I am going to assemble this dollhouse for the second time, making some upgrades to its finishes and small design changes which will be the focus of this blog. This blog will be helpful for more advanced builders who want to add more detail to their dollhouse. I’m still figuring out exactly what I want to do with this dollhouse, but I’m sure I’ll get ideas as I go along. However, there are a few customizations I definitely plan to make:
- Add flooring
- Add paper ceilings
- Hinge all doors, including a new screen door for the kitchen
- Create a faux door for the bathroom
- Make working windows from the original kit windows
- Add a faux door in the attic that leads to a rooftop garden
- Install a back cover on the dollhouse
This assembly is not easy. The Lily Dollhouse is one of the most challenging tab-and-slot models available, but it features incredible realism and unique architectural elements that you won’t find in other dollhouses. It’s one of my favorites, and I knew I would return to it someday. This will likely be my last one-inch scale assembly, as I no longer have the time or space for large projects. I will focus on smaller-scale projects moving forward. For now, I plan to take my time with this project and enjoy the process.
One key to this is thorough preparation before starting your build. I have many articles in this blog that can help with this, but it's worth emphasizing again - you can't just open the box and dive into assembling a tab-and-slot dollhouse. Preparation is essential.
I’ve placed my dollhouse kit in the garage because that’s where I’ll be sanding. Be ready for a lot of sanding, so choose an area that can handle dust and mess. I already opened the kit and checked the wooden sheets; everything is in order. I removed the acetate window sheet and took it to my craft room along with the instructions. It’s important to keep your windows away from the sanding area since they can easily get damaged. Also, keep your instructions safe because losing them would make assembly impossible.
