I began installing the beams in the adjacent room. These beams, part of the exterior brackets, must be inserted through the front wall openings. Despite being pre-finished, which causes the wood to expand, careful application with patience and some force allows them to fit into place. I added back trim to conceal the beam supports and create a clean finish.
Once all beams were installed, I started applying stucco, which is a critical step in the finishing process. I chose Dollhouse Stucco from Greenleaf Dollhouses, mixing it in a disposable container with water or paint to achieve a toothpaste-like consistency. Using a stiff brush, I spread the mixture onto the dollhouse with swirling motions to create texture. It's important to add liquid gradually to maintain the right thickness and ensure optimal texture. If cracks appear during drying, they can be easily remedied by reapplying stucco. Alternatively, spackling compound can be used and painted over. I recommend saving some stucco in an airtight container for future touch-ups, though it won't preserve indefinitely.
My wallpaper developed bubbles due to its glossy, non-porous nature, which might require replacement. I continued working on the roof, using binder clips as effective clamps for holding small, flat components. The roof beam assembly required careful reading of instructions. I stained the interior roof parts and set them to dry.
While waiting, I began creating bead board downstairs using skinny sticks, cutting them to align with the Tudor wallpaper panels. Assembling the roof pieces was straightforward, except for the curved front piece, which proved challenging to clamp. A hammer helped tap stubborn tabs into their slots.
