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TUTORIAL - LA TEA ROOM
Roville Diorama Tutorial
Step 2.  Decide what building materials you wish to use
  • I chose a simple foam core structure that did not require many tools.
Step 1:  Envision your project
  • Search the web for visually inspiring photos if you need help.
Step 3.  Cut openings before assembly

  • I cut any openings and apply my decorative papers before gluing the walls together
    for ease of application.  

  • The white paper reminded me of white wood planks, so I used it on both the
    upper walls and the floor.  It is regular wallpaper and can be found at Lowe’s.  
    Although it is pre-pasted, craft glue and not water must be used to apply it.  
    Water will warp foam core.  

  • Cutting strips and laying them horizontally gave me the appearance of crown
    molding, chair rail and baseboard.  

  • Floral wallpaper was used on the lower part of the walls.  It is dollhouse
    wallpaper that I found on clearance.  The flower pattern was unusually large for
    dollhouse scale and works well in 1:6 scale. Scrap booking paper would work
    just as well.
MATERIALS USED FOR THIS PROJECT:
4 Sheets Foam Core (20x30)
  • Height of room - 20"
  • Width of room - 30"
  • Depth of room - 20" (the sides walls were trimmed from 30" to 20")
Carpenter’s Glue
Craft Glue Stick
Xacto knife (with plenty of fresh blades)
Square
Tape
Decorative Paper
Step 4.  Permanent or non-permanent?

  • Because I wanted my room to be a permanent structure, I glued the walls and floor
    together with regular carpenter's glue.

  • You can use t-pins to hold your walls together if you wish to dismantle after use.
  • After gluing the walls to the floor, I reinforce the pieces on the backside with tape to
    increase sturdiness and stability.
Step 5.  Furniture and Accessories

  • Printies:
  • When using printies for wall photos/paintings, produce them in high resolution
    to reveal frame details.  Glue them to thin foamcore and color the sides to
    match and add depth.  Metallic pens work nicely with gold or silver frames.
  •  Furniture.
  • I used a cabinet that actually consists of two miniature units formed together to
    make a taller unit.  It adds to the Shabby Chic look I wanted.  The door was
    similarly constructed from two wood windows to form a larger piece.  They were
    found in the doll isle of a craft store.  (Both of these pieces were beginner
    projects, which explains their strange shape and rough finish. LOL).
  • A blue dollhouse rug was used on the floor.  The tables are from the Barbie
    wedding set and were chosen for their existing white table cloths.  I added paper
    placemats (printies), napkins from a couple of Barbie accessory sets, and flower
    vases.  Fashion Fever chairs had their crystal beads removed and seat pads
    were added.
  • An F.A.O. Schwarz dollhouse chandelier, spayed white without completely
    covering its former gold and tarnish, add to the Shabby Chic elegance.  
  • Accessories
  • Keep a box set aside where you can collect your accessories as you work on
    your project. This will make furnishing and decorating a lot smoother. Here, a
    mix of Re-ment cups/saucers, repainted Gloria tea set pieces, Imperial Vintage
    Silver Dish, and a Re-ment dessert fill the cabinet.
Step 6.  Set the Scene

  • The Players
  • The Help:
    My girls are rather fond of being waited on by men, so a volunteer, willing to
    wear a bow tie and a pocket pen, takes his place at the reception desk.  A
    Barbie cash register, menus, and miniature telephone complete his work station.
  • The Players
  • Your dollies:
    Dress them, pose them, and let them enjoy their lives.  ;-)
Roville – Tea Room
1:6 Scale Fashion Doll Diorama
Thank you for Visiting A Roville Tutorial.
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