The Cellar Window
This dollhouse includes a cellar window and a matching cellar. When assembled, the cellar window is a small box placed beneath the dollhouse, providing a chance to create something unique. I chose to make a diorama of a scene typical of a creepy old cellar. I put together the cellar box and primed it. I added brick paper, which I also used for the chimney and will use for the foundation, to the back wall. The floor was painted gray and speckled with light brown paint to resemble cement. I left the sill unfinished for later work.
I printed two raccoons at the right size. While miniature raccoons or other critters can be purchased, it's essential to measure the available space since this cellar is quite small, with no extra room under the dollhouse. The height of the back wall is the only height available. To give the raccoons a more three-dimensional look, I used brush hairs to add whiskers to the printouts. I glued them to a scrap of wood so they would stand out from the cellar wall, creating depth. I also added two miniature rats and some moss for nesting material, along with scrunched-up paper and foil to simulate trash nearby. Bits of cotton made excellent cobwebs.
To hide the unfinished underside of the dollhouse when looking through the cellar window, I added side walls to the cellar box using sandpaper for a more natural appearance. I painted the underside of the dollhouse black; without this, raw wood would be visible through the window.
Once the diorama was ready, I glued it in place and added more cobwebs around the corners of the window opening. I finished the sill and surrounding foundation area. The proper way to install the window is by gluing an acetate pane to the interior side of the window opening before adding trim on the exterior. However, if you finish your cellar with accessories, this method won't allow access later on. Instead, I recommend gluing the acetate pane to the back of the window trim.
Once you finish assembling your window trim as directed, it will be one piece with the acetate attached. For installation, use repositionable glue so you can remove it if necessary in the future. I'm using E6000 Extreme Tack Repositionable Glue, recommended by Casey from Casey's Minis. This glue allows you to create clear and tacky glue dots that dry in eight hours, enabling you to attach items securely while still allowing for removal later. This is my first experience with this product, but it seems effective without leaving residue or damaging paper while providing strong hold. I'll see how well it performs as I continue using it on different surfaces.
