Modern Paper Dollhouse with Paper Items

SUPPLIES & TOOLS:

• (7) 3/4"x 8"x 24" plywood planks
• (5) 3/4"x 12"x 12" plywood planks
• (3) 3/4"x 12"x 24" plywood planks
• (8) 3/4"x 8"x 12" plywood planks
• Several 3/4" square trim pieces
• Several 1/8"x 3/4" rectangular trim pieces
• Table saw
• Sand paper
• Belt sander
• Hack saw
• White latex interior paint or white spray paint
• Interior paint brush
• Wood glue
• Damp cloth
• Wide painter’s tape
• Large drop cloth
• T-square or measuring tape
• 12"x 12" scrapbook paper in several patterns
• Scrapbooking cardstock in several colors and textures
• Small scrapbooking scissors or regular scissors
• Bone folder
• 1/8" dowel rod
• Craft knife
• School glue
• Various unfinished wood pieces: spools, toy wheels, wood squares, wood circles, ball knobs, peg people etc.
• Craft wire
• Wire snippers
• Top stitching thread
• Needle
• Fabric scraps
• Sewing machine (if using fabric)
• Pencil
• Plain paper/scrap paper

DIRECTIONS:

Dollhouse

1. On flat surface, dry fit all wood pieces. Note where 1/4" trim pieces are needed to fill out wall dimensions. Mark trim piece cut lengths with pencil and use small hacksaw to cut.


2. Before glueing, lay down painter's tape on table where joints will fall.


3. Starting with back walls and interior walls, glue planks together, a few at a time. Apply glue generously and smear with finger. Squeeze glue surfaces together tightly for a few seconds and wipe excess with damp cloth. Wrap joints perpendicular with tape in a few spots to hold while gluing. Apply tape very tightly. Allow 3 hours drying time between each gluing session. When interior walls are set, add outer walls and trim pieces.


4. For the roof, mark the center point of the top wall and align the short edge of the 24"x 12" plank perpendicular to the center point. Dry fit an 8"x 24" plank at the angle desired for the roof. Trace a line along the inside of the board onto the 24"x 12" plank to mark the cut angle.


5. Cut the angle using a table saw. The excess piece from the board can be flipped to create the other side of the roof eave. Glue these pieces together, then glue to the top of the house.


6. Using belt sander, sand down the edges of the roof planks where they will come together to form the peak. Do this little by little and dry fit to check how much more sanding is needed. Using large grit sandpaper, sand down the outermost edges of the top corners of the house to create a gluing surface for roof planks. Do this little by little, continually dry fitting the roof to check how much sanding is needed.When satisfied, glue roof peak joint and roof planks to eave of house.


7. When glue is dry, touch up any uneven joints with sandpaper or the 1/8" trim pieces.


8. Paint house using latex interior paint or spray paint. Use a drop cloth if painting indoors. If using spray paint, paint house outdoors. Only exposed walls/sides/edges need to be painted. If interior walls or floor will be covered in paper, leave unpainted.

Interior
Wallpaper: Use scrapbook paper for the floor and and interior walls of house. Always dry fit paper first. If fit is too snug, and does not lay flat on surface easily, trim using a craft knife at 1/16" intervals until paper is the correct size. Constant dry fitting will get the best results. When laying down paper, drip glue in lines over entire surface to be covered. Be sure there is full coverage at the edges by smearing glue before laying down paper. Lay down the paper, pushing down and out from the center of paper. Use a bone folder to push down paper.

Paper Plants
Round knobs can be used for vases. Attach a small flat, round wood circle to knob opposite the drill hole end with school glue. This will allow vase to stand up. Add paper leaves by gluing in the drill hole of the wood ball.

Table, Chairs/Couch, and Floating Shelves
Chair/couch cushions, table surfaces, and shelves are all made of a basic box pattern and can be customized to any size. Make a plain paper mock-up first, and then duplicate with scrapbooking paper. Use a bone folder to score and crease folds for best results. Regular school glue is best as it dries fast and clear, but allows a little time for adjustments before setting. Table legs can be created from paper or lengths of dowel rods.

Rugs and Towels
Rugs and towels are easily created from fabric scraps. Cut rugs to finish size, and top stitch 1/4" seam around rug. Allow edges to fray to create fringe. Towels should have long edges hemmed, and short edges top stitched to allow fraying for fringe.

Picture frames/gallery wall
Flat wood squares and circles make great picture frames. Use patterned scrapbooking paper to create the image. Cut out image slightly smaller than flat wood piece and glue to create picture frame effect.

Beds
Beds are created by making a box, minus the bottom surface. Create a mock-up from plain paper and then transfer to scrapbooking paper. Paper can be stitched in a sewing machine to create top stitching effects on blankets/rugs. Unfinished wood spools make good pillows. Cut a strip of paper to wrap and glue around spool center to create the "fabric" pattern.

Hangers
Craft wire can be used to create clothing hangers for paper jackets and coats. A round marker or pen can be used to shape the hook of the hanger.

JOANN HACKS:

• Keep plenty of scrap paper or plain white paper on hand to create mock-ups before creating final pieces. Use mock-ups as patterns to trace or copy when ready to use scrap paper.


• Use a bone folder to push down paper on walls and floor. Also use to score and crease folds in paper furniture.


• 1/8" dowel rods can be cut with a craft knife. Score the rod at the length to cut. Insert bald into score, then roll back and forth until rod snaps.


• Gather interior design inspiration online and/or from magazines prior to starting. Plan which pieces you’d like to create and which wallpaper and flooring patterns you’d like to use. Then shop for scrapbooking paper and supplies to match your vision.