Building A Dollhouse

At one time, the creation of a dollhouse was a mystery known to
only a select few highly trained artisans. Dollhouses were
commissioned works, available only to the extremely wealthy.

At one time, the creation of a dollhouse was a mystery known to
only a select few highly trained artisans. Dollhouses were
commissioned works, available only to the extremely wealthy.
Mass-production techniques combined with newer materials and
tools, however, made the construction of dollhouses a project
that can be performed by anyone with a reasonable level of
carpentry talent and experience.

Your first step is to design the dollhouse. Once you have
accomplished this step and have a clear idea of exactly what you
want the finished product to be, you are ready to begin
construction. You have two choices. You can buy a
ready-to-assemble dollhouse kit, or you can create the dollhouse
completely from raw materials.

A dollhouse kit, by its very nature, will not be as endlessly
customizable as a dollhouse built from scratch. However, a wide
variety of kits is currently available on the market, enabling
you to choose one that closely fits your vision. If you are
uncertain about your carpentry skills, you may want to purchase
a kit.

If you choose to build the dollhouse from scratch, you will
need to decide on the type of material you want to use. Wood is
the most traditional. However, some types of wood work better
than others. If you want the dollhouse to be reasonably sturdy
and able to be handled, plywood is generally a good choice. 3/4"
plywood is the most durable choice for the floor and structural
components. 3/8" is acceptable for non-structural walls, doors
and the roof.

Draw out a pattern on paper. You should have a pattern for
every feature of the house including the base. Remember to keep
the scale that you selected (most commonly 1:12) in place. Be
sure to mark your walls and doors as well.

Cut out the pattern and use the pattern to mark the wood.
Although the wood can be cut by hand, a circular saw and perhaps
a jigsaw will make your job both easier and less time consuming.
Pre-drill holes with an electric drill in the corners of all
openings such as windows and doorways.

Once the pieces are cut, you will want to sand all of the edges
smooth. A plane may be necessary if the cuts are uneven,
otherwise simple sandpaper will suffice. Use a rough grain first
and finish sanding with a fine grain.

After all of your pieces are sanded smooth, you are ready to
join them together. Use a thin layer of wood glue and a series
of common nails. Small screws can also be used for added
stability. Be sure to drive all screws flush and countersink all
nails. Sand again over the finished nails or screws.

If you want to paint the dollhouse, you have two options. You
can paint the pieces individually before assembly, or you can
paint the whole dollhouse once it is assembled. There are pros
and cons to both methods. The method you select will ultimately
be based on your painting skills and the design you envision for
the dollhouse.

Building a dollhouse can be as elaborate or as simple a project
as you would like. If your carpentry skills are not advanced, a
dollhouse kit will allow you to do more elaborate construction.
If you are confident in your skills, then designing and building
your own dollhouse will allow maximum freedom. The decisions are
completely up to you.

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