All window sills must be finished using the same technique described below. If you want the interior color of the sills to differ from the exterior, you need to finish half of each part of the sill in different colors. These sills are made from laminated layers of various sizes, giving them a layered appearance similar to real Victorian trim. It’s best to sort all the parts first to ensure you can assemble the window sills correctly before finishing them. For my dollhouse, I chose a dark brown for the top and bottom of the exterior sills, with a lighter brown in the middle.
To achieve this, I painted half of the parts that face the exterior in these colors: dark brown for half of both large and small sills, and light brown for the medium sills. I left the interior-facing halves unpainted for now because I want them to be completely white, which I will paint after laminating. Once laminated, they create a look with white on the inside and three colors on the outside.
Installing the Window Sills
You don’t need to glue the sills unless they are loose enough to fall out, which usually only happens with the top one. The sills may require some effort to fit, so be patient. Be cautious of your wallpaper and remember that siding can obstruct installation. Sanding the notches on each sill before installation will make it easier. Place one sill at the top and one at the bottom of each window opening, ensuring that the larger sill is always on top for a cascading effect.
Installing the Window Casings
After installing the sills, you can proceed with installing the casings in the window openings. Start by attaching the interior trim first. This approach allows you to clamp it securely using binder clips through the unobstructed opening. Once you install the casing, there won’t be an easy way to clamp the interior trim without risking damage to your wallpaper. Center the finished interior trim in the window opening and use binder clips if needed. Once it dries, remove any clamps, touch up with paint, and gently press the casing into place until it meets the interior trim. You can finish and install the exterior trim whenever you’re ready. Since it consists of two different-sized parts, you can finish and laminate them together beforehand for easier installation.
The Kitchen Bay Windows
The kitchen bay windows are finished and installed like other windows but include an additional step for adding a window shelf. To install this shelf, place its wide part between the large and small sills of the bottom window sill; this wide part acts as the middle piece of your bottom sill. Finish its exterior-facing half according to your color scheme and match its interior-facing half to your interior trim. After finishing, rest the kitchen shelf on top of it. You can choose to leave it removable or glue it down; I glued mine for better finishing around it.
Keep in Mind
It’s easier to install casings and trim if the sills aren’t glued down, allowing you to adjust them for a straight fit. Once installed, casings and trim will hold the sills in place. You may need to trim a bit off your trim's "legs" so they fit between the sills; do this gradually to avoid cutting too much. Avoid being overly meticulous, especially with bay windows.
Since bay sills install differently from other windows, fitting casings may be challenging. Sand them down until they fit properly. You might also notice that some legs of your exterior trim don’t reach all the way down or leave small gaps at the top sill; don’t try to fix this as it could worsen. Small imperfections will go unnoticed unless pointed out. As long as your bay is straight, attention will focus on your dollhouse's overall beauty rather than minor flaws. On interior windows, refrain from using spackle unless there are large gaps. You don’t want spackle making small flaws more visible or worse than they already are.
