YuJ9o6wKUczniuyQWv-okLFf4cjqPXsW_6df9c/s1600/Wallpapering05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="637" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVznL3tvtMVaWzN2eJ1iXm1JN4b83idxxu_31wwns4y5NbIjwlsi01OOLhyphenhyphenQ8R1rS0nizlXKVx8UsonGH484jeHrUx7e9nt3BYxB1S2YuJ9o6wKUczniuyQWv-okLFf4cjqPXsW_6df9c/s320/Wallpapering05.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheBmTi4Le6K-w4tnS0gDxJcP8hN_cX2epXmhCaNbHoxYVL4xQedHMBuf7N67gE8Gwz_FlA8EX44PW0CQQWYZdvTjd7HK2Ow-bfFbN-uhoW16RYueTa0HN7Y5Mg-7nx6zw8M49eTpzRmx4/s1600/Wallpapering06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="637" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheBmTi4Le6K-w4tnS0gDxJcP8hN_cX2epXmhCaNbHoxYVL4xQedHMBuf7N67gE8Gwz_FlA8EX44PW0CQQWYZdvTjd7HK2Ow-bfFbN-uhoW16RYueTa0HN7Y5Mg-7nx6zw8M49eTpzRmx4/s320/Wallpapering06.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Do the same for the opposite wall. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIL0WWWuGXM_q3xro1qK5GO7GoRE11swuo3E79jCn5lKhnb1WCbqizVQNWK5u2caaMy1eCwNr2PiW4eEpToNEqMdoewoqbNrEOD3K8atbEJiKs11t0YF5OtJh_hUzDTA5m0krqUQVIWn4/s1600/Wallpapering07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="361" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIL0WWWuGXM_q3xro1qK5GO7GoRE11swuo3E79jCn5lKhnb1WCbqizVQNWK5u2caaMy1eCwNr2PiW4eEpToNEqMdoewoqbNrEOD3K8atbEJiKs11t0YF5OtJh_hUzDTA5m0krqUQVIWn4/s320/Wallpapering07.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><br />
Once all the pieces are cut and ready to be put up, you can begin pasting them to the wall. Always paste the far front wall piece first. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJCgtaY7ktkJZIKvTVu40_lhcsnelQZZ_P8qajvLDvQpyc1emJLmEFiwjSU7YoutR-CWl6UVWrJc0vfopCAm84j2dWvLfSDLIne4a64hDkIi061e7jbVB9_rdOhH9998jYu5XU21NH86o/s1600/Wallpapering08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="637" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJCgtaY7ktkJZIKvTVu40_lhcsnelQZZ_P8qajvLDvQpyc1emJLmEFiwjSU7YoutR-CWl6UVWrJc0vfopCAm84j2dWvLfSDLIne4a64hDkIi061e7jbVB9_rdOhH9998jYu5XU21NH86o/s320/Wallpapering08.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Turn the paper over, print side down, on a flat surface. Make sure your surface is protected with a plastic covering, parchment or wax paper because this will be a messy process. Also have a small, moist towel handy. You will need it to wipe your fingers with before you pick up the wallpaper and apply it to the wall. You do not want to get wallpaper paste on the print side of your paper, especially if it is not sealed. <br />
<br />
Brush paste all over the back of your wallpaper. Don't blob it, but be generous and cover every area. Pick up the paper and lay it on the front wall. Slide it into place and use your fingertips to push it into the room corners. Make sure the half inch overhangs, on the side walls, lay flat. If you took your time to measure out your pieces correctly, they should fit on the wall perfectly.<br />
<br />
You can use the edge of a wood scrap, to gently push (don't slide up and down) your wallpaper into corners, so they are tight and defined. This will help you install your baseboard and crown moulding properly into corners. Don't use a sharp object to press your corners with because it can tear the wallpaper. <br />
<br />
Don’t rush. Wallpaper paste does not dry on contact. You have plenty of time to position your paper. Use the wet towel to wipe your hands clean of glue, before you flatten out your wallpaper so you don't get glue on it. Always slide your wallpaper into place, do not lift it. Lifting can cause it to tear or wrinkle as the paste creates a suction effect between the paper and wall.<br />
<br />
There is no need to apply paste to the wall as well as the wallpaper. You don't want to make the paper too wet. Applying paste to the wallpaper only, is good enough. You also don't want to apply glue to the wall, instead of the paper. If you do that, your paper will warp or bubble. <br />
<br />
When applying wallpaper, no part of your wallpapers back should be dry of glue, not even the side wall overhangs. The back has to be COMPLETELY covered. Dry spots will cause bubbles, wrinkles or creases.<br />
<br />
Check that all of the paper is flat on the wall and LEAVE IT. Don’t mess with it. Don’t rub it with a moist cloth or a credit card. If you covered the entire back of the paper with glue, laid it flat on the wall and are using the recommended glue, you will not have bubbles in your paper. If you rub it with a credit card or other sharp edge, you will stretch your paper and that will make it crease, wrinkle or buckle. It can also distort the pattern. <br />
<br />
Your freshly laid paper will appear wet and buckley at first but leave it alone until its dry. As it dries, it will shrink and lay flat on your wall. If you point a fan at your dollhouse, the wallpaper will dry quicker.<br />
<br />
After your wallpaper is completely dry, cut out doors and windows with a sharp X Acto/craft knife, through the interior of the dollhouse. Use a lamp to light the exterior and help you better see where the window and door openings are. Don't try to do this through your dollhouses exterior because you will end up tearing the wallpaper. Make sure whatever knife you use is sharp or you can tear or have jagged edges on your paper. <br />
<br />
After you have cut out your openings from the interior side, you can use the craft knife on the exterior of the opening, to remove any jagged edges from it. Always work your craft knife from the inside edge of the opening, outwards so you don't tear your paper. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitofXsI4-uit8IQvKAb0TIUglgp05GmuuikiA3xOpp2_RH6mTjA5iXFMEqh8GZZX3raYL_lMo1dwvM5nCbplaYNytGeWZLqu7bKJv5L6X3femJeXgd2VbGjZEMfCKWFpC3iZBWuV3ARXA/s1600/Wallpapering09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="638" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitofXsI4-uit8IQvKAb0TIUglgp05GmuuikiA3xOpp2_RH6mTjA5iXFMEqh8GZZX3raYL_lMo1dwvM5nCbplaYNytGeWZLqu7bKJv5L6X3femJeXgd2VbGjZEMfCKWFpC3iZBWuV3ARXA/s320/Wallpapering09.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge5hy3nddWtRetXP1LQFfbD5B_t0tktYAmp_8c8OrZnzf7tPYeleo79aJk47UsqsfgdDm3-7k-rGSSHebPb2lYYzfC3wzZPOE_jPKEHOTfFxw3skNhKEWJEL-PTnrig1e-tWzZcTZ2UaA/s1600/Wallpapering10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="638" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge5hy3nddWtRetXP1LQFfbD5B_t0tktYAmp_8c8OrZnzf7tPYeleo79aJk47UsqsfgdDm3-7k-rGSSHebPb2lYYzfC3wzZPOE_jPKEHOTfFxw3skNhKEWJEL-PTnrig1e-tWzZcTZ2UaA/s320/Wallpapering10.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<b><u>Dormers, Bays And Attics</u></b><br />
<br />
You can read a tutorial on wallpapering tower rooms <a href="http://www.greenleafdollhouses.com/dollhouse_news/OCT2009/wall-papering-your-dollhouse.html?fbclid=IwAR2anjfjSyCHp8BDd3u1RmyQ6gm75dcg_moS4-WIfR-EGbIcXhpAxoAaTDo" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />
<b>Bays And Attics</b><br />
<br />
It's easier to wallpaper attics and bay walls before the dollhouse is assembled. Wait to do this when the instructions for your dollhouse tell you it's time to install these pieces. Don’t get ahead of yourself. You will need to know what pieces fall into which room, so your wallpaper patterns match up. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiheoElTrz6V1-w9N8hevdoNfGGec4K8MB94aENZc28_-4pISKM06U6-s7aJwvRTtyDOqAIEBP9cV7Z5eHSlhzeyEJqnSykNFB4M_um7V0k-FhKNY4z8HebZuUoI-MC1a_mRVcWccfYKvM/s1600/Wallpapering11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="637" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiheoElTrz6V1-w9N8hevdoNfGGec4K8MB94aENZc28_-4pISKM06U6-s7aJwvRTtyDOqAIEBP9cV7Z5eHSlhzeyEJqnSykNFB4M_um7V0k-FhKNY4z8HebZuUoI-MC1a_mRVcWccfYKvM/s320/Wallpapering11.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdfKC8OIeZB_wVoDVcSzVFRqtbx4-RUB9VxkJ0uzGWqH2LC-vMSqwkHFYeIr4ilnIE5VxCZcfu_p_5yatWxVsIu4yS02N4dxgAIxFz50Ar6nUZ74TA3q8kK4WmkvtMW0P8AZ6NQumpSAE/s1600/Wallpapering12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="637" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdfKC8OIeZB_wVoDVcSzVFRqtbx4-RUB9VxkJ0uzGWqH2LC-vMSqwkHFYeIr4ilnIE5VxCZcfu_p_5yatWxVsIu4yS02N4dxgAIxFz50Ar6nUZ74TA3q8kK4WmkvtMW0P8AZ6NQumpSAE/s320/Wallpapering12.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Some bay walls cannot be wallpapered before installation because the dollhouse simply is not assembled in that way. For these cases, you will have to wallpaper your bay walls after installation. <br />
<br />
The best way to do this is to first choose a heavily patterned wallpaper. Measure the amount of wallpaper you will need for your bay and cut it in half. Wallpaper the bottom half first and then the top half. Line up your pattern and butt both wallpaper pieces together as close as you can, making sure the top half edge overlaps the bottom so that it is invisible. Don't worry too much about this process, since windows will likely hide most of the bay wall's surface and heavily patterned papers patch very well. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXDg4XYbzHN2Ro-j07ooHKUsj2fKCL7aX4H92eHVOe9QdwJIBiT7AN2op7BpNH20bsYrGu_DfF-FULPSnL_fAUFWOqyxwKk-Q3BRnl3AigKaqwhZgDlPqAN8njZGqgOAwD8iR9nanoVEM/s1600/19553929_1556936241012958_3541774391660031370_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="638" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXDg4XYbzHN2Ro-j07ooHKUsj2fKCL7aX4H92eHVOe9QdwJIBiT7AN2op7BpNH20bsYrGu_DfF-FULPSnL_fAUFWOqyxwKk-Q3BRnl3AigKaqwhZgDlPqAN8njZGqgOAwD8iR9nanoVEM/s320/19553929_1556936241012958_3541774391660031370_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLyK8A87HWhAl0C34FkvVZ7c_ZGlWprJMGTSzyMxhdghxn0FalPpG_Hkcjwb2ZFpQwv83zYSG0OAtcxPut6fq7zbk5hyphenhyphen3wxXJ9DvQTz9zOONRpwZavpKJczkmptzkAq_KJIbkmoQhwL4g/s1600/19429665_1556936694346246_3328476163609864034_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="638" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLyK8A87HWhAl0C34FkvVZ7c_ZGlWprJMGTSzyMxhdghxn0FalPpG_Hkcjwb2ZFpQwv83zYSG0OAtcxPut6fq7zbk5hyphenhyphen3wxXJ9DvQTz9zOONRpwZavpKJczkmptzkAq_KJIbkmoQhwL4g/s320/19429665_1556936694346246_3328476163609864034_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrFn46iws2yQYiyX95fVdF6L8PQxtGcI_0MJGqIBA6g0SUtoUApRJ-tuZYY8FxbrHHP-uOvJ91iQ3rYbNqUyJErENNIfFo98juVQYJg_So8roQuNtBIqzTVBIbDd3_hohw4zkRuWTjIL4/s1600/19511284_1556937057679543_4541981478853032188_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="638" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrFn46iws2yQYiyX95fVdF6L8PQxtGcI_0MJGqIBA6g0SUtoUApRJ-tuZYY8FxbrHHP-uOvJ91iQ3rYbNqUyJErENNIfFo98juVQYJg_So8roQuNtBIqzTVBIbDd3_hohw4zkRuWTjIL4/s320/19511284_1556937057679543_4541981478853032188_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<b>Dormers</b><br />
<br />
Smaller dormers that are assembled away from the dollhouse, can be wallpapered after assembly but before you install them on the dollhouse. Always start with the sides and overlap all joints with the front wallpaper piece. <br />
<br />
When working with very small wall areas or smaller dollhouse scales, you can certainly use tacky glue to apply your wallpaper instead of mucilage. This will allow the paper to sit flatter and more tightly against smaller areas. <br />
