Well here is the Willow in its first dry-fit; finally opened the box to build it instead of raid it for siding and shingles!

It is a very plain house-- I believe not Georgian, as some of the kit descriptions out there say, but Colonial salt-box. And a very large one at that.

My thought is that there is not a challenge in the actual building of it, but in dressing it-- the exterior and interior treatments. I am thinking stone exterior (I have an abundance of egg carton), perhaps with white trim, and I am thinking heavy stain treatment for the interior. This may require me to remake all the interior (e.g. window) trim, as the die-cut pieces don't tend to look good enough by themselves for stain...

My biggest problem is with the fact that there is no way to get from the 2nd to 3rd floors except by flying! So I will bash in another staircase.

It is hard to tell but it looks as though the 1st floor staircase is basically a ladder with a solid backing-- I am thinking of an understair closet here, closing in that space with a doored wall.

I am also pondering bashing in some extra gables on that big empty roof in front. I guess it would take away from the saltbox aspect, but it would certainly add visual interest (though the stonework has the potential to add plenty of visual interest). Hmmm...

My goal here is to elicit a "wow!" response, especially from people who know what the Willow kit is (i.e., very simple and plain)! So we'll see what I can come up with.