I completed the entire attic, remembering that the wallpaper had to be applied in sections. I left some space at the top and bottom for the ceiling and floor trim and applied the top border separately. It’s important to measure the wallpaper carefully and dry fit it, as the slanted walls will need angle cuts. Since your dollhouse may not be perfectly square, there might be slight differences in the top and bottom spaces from wall to wall, but these should be minimal and hardly noticeable. I also added the floor and ceiling trim in this room.
Additionally, I did some touch-ups on the exterior of the dollhouse and applied matte varnish over the red paint. I usually don’t do this, but this dark paint tends to attract fingerprints. The varnish is essential to prevent my customer from having to deal with red paint on her hands whenever she is near the dollhouse. It seals the paint and gives the exterior a nice sheen.
You can enjoy a wide variety of craft paint colors without sacrificing the look of more expensive dollhouse paint by applying varnish over it. Varnish comes in matte, satin, and gloss finishes. I used matte varnish, which still provided a nice satin finish, so there’s no need to buy pricier satin paint for that effect. You can apply varnish after finishing your dollhouse since it is clear and won’t affect any components. When using varnish, remember to apply it in a thin coat. Avoid excessive brushing, as this can cause it to dry white and lose clarity. Use a brush with soft bristles, ensuring they don’t shed onto your varnished surface.
I filled the top roof slots with spackle and sanded them down, preparing the roof for painting. I used masking tape as a guide to paint the roof edge white and the rest light brown. I also added brackets to the roof, following the dollhouse photo pattern. It’s best to glue them on before painting if they will match the surrounding trim color; this way, you won’t have to hold them in place while trying to paint. Make sure to let the glue dry completely before painting to avoid messy blobs.