<br />
If your dormer can not be pre-assembled in this way, you can still apply wallpaper using the same method while installed, through the window opening. Choose your wallpaper print based on the intricacy of your dormer. The more twists, turns and angles it has, the heavier your pattern should be. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWC37Y_w38BZUCpbIV7h0HaeELR5ERo4O5vbaHJp3d686FvYNY0DwXnjJ4l-ej02EbEWoLm2dgDmBgYN_B1JMPtzZzTmwYlvDdwNNB5-8JvhjYLJnBbpluq0O36IkzR-cTzTgFd_V4arE/s1600/Wallpapering13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="638" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWC37Y_w38BZUCpbIV7h0HaeELR5ERo4O5vbaHJp3d686FvYNY0DwXnjJ4l-ej02EbEWoLm2dgDmBgYN_B1JMPtzZzTmwYlvDdwNNB5-8JvhjYLJnBbpluq0O36IkzR-cTzTgFd_V4arE/s320/Wallpapering13.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitPMq39CR4WNWY0XcxZxakEFTSlOKlAeNnU_QgbeyKBkcv8edNCPA-1CNMi8mXq-tTQXrdXjyIOu0MvJvm6Ty1FApScloRPisRToFdKOB5OGLutsGcA0Mqqm1G_XRJsqJhxsHXiprNB0s/s1600/Wallpapering14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="638" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitPMq39CR4WNWY0XcxZxakEFTSlOKlAeNnU_QgbeyKBkcv8edNCPA-1CNMi8mXq-tTQXrdXjyIOu0MvJvm6Ty1FApScloRPisRToFdKOB5OGLutsGcA0Mqqm1G_XRJsqJhxsHXiprNB0s/s320/Wallpapering14.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg5ba3tENzyLR0PvCEXjvx3EAD0NBk_mbD8t0R5j8zuGYaAIs7P9wrEdpj2S8sR79O1mbERw853gfNYjbw1VR3d4PjI6FvpTgZYIW61YVzYMl1WMjgRQZYEszaUBLz_APlGAmjINVdgY8/s1600/Wallpapering15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="638" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg5ba3tENzyLR0PvCEXjvx3EAD0NBk_mbD8t0R5j8zuGYaAIs7P9wrEdpj2S8sR79O1mbERw853gfNYjbw1VR3d4PjI6FvpTgZYIW61YVzYMl1WMjgRQZYEszaUBLz_APlGAmjINVdgY8/s320/Wallpapering15.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRuYSJ-wEfl6BufFLPT2zIoGl8tBYabF7R48NmW7xLBTykKx9sqW9sImbpnHrNVsFigLHiheqebW3YsMzuNTfrdDyzkTXOzpFV9QS66gZCvhpUKXySjSk7QbWsYTya5I2RTOdkqrzX_NU/s1600/Wallpapering16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="638" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRuYSJ-wEfl6BufFLPT2zIoGl8tBYabF7R48NmW7xLBTykKx9sqW9sImbpnHrNVsFigLHiheqebW3YsMzuNTfrdDyzkTXOzpFV9QS66gZCvhpUKXySjSk7QbWsYTya5I2RTOdkqrzX_NU/s320/Wallpapering16.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<b><u>Staircase Walls</u></b><br />
<br />
Staircase walls always have to be wallpapered before the staircase is put in. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvP6iTTVZ8HlgZfGhHIpDDhI88h-xo3KFk74Q2mz3X5HpDO7o7psqLWHpxjFfQ4y2R4Jo9QG7DUzU6WaVI02bJj1SdSBS3Mu14ORAtnCh5fw__8GQX8tusDG4aWVFnlYalWMz7vAPwFBM/s1600/Wallpapering17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="361" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvP6iTTVZ8HlgZfGhHIpDDhI88h-xo3KFk74Q2mz3X5HpDO7o7psqLWHpxjFfQ4y2R4Jo9QG7DUzU6WaVI02bJj1SdSBS3Mu14ORAtnCh5fw__8GQX8tusDG4aWVFnlYalWMz7vAPwFBM/s320/Wallpapering17.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAT9cQEmTQru0OJGswXMqL8hSjQGHOxjKwnp58HB6iQOtU1uSjMU_nxl_IV99c5geZuifznGcJyiEnU3rM_O5baglhaQYeifb1qHLGnUKqyPC4ASjBUwOUnX4dhpPTtPPaiDLWgBrzDM8/s1600/Wallpapering18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="638" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAT9cQEmTQru0OJGswXMqL8hSjQGHOxjKwnp58HB6iQOtU1uSjMU_nxl_IV99c5geZuifznGcJyiEnU3rM_O5baglhaQYeifb1qHLGnUKqyPC4ASjBUwOUnX4dhpPTtPPaiDLWgBrzDM8/s320/Wallpapering18.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUjMpib51k0dmI_8WrOkHnTLciQL8kYrADd2QfXLUbLzChhQfVi-uwVmc750si_ObN81-Ycq6nb4BgUiNjxLO1yKE9MMrvP-wVISDIYc-D3hxcupHBhxbIcI7SYx9B-wFHBd97Ce54xxY/s1600/Wallpapering19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="361" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUjMpib51k0dmI_8WrOkHnTLciQL8kYrADd2QfXLUbLzChhQfVi-uwVmc750si_ObN81-Ycq6nb4BgUiNjxLO1yKE9MMrvP-wVISDIYc-D3hxcupHBhxbIcI7SYx9B-wFHBd97Ce54xxY/s320/Wallpapering19.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><br />
<b><u>Wallpaper Borders</u></b><br />
<br />
Leave room on the top and bottom of your walls if you have wallpaper with borders. If you push your wallpaper all the way to the top of your ceiling or the bottom of your floors, your crown moulding or baseboard trims will hide your wallpaper border prints. A 1/4" of an inch leeway from the ceiling and floors is a good starting point but this can vary depending on how thick your moulding trims are.<br />
<br />
If your wallpaper has both a top and bottom border and your wall is not tall enough to accommodate them both, you will have to cut off the top border carefully. Notice in the bottom photos how I cut the top border at the print line, right where it begins. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisv1WjelCqa359iXtbWJSUaKgruIayXpstIeL7Ry2x62ccOn3LNvZi2DfVouj5AnbIvSua6xf0sWV_gaUZPTdS1TMkLcv-HWUKY2z7GLi93wemMD9JBkGIIPJkRrC2sJUXCt2P3IQJXK8/s1600/19429865_1556937597679489_8547926465229343941_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="452" data-original-width="600" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisv1WjelCqa359iXtbWJSUaKgruIayXpstIeL7Ry2x62ccOn3LNvZi2DfVouj5AnbIvSua6xf0sWV_gaUZPTdS1TMkLcv-HWUKY2z7GLi93wemMD9JBkGIIPJkRrC2sJUXCt2P3IQJXK8/s320/19429865_1556937597679489_8547926465229343941_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjHWMTrWL1jq8MXeRvA7A9xd36FIQiptZVXGvlyBaTDKdLHZb6axsE34GBd3G5RZ4mPbJFZMA6NmfQ2PdX-YK3UR55oXQ9z65pKDoyPpMZWlwsurQtaeHZx6I9Xv0-CKrpBL2lcj06VQQ/s1600/19429998_1556937814346134_7108071624153383673_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="452" data-original-width="600" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjHWMTrWL1jq8MXeRvA7A9xd36FIQiptZVXGvlyBaTDKdLHZb6axsE34GBd3G5RZ4mPbJFZMA6NmfQ2PdX-YK3UR55oXQ9z65pKDoyPpMZWlwsurQtaeHZx6I9Xv0-CKrpBL2lcj06VQQ/s320/19429998_1556937814346134_7108071624153383673_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Now take your wallpaper piece, without the top border, and measure it from the bottom floor edge to the ceiling. Crease along the ceiling to get the right height for the paper. This will preserve the bottom border. Cut along the top crease with scissors. <br />
<br />
Apply your wallpaper to your walls and then apply your top border, along the ceilings edge, to recreate the original print. Because the top borders patched edge faces downward, it is virtually invisible. Use a glue stick or tacky glue to adhere your border. These thinner glues will allow the border to lay very flat against the original wallpaper. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1A5BYCB707hfQTNLm2ch6lWaZ84Ipb6va8Li2w6J87CWBy0WCoYnTexnrBFQtmQKThtEo2L8lPuzLF3druV0VblvpQlYGzrwrNuqXFMWF5z4kMzwR-pv1nvdfh7K5l4v5sG9BGOH6Sd8/s1600/19437200_1556943201012262_8914451032999282635_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="527" data-original-width="700" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1A5BYCB707hfQTNLm2ch6lWaZ84Ipb6va8Li2w6J87CWBy0WCoYnTexnrBFQtmQKThtEo2L8lPuzLF3druV0VblvpQlYGzrwrNuqXFMWF5z4kMzwR-pv1nvdfh7K5l4v5sG9BGOH6Sd8/s320/19437200_1556943201012262_8914451032999282635_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Always begin this process from the top border and not the bottom. Cutting off the bottom border and then pasting it over your wallpaper will cause a patched edge that is facing upwards and highly visible. <br />
<br />
Do not cut your wallpaper in half to try and get the right height through the middle. This will cause a very obvious patched seam running right through the middle of your walls and your middle pattern might not align properly.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Ceiling Paper</u></b><br />
<br />
Ceiling paper is usually sold by the sheet, from your miniatures dealer. It normally comes in two colors, white and off-white. This is a heavily, textured paper. <br />
<br />
The sheets are pretty large and each one can cover the entire ceiling of a large dollhouse room. For tab and slot dollhouses, which generally have smaller rooms, one sheet can cover, approximately, two rooms or in some cases, the ceilings of an entire floor. They sell textured wallpaper, by the roll, for life scale houses at the hardware store and it is perfectly fine to use on your dollhouse ceilings. One roll is more than enough for a large dollhouse. <br />
<br />
Think through finishing techniques before you begin. Notice how the room goes together and what areas might become a problem for the application of ceiling paper. For instance, usually ceiling paper is applied before wallpaper but if you have a room that has a staircase, this rule of thumb can change. You must install the staircase before you apply ceiling paper and you have to wallpaper your walls before you can install a staircase. So, in a room like this, you would need to wallpaper first, then apply the ceiling paper and lastly install the staircase. This does not apply to staircase openings. If the staircase fits into the staircase opening and will not rest on or cover the surrounding ceiling area, in any way, then it can be installed after the ceiling paper is in. <br />
<br />
Because of its heavy texture, this paper does not patch well. Luckily, ceilings are usually square and lack the architectural complexities commonly found on walls. For this reason, it is generally easier to apply ceiling paper, than wallpaper. You just have to keep a couple of things in mind.<br />
<br />
<ul><li>The same that is true for wallpaper, applies to ceiling paper. You must prime your ceilings before application.</li>
<li>Cut enough ceiling paper to cover the entire ceiling. The paper does not patch well, as stated above.</li>
<li>Never apply ceiling paper before assembly. This can damage your ceiling paper or interfere with the assembly process. You must wait for the dollhouse to be completely assembled before application. This includes staircases.</li>
<li>If the paper is going to be used in a room that will be inaccessible later, assemble as much as you can before applying the ceiling paper.</li>
</ul><br />
<b>Glue</b><br />
<br />
Ceiling paper is thick because of its heavy texture. Because of this, you do not need to use your expensive wallpaper paste to adhere it. This paper adheres very well with tacky glue. Just squeeze your tacky glue all over the back side of the paper. It does not have to be spread with a foam brush for evenness. As long as you apply the glue to the entire back side, especially along the edges, it will work fine. <br />
<br />
Also, you do not need to slide ceiling paper around to acquire the perfect fit, so you really do not need a special glue for it. <br />
<br />
<b>Application</b><br />
<br />
It's best to turn your dollhouse upside down for this process. <br />
<br />
If the room is square, all you need to do is lay the ceiling paper flat on your ceiling and then crease it along the wall edges. Then cut along the creases with scissors. Now you have a perfect replica of your ceiling transferred to the ceiling paper. Apply it to your ceiling using the glue suggestion above. <br />
<br />
