Scrapbook paper for kitchen and bathroom floors: I too looked at the scrapbook paper at Michaels. I bought some in the checked variety and used it on the bathroom floor. Unfortunately I glued it down and had problems with my wiring on the kitchen lamp. Now I have to take it up and reconnect the wires to the kitchen light, which is on the floor below. But, I had "laid" the floor and then put glossy Modge Podge on it and it turned out beautiful! looks like a marble or high gloss tiled floor. I hope I can have as much success when my demolition and redoing of the floor! The Modge Podge Glossy is great for this. Makes the floor look much richer and the paper took it well. In redoing I think I will take a cardboard pattern of the floor and place that in so I can readjust the wires if necessary.

Virginia from Maryland

Marble tiles: I bought 1" square tiles from Designing Ways at the Philadelphia Miniaturia, then exchanged them for different colors, bought more and have almost finished installing them. I LOVE them! They look great, went down very well (I just used Yes glue to stick them to the floor.

On the bathroom floor, I stuck them to bristol board because wiring runs along that floor and I just laid the tile/bristol board on top of the wiring - no glue.

For the Kitchen and entry hall, I stuck the tiles directly on the existing flooring - I had put wallpaper down initially, then went with the tiles. Everything is solidly in place and looks great.

I butted the tiles against each other, didn't leave "grout lines" because in scale, they appear to have grout lines anyway. I think it looks great and was very easy. I used my scroll saw to cut the tiles that needed to be fitted. These tiles are made out of formica, very thin and in scale.

For anyone interested in the tiles, the lady's name is Carol Moore, Designing Ways, 8304 Melody Court Bethesda MD 20817-3153. Unfortunately, I don't have her phone number with me. She is an interior decorator in her "real life". She has no website or e-mail...I have no financial interest in her company, just was very pleased with the product and the service. She carries octagon shaped tiles with the tiny squares to go in between, in addition to the 1" square ones. Nice assortment of colors and textures.

Jo from the Poconos

Stairs: I installed them in my Duracraft "Heritage" and then later took them out! In that particular house, the stairs took up way too much space, and were ugly to boot. The stairs debate has occurred on SS in the past, with some (like me) saying, "if you are only viewing a cross section of the house, couldn't the stairs be in the part you can't see?" Stairs are important to some. So, really, it is a matter of personal choice. Photos here: http://www.gerdesdesign.com/minis.htm

Anne Gerdes

Realistic carpet. There is a product sold at most fabric stores that is rubber backed and looks like the stuff they put in cars, but with a very fine nap, almost velvety. I got a large piece for only a couple of bucks and it looks so real! Because of the rubber backing, it is easy to install and stays where you put it without gluing, which is a big help if you like to redecorate or wire your houses.

Eileen in St.Louis

Wallpaper: For anyone with wallpaper problems: I'm sure someone else will come up with this, too, but before you wallpaper anything, spray it with a coat of matte sealer (Patricia Nimock's, Krylon, etc.). Just take the wallpaper outside and spray each sheet lightly to cover. It dries fast and then you can put it on with ease. This prevents fading, rubbing off, and all the other hassles. Takes just a minute and is worth it! Spray is found at any craft store, hardware store, etc. I used to work at a hobby shop here in town and we always sealed paper before wallpapering a customer's house. Have fun!

Anne Gerdes

Wallpaper: For anyone with wallpaper problems: I'm sure someone else will come up with this, too, but before you wallpaper anything, spray it with a coat of matte sealer (Patricia Nimock's, Krylon, etc.). Just take the wallpaper outside and spray each sheet lightly to cover. It dries fast and then you can put it on with ease. This prevents fading, rubbing off, and all the other hassles. Takes just a minute and is worth it! Spray is found at any craft store, hardware store, etc. I used to work at a hobby shop here in town and we always sealed paper before wallpapering a customer's house. Have fun!

Sue Veeder, IGMA Fellow

Adding Details: You asked about adding more detail to Real Good Toy's houses. This is commonly done -- and easy to do! If you don't have a dollhouse store near you, many sell trims online.

Tom has a good selection at Earth and Tree http://dollhouse-miniatures.com. Adding trim to your house will make all the difference.

Anne Gerdes

Tracey A Meeker

Mini Oil Paintings: When reading Tracey's post about mini oil paintings, I remembered that most Photoshop, Photodeluxe type programs have a feature where you can make the photo look like a painting.

Marti

Realistic Pillows and Cushions: More on the 'realistic' posing for mini people.... and bolsters, pillows and cushions.

I use rolls of air dry clay (Model Magic from Crayola) to form the pillows and such. Make your forms, cover them with fabric - you have about an hour - then place them and put your 'person' in place. Push the person down until it indents where it should if it was heavy (like a real person). Tape it in place or use rubber bands and leave it until the next day. The inside material (air dry clay) will have dried in place and your person can now be removed for further refinement if necessary.

This is good for mattresses on beds too. If a 'person' lays ON TOP of the bed without sinking into the mattress a bit, it's DUMB looking. Another possibility is to weight your person to scale and make all the cushions extra puffy and squashable. I haven't tried this, but am tempted. I weight everything. Washers are good and so are fishing weights. You can pile a few inside the bottom dresser drawers, glue washers under couches and stands, slide a few washers over the stem of a lamp for a weighted base etc. Plus the mini stuff simply feels better with some weight. The legs of furniture will indent the carpet... it's the tiny details that add to the overall look and feel of miniatures. If something is out of whack, even a tiny thing, your brain notices it and remarks on the overall - a nearly subliminal thing sometimes. Think about weight, or 'heft' if you will.
A little thought about this will make you a better mini whiz.... Amaze your friends! Confound the judges! Increase your sales! etc.

Judie