DIY Dollhouse Stone Fireplace Grouting
Grouting a stone fireplace will give a dollhouse realism and bring a rustic, country or unique flavor to a dollhouse room or miniature setting. Special steps can be taken to coordinate the fireplace to fit the decor or style of the dollhouse. By taking your time in choosing materials, the crafty dollhouse creator will end up with a fireplace she will proudly share that will take pride of place in the dollhouse.
Things You'll Need
- Small round or flat stones
- Colored "gem" stones
- Plain paper
- Pencil
- Plastic knife
- Plastic spoon
- Flat wooden stirrer or mixing stick
- Dish or bowl
- Acrylic paint
- Lightweight hole filling compound
- Regular hole filling compound
- Cryonalate "Super" Glue
- Flexible adhesive such as Quick Grip
- Damp cloth
- Water-based varnish
- Tacky Glue
- Paper clay, optional
- Polymer clay, optional
- Matte acrylic fixative such as Krylon
- Ball stylus tool
- Paintbrush
- Plastic brick or stone sheet, optional
Instructions
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Sort stones according to size, color and texture, making sure to choose the best size stones for the project. Choose small, gravel-size stones from driveway gravel, actual square or rectangular dollhouse stones or colored "gem" stones.
Choose small- to medium-size stones to give the fireplace a more "rustic" look. Don't choose stones that are too big as they will overwhelm the project.
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Make a sample layout on paper to see how the stones look together. Lay the stones on a paper pattern matching the size of the front and sides of the fireplace or sections to be grouted. Move stones around for best fit.
Leave a gap of at least 1/8 inch between stones for a natural look. Do not put stones too close as they will look artificial and appear too crowded.
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Choose either lightweight or regular hole-filling compound. Lightweight compound is easier to work with and will not add extra weight to project. Tint with acrylic paint for desired hue.
Mix regular hole filling compound powder in bowl or dish with water to consistency of slightly thick cake batter. This compound is heavy when dry and may produce cracks later. It can be tinted. Add shading and color to surface of both compounds when dry with dirty water washes (black and brown umber paint mixed with water), or different colors of acrylic paint.
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Work in sections. Apply stones first or add compound first, whichever is easier.
To apply stones first, glue stones to wood with Quick Grip adhesive or Super Glue. Cover stones with light coating of water-based varnish. Tint hole filling compound, if desired, with acrylic paint and mix until desired hue. Less color is needed for lightweight compound. Apply compound between stones with knife or spoon, filling in cracks. Wipe surfaces of stones with damp cloth as you go.
To apply stucco/compound first: Cover section of surface with Tacky Glue before applying stucco material or compound to fireplace wood. Smooth with knife or spoon. Dab bottom of stones with Quick Grip or other flexible adhesive, or Super Glue, and apply to stuccoed surface in desired pattern. Be careful to avoid getting compound on surface of stones. Carefully wipe off excess compound before it dries and without disturbing areas between stones.
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Form grout and stones using air-drying paper clay for an alternate style.
Work on one section at a time. Cover working area with Tacky Glue. Lay out paper clay on surface. Form stones by indenting surface of clay in a oval, stone-like shape with a ball stylus tool or rounded end of paintbrush. Smooth away too-pointy ends. Repeat until surface is covered and move on to next section.
Let paper clay dry overnight. It will go from gray to a lighter whitish-gray when dry.
Tint grout lines first with a darker gray wash, adding layers of color. Let dry. When grout is desired color, tint surfaces of stones with diluted shades of brown, green and gray. Alternate stone colors for a natural look. Darken tones with successive layers of washes.
Seal color with water-based varnish or spray with a matte fixative.
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Form stones and grout from oven-bake polymer clay such as Sculpey or FIMO for hand-made stones and grout. Press out clay; measure and cut to fit fireplace. Indent surface to form stone or brick and grout lines. Bake pieces according to directions. Glue to fireplace surface.
Color baked clay surface with acrylic paint, doing grout lines first, then build up color on bricks or stones. When painted as desired, seal with water-based varnish or spray fixative.
Use pre-formed plastic brick or stone sheet by cutting to fit. Color grout lines first and then bricks with acrylic paint as above.
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Tips & Warnings
Extra compound can be added after surface is dry to fill in holes or missed sections.
Additional clay can be applied to surface after it's dry.
Re-tint areas with paint to blend.
Cover compound and clay when not in use as it will dry if exposed to air.
Use disposable tools and mixing bowls. If rinsing the bowl in a sink, do not let large amounts of compound go down the drain.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit room with fireplace image by Dumitrescu Ciprian from Fotolia.com
