The most challenging aspect of this assembly involves the front panels, particularly their potential for warping. Unlike dollhouses with a tab and slot system that naturally straighten during assembly, hinged panels are more problematic. These free-standing panels can easily become distorted, causing issues with door closure and creating unsightly gaps.
To prevent warping, it's crucial to completely finish the panel before attaching it to the dollhouse. This means ensuring that paint or wallpaper is fully dry and applied evenly. Always work with weights to keep the panel flat and finish both sides simultaneously to maintain its shape. In this specific project, the front panels were already slightly warped. Gluing the interior trim and clamping helped straighten them somewhat, but not entirely.
Since this dollhouse will have a simple stucco finish with no decorative fabric to hide imperfections, achieving perfectly flat panels is essential for a clean, professional look. The wood's thinness makes it more susceptible to warping, but also easier to correct compared to thicker materials. Careful preparation and attention to detail will be key to resolving these panel issues.