If the ceilings have twists and turns in them, you will need to make paper templates of it first. You can use any type of paper you want for this. Patch the paper together using masking tape to join the twists and turns of your ceiling. Then use the paper template as a guide for cutting your ceiling paper. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1BKYRY6-y_BkSX0c8mUu8hre3T7-JgmRaaEMzKJ8WaQAziKpocX6NgZYOt_FERFrl-6phQz_-98DZtj13h1iwM_Iw03xUGhsaoX3pnl8jN0-KCAJh0PzbvUZ1YpqXFxQr525B2skNVME/s1600/19510084_1556938784346037_2944552774609963762_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="638" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1BKYRY6-y_BkSX0c8mUu8hre3T7-JgmRaaEMzKJ8WaQAziKpocX6NgZYOt_FERFrl-6phQz_-98DZtj13h1iwM_Iw03xUGhsaoX3pnl8jN0-KCAJh0PzbvUZ1YpqXFxQr525B2skNVME/s320/19510084_1556938784346037_2944552774609963762_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Apply the cut ceiling paper to the ceiling.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP1fzGnG7nu8bi6VtDzh4rRBmbzV9ikzzwvX8IhbiCAwRmXjFJM8-PVv4YAfbxHoCy4iHwe8nEcfJlKjGlQSL3WyRROT51BE9Pi7TFdC52BTTcySYB9G2rR6BFaC7jUQrnt_rG5sXM3rA/s1600/19511389_1556939294345986_9181132343786441346_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="638" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP1fzGnG7nu8bi6VtDzh4rRBmbzV9ikzzwvX8IhbiCAwRmXjFJM8-PVv4YAfbxHoCy4iHwe8nEcfJlKjGlQSL3WyRROT51BE9Pi7TFdC52BTTcySYB9G2rR6BFaC7jUQrnt_rG5sXM3rA/s320/19511389_1556939294345986_9181132343786441346_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
If you have a staircase opening, just cut it out using a craft knife, the same way you cut out window and door openings for wallpaper. <br />
<br />
<b><u>Room Accessibility</u></b><br />
<br />
Always be sure you have access to a room after your dollhouse is assembled. Some rooms are impossible to reach after assembly (e.g., a stairwell, closet) and must be wallpapered before or during assembly. If a wall has to be wallpapered before it's put in, like the famous Beacon Hill Dollhouse stairwell, tower wall, measure where each floor meets the wall, so you know which room is which and what wallpaper pattern to use.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhARhrffBZyJehvHrjm6yABQK5T67cKBygL7uAZFqZEXCnWvl7Q8b1Uu87kez06Crd_5qYfVAuLcxNhJsXF8MRoTRoO8kejcGHLBGNOvYuMXIzR1s_SpOnFdrKjYoj9RlodW7XC8sdmQMw/s1600/Wallpapering20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="361" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhARhrffBZyJehvHrjm6yABQK5T67cKBygL7uAZFqZEXCnWvl7Q8b1Uu87kez06Crd_5qYfVAuLcxNhJsXF8MRoTRoO8kejcGHLBGNOvYuMXIzR1s_SpOnFdrKjYoj9RlodW7XC8sdmQMw/s320/Wallpapering20.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><br />
Dry fitting each part of your dollhouse BEFORE you glue it on is your best friend for wallpapering. That way you know if it's possible to wallpaper a room after assembly or if it has to be done before.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Electrification</u></b><br />
<br />
If you are electrifying your dollhouse using tape wire, I suggest you make templates of all your dollhouse walls before assembling the dollhouse. You can use very thin foam core, poster board or card stock paper to make your templates out of. You can make templates of your walls after the dollhouse is built as well but it's a little more difficult. <br />
<br />
Plan your electrification very carefully because there are inaccessible areas on some dollhouses after they are built. I suggest you run your tape wire only through the areas that you can access easily, to avoid future problems and be able to apply the wallpaper easier.<br />
<br />
Assemble your unfinished dollhouse shell and electrify it. <br />
<br />
Wallpaper your foam core or card stock templates using double sided tape. Make sure you use a tape that can be used for scrapbooking or is safe for printed paper. If you decide to use glue, only use diluted tacky glue or a glue stick. You must use your glue sparingly because wallpaper will adhere very easily to your templates, since they are paper based. Do not use mucilage or any other heavy or wet glues. They will cause too much moisture to soak into your templates and wallpaper, causing warping and creasing, which will ruin them. <br />
<br />
Glue your wallpapered templates to your dollhouse walls using any removable, non-permanent adhesive, such as museum wax, glue dots or tacky strips. This will allow you to access your electrical tape if any problems should occur, without tearing apart your dollhouse interior. <br />
<br />
All of your interior components will have to be placed in your dollhouse with non-permanent adhesives. This includes but is not limited to staircases, door and window trims, baseboards and crown moulding. Basically any wall that has tape wire running on it, should not have permanent finishes on it, including your ceilings. <br />
<br />
<b><u>Troubleshooting</u></b><br />
<br />
<b>Patching</b><br />
<br />
Patching wallpaper is something that you will have to do often, especially on awkwardly shaped rooms or because of some damage to the paper itself. When patching wallpaper, always match up your pattern as closely as possible. The wallpaper overlap edge should always face away from you and/or downwards, so that it's invisible. <br />
Repairs<br />
<br />
Always keep a small piece of every wallpaper pattern that you use, in case you ever have to patch up a future problem. You can file them away in a folder for safe keeping. Many wallpaper prints do become discontinued, so it's always best to be safe than sorry. <br />
<br />
When doing repairs always try to match your pattern as closely as possible and use a glue stick rather than mucilage to adhere your repair wallpaper piece. <br />
<br />
<b>Running Out Of Paper</b><br />
<br />
If you realize that you will not have enough wallpaper to cover a room, and there is no way to order or find more of the same paper, you will have to print your own. This is why dry fitting your wallpaper to the entire room first is so important because it allows you to foresee this problem before the wallpaper is glued to your walls. <br />
<br />
Take a piece of your wallpaper to an office supply store and have them print out a high, quality color copy of your paper. You can ask them to use legal size paper to have a larger piece. Tell them to not print it on cardstock but to use regular paper instead. The print out should be pretty close to, nearly identical to your original wallpaper but keep in mind that it will not be exact. The color hue will be slightly different. <br />
<br />
Use your printed piece on side walls or bays, so you can hide the color hue difference. Side walls naturally have a different hue than other walls because of the way light falls into the dollhouse room. Bays also have this lighting difference, so these are the ideal areas to add a printed wallpaper piece to. <br />
<br />
<b>Stubborn Wallpaper</b><br />
<br />
Sometimes there is a wallpaper print that matches your decor perfectly but is not user friendly. Glossy or photo paper wallpaper can be this kind. Like I mentioned above, this type of wallpaper will not adhere properly to your wall, since it does not dry well. The best way around this is to use double sided tape to adhere it rather than paste. Make sure that the double sided tape you use can be used for scrapbooking or is safe for printed papers. <br />
<br />
<b>Bubbling And Creasing</b><br />
<br />
There have been cases where people have experienced bubbling of their wallpaper years after application. There are many reasons why this can happen but one of the main ones is humidity. A lot of wallpaper pastes will soak up the moisture in the air and dampen even after being dry for a long time. That is why storing your dollhouse properly is so important. <br />
<br />
Humidity is the number one enemy of a dollhouse, even if it hasn't been finished yet. Humidity can not only ruin your wallpaper but your wood as well. If you have to store your dollhouse in a damp place like a basement or a storage facility, put a tub of Damprid near it or inside of it, to help reduce the moisture in the air. Read the instructions of how to use this product correctly, so you know when it needs to be replaced, how many you need to get, etc. <br />
<br />
If you wallpaper has bubbled, you need to take a pin and prick the bubble or slit it with a sharp craft knife, add more paste inside the prick or split and then flatten with a credit card. A toothpick will allow you to get the glue into the small pricked area. <br />
<br />
In the case where your wallpaper has creased, if you do not have a large enough piece of leftover wallpaper to cover the damage, there is no solution but to scrape it all off and start over. You can imagine how difficult this would be in a dollhouse with inaccessible areas. That is why prevention is better than cure, so keep your dollhouse dry.<br />
<br />
<b>Staining and Fading</b><br />
<br />
Sometimes after some years, you may experience staining of your wallpaper. This is caused by the acid in wood and that is why proper wall priming is vital before wallpapering. <br />
<br />
If you do not have a large enough piece of leftover wallpaper to cover the damage, the only way to fix it is to scrape the wallpaper off and start over. The best way to prevent it is by priming your walls and storing your dollhouse properly. <br />
<br />
Keep your dollhouse away from direct sunlight, so never display it by a window. This will fade your wallpaper and if that happens removal is the only solution.Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15948614759421548317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-637361802464434024.post-33134159662484867212019-08-01T07:00:00.001-04:002019-08-24T09:16:30.724-04:00Dollhouse Door GuideThis tutorial will help you hinge a tab and slot dollhouse door in your choice of two methods, using miniature hinges or a chamois strip. <br />
<br />
<b><u>Using Miniature Hinges</u></b><br />
<br />
Tab and slot dollhouse doors are difficult to hinge. These doors are made up of many layers of laminated wood, making them very thick, heavy and uncooperative. The casing or "trim" that goes around the door is also made up of layers of wood that make it very difficult to work with. You can imagine the challenge presented when you're trying to make such thick slabs of wood gently and easily glide open and closed on the world's tiniest hinges. Well, this guide will show you how to do just that. <br />
<br />
<b>Preparation</b><br />
<br />
First, this cannot be done upright, so you have to lay down your door and exterior door trim (casing) on a flat surface. Door and casing trim has to be completely finished and assembled before you can attempt this. That means that if your door and exterior casing is made up of multiple layers of wood, they have to all be assembled and finished. <br />
<br />
You have to do a dry fit first, to make sure that the door fits correctly into the casing in order to allow movement. Lay your casing down first, fully finished and then put the fully finished door inside, just like it's supposed to hang on the dollhouse when installed. You will have to sand the door down well to make sure that it sits in the casing, loose enough to allow movement. <br />
<br />
