I installed the dormer roofs and clamped them to let them dry. I painted the parts for the top porch balcony to have them ready when needed. The dollhouse is at a stage where I need to finish the entire front.
While those parts dried, I focused on the exterior of the bay. I had been concentrating on the interior and hadn’t done much outside. I glued on the top and bottom trim and added skewers to fill the gaps between each bay wall panel, painting them red to match the dollhouse. I glued on the top balcony door and finished attaching the interior ceiling trim in the bay, using skewers like I did for the rest of the ceiling.
Next, I glued on the exterior window trim for the top gable window on the back wall. Then, I began installing the remaining front components, starting with the front dormer floor and balcony roof before gluing on the sides. I didn’t encounter much trouble, but a rubber mallet might be needed in some areas, and it’s important to clamp tightly.
While that dried, I painted and installed the porch floor. After that, I glued on the front gable wall. It’s essential to finish both the inside and outside of the gable wall before attaching it to the dollhouse. This includes installing the window, adding interior trim, and painting both sides. Once it’s attached, you won’t have access to it from inside.
While that dried, I turned the dollhouse on its back to install the front foundation piece for the porch floor. I painted the entire front porch gingerbread, which comes as one piece that includes the gable, balcony, and porch. To install it, it’s best to lay the dollhouse on its back and dry fit everything first to determine how it fits together and where to apply glue. A rubber mallet and clamps are useful here. Make sure all joints fit properly and remember that the top gable exterior window trim is part of this large structure.
Finally, I installed the porch roof along with two side porch trim pieces and the front gable roof trim.
