I prepared all the shutters yesterday while the shell dried, using binder clips to hold them in place. I set them aside. I need to start wallpapering because I can’t move on to the top part of the dollhouse until all the walls are done. I also want to finish installing the staircase.
Before finishing the interior, I analyzed the structure to identify potential issues and made a plan. I decided which rooms would be which, so I could choose the right wallpaper patterns. While assessing the dollhouse, I noted some important details for wallpapering. First, I want to stain the little decorations over the bay openings before applying the wallpaper. The bay will be easy to wallpaper since it consists of two slanted walls meeting in the middle. The staircase needs wallpaper inside and out because one side is a closet wall. Additionally, the railing on the center partition wall must be stained before wallpapering.
Now that I have a clear plan, I’ll start by staining everything that needs it. I also primed all the walls using any light-colored paint I had on hand. To make priming easier, I turned the dollhouse on its side and front so I could reach the walls without dripping paint on the floor. I painted the ceilings in a color that matches my wallpaper. It’s important to apply enough coats for good coverage, and turning the dollhouse upside down can help with this task. As I prime and stain, I focus carefully to avoid accidentally painting areas meant for staining. I must wait for everything to dry completely to prevent paint from getting on the wallpaper. Using a fan can speed up drying time.
Once everything was dry, I began wallpapering what will be the kitchen and/or dining room. When wallpapering this room, keep in mind that there’s a bay and a staircase, so make sure you have enough wallpaper to cover these areas. It’s best to cut all your wallpaper first and plan how to apply it before starting, ensuring you won’t run out midway through. The center partition wall where the staircase meets hasn’t been glued down yet, so accurate measurements require holding the floors against it as they will be when finished. Use masking tape to secure the floors in place for proper wallpaper application. Don’t worry about the edges around the bays or in front of the staircase; this dollhouse kit includes interior trim for those areas later. I also primed the staircase so I can wallpaper it too.
After everything dried enough to hold the wallpaper in place, I inserted the staircase. Getting it into position is challenging, so you’ll need a mallet. A well-glued shell and staircase are crucial because you’ll need to apply significant pressure during this step. Keeping the center partition wall unglued from the floors was essential for maneuvering everything into place.
Now that the staircase is in, I can glue the center partition wall to both floors and staircase. Clamp everything in place and leave it overnight for complete drying before loosening the clamps. Position them so they don’t interfere with work on other areas of the dollhouse. I wallpapered the living room but haven’t done the staircase wall yet since there’s still wet glue. With both rooms now wallpapered, I can install the bays.
Once they dried, I wallpapered them too, not worrying about edges since trim will cover them later. I also finished wallpapering the second floor but need to ensure there’s enough leftover wallpaper for any remaining walls up there since some are currently missing due to roof gables.
Now that everything is drying, I've started assembling the front door.