You should add masking tape to the corners where you plan on putting the hinges, so you can stand the door upright for a test run and see if there is free movement inside of the casing. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNkv09N_7EJIpD1L_W6CqZFzoALIMwmT7aorSO9Ps4qawXjH3N57BKFfmX6UALicWlBpc8E5GDLadQ1M6oegKyVKuumQSK29DNwti-5emZYU4ltjVLxXtUeq6qCMV_GvWuSMDYZjKWq_w/s1600/19905448_1571810932858822_876722320374189413_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="638" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNkv09N_7EJIpD1L_W6CqZFzoALIMwmT7aorSO9Ps4qawXjH3N57BKFfmX6UALicWlBpc8E5GDLadQ1M6oegKyVKuumQSK29DNwti-5emZYU4ltjVLxXtUeq6qCMV_GvWuSMDYZjKWq_w/s320/19905448_1571810932858822_876722320374189413_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
If your door is made of many layers, you can omit some of them to create a thinner, more manageable door but keep in mind that this option might take away from some of the three dimensional, architectural details of the door.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9AFAm5o5VldQMrZDv_SvESb5yjtf0YEiHkEBvr-lFpaNmDpczGXcuCcMQnaT6KaDVMxLZ0xuh2tGCBk0DPEyH1VdDsWgWDr3NJ7znosAIBIqK_NxwB-mHg7TH0Yv81X0U1aFKmo39oVA/s1600/19894600_1571804679526114_2050537339009705019_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="638" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9AFAm5o5VldQMrZDv_SvESb5yjtf0YEiHkEBvr-lFpaNmDpczGXcuCcMQnaT6KaDVMxLZ0xuh2tGCBk0DPEyH1VdDsWgWDr3NJ7znosAIBIqK_NxwB-mHg7TH0Yv81X0U1aFKmo39oVA/s320/19894600_1571804679526114_2050537339009705019_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT90hs_jOvV3I64Z8olXcBK9cdlUJFd0EWY_Zk55gsmjv7fhjk8oY4kij_ZQaSoyIUJPY3swStlLz_pqglmltiRDHg3mbGruazayQwMrkCio7ZLSIJG92URvVCVdEjqRwNN9lY1ulqIXI/s1600/19989762_1571805622859353_7007345101136534932_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="638" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT90hs_jOvV3I64Z8olXcBK9cdlUJFd0EWY_Zk55gsmjv7fhjk8oY4kij_ZQaSoyIUJPY3swStlLz_pqglmltiRDHg3mbGruazayQwMrkCio7ZLSIJG92URvVCVdEjqRwNN9lY1ulqIXI/s320/19989762_1571805622859353_7007345101136534932_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<b>Choosing Hinges</b><br />
<br />
The larger the hinges, the better the outcome but it will clash with scale. You have to decide what's more important to you. Larger more durable hinges, that will work well or smaller more fragile hinges that can pose problems in the future. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtFFQ45_J9vNbkYBQ-kZPCFi-89p6wVyhV9q6xJhWJjOKRy1Suuu_qdGOGqvLxzMbXrSMQxrQdT9CgifmbxN96mAwFp8e6gcA4M_5SLOvEEMuhUYfV-NI93KKr4xmtscV5dg_y_6ByNgI/s1600/19884032_1571805856192663_91113309116604477_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="638" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtFFQ45_J9vNbkYBQ-kZPCFi-89p6wVyhV9q6xJhWJjOKRy1Suuu_qdGOGqvLxzMbXrSMQxrQdT9CgifmbxN96mAwFp8e6gcA4M_5SLOvEEMuhUYfV-NI93KKr4xmtscV5dg_y_6ByNgI/s320/19884032_1571805856192663_91113309116604477_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie2AYap7nYAktI76ErpnsNNMpfoZgPBx3vTwZdoNujg1L2roAlfUDOcu_0t4InYtYtFNuB9fd-ItH4w6ZG_mkr6stHILFq7XzcpdpTqvX9UandbBcoKLC4gZqU0SBjmRsiBIp7l2ubJUk/s1600/19905000_1571806059525976_7532438021779859717_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="638" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie2AYap7nYAktI76ErpnsNNMpfoZgPBx3vTwZdoNujg1L2roAlfUDOcu_0t4InYtYtFNuB9fd-ItH4w6ZG_mkr6stHILFq7XzcpdpTqvX9UandbBcoKLC4gZqU0SBjmRsiBIp7l2ubJUk/s320/19905000_1571806059525976_7532438021779859717_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
It can take you many hours to hinge the door and you only get one shot at it. If you damage the hinge, you have to get a new one. Many hinge packages bring strictly four hinges and the exact amount of hinge nails for each, so it's always best to order more packages to use as spares. <br />
<br />
<b>Application</b><br />
<br />
I chose L shaped hinges for The Brimbles Mercantile Dollhouse door. I thought they would be a bit stronger since the door is made up of many layers and is heavy. I also decided to choose true to scale hinges. <br />
<br />
You're going to need:<br />
<br />
<ul><li>Spotlight lamp</li>
<li>Tweezers</li>
<li>Tacky glue</li>
<li>Push pin</li>
<li>Leaded pencil</li>
<li>Hammer</li>
<li>Nail setter. If you don't have a nail setter, you can use any sturdy object with a small enough tip to tap in your hinge nail heads. A small screwdriver would also work well.</li>
</ul><br />
Speaking of nails, the nails that come with your hinges are microscopic. They are smaller than the brads used for wiring. Be careful not to lose them.<br />
<br />
The 2 things you MUST do in order to be successful at this are:<br />
<br />
<ul><li>You must make a starter hole with a push pin. If you do not make a starter hole, you will bend or break your hinge nails. They are not strong enough to make a hole in hard plywood.</li>
<li>You must dip all of your hinge nails in glue before tapping them in place. If you don't apply glue to these tiny nails, expect them to pull off or fall off with the movement of the door and natural weakening of the wood due to movement.</li>
</ul><br />
This Brimbles Mercantile Dollhouse has a double door, so it's harder to hinge. Each door has two hinges, on the top and bottom. <br />
<br />
When you're sure that the door has free movement in it's casing from a lot of sanding, you can position your hinge in place and mark where the tiny nail holes are. Make sure your hinges are positioned correctly to open and close. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Bqwwih2ObBQmuZyRQC7XwlkAflA3rcsN2p_uwYwjf_OCoi3rGkR5CG8zce8PAKNDp9dlIC7sWcjJ2_-76hg7p1RlUpHJuptuMAO5sgwK0hxGRpQvvzln9xRXPrgP32I3eP_LaozQnjE/s1600/Doors01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="361" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Bqwwih2ObBQmuZyRQC7XwlkAflA3rcsN2p_uwYwjf_OCoi3rGkR5CG8zce8PAKNDp9dlIC7sWcjJ2_-76hg7p1RlUpHJuptuMAO5sgwK0hxGRpQvvzln9xRXPrgP32I3eP_LaozQnjE/s320/Doors01.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><br />
I suggest you do the door casing side first and when you're done with that, you do the door side. If you try to do both at the same time, you might shift where the holes go. <br />
<br />
These hinges are TINY. The best way to mark the holes is to use a refillable lead pencil because the leads are so thin that they will fit into the hinge holes. A regular pencil will not. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiija9S_YnoQDXcvhj-c0RP8ttlM5MPKpK3KfrZ7tCWkXtqhGq2Zbghj2Wa4F9HZ5sNQK3rhMNdGyeVweUZRzLh1K4rQ3gnl-mE0Yr9usJj9EmYY3-_SVVlgOCkgVKsuLBlLRg7JkOy7Bo/s1600/Doors02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="361" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiija9S_YnoQDXcvhj-c0RP8ttlM5MPKpK3KfrZ7tCWkXtqhGq2Zbghj2Wa4F9HZ5sNQK3rhMNdGyeVweUZRzLh1K4rQ3gnl-mE0Yr9usJj9EmYY3-_SVVlgOCkgVKsuLBlLRg7JkOy7Bo/s320/Doors02.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><br />
When the holes are marked, put the hinge to the side and use a push pin to make starter holes on your markings. You just need a small indentation, so the tiny hinge nails can fit halfway in before tapping them all the way down. <br />
<br />
Once the starter holes are done, position your hinges over them to match up. Now take a small hinge nail, with a tweezers since they are way too small for fingers, and dip them in a dot of glue. Position them in the hinge hole. They will fit nicely in the starter hole. Use a nail setter to finish tapping them all the way in.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcItw6Ocy0ImjLSmDuBeZaXgJpbsI7XuL87ZYq6RqiN4zG5mwzgONT9NYs15CU_Rr5dSIJGW0PoC7sJXQ-BUHjX_RbjFh7e8BKL8iHH1jnsEAKnh1YDhv1AStaHOPvseuAJliUngkDsGs/s1600/Doors03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="361" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcItw6Ocy0ImjLSmDuBeZaXgJpbsI7XuL87ZYq6RqiN4zG5mwzgONT9NYs15CU_Rr5dSIJGW0PoC7sJXQ-BUHjX_RbjFh7e8BKL8iHH1jnsEAKnh1YDhv1AStaHOPvseuAJliUngkDsGs/s320/Doors03.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><br />
Once the casing side is done, open the hinge, butt your door to it, open the hinge and make your hole markings on the door side. Then temporarily close the hinges, so you can make the starter holes with the push pin on the door side. Open the hinges again and line up the hinge holes with the starter holes you just made. Set in the hinge nails. Same process as was done on the casing side. If you have a double door, you have to do this same process four times. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTGyHod573fVUKaQyvbE2PcVZzXEdOdvSxu6xcSKKeSYUGS6qzlDpFMK-yiUobUaLJIoIhNKH-nPbAk9JIxirYXkQQzl3NPc43VDwOwK6wJM1C5IsvECxD9_zajiGrJZ4eTs9buClnsOg/s1600/Doors04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="361" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTGyHod573fVUKaQyvbE2PcVZzXEdOdvSxu6xcSKKeSYUGS6qzlDpFMK-yiUobUaLJIoIhNKH-nPbAk9JIxirYXkQQzl3NPc43VDwOwK6wJM1C5IsvECxD9_zajiGrJZ4eTs9buClnsOg/s320/Doors04.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><br />
Putting on the hinges might have slightly affected the way your door sits in the casing, making it not open and close smoothly. Dry fit it to your dollhouse door opening to test this. If it starts snagging against the casing or the dollhouse floor, you have to continue sanding the door, until it's easy again. Just make sure you hold the door in your hands firmly when you sand. You do not want to apply even the slightest pressure on the hinges. <br />
<br />
Don't forget to also finish the interior edges of your door for a finished look. <br />
<br />
<b>Installation</b><br />
<br />
If there is a casing available for the other side of your door opening, apply it before you apply the casing that has your hinged door attached to it. <br />
<br />
After that casing is installed and dry, you can install your hinged door casing. Apply glue and center your casing, with the hinged door attached, gently onto the door opening of your dollhouse. Use clamps to keep it in place. You will not be able to use binder clamps on the door side because the door is in the way. I suggest you use glue sticks as clamps. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWmdGT7Ld5yfWQj2zezm7rvsongOmRa7JaBrzyVQBJZA0L8Qjm1OVGw20B2t-QnZmhR2qcOljkGC8zpQXH3tk8wA2dUwSM_TiYFOtN6X67ZTGRtxanLEBhth83-Cd_EjHmA2Pgv6OVp-g/s1600/19894563_1571806766192572_7563243557757089335_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="638" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWmdGT7Ld5yfWQj2zezm7rvsongOmRa7JaBrzyVQBJZA0L8Qjm1OVGw20B2t-QnZmhR2qcOljkGC8zpQXH3tk8wA2dUwSM_TiYFOtN6X67ZTGRtxanLEBhth83-Cd_EjHmA2Pgv6OVp-g/s320/19894563_1571806766192572_7563243557757089335_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSX1b2hb9KHn2xMMzlgp7Mnkj-SO38pKmsZTlofzzDGfHEJ5o_96-nlpEZzyTu8DQa2Mq1zsBFgUDHe55H87QJeaIpIXb3-LyxMM-r70CcQbq7-2d8cLgyaCA_-WHlrwZ1q2yP77MbUSA/s1600/20031713_1571807249525857_6030414005551539029_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="638" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSX1b2hb9KHn2xMMzlgp7Mnkj-SO38pKmsZTlofzzDGfHEJ5o_96-nlpEZzyTu8DQa2Mq1zsBFgUDHe55H87QJeaIpIXb3-LyxMM-r70CcQbq7-2d8cLgyaCA_-WHlrwZ1q2yP77MbUSA/s320/20031713_1571807249525857_6030414005551539029_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Test run your door, while it's clamped to the dollhouse, in order to ensure easy movement. Sometimes if you gently move the casing around the opening, up or down/side to side, it helps with the doors movement. Make sure it moves just right before the glue dries. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMfYWj9XmZOrcHM3Hq7IgiFIERm3nvSWFxRyHNkQrxq7NItx9UgGoFt1nVbVnsrUGlM8Lv0OjCHq6k6t2YT_ZeR_USBxkgn-HviHniS6aurRxP2ucJ1uCi2nqcXj3Yt7a_Bk7ltJJx7pE/s1600/19989563_1571807439525838_5136464997490209671_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="638" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMfYWj9XmZOrcHM3Hq7IgiFIERm3nvSWFxRyHNkQrxq7NItx9UgGoFt1nVbVnsrUGlM8Lv0OjCHq6k6t2YT_ZeR_USBxkgn-HviHniS6aurRxP2ucJ1uCi2nqcXj3Yt7a_Bk7ltJJx7pE/s320/19989563_1571807439525838_5136464997490209671_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
