Dollhouse Bookcase

Working from the diagram, cut the two side panels' top edges at 30° to form the gable roofline. From those same panels, cut out the window and door openings while the boards are still flat and easy to clamp — a miter saw will give you the exact roof angle, so the layout measurements only need to be close.

Build the window and door trim as small standalone frames first, using 1-1/2" nails, rather than nailing individual strips directly onto the panel. Center each frame on its matching opening and nail into place.

If the trim is a different paint color than the case, finish the case and the trim frames separately now, before final assembly — it's much easier than painting inside corners once everything is nailed together.

Nail the two bottom vertical dividers to the three shelves first, then fasten the top vertical divider to the top shelf. Get this center stack square and level before moving on — the outer gabled sides register off this center section, not the other way around. Once the center is complete, nail the two gabled side panels on.

Fasten the front footer trim to the front of the bookcase.

Then fasten the two top panels in place, nailing from each top piece into the opposite top piece at the peak of the gable end so the roofline joint is solid.

Fill nail holes with wood filler, sand the whole piece, and paint or finish as desired.