I made a Tree Stump Dolls House for my two year old grand daughter's Christmas present.

I had seen similar on the internet and decided that it was different type of dolls house, that I wanted to build.

Supplies

2 x Planks of Timber 22 x 150 x 3000mm (for the sides)

1 x Square length of timber 6mm x 6mm (for the Windows)

1 x Sheet of 6mm Plywood (for the floors and base)

Various blocks of wood

Various Sticks / Branches

Dolls House Front Door

4 x hinges

2 x magnetic catches

Varnish

PVA Wood Glue

Wood Filler

Step 1: Cut the 6 Sides

Cross cut each plank into 3 to make 6 pieces of wood.

To make the hexagon you need to cut a 30deg chamfer on each side of each plank.

I canted the blade of my circular saw over to 30deg and cut the edge of each board by eye, (my saw does not run straight with the fence.)

Step 2: Cut Out Slots for the Floors

Decide the height of the rooms and cut slots across the boards to house the floors.

I clamped a bar across the 3 planks (one side of the hexagon) to run the router across.

I used a 6mm router cutter as I was using 6mm plywood for the floors

I stopped the router short of each outside edge by 5mm to make it look neater, rather than breaking out of the front edge of the boards

Step 3: Cut Out the Floors

Mark out the floors on the 6mm plywood

A 30 / 60 degree try square is useful for this, as is a paper or card template. Remember to make them large enough to go into the rebates you have cut into the walls

I cut them out with a bandsaw but you could use a jigsaw etc.

Remember to cut notches in the front corners to hook around the end of the walls

Step 4: Cut Out the Windows and Add the Door

I used a hole saw to cut out two circular windows and routed the outside edge of each window to a chamfer. I left the inside edge square. Again these holes could be cut out with a jigsaw.

It is easier to do this before you assemble the parts

I routed in 4 slots around the hole (N,E,S,W) and glued cross bars on the windows using the 6mm square wooden strip.

You can see the inside of the window with the bars glued into the routed slots

The door was a purchased dolls house door that I cut a hole for in the front wall with a jigsaw and glued in.

I also cut a wavy top edge to the planks, and smoothed them off, to make it look more tree stump like!

Step 5: Glue Walls Together

First dry fit the parts and sand them to make them fit better if required

Test to check that the furniture fits!

Place PVA glue in the slots

Assemble 3 walls and half the floors

Strap or clamp together, I used luggage straps

Do this to both halves

I added pieces of tree branch to the outside at this point to make it more stump like. These were glued and screwed through the walls to hold them.

Step 6: Fit the Hinges & Fasten It to the Base

Once dry you can fit the hinges

I routed out the recesses for the hinges but you could use a chisel

Glue one half of the stump to the base board, I add 3 wooden blocks behind (glued and screwed) to add strength.

I added a wooden block to the base board (glued and screwed) to stop the tree house opening too far and to attach the magnetic catch to, to hold it open.

I cut 5mm off the bottom of the opening half, so that it did not catch on the base board as it opened.

Step 7: Fill, Sand and Varnish

Fill all cracks and holes with wood filler and then sand smooth

Also remove all sharp edges as it is a toy.

Add the magnetic catches to hold it closed and fully open

Once I was happy with the woodwork, and it opened and closed as planned, I added one coat of varnish to seal it

Step 8: Summary

My granddaughter (and daughter) were very pleased with it on Christmas morning.

She has now added a fairy family to the tree stump house, which I think is quite fitting.

I did consider fitting a roof and chimney above the top floor, similar to another floor but sloping, but didn't have time but I don't think it is missed.

Also there are no stairs, but again no one has complained...