You must finish the interior edges of your casing because they will be visible when you open the door. You do not want to see laminated, raw wood edges exposed when your door opens. <br />
<br />
To do this, you must wait for your door to dry for at least 24 hours before unclamping it and moving it on its hinges. Once dry, you will need spackling compound to fill in the laminated gaps around the casings interior edges. Be gentle and avoid touching the hinges. Using a small piece of siding, as a putty knife, to do this will be helpful. When you have filled everything evenly with spackle, let it dry. <br />
<br />
Once dry, sand the edges a little if needed, using a fingernail file and then paint them match your door. Now when the door is fully open, the interior casing edges look nice and finished. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGU8jz3zGc_mwuDooEiNQxY5tMNRQgprISSspOEVdIkJzUp0ndVMRcl_S6M6Z95PkAUW5_nwXcJP94UvWeHF3b0N-KHE0ZZ_v6V9CXSnXwWfrShzYqjm419zi35doUd6uNL4uLZLOSCLg/s1600/19894744_1571807736192475_2428218100200667157_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="638" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGU8jz3zGc_mwuDooEiNQxY5tMNRQgprISSspOEVdIkJzUp0ndVMRcl_S6M6Z95PkAUW5_nwXcJP94UvWeHF3b0N-KHE0ZZ_v6V9CXSnXwWfrShzYqjm419zi35doUd6uNL4uLZLOSCLg/s320/19894744_1571807736192475_2428218100200667157_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<b>Keep in Mind</b><br />
<br />
Though you want your door to move freely within its casing, so it doesn't snag when opening and closing, you do not want it to sit too loosely. If you sand way too much, your door will continue to swing open on its hinges even when you want it to sit closed. To prevent this you have to sand enough for it to have free movement but to also sit close enough to the casing to prevent movement when you don't want it to move. The door must remain closed when you close it. It's a delicate balance that you have to determine by constantly dry fitting the door to its casing and using masking tape as temporary hinges. <br />
<br />
Be gentle on your door! Do not press it in while closed or you run the risk of pulling out the hinges. Remember, tiny nails + thick door = disaster. Open and close the door gently without applying pressure in either direction. Let it sit closed or opened naturally, without forcing either. When you gently open and close it several times, you will get the hang of how to do it easily. Each door hangs different. Remember these hinges have been hand installed, so things will not be precise. You have to open and close the door a few times to see the best way of moving it.<br />
<br />
For double doors, like the ones on the Brimbles Mercantile Dollhouse, open one door at a time. Do not try to open them both at once. Once one door is open, the other will also swing open since they are lightly touching each other, while closed, to keep from swinging open. Sometimes, there's a combination to how double doors open. For example, if you push one door gently in, the other door will swing open or vice versa. The same is true for closing them. Gently play with your double doors until you get the "swing of things". <br />
<br />
Apply your door knobs once the exterior door is installed. This will assure that they are sitting at equal heights. If you are hinging interior doors, you will want to install the door knobs before the hinges. Interior door knobs are usually tapped into the door rather than glued on. You do not want to tap anything into your door after the hinges are installed.<br />
<br />
While working on the dollhouse, you can use a piece of masking tape to prevent the doors from swinging open as you move the dollhouse around. You also can leave the installation of the finished, hinged door for last.<br />
<br />
Flooring will affect your doors. Floor covers add extra height to floors. If you are using a flooring cover on your dollhouse, you will have to trim your doors to allow leeway for the floors to run through the door opening. This has to be done before the doors are hinged because it also affects the door trim, which will have to be trimmed to fit as well. <br />
<br />
If you have a doorway that is facing two different rooms and you apply a thick flooring cover on one and thin paper flooring on the other, you must hinge your door on the side with the paper flooring. Always hinge your door on the side of the thinner flooring. That way you do not have to modify the door. Also when the door is closed, you will not see an unfinished "step" where the thicker floor begins because the door will butt against it, hiding it. <br />
<br />
<b>Troubleshooting</b><br />
<br />
Sometimes, even after continuous dry fitting, the door will continue to swing open, when you want it to sit shut. This is caused by the dollhouse not being level. It is not visible with the naked eye because it might look straight but your doors are telling you otherwise. This is not caused by anything you did wrong. The dollhouse is not assembled incorrectly. This is the nature of a handmade product. Tab and slot dollhouses are not precise. They are not level. <br />
<br />
If your door keeps swinging open, let it be. Do not force it closed. You might damage your hinges. If it bothers you too much, you can use a glue dot, found in the scrapbooking aisle of your local craft store, and apply it to the inside edge of the door casing. That way when you gently close the door, it will catch on the glue dot and this will prevent it from swinging open on its own. The glue dot is gentle enough to allow you to open the door, with minimal effort, when needed. <br />
<br />
<b><u>Using a Chamois Strip</u></b><br />
<br />
Miniature hinges are always difficult to use on a tab and slot, plywood door. These doors tend to be very thin and the wood of older kits become brittle, which easily delaminates. They will bend and pull out many miniature hinges. So, if you want a quick and easy way to hinge a door, then the chamois strip is the best way to do it.<br />
<br />
Chamois strips are better suited for display dollhouses, not play dollhouses. They are also very good for hinging closet doors, attic doors and roof panels because there is an area to hide the strip. <br />
<br />
You're going to need:<br />
<br />
<ul><li>Tacky glue</li>
<li>Scissors</li>
<li>Chamois in the right color to match your stain.</li>
</ul><br />
First, buy a piece of chamois in a similar color to your doors stain. If you're using light stain, use the "blond" chamois and if you're using a darker stain, use the dark brown chamois. Chamois strips are sold at the craft store where the leather crafts are. One piece will allow you to hinge several doors. Sometimes, there is chamois available in other colors at fabric stores. This is especially useful if you painted your doors, rather than staining them.<br />
<br />
In this tutorial I was hinging a door where the chamois would be completely hidden, so the color of the chamois didn’t matter.<br />
<br />
You want to finish the wall where your door opening is, first. This is very important because once the door is up, it's going to be very difficult to wallpaper the wall.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqSCz1-Nb4MdcKP5eTBpFrlmKXtSFKtaC1EPIW1OCR3BC685c6g-QSHbTPloUzYiIIWsovSUeR7YHVodQYG0upBiA_a0AodbVNvL6nh7NSemB5gmwdfGTlIOBYn-DduxFfqLwN2HC17so/s1600/Doors05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="637" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqSCz1-Nb4MdcKP5eTBpFrlmKXtSFKtaC1EPIW1OCR3BC685c6g-QSHbTPloUzYiIIWsovSUeR7YHVodQYG0upBiA_a0AodbVNvL6nh7NSemB5gmwdfGTlIOBYn-DduxFfqLwN2HC17so/s320/Doors05.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjywlt49RjleihrjyVUU04_8sMveEf6cSjMNKLR7bFOs7ryu4L7T7j2ilGosWj-nW6CDrYM8N_9dMTc6xC6pVVm2EKbNrMOhEJUM1_m5seD-NPdh1ZzclTATTxmiaYXRMHH5KFqGRYW8Zk/s1600/Doors06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="637" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjywlt49RjleihrjyVUU04_8sMveEf6cSjMNKLR7bFOs7ryu4L7T7j2ilGosWj-nW6CDrYM8N_9dMTc6xC6pVVm2EKbNrMOhEJUM1_m5seD-NPdh1ZzclTATTxmiaYXRMHH5KFqGRYW8Zk/s320/Doors06.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Then finish the door and the door trim/casing. Stain or paint and let both dry.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKmY1d29uvjZf_-Q0OCb4fIL612_wL70dc11QVpJfdQQJ11CnVOMBl902xDECvItyagTVA6M6allDXVfhfS4G7Fxm2xY_IQnBF2kGg2baS67GF_IaQa_QN_HYd2lbOazYL7fNmF88jkR8/s1600/Doors07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="637" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKmY1d29uvjZf_-Q0OCb4fIL612_wL70dc11QVpJfdQQJ11CnVOMBl902xDECvItyagTVA6M6allDXVfhfS4G7Fxm2xY_IQnBF2kGg2baS67GF_IaQa_QN_HYd2lbOazYL7fNmF88jkR8/s320/Doors07.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Dry fit the door into the casing, after everything is dry, to make sure it fits in the opening. If it doesn't fit smoothly, with no snags, sand it until it does. It's vital that the door swing in its casing without getting stuck, so sand and dry fit as many times as possible.<br />
<br />
Position the door into the opening, the way you want it to open. Practice how the chamois strip will go and which way the door will open by using a piece of masking tape for a test run. This will help you figure out which way is best to glue on the chamois.<br />
<br />
Fit the chamois strip between the door trim and wall, glue and clamp dry. Do not mess with it again until it is thoroughly dry.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9xUIeT8DWJlUyxp8WWIJHut2qb4p6VZ1N_LGhpG7THZ9FNcBQm3aUZ1OWv_PJwZ2ACgOXyVXjUA37Y9auPevFVqiLR6FfjhKntrIbJPXNHjwpi-8Pz7bCRBAbJYMEAK8cqmlpXp-MoMM/s1600/Doors08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="637" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9xUIeT8DWJlUyxp8WWIJHut2qb4p6VZ1N_LGhpG7THZ9FNcBQm3aUZ1OWv_PJwZ2ACgOXyVXjUA37Y9auPevFVqiLR6FfjhKntrIbJPXNHjwpi-8Pz7bCRBAbJYMEAK8cqmlpXp-MoMM/s320/Doors08.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Fit the door in the opening on top of the chamois strip, glue to the back of the door and clamp dry. Leave to dry overnight if possible. You don't want to start opening and closing the door, until it's completely dry. If you dry fitted the door and sanded it well to fit the opening, then you shouldn't have any problems in this step. From the front, the door will not have any visible strip.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyQMnvPPtrzpAs7uGQjJKJifW4IUi68i6YSvyPghaFTzy0SRsm1HC_9WZ1rNB0zSKKKMrKjWG80aaJ-oF1ARwGRRDDaQzPN63JobGiOKKrGF5GtO8ebXpT6N2gV57uZseN0_3dI4z6K1c/s1600/Doors09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="361" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyQMnvPPtrzpAs7uGQjJKJifW4IUi68i6YSvyPghaFTzy0SRsm1HC_9WZ1rNB0zSKKKMrKjWG80aaJ-oF1ARwGRRDDaQzPN63JobGiOKKrGF5GtO8ebXpT6N2gV57uZseN0_3dI4z6K1c/s320/Doors09.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><br />
