After you have installed the risers, you need to install the right stringer and then the steps. You then have to glue down the other side of the staircase, the right wall, on top of it and clamp it down to dry.
The only difference I did this time around is that I did not wallpaper the kitchen side before installation. It is accessible and can be done later but I wasn't sure the first time around so I did it before assembly then.
I painted the entire staircase white. Painting tab and slot staircases can be difficult. There are a lot of tight areas you have to try and reach as paint makes gaps very visible. You have to hide them all with spackle but getting your fingers into these tiny areas is almost impossible. It will be very helpful to apply spackle with a Q-Tip and also with a fine tip brush into these tiny crevices.
You might also feel as though you have to use a lot of paint to get the staircase to look right and applying coats upon coats of paint can make everything look a little blobby. It is very difficult to sand down such tiny parts or get sandpaper to fit tiny corners so you can smooth down the paint between coats. I have found that a hard bristle brush and/or a foam brush works just as good as sandpaper to smooth down paint between coats. Of course, this only applies to small, hard to reach areas. It is also best done right before the paint is completely dry. Using this method gave me a very smooth staircase.
This particular staircase on this dollhouse is facing the door, so you will never see it from the back of the dollhouse. You can only see small parts of it by looking in through the windows. Even if your front door was hinged, you still can not see it in its entirety but just because something can not be seen, does not mean you have to skimp out on the finishing. You should always finish your dollhouse as though every part is in full view. You certainly do not have to be elaborate with your staircase because it is hidden from view but at the very least, it should be finished correctly.
Once this entire subassembly is finished and dry, you can begin adding to to your first floor. From this moment on, you have to follow the instructions carefully and install each wall and floor in the sequence described in them. If you get ahead of yourself, you will not be able to fit certain parts.
It's going to be extremely difficult. Your main problem is going to be the second floor. It is very hard to put in. I was able to get that floor in there and keep everything intact.
You will also encounter a little bit of a problem with the left front wall. There's a lot of tabs on the sides and the bottom that all have to put to be put in at the same time.
Once these walls are done, you will be fine.
Just like with every other shell, you have to go over every joint with wood glue. Be careful of your wallpapered stairwell wall. You don't want glue to drip on it. Same with your finished staircase. I am not being too careful of the floors right now because this customer ordered flooring of this dollhouse.
