After erecting the three walls of the basic shell, progress halts until the staircase is completed.
The staircase assembly instructions are inadequate, with only a single, poorly detailed image. Construction relies heavily on prior experience with die-cut staircases. The staircase railings, which resemble walls, are actually solid pieces that support the handrails. This distinction is important to avoid mistakenly wallpapering them.
To match the floors, I'll stain the entire staircase before assembly. For a two-tone finish, individual parts would need to be painted separately before assembly. The staircase construction is intricate. The photos, taken from various angles with risers and steps omitted, demonstrate the assembly process. The stringers are particularly challenging to position correctly. Note how the tabs fit under the staircase's cross-section at the bottom, with the back wall securing them in place.
Assembly order is crucial - glue one stringer to the staircase wall, then the back wall, and finally the last stringer. Careful attention to tab placement is necessary to avoid accidentally covering them. Frequent double-checking is advisable, and parts should only be glued once their correct position is certain.
Avoid dry-fitting the staircase in the dollhouse before the assembly is completely dry, as this may cause it to come apart. Allow ample drying time to prevent parts from falling off and causing confusion during reassembly.
The staircase must be fully assembled separately from the dollhouse; there's no viable method to build it in place. Ensure the staircase is entirely finished before installation in the dollhouse.