This is an example of the Willowcrest Dollhouse, bathroom closet door that was unable to have the chamois strip on the back side but since the door is facing sideways, you hardly notice the strip.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6dMQvgHAPqBWmkSwzxEX4gH0YKsTJNHNefy3T0NHJVMUQ4lUIOzWbbXWuxVw5JjYGRUPvCsSlSbGHeyc7Ysjl4Q92ebhu3jyzW1QXCDafak-vLsYTohb4y6qqGK9qwbeq-BLQpfksuT8/s1600/Doors10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="361" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6dMQvgHAPqBWmkSwzxEX4gH0YKsTJNHNefy3T0NHJVMUQ4lUIOzWbbXWuxVw5JjYGRUPvCsSlSbGHeyc7Ysjl4Q92ebhu3jyzW1QXCDafak-vLsYTohb4y6qqGK9qwbeq-BLQpfksuT8/s320/Doors10.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC28eE7u6Q_6yLSyT68jThRSjte9l1-tx1bqt-D9IN0y_LAaIFjwOqj6NprajgXywUpKdFggjEjV6VlDlpgV0BzBxficDi4Y0iaO-WhNgFGKdi8Tejwte7HMAxS74lPvkpFN0gDtq1T9w/s1600/Doors11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="361" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC28eE7u6Q_6yLSyT68jThRSjte9l1-tx1bqt-D9IN0y_LAaIFjwOqj6NprajgXywUpKdFggjEjV6VlDlpgV0BzBxficDi4Y0iaO-WhNgFGKdi8Tejwte7HMAxS74lPvkpFN0gDtq1T9w/s320/Doors11.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><br />
<b>Keep in Mind</b><br />
<br />
Chamois strips are good for dye-cut plywood kit front doors because they are usually made of two or more parts laminated together. That gives you a great opportunity to sandwich half the chamois strip between the laminated door parts and then sandwich the other half between the wall and door trim. <br />
<br />
Chamois strips are visible. It is very rare to find a door where they will not show. The secret is to always try and hide the chamois strip as best as possible. They are not aesthetically pleasing if they show.<br />
<br />
Don’t expect for your door to swing like a real life house door. You have to treat chamois hinged doors gently and like I said in the beginning, they are best for display dollhouses. The strips are very strong and won't wear down, if they are handled carefully but this hinge is a novelty. It is just to create an illusion of a moving door, not to create a fully working door. When you sandwich a chamois strip between trim, it impedes the movement of the door, so you will never get a fully operable door. <br />
<br />
In the end, the ideal way to hang your doors is with hinges, but chamois strips give the appearance of a moving door and it's a good alternative to gluing the door shut or messing with finicky micro hinges. <br />
<br />
<b><u>Deciding On Inwards Or Outwards Movement</u></b><br />
<br />
You can apply your hinges on the interior or the exterior of your door. It is vital that you make a decision, first, on which way you want your door to swing open. Do you want it to swing inwards, towards the interior of the dollhouse/room or outwards, towards the exterior of the dollhouse/room. <br />
<br />
If you’re hinging an interior door and the room is small, you might want to have the door swing outwards in order to conserve room space. This can be seen in the photo below, showing the infamously small bathroom of the Willowcrest Dollhouse. I made the door to swing outwards or it would interfere with the bathroom furniture.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg-Yi09WEi_VjLiIvKiUPshc_vES-YfpnujckVL6nsm9AB03S1tcmVk7H2T-MivENpWe_d0Ojf0M6iE97FOTp_jVI4pDd46C-J7__v6YJtQ3tW6ZHX98IxPl6610lfq94RTWOZUdZeAp8/s1600/20031655_1571808182859097_5983857037959157093_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="638" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg-Yi09WEi_VjLiIvKiUPshc_vES-YfpnujckVL6nsm9AB03S1tcmVk7H2T-MivENpWe_d0Ojf0M6iE97FOTp_jVI4pDd46C-J7__v6YJtQ3tW6ZHX98IxPl6610lfq94RTWOZUdZeAp8/s320/20031655_1571808182859097_5983857037959157093_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkEbJ3debBEFmlUfihod8jBxcO4ubI4cC4WyUOsLAoSf7d7qGpYTiuKcmnm_5ymp_27FPU_zYm3AkEbcDXZ10dM72y2oG53TAk9amHi2U0XWR0YEskUctpH7YTymvK_u3Zxeo3Y_SgqMM/s1600/19875386_1571808506192398_3254307524525216282_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="638" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkEbJ3debBEFmlUfihod8jBxcO4ubI4cC4WyUOsLAoSf7d7qGpYTiuKcmnm_5ymp_27FPU_zYm3AkEbcDXZ10dM72y2oG53TAk9amHi2U0XWR0YEskUctpH7YTymvK_u3Zxeo3Y_SgqMM/s320/19875386_1571808506192398_3254307524525216282_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
It seems like a trivial decision but when dealing with exterior doors, this decision becomes vital. In fact, the entire procedure of hinging the door will be affected by this simple choice. The reason is because most exterior door trim is made up of many layers and these layers can interfere with the placement of hinges and movement of the door. So, if you want your exterior door to swing outwards, you will have to modify your exterior trim. You can avoid this issue altogether by always hinging your door to the interior trim, which does not consist of layers. This will cause for your door to always open inwards by default. <br />
<br />
I decided, I wanted the Beacon Hill Dollhouse exterior door, to open outwards. I like for the miniature hinges to be visible from the exterior of the dollhouse but I also did not want the open door to block the view of the staircase. The problem is that the exterior, top trim does not sit close enough to the door, for the hinges to be inserted properly. For this reason, the exterior trim had to be modified. I had to cut the sides off of the top trim, hinge the doors to each cut side and then reassemble the trim while installed to the dollhouse. I then had to use extra trim to hide the side gaps, circled below, and spackle to fill in the joined, cut areas below the half circle. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6u5ot7fJ3F_FVXX1ZYxJhYoKiVKo6_IkN8nW7Zdp3J0dYchlv52weAl9cjZgh1NXD6IR0ulyb_SZZCLVvq1zi3M4o-Cj58LtzRl_A0NReDYxtHN4NzeJP3hL9iw0I50sML1E3b-7qm0c/s1600/19894981_1571808662859049_7684880843722156651_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="638" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6u5ot7fJ3F_FVXX1ZYxJhYoKiVKo6_IkN8nW7Zdp3J0dYchlv52weAl9cjZgh1NXD6IR0ulyb_SZZCLVvq1zi3M4o-Cj58LtzRl_A0NReDYxtHN4NzeJP3hL9iw0I50sML1E3b-7qm0c/s320/19894981_1571808662859049_7684880843722156651_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsUpjxVn8VVCdd9lgn_RrCwsz9aEWmG0d-Nh7gLPUxm2VtDHEL8muKe0lkkV6RFSjgF7YFSmcgkPwyhNib2Gdks_71kJW595LlLnRysQKyvEN5fTWAF_9tv9FuJyeRfKX-D35W4yvsOU0/s1600/19959026_1571808749525707_4713312090529218765_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="638" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsUpjxVn8VVCdd9lgn_RrCwsz9aEWmG0d-Nh7gLPUxm2VtDHEL8muKe0lkkV6RFSjgF7YFSmcgkPwyhNib2Gdks_71kJW595LlLnRysQKyvEN5fTWAF_9tv9FuJyeRfKX-D35W4yvsOU0/s320/19959026_1571808749525707_4713312090529218765_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb_hkkY5K6cdmt9NJFtsiKW7cZUTANI2RX3EECgjFZ-Af7Hw0p7wCz3QO28CZeWTzVYSo0B4Djp-WHDCi_qi2tsVl-o19rvNoC7y6OCuXp5ymbgqFPd0GDCFc5vd49nHVMAozKCYIDM9o/s1600/19958987_1571809006192348_2330242475466892555_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="638" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb_hkkY5K6cdmt9NJFtsiKW7cZUTANI2RX3EECgjFZ-Af7Hw0p7wCz3QO28CZeWTzVYSo0B4Djp-WHDCi_qi2tsVl-o19rvNoC7y6OCuXp5ymbgqFPd0GDCFc5vd49nHVMAozKCYIDM9o/s320/19958987_1571809006192348_2330242475466892555_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYsXp-GM4AA1S1UwJY0_4fNtcAtSEb7oO3TuvabxJglZdtsM9mbJf5vY40xrmgjsWVALuPMagBF5OdNSIR8Oqb27H187_PaOc0DpShWDp3HrEUbFt2B6n40HZEaqMDNkODvfKFESbjvBI/s1600/19905358_1571809116192337_444567452929647899_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="638" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYsXp-GM4AA1S1UwJY0_4fNtcAtSEb7oO3TuvabxJglZdtsM9mbJf5vY40xrmgjsWVALuPMagBF5OdNSIR8Oqb27H187_PaOc0DpShWDp3HrEUbFt2B6n40HZEaqMDNkODvfKFESbjvBI/s320/19905358_1571809116192337_444567452929647899_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<b><u>Other Types of Hinges</u></b><br />
<br />
Another hinge method is pin hinging. This is when you insert one end of a pin into the bottom, edge corner of a door and the other end into the dollhouse floor, creating a moving door. You have to do the same thing for the top of the door, inserting one end of the pin into the door and the other into the dollhouse ceiling.<br />
<br />
This is extremely difficult. Not only do you have to wrestle a thin pin into extremely hard wood but you have to balance the door correctly, so it doesn't wobble and/or snag while opening and closing. Door openings on tab and slot dollhouses are seldom level and the wood is only 1/8th" thick, most likely crumbly on the interior, making the entire process very frustrating. The pins will also interfere with ceiling and/or flooring covers.<br />
<br />
I do not recommend this method for tab and slot dollhouses or inexperienced builders. <br />
<br />
<b><u>Installing Door Knobs</u></b><br />
<br />
Door knobs come in two varieties, the kind you just glue on and the kind you have to tap into place, like nails.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1OtTjiFELj4rfYPhPPpHYgH-R3sAxTlw_3-HrjPMIt56da26wBCea1dAv_hL9w7iMboI9CZhmI1bRMCREzQ6nvGm_AaKm8pz-X-Fcqrutc8cla2SUH7Rnv6wnyYO5eMQPVPajJZvw_L8/s1600/19894627_1571809246192324_5309440054338352399_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="160" data-original-width="274" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1OtTjiFELj4rfYPhPPpHYgH-R3sAxTlw_3-HrjPMIt56da26wBCea1dAv_hL9w7iMboI9CZhmI1bRMCREzQ6nvGm_AaKm8pz-X-Fcqrutc8cla2SUH7Rnv6wnyYO5eMQPVPajJZvw_L8/s320/19894627_1571809246192324_5309440054338352399_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Usually, external door knobs, for a front door, are the kind you glue on and internal door knobs, are tapped in. <br />
<br />
For a one inch scale dollhouse, the door knobs should be placed on a door, about three inches up from the floor. <br />
<br />
<b>External Door Knobs</b><br />
<br />
External, glue on door knobs can be installed after your door is hinged in place. Just measure three inches up your door, from the floor, and mark with a pencil. Add glue to your door knob and position in place. You might want to use a small piece of masking tape to clamp the door knob until the glue dries. This will prevent them from sliding down, out of place. <br />
<br />
Open your door so you can have an angled view that shows both sides, in order to position a second door knob on the other side. Make sure both knobs are the same height. Notice the arrows in the picture below, pointing to the same height of the door knobs, on either side of the door. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSbfcMrYghX8goe8I9Hj-fkHJZUhPVp3Yjp8CDoYZhKQQykPdL32vjEfNcWDcqb8bJtSaxyCKNhWau6pjjRH5YoOFx6QQ0Vc3vljyVMUyrMy2yrhADkug-7niQv31CPqlRGiSSBfQHN9A/s1600/Doors12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="385" data-original-width="269" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSbfcMrYghX8goe8I9Hj-fkHJZUhPVp3Yjp8CDoYZhKQQykPdL32vjEfNcWDcqb8bJtSaxyCKNhWau6pjjRH5YoOFx6QQ0Vc3vljyVMUyrMy2yrhADkug-7niQv31CPqlRGiSSBfQHN9A/s320/Doors12.jpg" width="224" /></a></div><br />
