I started assembling the dollhouse shell today. This dollhouse is a bit complicated, so it's important to pay close attention to the assembly process because some steps in the instructions seem to be missing. This could lead to leaving out walls that will be hard to install later. For more details on the assembly process, refer to my Willowcrest Dollhouse Blog.
As a general guideline, use tacky glue for the shell and apply wood glue at all joints. Let the shell dry overnight to ensure it is sturdy before adding more walls, floors, and staircases. You need to finish the foyer after installing the second floor because you must install the first-floor staircase at this point; otherwise, you won't have access to it later. I've discussed the assembly of tab-and-slot dollhouses before, but this shell deserves some important reminders.
The instructions do not account for finishes. Although they advise against gluing certain walls and floors to allow movement for easier installation of staircases and other components, this becomes problematic if you plan to apply finishes. You cannot apply wallpaper, flooring, or ceiling paper to glued parts that are not completely dry. Additionally, some walls must be wallpapered before they become inaccessible, and you cannot install staircases or other components on wet wallpaper. By the time you install your staircase or component, the dollhouse structure will be completely dry and rigid, making it difficult to fit everything into place. New builders often think they made a mistake or that there’s an issue with the kit, but this is just a common challenge with tab-and slot-dollhouse assembly.
Installing the First Floor Staircase
For the staircase, I recommend removing all of its tabs. They can complicate installation and are unnecessary since the staircase is secured within three walls and two floors. Before applying wallpaper to the foyer, dry fit your staircase to identify any tight spots that may cause issues later. Address these areas now by sanding them down for better fit. My problem area was at the second-floor landing, where I had to sand down the edge against the top railing for a proper fit. Have a mallet ready when it's time to install; this staircase can be tricky.
Once you understand how to insert the staircase, you can prime and wallpaper the foyer. I bought a large bottle of inexpensive flat white acrylic craft paint for priming so I wouldn't use my better quality paint, which I'll need for all the white trim in this dollhouse. I also chose a wallpaper with a border at the top but learned that borders can be challenging in a small room like this. Instead, opt for a heavily patterned wallpaper.
Do not apply ceiling paper in the foyer yet; focus on wallpapering the walls only. Ceiling paper will prevent you from installing the staircase. All ceiling paper and flooring should be applied after installing the staircase. Wait for your wallpaper to dry completely before attempting to install the staircase. Even with preparation, trying to install it too soon could damage your wallpaper or remove it entirely. A drying time of 24 hours is recommended.
After your wallpaper is fully dry, insert the staircase and glue it only to the first floor. Avoid applying glue to the sides touching the wallpaper, as this could cause further damage. Once your staircase is in place, carefully check both it and the foyer for any needed repairs or touch-ups since access will be limited later. For wallpaper repairs, match and patch patterns using tacky glue or a glue stick for a flatter finish that minimizes seams' visibility. Try to position seams away from view as much as possible; however, given that the foyer can be seen from multiple angles, this may be challenging. Use spackle to fill any gaps between the staircase and ceiling before painting.
