Greenleaf Dollhouse Build - Day 9: Installing the floor and staircase.

Day 9

I am not sure what it was but today was the absolute most frustrating day of the build this far. I have no idea what I did to deserve the feeling that I just didn't do anything right but hey that's something that just comes with the territory I suppose.

So basically I wanted to finish the staircase today and get it installed in the house as well as getting the upper floor installed (third floor, floor). So I got the stairs taken care of and that was . . . . ok. I am a bit confused about how the stairs fit into the floor of the house. Truthfully they fit snug but there is no place for you to actually glue them in or anything so I am going to go ahead and assume that there is really no place to have them glued in other than from under the house.

The biggest thing that upset me again was the top floor. It was incredibly difficult to get this installed. I ended up pretty much butchering all of the tabs and slots to get everything to shove in the proper area. This was so difficult. Once I got it in I took some wood filler and filled the gaps in order to get as strong of a bond as I can. I am thinking that once I get most of the house together I will go over again with the wood filler to ensure that I get everything in place and secure.

That is really all I did today before I decided that I needed to stop. I just could not keep going with the frustration. With a clear head maybe I will try to do more to it tomorrow.

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• greenleaf
• okininjakitty
• dollhouse
• build
• beacon hill

[AuntKeesa]

After you sand your walls, you should apply Kilz before you paint. That should help with the roughn texture issue.

[TheDollHouseDoll]

@AuntKeesa Thanks for the suggestion. I have not heard of that brand and I have searched around for some here, however, they only come in either spray can or large paint cans and I do not have the use for something that large. I have been keeping an eye out for something smaller but right now no success. 

[Katmeil]

I've built many dollhouses and the quality of the wood is never very good. Good Luck with your project!

[TheDollHouseDoll]

@Katmeil Yeah I knew it would not be very good, I am just surprised at how actually bad it is. I didn't think it would be "quality" but I did think that it wouldn't fall apart just from sanding either. It's ok though. Just pressing on.

[lilprincessred]

You are doing a great job!! One thing I did was use a medium weight exacto knife for trimming. It helped so much. I hated the instructions too. I Used my own judgment and am following the pictures and schematics only LOL.

The reason the pieces fall apart is because it is die cut. The laser cut ones are so much cleaner to put together. since Greenleaf makes laser cut ones too, they need to switch over to laser cutting for these models too!

[BassmanSW]

Try a Real Good Toys dollhouse. Much better quality. None of that 1/4 plywood crap.

[emcookies]

oh girl! I am building a Greenleaf myself and it is such a PITA. So agree about the quality. I would not do this again!

[mininecessities]

I will use wallpaper to cover the rough wood walls. You can also glue card stock to fit and paint that instead. Guess I will just paint the ceiling for now.......working on the Living room. You can get embossed ceiling paper but can't really afford it now.....maybe later. anyway you are doing a great job!

[mininecessities]

I have 33 photos on webshots under user ID mininecessities you have to do a search under member photos or maybe this url will work. I hope to get some youtube videos up soon.

I have build some dollhouses before and one I used the trim that came with it and another we bought Housework doors etc, but I am going to do the Garfield with original wood and love it the way it is. Have other houses to build too l

[mininecessities]

I agree with you about the quality of the wood on these dollhouses. Even though they are still very expensive........the wood never looks good. Unless you get a Real Good Toys kit and it has or you buy like Houseworks stairs, windows doors. I have used them, but I am doing the Greenleaf Garfield and decided to just accept this house as it is.......and build it. I too tried to stand the stair rails and yea it just falls apart. hang in there, it will look great when you get done,

[slwilliams75]

Hey there, you've done a great job...

[Katmeil]

Glad to hear your project is progressing. I'm working on another dollhouse, too and having the same problems with the wood falling apart. I'd gladly pay a bit more for better quality wood.