Hi, PLEASE HELP ME:
I was told to contact you for answers to my questions, I hope you don't mind. This is the very first time I am building a dollhouse and its for my daughter for Christmas. I only just recv'd it yesterday but was hoping to get it a bit earlier so I could have it done for her Christmas morning - doesn't look like that's happening.
With that said, I am trying to figure out the most efficent way to do this to at least have the shell done and then maybe we could do the rest (me and my daughter) together and it would be just as special.
I am very creative, always have been - but I have NEVER EVER done this before.
So, I am looking for some guidance and advice if you will.
1- What is the best way to go about painting the inside and outside. What about the flooring, walls, trim, etc.
2- Should the shell be built first and then after that, do the flooring (carpet, wood, etc.) or do I put that all in/on before the house is actually assembled? am I supposed to carpet, paint and put flooring and molding on before or after I assemble the house. Or is there a way to only assemble some of it.
3- Where could I get the supplies I need in my home town?
4- Could you help me with a list of supplies so I can bring it to the store and just give it to one of the people so they can gather it up for me - again, I am trying to do this qucik without dong a bad job!
5- Any others suggestions would be appreciated!!!
I didn't want to purchase one that was already done because I thought it would be more special if I made it myself.
Hi, I don't know which house you have, so my advice will be generic instead of specific.
For all houses, any part that will be painted in the finished dollhouse can be first-coated and sanded right at the start. The advantage of doing the first coat before construction begins is that pre-assembly is the easiest time to do the sanding, and the quality of the paint-job is a reflection of the sanding after the first coat.
Sanding before the first coat doesn't help, and it may even set the stage for splintering, tearing the grain, or making the surface fuzzy and difficult. Resist the temptation to fix and primp the surface - just give it some paint, then sand it until the surface is smooth and "soft", and the wood is starting to show through.
Waiting to sand until after the the second or third coat is too late. More paint will reinforce the feathers and bumps that the first coat raises in the grain, and it won't ever get smooth. The first coat is all about reinforcing the wood for sanding- not about putting something on top or changing the color. Don't wait to sand until more paint is in the way... first coat - sand!
I finish the floors and paint the ceilings 1 coat, and sand the paint until it is smooth and transparent before I start construction. Other than that, I don't do anything to the inside until the outside is done. Even interior dividers should only be temporarily installed until you have had time to mess around with the interior and to plan your own personal layout.
There are two types of construction used for most dollhouses -
Stacked construction has a foundation/floor, then a set of walls, then a floor, then more walls, etc - like cake layers. The Queen Anne, the Batrie houses, and Victoria's Choice are built like that. For stacked houses, most of the parts get fully painted before assembly.
Continuous construction (sometimes called balloon construction) with the outside walls continuous from the foundation to the roof. For continuous construction houses, I generally recommend building the house shell, then painting the second coat, then attaching everything else fully painted or stained (so you're pre-painting details as the shell is under construction)
Touch the parts as you read the instructions all the way through. The time you spend reading and touching will pay you back
Follow the instructions.
Look at the instruction's. They may have a suggestion of supplies. Most of them will be available at hardware, building supply, or miniature stores
I hope this helps, if you need more, don't hesitate to ask, Best Wishes
