The Exterior
This time, I made a slight change to the dollhouse's color scheme. I painted the half-timber trim dark brown instead of leaving it stained, which adds more contrast. I was able to change the trim color after installation because its straight lines made it accessible, although it's generally easier to do this before assembly.
For the chimney, I used brick paper and created my own terra cotta color for the top by mixing equal parts of light brown and yellow paint with a touch of red. After achieving the right shade, I added a bit of spackle for texture, resulting in a realistic clay appearance. I painted the flue black and then applied the terra cotta mixture, rubbing some off the top edge to let the black show through, simulating soot.
I also assembled the optional yard that comes with the dollhouse but chose not to glue it permanently this time. I prefer it this way because it makes moving the dollhouse easier. When I want to display it with the yard, I can simply place it next to the dollhouse, and when I don’t want it, I can easily remove it. This also simplifies redecorating the yard.
The Roof
I thatched the roof of this dollhouse; you can see how I did it in my tutorial.
The Floors and Walls
Instead of white, I chose a sand color for the exterior, which complements the half-timber trim nicely.
One challenge in building this dollhouse is how its shell fits together. There are many walls that must be installed simultaneously because some cannot be glued until others are in place. It's important to allocate enough time to complete the shell before starting. I recommend gluing the 'Back Foundation Wall' and 'Right Wall' to the 'First Floor' and allowing them to dry completely before proceeding. Having these walls sturdy will provide essential support for the rest of the structure. If you try to install all walls at once, they may fall over due to lack of support. Keeping the dollhouse square is crucial for a proper build. Ensure all tabs fit into their slots and that all walls and floors are tightly joined. Remember that one side will accommodate a staircase, so it's vital that there are no gaps or misalignments for proper fitting.
The Windows
I painted little round designs on top of each window to mimic stained glass using regular acrylic paint. For the interior side, I used a fine brush; while perfection isn't necessary, it's important to stay within the white lines since they will be visible inside. Consider applying two or three coats of paint, allowing each coat to dry before adding another. A slight brush stroke is desirable to resemble stained glass; a completely solid color is not ideal. This is just one method for achieving a "stained glass" effect. It’s simple and uses materials you may have on hand, but there are more advanced techniques available. One effective method is using Sharpie markers on glass and then applying clear nail polish on the opposite side for color variation.
The Interior
This time, I opted for stucco on the interior walls. I also added half-timber trim inside using balsa wood, which is easy to work with since it's soft and can be cut with scissors. For decoration, I wallpapered the gable walls with the same brick paper used on the chimney.
Additionally, I purchased ribbon from a fabric store to create a staircase runner and bought fabric for the upstairs window seat cushion.
You can visit this dollhouse gallery here.
