This project is adaptable to lots of dollhouse and miniature scales, styles and varied displays. The instructions and materials given are for a 1:12 scale (1 foot = 1 inch) structure. Space can be left behind the windows to create a scene with lights for night, or an interior photo can be used as a backdrop against the windows to imply a scene. The door can be installed opening in or out to add movement to the scene and stairs can be created entering onto the porch from the back
In the photo's shown there are no porch railings, but those can easily be added if you wish, as can more detailed landscaping.
Time required - Less than 8 hours in total, spaced out over several processes.
Materials - To build the 1;12 scale cabin front porch as shown, you will need:
- 1 piece 7 by 20 inches of ¼ inch birch plywood for shelf support.
- 1 piece of ¼ inch birch plywood 13 1/4inches by one inch for facade support.
- ½ inch Gatorfoam board at least 14 by 16 inches.
- 1 package of 500 cedar shingles sized 1 ¼ by ¾ inch, (these will be trimmed slightly).
- 2 unfinished wood windows in 1:12 scale.
- 1 unfinished wood door
- 3 or 4 pieces of 1/16 by 4 inch by 24 inch basswood for siding and porch facing.
- 2, ten inch pieces of ½ inch square basswood for facade side supports.
- 1, 13 inch piece of 3/16 square basswood for cross frame support
- 8 or more pieces of 1/16 by ¼ by 24 inch basswood strip for battens, and roof edge finishing.
- 2 pieces of 1/16 inch plywood each 7 inches by 9 inches as a roof base.
- 2 forked twigs at least ten inches long to create porch roof supports (or use ½ inch square basswood stock).
- Assorted twigs or wood to create roof cross bars and or porch railings.
- Piece of Kraft paper to form underside of roof, at least 7 by 18 inches.
- Paperclay to create a faux stone foundation (less than one package)
- Acrylic paints to age wood and create faux stone.
- Dry floral arrangement foam to form landscaping base.
- a few teaspoons of aquarium gravel and perhaps 1/2 cup of fine railway ballast material for landscaping, also a few pieces of reindeer moss for simple plants.
- 4, ¾ inch wood screws
- Wood Glue or strong PVA Craft Glue.
Tools
- Power drill and power jigsaw to cut Gator foam board (or a steel ruler and a very sharp knife)
- Sharp knife to cut basswood.
- Cutting surface.
- Saw and mitre box or Easy Cutter to cut basswood strips.
Useful
- Small wood clamps
- Flexible polymer clay blade (to cut florist's foam)
- Toothpicks, clay modeling tools, craft or stir sticks to shape paper clay.