Since I have completed many sub-assemblies, I can start installing them on the dollhouse section by section. I want to take a break from the complicated work on the second floor interior and refresh my eyes by focusing on the exterior of the first floor.
Siding
I installed siding up to the porch roof using Quick Grab Tacky Glue, as usual. After installation, I sanded the edges with a fingernail file to ensure they were smooth. It's important to wait until the siding is securely attached before sanding, as doing it beforehand can cause splitting. Since I'm gluing components over the siding rather than cutting around them, there's no need to prime the exterior walls before applying the siding, although you can if you prefer. If you do prime, use the same color as your siding.
Porch Floor
I stained the porch floor with the same stain I used for the interior staircase steps and handrails.
French Window
I installed a large French window that I had pre-painted and assembled. This saved me time since it was ready to go. There’s no single method for installing dollhouse windows; it varies by model. For my Willowcrest Dollhouse, I prefer to sandwich the "glass" panes between the interior window trim and window opening, applying the exterior trim over the siding instead of cutting around it. I used binder clips to hold the window in place while the glue dried. Since the exterior trim goes over the siding, there will be a gap that needs sanding, spackling, and painting for a clean finish. This extra step ensures a polished look along the inside edges of the openings. Leaving off the window panes until I install the interior trim makes assembly easier and allows access to certain areas of the dollhouse.
Some of my acetate windows were damaged, but that's okay because I'm making my own wooden mullions and will replace them with clear acetate. The missing silk-screened mullions won't be noticeable, as they will be added later. You can start to see the color scheme taking shape.
Porch Roof
I installed trim on the porch roof. I wanted to use light gray sandpaper on the flat roof but couldn't find any. Instead, I painted black sandpaper for another project, but it didn't improve the look of the porch roof, so I decided to leave it unpainted for now and address it later.
Hinged Front Storm Door
Before installing the front door, I double-checked that all baseboards were in place and any touch-ups were done in the foyer. The foyer should be completely finished before adding porch trim or installing the front door. The front door installation is a bit tricky since it has two layers of exterior trim. If you're hinging your door on the exterior like I am, you'll need to install these layers correctly for optimal results.
For easier installation, you can hinge your doors on the interior trim. I first finished and installed the larger bottom exterior trim to ensure that the inside edges of the doorway look neat when opened. After that, I hinged the front door onto the smaller top trim, which I painted white for contrast against the door color. It's essential to dry fit your door multiple times to determine where sanding is needed for a smooth operation. The doors should open and close easily; however, their true fit won’t be known until they are hinged and installed. Leave some space for touch-ups with paint or spackle.
Once hinged, I added hardware including knobs and raised "nails," which are filigree beads painted over with door paint. Allow your door to dry overnight before using it gently since tab-and-slot hinged doors can be heavy and fragile.
I misplaced my front steps and couldn't find them anywhere, so I made new ones from balsa wood and rounded their front corners for a nicer look. For now, I'll leave the porch as is until I'm sure that the front door functions correctly before proceeding with any porch trim, as it could obstruct access to the door.