Any height difference will be visible when the door is opened and viewed from this side/angled position. <br />
<br />
<b>Internal Door Knobs</b><br />
<br />
Internal door, tapped in door knobs are different. The first and most important thing to keep in mind, before you begin, is that these types of door knobs must be installed before the hinged door is put on the dollhouse. You can also apply them before the hinges but never after the door is in place. <br />
<br />
These door knobs are usually made by Houseworks and this company makes products that are ideally used on cabinet grade, 1/3" plywood dollhouses. Doors used on cabinet grade dollhouses are much thicker than the kit doors of tab and slot, plywood dollhouses. This causes a problem when trying to install the door knobs. <br />
<br />
You cannot place your door knobs, on either side of the door, aligned in the same area. They will not fit because the area on the door knob that is tapped in, is as thick as the door. Once you tap a door knob in on one side, the door is not thick enough to accommodate another door knob, in the same area, on the other side. You will have to tap in the second door knob, slightly to the right or the left of the first one, so that it fits the thickness of the door. Do not place the door knob slightly lower or higher, than the first one, because it will be noticeable when you open the door and look at it from an angle. Maintain the same height.<br />
<br />
In order to be able to tap these door knobs in place, you will need to open a starter hole, on your door, with a small nail or push pin. The starter hole will have to be larger than the ones you would need for a hinge nail because the area of the door knob that must be tapped into place is much larger. <br />
<br />
Once your starter hole is made, dip the door knob into a little glue and tap into place. Use a mallet and be gentle so that you do not damage the door knob. Some door knobs of this variety come with a little crystal. If the crystal pops off, just glue it back in place. <br />
<br />
Tapping in your first door knob is easy but the second one, not so much. You can no longer lay the door flat because the door knob is in the way. You would think this is easily fixed by simply waiting to have both starter holes made and then installing the door knobs but unfortunately, you still have to tap your door knobs in place. <br />
<br />
My solution is to use a roll of masking tape to lay your door on, with the first door knob in the center of it. That way the door lays flat.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsMfwptuF73LYZDOzUIq5evzyITUBpiv7Tifig5n8oMeWjqTxe_Plv9yK7P_0WsW7xTc3NRK1346ylTKGKLRehq3ERQhWj1X0DkNynURdgrtBHdour5ho6g5m7rQi_WP4o_z6Yl_ine8g/s1600/19894563_1571806766192572_7563243557757089335_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="638" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsMfwptuF73LYZDOzUIq5evzyITUBpiv7Tifig5n8oMeWjqTxe_Plv9yK7P_0WsW7xTc3NRK1346ylTKGKLRehq3ERQhWj1X0DkNynURdgrtBHdour5ho6g5m7rQi_WP4o_z6Yl_ine8g/s320/19894563_1571806766192572_7563243557757089335_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Now you can repeat the above steps to insert your second door knob. <br />
<br />
Because the door does not have any support in the middle, try to keep the area where the door knob will be installed, as close to the edge of the masking tape as possible so it has more support. Make your starter hole and tap in your door knob gently.<br />
<br />
<b>Keep in Mind</b><br />
<br />
You do not have to limit yourself on just using miniature door knobs. You can use jewelry beads, of all shapes, designs and colors to create unique door knobs for your dollhouse, to match your decor. <br />
<br />
The same rule of thumb position, three inches up from the floor, applies. Just glue your beads on using tacky glue. <br />
<br />
Because the beads are round and can roll out of place, glue them before installing the door and wait for the glue to completely dry before positioning the door vertically or flipping it over to install the second bead on the other side. <br />
<br />
<b><u>Detailing Doors</u></b><br />
<br />
Tab and slot dollhouse interior doors, might appear plain but you can spruce them up easily and inexpensively. <br />
<br />
<b>Paneling</b><br />
<br />
Paneling can be created with simple wood strips, found at the craft store, in assorted sizes. You can create different shapes, depending on the door, with them.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSfNf40DWTPkY8dGuj5pLpcD5KL9tHdyTxzWWsg3c-yoWaiI3KPCBapc9u1-oBiQorYh7Dr3hxlJNMdvTPT-7S4jg3xm-h055VAGLPHd0XX0iOepKiYN2AuWkijUaMdbrF-8o3_Szsx60/s1600/Doors13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="349" data-original-width="559" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSfNf40DWTPkY8dGuj5pLpcD5KL9tHdyTxzWWsg3c-yoWaiI3KPCBapc9u1-oBiQorYh7Dr3hxlJNMdvTPT-7S4jg3xm-h055VAGLPHd0XX0iOepKiYN2AuWkijUaMdbrF-8o3_Szsx60/s320/Doors13.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlOhKNceJ5NLSgxfZNPXgoqAupXfGnpHDNLVlN4j5PeXvHQBzEChhfFlQmxUmXOlfEQtxpLV9Spwe4MrlrrVyfIQyLYOEyQK24Og7Ix1GcyLMtOPcMr2DiA56mzj20eCN7LdsyhNJWeyY/s1600/Doors14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="401" data-original-width="486" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlOhKNceJ5NLSgxfZNPXgoqAupXfGnpHDNLVlN4j5PeXvHQBzEChhfFlQmxUmXOlfEQtxpLV9Spwe4MrlrrVyfIQyLYOEyQK24Og7Ix1GcyLMtOPcMr2DiA56mzj20eCN7LdsyhNJWeyY/s320/Doors14.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwiYFln04wcCMi8LkgBGg7L4vynYleptAzwfTa7QBfLD_1rrcKzoeqs1R-9MSNTyCJWlXzfFnFxM9GW4PDSyMlSK79IaOKM7iYwaZTuekgutO-e3nGNlVihBgYTLOOkD6pkqn6qdWPuHo/s1600/Doors30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="424" data-original-width="559" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwiYFln04wcCMi8LkgBGg7L4vynYleptAzwfTa7QBfLD_1rrcKzoeqs1R-9MSNTyCJWlXzfFnFxM9GW4PDSyMlSK79IaOKM7iYwaZTuekgutO-e3nGNlVihBgYTLOOkD6pkqn6qdWPuHo/s320/Doors30.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
You can use the interestingly shaped wood scraps, from your dollhouse kit, to create paneling of different shapes, like the ovals on the doors of this Fairfield Dollhouse.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSuKf12TdnfMrASz089UmEY3DR-0h8uZOHq4FkhlY7cYINvVeLMmqreBnpreINuMeR_-mNA5pMemuAtQpJVt0J3kg7Wd_8gJf78TKYEfnk15LEHrrPr1N54Bs9UXHnmCfpTS75YOJY3b0/s1600/Doors15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="272" data-original-width="420" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSuKf12TdnfMrASz089UmEY3DR-0h8uZOHq4FkhlY7cYINvVeLMmqreBnpreINuMeR_-mNA5pMemuAtQpJVt0J3kg7Wd_8gJf78TKYEfnk15LEHrrPr1N54Bs9UXHnmCfpTS75YOJY3b0/s320/Doors15.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
You can also purchase bags of different sized square wood pieces, at the craft store, to create raised panels on doors.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghIxbB5MFmraiaqBxrE_akHsvdhfQtwx49_GL2Eoyzpgi68j1VQw8cWT-C3xSnVssmVTuBltQK2Vo1rvdD8edUYyizGFTqtHx1xLR6x5Z3xtTZCOFNpvXls5kMXk3j44kh7gncb5dXPrI/s1600/Doors16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="271" data-original-width="381" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghIxbB5MFmraiaqBxrE_akHsvdhfQtwx49_GL2Eoyzpgi68j1VQw8cWT-C3xSnVssmVTuBltQK2Vo1rvdD8edUYyizGFTqtHx1xLR6x5Z3xtTZCOFNpvXls5kMXk3j44kh7gncb5dXPrI/s320/Doors16.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<b>Raised Inlays</b><br />
<br />
When more ornate patterns are desired, you can always use stencils and spackling compound to create raised details on your doors. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSFYWk1yoDTlA5py-NTwWmyXZjKr2HRGoCx_WsPSvACUFdASGm4xO0p6IXhJWR6iW1fBOs-zmhWf9IvwJGDN46jI65GXlXlNXVDoMJktZUG3t1O0fY_L7YgASnbnmMAsNSzuOQGK6a1yY/s1600/Doors17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="638" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSFYWk1yoDTlA5py-NTwWmyXZjKr2HRGoCx_WsPSvACUFdASGm4xO0p6IXhJWR6iW1fBOs-zmhWf9IvwJGDN46jI65GXlXlNXVDoMJktZUG3t1O0fY_L7YgASnbnmMAsNSzuOQGK6a1yY/s320/Doors17.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
After they are dry, they can be painted and look just like wood carvings. Spackle cannot be stained but you can use this same technique with wood putty or filler, instead of spackling. <br />
<br />
<b><u>Iron Doors</u></b><br />
<br />
Creating iron storm doors is simple by using a mixture of gold metallic paint and black paint to paint your door with. Gold, copper and silver metallic paint will all give you different hues, depending on which one you mix the black paint with. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgES3G6paLWWXagN3bGkBzPpFEbUEn8YcaF-4ELhXDEjuXZjDiccq49YB5CvX3a-Pae9CKRho560141J7ig0u9GYNRDF3RHoLZBN-o9K8duj98pbpbMd0KOVqVsxyvShI5Mt98P7owVD8g/s1600/Doors18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="342" data-original-width="392" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgES3G6paLWWXagN3bGkBzPpFEbUEn8YcaF-4ELhXDEjuXZjDiccq49YB5CvX3a-Pae9CKRho560141J7ig0u9GYNRDF3RHoLZBN-o9K8duj98pbpbMd0KOVqVsxyvShI5Mt98P7owVD8g/s320/Doors18.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
You can then embellish the door with raised "nails", made from jewelry caps, that are glued to the corners of the door and then painted to match. You can even make ornate iron works using pipe cleaner. Just pull the "fur" off of it. Floral wire will also work well for this.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPbf_A7Pveq03xjD-3A_S0bsx4r1z7rJDGU2iiph4wYNpcH8sNcpE99LJKikzynvyffhonG_06Vi8qMTn667TL76PBL3OLRLOdPzUdUV-a5Ad8Hgi0MgrQCGMPdt0370G6qN3B1Z8th60/s1600/Doors19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="357" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPbf_A7Pveq03xjD-3A_S0bsx4r1z7rJDGU2iiph4wYNpcH8sNcpE99LJKikzynvyffhonG_06Vi8qMTn667TL76PBL3OLRLOdPzUdUV-a5Ad8Hgi0MgrQCGMPdt0370G6qN3B1Z8th60/s320/Doors19.jpg" width="238" /></a></div><br />
<b><u>Faux Doors</u></b><br />
<br />
Faux doors will give you the impression of continuity throughout the dollhouse. They can also make a small area into an instant extra room. <br />
<br />
Just paint the outline of your door on whatever wall you want it to be on. Don't forget to add hardware for realism. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO_HL-n2UJA64eUXrKcIg6fT7hg-En8z8OqdQuK3C8jsG_RKxLjJv9lSnSXhRqVEeP4n9lEfvKTaPk_bTDq1zElwqqVKTXyfqLbXZ_6FWNq-jgBtnJT3r_KIIlRqX1dVuOLPLKife0N50/s1600/Doors20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="429" data-original-width="569" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO_HL-n2UJA64eUXrKcIg6fT7hg-En8z8OqdQuK3C8jsG_RKxLjJv9lSnSXhRqVEeP4n9lEfvKTaPk_bTDq1zElwqqVKTXyfqLbXZ_6FWNq-jgBtnJT3r_KIIlRqX1dVuOLPLKife0N50/s320/Doors20.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Add the wall, with the painted door anywhere you want it to be. In the picture below, the added wall is extending a short wall that was already there, in the Beacon Hill Dollhouse.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkQJgPZUpf0lNdUKktQYOtBrLTOX0BjfC-ijkj3zE83qoc9J8muQkN90CgZhhNXPi09pcyu1HQgL5L0EezRMt3hO-sqnJRCCzBJscYOwG-a7jzVTv2wi1m49JKjuKmfAa3iHe3LhmKhdk/s1600/Doors21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="339" data-original-width="317" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkQJgPZUpf0lNdUKktQYOtBrLTOX0BjfC-ijkj3zE83qoc9J8muQkN90CgZhhNXPi09pcyu1HQgL5L0EezRMt3hO-sqnJRCCzBJscYOwG-a7jzVTv2wi1m49JKjuKmfAa3iHe3LhmKhdk/s320/Doors21.jpg" width="299" /></a></div><br />
