Although it's called a French door, I think of it more as a gothic window because I'm unsure how this "door" could be hinged to function. The middle sash, which would serve as the hinged panel, is mostly covered with trim on both the interior and exterior. However, with patience and some trial and error, it might be possible to make the porch roof into an outdoor patio by adding a widow's walk fencing around it. For those who prefer simplicity and still want a patio, you can make the "door" inoperable and just add a knob. For my design, I will create a gothic stained glass window, and here’s how to install it.
First, paint all trim and sashes thoroughly before installation. They need to be finished on all sides, including the sides that will be glued together. You don't want any raw wood visible once the window is installed because it will be too small and inaccessible to fix later. I made my stained glass windows using markers and clear fingernail polish, which looked very colorful at first. Although I initially worried about the bright colors, once all the trim layers were added, it turned out beautifully. The colors receded into the background, creating an elegant stained glass effect. This gothic window becomes the focal point of the dollhouse, standing out without being overwhelming.
Laminate all layers of your exterior trim before installation and clamp them with binder clips. Assemble your sashes with the window inserts, using binder clips to hold them in place. Apply glue sparingly to the sashes since they are not load-bearing; too much glue can squeeze out into the window inserts when clamped. Even though tacky glue is clear, it can become visible on clear acetate, so avoid any globs along the edges of your windows once dry. Always install your interior trim first. Center it evenly on the window opening and clamp it with binder clips. This method makes installation easier since you won’t be able to clamp the interior trim correctly after installing the windows. Avoid using masking tape on the interior due to potential damage to the wallpaper.
Once the interior trim is dry, you can add the sashes, which may need sanding for a proper fit. Next, add your exterior trim. You can use masking tape to hold it in place until it dries.
Important Considerations
Since the dollhouse is made from stamped dyes that are not perfectly square, adjust your exterior trim to ensure the window looks straight. Do not use the porch roof as a guide; your window might look better if it's slightly lifted from one side of the porch roof. The priority is for the window to appear straight rather than flush with the porch roof. If you're painting your interior trim white like I am, finishing your window on the inside will require extra effort. White highlights any gaps between the interior trim and sashes. Use spackle sparingly to fill in large gaps and paint over smaller joints. Avoid using spackle excessively along your interior trim; it can create more problems over time. Maintain a clean line between your interior trim and sashes for a layered, detailed look in your dollhouse. Apply spackle with a paintbrush instead of your finger to control how much you use and preserve the detail of the windows.
