The best approach for finishing a dollhouse interior is to start with the ceilings. Ceilings can be tricky because you are working against gravity, and any paint or glue used will likely end up on the walls and floors. Therefore, it’s best to leave the walls and floors unfinished while you work on the ceiling.
I used three types of doilies for the ceilings. The large round doily is for the bigger rooms, while the square ones are for the smaller spaces. The tiny medallions serve as the centerpieces for the large round doilies.
First, ensure that your ceilings are fully painted with no dark patches. The paint should be applied thoroughly and evenly, possibly requiring two coats. Next, I applied glue to the large round doily, making sure to cover all the edges. I glued around in a circle, starting from the outer edges, then moving to the middle and filling in between. It’s fine if some glue seeps into the tiny holes; it won’t be visible. I chose to apply glue to the doily rather than directly on the ceiling because I wanted some texture to show. I recommend using tacky glue, as it dries clear and is not runny; wallpaper mucilage can look yellowish in the lace holes. Be careful when positioning the doily on the ceiling; once it’s placed, it cannot be moved without tearing since the paper is very thin.
After that, I trimmed the edges of a square doily and attached it around the edges of the ceiling to cover areas not reached by the round doily. Then, I added a small doily in the center of the large one for added detail. The doilies are forgiving and can be easily patched. If you apply glue to the seam edges and press them down against the underlying doily, any seams will be nearly invisible.
For smaller rooms, I centered a square doily and trimmed any excess from the sides. I will cut out an opening for the staircase later. In photos, it can be hard to see the ceiling clearly due to all the white in the room. However, I expect it will stand out more as I add color around it.
