|
|
|
|
|
Things to consider when buying and constructing your doll's house ......
Buying a Dollshouse and Getting Started
Buying and building a dollshouse is a very exciting and fascinating hobby which incorporates our world in miniature and combines interests in history, architecture, art and craft.
When you've decided to become involved in the unique world of dollshouses the first option is to decide who the house is for; a child or an adult. Then you need to decide what scale of house you would like. There are several options: 12th, 16th and 24th scale. 12th scale have a tendency to be favourite amongst enthusiasts.
After choosing the scale, you must then decide whether to go for the self-build, built but unpainted or ready built and painted - the choice is up to you. Many people decide on a self build as they can choose how to decorate the individual rooms to their own specifications.
The final choice is be made is what period of house you prefer - there are Victorian, Georgian, Tudor and Cottage style houses to choose from plus shops, cafes and special Children's dollshouses. That decision is very much a personal choice. |
Dollshouse Construction
The house of your choice is now ready for construction and design. This is where the fun begins! Before you begin assembly always read the instruction manual and check that you have all the components stated. It is advisable to lay them all out and check where the manufacturer recommends to start.
Before assembly is commenced, on houses made from MDF it is strongly advised to use a solution of PVA and water (1 part PVA to 4 parts water) and apply this to both sides of the construction. This seals the wood and ensures a better finish to the painted surface. On houses made from wood apply sanding sealer or wood primer, this enables a better finish when painting.
Before construction it is important to decide on where you would like your lights. The reason for this is the interior of your doll's house will have greater impact and better finish if you disguise the wires by cutting or routing the grooves into the appropriate places before you cover the walls with paper and leave unsightly marks or cuts in the paper (details of how to install lighting follows).
To assemble your house follow the instructions given with you kit. Tools required for construction include:
- Clamps to hold panels in place
- Ruler
- Set square to ensure the house is aligned correctly
- Wood glue
- Saw or sharp blade
- Cutting mat
- Masking or holding tape
- Craft knife
- Hammer
- Tacks or small pins if required for larger builds
|
Rachaels Dolls Houses.com Tips:
Dry fit your house before applying glue, this will ensure you have all the parts and that they are in the correct place.
Paint windows and doors prior to installation - this ensures a better finish and is easier to paint.
Apply exterior coverings or pain prior to installing windows and doors as this creates a better finish. |
|
Decoration and Design
You have chosen your house, decided where the lights are going, found all of the necessary tools - now it's time to extend you creative side. It is recommended that you decorate your house before assembly, this is to enable you to get into all the corners with the paint brush and makes it easier to apply the wallpaper to a flatter surface thus achieving a better finish. The suggestion of a dry fit in the Tips section above also means you can view your house and decide which rooms are which and decide on paper, paint finishes and carpet.
Decorate the inside of your house first, ensuring all the panels are decorated as per room choice. You can choose either a paint or paper finish depending on personal choice. If using paper, measure the room to ensure you have the correct amount - we can help you if you're not sure. We estimate about 3 sheets per room if you decide to decorate all walls or you could use a single sheet to create feature wall. Remember some papers have a pattern match (drop).
Paint the ceilings as this creates a better finish. An emulsion roller gives a nice even surface. Non-acrylic paint is recommended or paint from your local DIY store is perfectly good. If you are painting the rooms, tester pots are a good idea and there is no need to buy a large time for such a small surface.
The exterior of the house can be painted or papered, however, you can use a small brink design which requires individual brinks being attached to the exterior of the house. This is an effective design but can be very time consuming and requires a lot of patience! |
Rachaels Dolls Houses.com Tips
When using individual bricks apply a grey or mortar coloured paint before attaching the bricks - this gives a more effective finish.
Paint the brinks with a diluted solution of PVA this will create a better finish and reduce the amount of glue used.
For a different exterior finish use builders or sharp sand and mix with your chosen paint colour - this will create a unique textured finish |
|
Lighting and Wiring Your Dollshouse
Lighting and wiring a dolls house can be a very daunting process, however the principle is quite simple. There are many different techniques used eg. sockets where-by all the lights are attached via a transformer or a circuit system with wires attached via pins and again a transformer is used.
You should start to decide where you want your lights prior to the house assembly as this allows for a better finish once the decoration is completed.
Plan on the back of the dollshouse where you want each light to go - this will also enable you to decide what size transformer and socket board you require. Do you want all ceiling lights or some wall lights? Why not include a few free-standing? The list can be endless and the effect can be magnificent.
To determine what size transformer you need to establish the number of light bulbs being used. NOTE: its the number of light bulbs not lights that's important. For example, if you have a ceiling light with 4 bulbs then you use 4 in the calculation. Once you have decided on the size of transformer and the type of lights you're ready to start fitting. If you are using ceiling lights they need to be fitted from the floor on the level above so the fitting can then be covered with carpet and concealed. For the top level grooves need to cut and filled once the wiring has been fitted.
Mark where you want your light to go using a pencil then drill a corresponding hole in the wood. Then follow the line of wire to the back of the house and drill a further hole enabling the wire to be connected to the socket at the back of the house. Grooves need to be cut to enable a flush fit and to hide the wire. This can be done using a small router, chisel or a small dremel-like tool that cuts small grooves. |
Rachaels Dolls Houses.com Tips
For lights that are to remain in the house, fill the gaps in with a product such as squadron putty - this will enable you to remove the wire as the product goes firm but can be easily removed. Using wood filler would not enable you to remove the lights.
If you are thinking of interchanging the lights do not fill in the groves. Use a piece of thin masking tape to hold the wires in place. |
|
Wall lights are fitted in much the same manner, most people attach them to the rear of the house as the holes go straight to the back of the house and into the transformer. However, the choice is yours - if you do apply them to the side of the house, grooves need to be made to ensure a flush fit.
Freestanding lights can be attached to anywhere in the house, a small socket can be attached to the rear of the house after papering has been completed. Drill a small hole in the back to enable the wire to be fed through and connected to the transformer. Your chosen lights can then be sited where you want and the wires put under the carpet.
To install the light you need to remove the plug at the end of the wire. HOld the plug in one hand and with a small pair of pliers remove the pins by pulling on them. This will expose the ends of the wire which can then be teased out of the hole and the plug removed. This allows you to then feed it through your pre-drilled hole. Once the wires have been fed through and you are happy with the position of the light re-attach the pins and plug into the transformer.
Once you have all your lights fitted using adhesive pads and the wires have been fed through their respective holes now is the time to attach them to the socket and transformer. Attach each plug in room-order starting from the top, this will enable you to decipher which room has an error if the light does not work. On the socket board a fuse light is situated at the end, this will come on if the fuse has gone. Finally after you have tested all the lights and they work effectively, tidy up the wires at the back of the house and using masking tape, attach the wires to the back of the house.
Finishing Touches
Your house is decorated, your lights are fitted and working, now is the time to bring in those finishing touches to make your design complete. There are endless room styles, dolls house furniture and accessories for you to choose from -everything from Tudor to modern. How you design each room is governed only by your imagination. Many people use different dolls house accessories from people to food, appliances to towels - there's a vast range to choose from. Once you've chosen your accessories it time to design and set up your rooms - have fun! |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
