This upcoming project is different from my usual ones because it involves a rehab. The dollhouse belongs to a neighbor who wanted to refresh its appearance. I chose to take on this project because it won't require much labor, and I believe many readers will be interested in learning how to make simple changes to an already assembled dollhouse.
Here are some details about the dollhouse. It has a unique floor plan and architectural design, as it was custom assembled. A reader recently informed me that this is the "Aunt Ellie" model from House That Jack Built. The dollhouse is made from pre-assembled Houseworks components, which makes it quick and easy to build. All the windows, clapboard siding, railings, and front door come pre-assembled and simply need to be put in place. It seems to have been built correctly with glue and nails, using cabinet-grade 3/8" wood. This is a good sign because if the dollhouse were falling apart, it would present a more complicated issue.
The project mainly focuses on aesthetics rather than repairs. The interior was not finished properly, which I plan to fix. The biggest problem is the wallpaper, which was installed incorrectly. There is a seam running through the center of the first floor, and the left side wall has a different pattern than the rest of the room. The attic wallpaper border was also misaligned. It appears that whoever wallpapered the dollhouse lacked experience with dollhouses. The hardwood flooring was installed fairly well but not finished correctly; it feels rough and has minor buckling in some areas. The baseboards are crooked, as they were made from strips of flooring that are too thin to effectively cover gaps and imperfections. Additionally, the carpet was improperly folded over the back edge of the floor.
At some point, the dollhouse was wired, but the finishes were not applied correctly over the wiring. Instead of using templates, they were glued directly over the wiring tape, damaging it beyond repair. The dollhouse also lacks interior moldings around the windows and door.
A glossy oil-based paint was used on the dollhouse, which is inappropriate for this type of project. I can use textured paper to improve the ceilings, but there is no leftover exterior paint for touch-ups, so those areas will remain as they are. I will fix some of the exterior white areas since one of the railings is broken. I might change the color of the porch floor and add brick paper to the foundation to cover up some of the poor paintwork.
I know many people may have a dollhouse with similar issues, so this blog entry will serve as a guide for them. New builders can also learn what not to do when finishing a dollhouse. Anyone interested in wiring a dollhouse with tape wire should pay close attention to this project for tips on properly finishing interiors while preserving wiring.
Since I'm not an expert in rehabbing, I'll be using many tips and ideas from experienced rehabbers on the Greenleaf Dollhouse Forum.
