Janine le Grange Posted March 9, 2021 Share Posted March 9, 2021 I live n CT. I have my first Fairfield dollshouse and we cannot built it. it’s way too complicated. Can anyone help ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Call Me Crazy Posted March 10, 2021 Share Posted March 10, 2021 Hi Janine, Several of us here have built the Fairfield and can help you. Step one is to take the advice of the warm up sheet: "Don't panic". Have you reviewed the schematics, going through each sheet of wood pieces, making sure everything is there? Did you write on each of the pieces (in pencil) what each part is? Read through the instructions several times. Yes, they can be confusing, but take your time. Sometimes tabs and slots don't line up properly, but a little bit of cutting and/or sanding will take care of that. Gentle persuasion too. Make sure you have the pieces facing the right way and try to fit the house together holding the walls in place only with masking tape. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janine le Grange Posted March 10, 2021 Author Share Posted March 10, 2021 Thanks for your reply ! My husband is a jet pilot and he had read the instructions a number of times and we are stuck ! Can someone build this for us ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Call Me Crazy Posted March 10, 2021 Share Posted March 10, 2021 Just now, Janine le Grange said: Thanks for your reply ! My husband is a jet pilot and he had read the instructions a number of times and we are stuck ! Can someone build this for us ? It's not impossible to find a dollhouse store or craft store with someone who will build for you. I have no idea how much $$ they would charge. But half the fun of this hobby is making it yourself. How far did you get? Where are you stuck? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janine le Grange Posted March 10, 2021 Author Share Posted March 10, 2021 I have gotten as far a chimney part. Step 2. The parts do not align, the directions make no sense and the pictures are woefully inadequate . We need detailed, clear instructions and pictures. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Call Me Crazy Posted March 10, 2021 Share Posted March 10, 2021 I recommend reading through this person's blog. She has built many dollhouses, two of them the Fairfield. She has tons of advice for new builders. https://moreminis.blogspot.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janine le Grange Posted March 10, 2021 Author Share Posted March 10, 2021 Yes that’s the one we looked at it’s quite general. My husband has tried and we can’t seem to get this done. It’s so frustrating. I will try find a craft store to build it and then I will paint and decorate it. Thanks for your help Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Call Me Crazy Posted March 10, 2021 Share Posted March 10, 2021 You're not the first person to get frustrated with the fireplace assembly. I've seen Fairfields where the builder left it out completely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havanaholly Posted March 10, 2021 Share Posted March 10, 2021 I built two Fairfields, one of them inside out, to be halves of a single house. After dry fitting three times and disassembling the right side out one twice I finally got the floors to fit over the chimney, only to have to do the same multiple dry fits and disassembling with the inside out one. If you can, have your builder leave the windows off of the house until you get it decorated inside & out; it's only 1:24 scale, so priming/ painting the walls without ruining the windows will be even more of a challenge than with a 1:12 scale house. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fov Posted March 10, 2021 Share Posted March 10, 2021 It's been a long time since I built the Fairfield and my photos aren't the best, but maybe they'll help you: https://www.emilymorganti.com/blog/?p=8819 If you can give us more detail about which pieces aren't aligning or take some pictures to show the problem, we'll try to help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Call Me Crazy Posted March 10, 2021 Share Posted March 10, 2021 (edited) Hi Janine, I messages you instructions for the chimney that (hopefully) will be easier to understand. Sorry I don't have photos to go along with it. I know the names of the pieces get confusing along with all the rights and lefts. Label everything and use the schematic drawings as a reference. Keep in mind that the wood has a nicer finished side, which is meant to face outward. The rougher side is on the inside of the house. The same goes for the chimney - the nicer sides face out. The right side/left side of a piece is often determined by how it is pictured on the schematic or its position on the house as a whole. Most of the piece that are meant to be vertical will be shown on the schematic the correct way up (the staircase wall is an exception to this). Let us know how things go! Edited March 10, 2021 by Call Me Crazy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Call Me Crazy Posted March 10, 2021 Share Posted March 10, 2021 Here's another blog that might help. https://jennsminis.wordpress.com/2011/08/18/fairfield-roughed-out/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havanaholly Posted March 10, 2021 Share Posted March 10, 2021 Belated welcome to the little family, Janine & husband. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sherie Posted March 21, 2021 Share Posted March 21, 2021 I am a newbie also, working on the Fairfield also, and have to admit I came to this forum for help with the fireplace. AND (dum da dum!!) I finally got it! What seemed to help the most was the wonderful encouragement, and the actual pictures on various blogs. Many people told me they constructed and then destructed the fireplace twice, and the third time it finally made sense. This is absolutely the truth!! So now, on to the staircase. I daresay I will have problems there also, but know now when I get frustrated to stop, and go assemble some of the furniture kits I got to furnish the house when I am finally able to decorate. Yesterday I turned a refrigerator from the kitchen kit into an icebox. Doesn't look too bad, I must say. My everlasting gratitude to you all for your moral support (and suggestions/pictures). 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Call Me Crazy Posted March 21, 2021 Share Posted March 21, 2021 Congrats on completing the chimney assembly!! Perseverance pays off. For the stairs, I recommend taking your time. Let glue set up at certain stages. You can do it!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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