Cut your wallpaper around the door and then frame it with wood strips. After you paint it, you are left with a door where there wasn't one before. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiurjiO9OmIsKJ2auPwvoxdmg_g2p7HUfzHuPq81g065mrSAKc8vRpvcf3WMuJPXpvTmY3m5stmfTWuU4mlb6cXE1Ff2JI9BujMrM1DL2P3f4S2joI9PVZ0GMKOb-S0t532hQDky192Kro/s1600/Doors22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="460" data-original-width="474" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiurjiO9OmIsKJ2auPwvoxdmg_g2p7HUfzHuPq81g065mrSAKc8vRpvcf3WMuJPXpvTmY3m5stmfTWuU4mlb6cXE1Ff2JI9BujMrM1DL2P3f4S2joI9PVZ0GMKOb-S0t532hQDky192Kro/s320/Doors22.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihPcjBDJDxUpYWxo2W1HpEkyUlQKb4ih_weXTCNugTN9CJpE9xC2k07mO8pgq4EUrqX-4z8uSUgClK6y7i5tuil9djYhSejmowwtiQikUV_FL8fBLdCob2ycLcKlpgil-XBRrTSK-8x5o/s1600/Doors23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="359" data-original-width="462" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihPcjBDJDxUpYWxo2W1HpEkyUlQKb4ih_weXTCNugTN9CJpE9xC2k07mO8pgq4EUrqX-4z8uSUgClK6y7i5tuil9djYhSejmowwtiQikUV_FL8fBLdCob2ycLcKlpgil-XBRrTSK-8x5o/s320/Doors23.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
If the dollhouse does not have much space to add an attic ladder, you can always make a faux attic door. The faux attic door, pictured before, was also done in the same way as described above.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7qy-EZYbV3ISTQ_T8mddI6ECOYIhf_KXF1PFiZsx90p4almZHH0gF6iV5nbYM6_S5TfdO4VU_r9LWIPgfGyKHRdMjFKV-rBzUrEltjBBsSoTbLUgS1J7thaTP1nIr6yMX_m0B-nQ1PmQ/s1600/Doors24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="418" data-original-width="569" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7qy-EZYbV3ISTQ_T8mddI6ECOYIhf_KXF1PFiZsx90p4almZHH0gF6iV5nbYM6_S5TfdO4VU_r9LWIPgfGyKHRdMjFKV-rBzUrEltjBBsSoTbLUgS1J7thaTP1nIr6yMX_m0B-nQ1PmQ/s320/Doors24.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiADeXJZkB8GHd3e1mbEDwUazlNfKP5gomUwDbU4a83dprHcFtpaJdPs_N_1YVcwh-YjTDbaqYZPammS320JgxA0AaNafQoQy_fUp43upQLXR5__k0ASRetp5IVxcyugJ3YcT8mtdL5zyk/s1600/Doors25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="399" data-original-width="606" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiADeXJZkB8GHd3e1mbEDwUazlNfKP5gomUwDbU4a83dprHcFtpaJdPs_N_1YVcwh-YjTDbaqYZPammS320JgxA0AaNafQoQy_fUp43upQLXR5__k0ASRetp5IVxcyugJ3YcT8mtdL5zyk/s320/Doors25.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
It gives the illusion that it can be opened and a ladder will drop down, without the ladder actually taking up any space on the interior of a small room.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Faux Removable Doors</u></b><br />
<br />
Faux removable doors are very useful when you don't want to use hinges but you also don't want to close off a certain section of a dollhouse, by installing a permanent door. <br />
<br />
For the Garfield Dollhouse, the French doors of the second floor, stairwell hallway, where assembled and finished away from the dollhouse. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ52XXreDTLQ3zLgaVnjrHotPCIkE-NzdziUWf2VlpbFFSaFXwZ7HIPeq7sKYc0XdJLavNBD7ylPXfq6RyNJXak7cFZQ84XX7MsusSYzK6kTKQH33cI2jEJan_qFDahxp2FTXKOoVpnG4/s1600/Doors26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="527" data-original-width="700" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ52XXreDTLQ3zLgaVnjrHotPCIkE-NzdziUWf2VlpbFFSaFXwZ7HIPeq7sKYc0XdJLavNBD7ylPXfq6RyNJXak7cFZQ84XX7MsusSYzK6kTKQH33cI2jEJan_qFDahxp2FTXKOoVpnG4/s320/Doors26.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
The completed door was sanded until it fit the door opening, perfectly, without the need for glue. The door just snaps into its frame, without much effort, and is easily removed when access to this area is required. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEEY4S-vLxmmHFdqkt8iQgj5g5jKTc5JCm-o3LgLo5ak5VHBDd5ZGpxjxS6enejx8vC1nI_EEEUH16n_cT2DWuLBPGzwLrq4tQcuspdICWmmFcsPv9ErMfr8pyljp5ez_OAIV4TOtVFgg/s1600/Doors27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="527" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEEY4S-vLxmmHFdqkt8iQgj5g5jKTc5JCm-o3LgLo5ak5VHBDd5ZGpxjxS6enejx8vC1nI_EEEUH16n_cT2DWuLBPGzwLrq4tQcuspdICWmmFcsPv9ErMfr8pyljp5ez_OAIV4TOtVFgg/s320/Doors27.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><br />
For this Willowcrest Dollhouse, the bathroom door was made to be removable as well.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXpZhDqaIGC8uFLKiJIUrszJiF75y8tzim4jWeN__8AWpdooVCaY9VP6gK27k1TPe10YTavGx40sEFoIA4EYLxFZnB2HTjTYyd1I_eDE6nNKOhGMS3KUouKx6SUfSUvQ0Y5yGGRXc6Fts/s1600/Doors28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="408" data-original-width="278" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXpZhDqaIGC8uFLKiJIUrszJiF75y8tzim4jWeN__8AWpdooVCaY9VP6gK27k1TPe10YTavGx40sEFoIA4EYLxFZnB2HTjTYyd1I_eDE6nNKOhGMS3KUouKx6SUfSUvQ0Y5yGGRXc6Fts/s320/Doors28.jpg" width="218" /></a></div><br />
This allows for there to be access to the second floor stairwell but without the need for hinges. The door can be positioned as if it was open. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtzXgaFycZJWKcm8dpwhEaO7tlXKioxSs86IVThQNPxYn1mNFyE5uWV4p3j8J8TTbV4kHtqdRJP-lPeLoJ3IUfCf5GMy4XkqabDoTFJRWPBk0dXUXDsqHHPYNdMlgPHWrpQGM4GhQr3R0/s1600/Doors29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="296" data-original-width="238" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtzXgaFycZJWKcm8dpwhEaO7tlXKioxSs86IVThQNPxYn1mNFyE5uWV4p3j8J8TTbV4kHtqdRJP-lPeLoJ3IUfCf5GMy4XkqabDoTFJRWPBk0dXUXDsqHHPYNdMlgPHWrpQGM4GhQr3R0/s320/Doors29.jpg" width="257" /></a></div><br />
So, just because your kit doors may seem plain, with a little imagination they certainly don't have to remain that way. Tab and slot kit doors are just hiding a lot of potential. Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15948614759421548317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-637361802464434024.post-32186768599044625012019-07-31T07:00:00.001-04:002022-03-26T12:52:17.273-04:00The Half Scale Fairfield Dollhouse Day 12I finally finished the rest of the baseboards.<br />
<br />
I also finished trimming the walls and floors on the back side.<br />
<br />
I used a roll of lace for the window treatments.<br />
<br />
I added “crown molding” with bamboo skewers. Surprisingly, the skewers did fit over the narrow tops of the windows. Real miniature crown moulding will not so the suggested resolution I gave before would still apply in that case.<br />
<br />
I trimmed the kitchen pantry, so it looked more finished.<br />
<br />
I used a wooden dowel to trim the top of the roofs. I filled in the gaps around it with stainable wood filler. Make sure your wood filler says stainable when you buy it, because not all wood filler can be stained. Some are just paintable and not stainable. There is a difference, and if you're using it on a component that needs staining, you can ruin it by using non-stainable wood filler.<br />
<br />
I touched up all of the outside paint.<br />
<br />
I added finials to the roofs. These were left over roof finials from another dollhouse kit. I just bashed them by cutting off the “legs” and the top round part. This made them smaller so they look in scale and it also made them look different. The finials give the dollhouse more flair since it didn’t come with roof trim and they also trim the area where the dowels meet the gables.<br />
<br />
You can certainly use brick paper, printed from your computer to cover the chimney and the foundation.<br />
<br />
You can visit this dollhouse gallery <a href="https://moreminisdollhousegallery.blogspot.com/2022/03/the-fairfield-dollhouse.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDho9iZY_iMKVrdFiO6UpMDb7QgDFzXRZO9QpGCx8WMQXNaKaaOHY2LNvGP5gaiX0tOWEj9zoLPjTqW9Kkp-5Y5EhOFNUoEm-Rs1h2acK7Ge5jQE2jsYnz9eumBTX0ENxGNr-spGW7OrE/s1600/1201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDho9iZY_iMKVrdFiO6UpMDb7QgDFzXRZO9QpGCx8WMQXNaKaaOHY2LNvGP5gaiX0tOWEj9zoLPjTqW9Kkp-5Y5EhOFNUoEm-Rs1h2acK7Ge5jQE2jsYnz9eumBTX0ENxGNr-spGW7OrE/s320/1201.jpg" width="320" height="241" data-original-width="638" data-original-height="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt2JPWPaoSagxUDlJ8XpUCaHDqLdnSLWwDUYzBiwOJiqk5c1wDrLcZaqwWcpJqWCgFpxR2ehC57DGx_3plSz1Uiq6yqYmwqeDnaIyDwQRVKiOPUPX359MUHCeBevbXBFuiFVyO9kCQsn8/s1600/1202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt2JPWPaoSagxUDlJ8XpUCaHDqLdnSLWwDUYzBiwOJiqk5c1wDrLcZaqwWcpJqWCgFpxR2ehC57DGx_3plSz1Uiq6yqYmwqeDnaIyDwQRVKiOPUPX359MUHCeBevbXBFuiFVyO9kCQsn8/s320/1202.jpg" width="320" height="241" data-original-width="638" data-original-height="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnsxlv_qU3kv1jidE8MVMUfVkB8wYlUbZaVU0P7binrew0dS_2yicP8Me4IxshT71K5zYygVaw3ag93c034iFz_6ASLn-8DCo9jE0plC70Z7eLsSsAuj7-cva4Pbm4WEcpwg1knioCvHs/s1600/1203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnsxlv_qU3kv1jidE8MVMUfVkB8wYlUbZaVU0P7binrew0dS_2yicP8Me4IxshT71K5zYygVaw3ag93c034iFz_6ASLn-8DCo9jE0plC70Z7eLsSsAuj7-cva4Pbm4WEcpwg1knioCvHs/s320/1203.jpg" width="320" height="241" data-original-width="638" data-original-height="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJJzaCFIMWsfIhgaeqlmITcwZE4E4sI1ATwjrJdZGZTOQfH6zTaGG6UAspfPbrXdNYKmjxzvp-sbVKkKr1wO62YWnZRgdoaf27eEnbnveSUtsToAkZBvS9UlFTzs3BDZIoBjz0KBvyWaQ/s1600/1204.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJJzaCFIMWsfIhgaeqlmITcwZE4E4sI1ATwjrJdZGZTOQfH6zTaGG6UAspfPbrXdNYKmjxzvp-sbVKkKr1wO62YWnZRgdoaf27eEnbnveSUtsToAkZBvS9UlFTzs3BDZIoBjz0KBvyWaQ/s320/1204.jpg" width="320" height="241" data-original-width="637" data-original-height="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJTLF24gTCTGykLjo90tw1ob8xaghJoHCww5v778t1BHstxG9WJLDjA9nu7SxSNOStvwHfdvzQOGpbwhBtsjxB2hdK0F6QqPt0Comqiothkla3AQWoNT3aZisfjwfBTGW2MYT0TXIhsaw/s1600/1206.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJTLF24gTCTGykLjo90tw1ob8xaghJoHCww5v778t1BHstxG9WJLDjA9nu7SxSNOStvwHfdvzQOGpbwhBtsjxB2hdK0F6QqPt0Comqiothkla3AQWoNT3aZisfjwfBTGW2MYT0TXIhsaw/s320/1206.jpg" width="241" height="320" data-original-width="361" data-original-height="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ysOSTQhqmc3DF-6WNAaVQBlRlReAD7SSHd6qdA1XvVioziR_sx25-mJGtC2AdlWbD8S2c9ZEuxekpOptEZ20cFm2D-Z4s630_3fEnlXZrsuScyHwmnXbjFM_X8TJb6vmQZqIhfu1Xlg/s1600/1207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ysOSTQhqmc3DF-6WNAaVQBlRlReAD7SSHd6qdA1XvVioziR_sx25-mJGtC2AdlWbD8S2c9ZEuxekpOptEZ20cFm2D-Z4s630_3fEnlXZrsuScyHwmnXbjFM_X8TJb6vmQZqIhfu1Xlg/s320/1207.jpg" width="320" height="241" data-original-width="637" data-original-height="480" /></a></div>Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15948614759421548317noreply@blogger.com