The Beacon Hill Dollhouse has many plain interior doors, which allows for customization using punch-out pieces or laser-cut wood inlays from craft stores. I chose to create my own designs with stencils and spackling compound.
Start by painting the doors and adding the door knobs. For one-inch scale dollhouses, position the knobs three inches from the bottom of the door, and you can choose either side for installation. Always create a starter hole with a nail or push pin to make it easier to insert the knobs. It's important to apply glue in the hole to prevent the knobs from loosening over time. You cannot place two knobs directly opposite each other on a tab-and-slot dollhouse, due to the door's thickness. When installing one knob, position the second knob slightly to the right or left side of the first. Avoid placing it above or below, as this will be more noticeable. To install the second knob without damaging the first, place the door on a roll of masking tape.
Once everything is dry, position your stencil where you want the design and apply a generous amount of spackle over it. Scrape off the excess evenly, then gently lift the stencil to reveal the raised design. Always rinse your stencils with water or wipe them with a wet towel before using them again to ensure a crisp design. After everything dries, give the doors a second coat of paint. They will no longer look plain.
Keep in Mind
Wait 24 hours for the design to cure completely before turning the door over to apply designs on the other side. After that, wait another 24 hours before applying a coat of paint. Be gentle with your designs to avoid softening them with excess moisture from the paint, and use paint sparingly around them to prevent globs that can obscure details.
