***PLAY KITCHEN REVEAL***

Once again, this is what it started out as

and now.....

It's finally finished! There are a few things that I will change but for now Olivia is happy with it, so I am too. I was planning on adding an oven but I realized after finishing the top that particle board is NOT an equivalent to MDF. I thought it would be fine so I had all my pieces cut to size in particle board after I attached the new "counter top" I noticed areas where the particle board had chipped & left an uneven edge. So I decided to wait until I had them re-cut in MDF before adding anymore to the kitchen. Once the oven is added there will be knobs, a temperature gauge, etc.

Here's a look a little closer up

The "sink" is actually a dog bowl I found at Ross. I think it was $3.99 . The faucet was taken from our bathroom after we replaced the old ones. I plan to get something nicer at Re-Store (ours is temporarily closed while they relocate).

I looked at at least 50 different play kitchens for burner ideas - I finally found one that used CDs for the bases. My friend Cami had the idea of using a small dowel rod for the grates. I didn't want to go to the store so I dipped into my older daughter's pencil supply, I cut them into segments then hit them with some black spray paint. I was in a huge hurry to finish so I didn't take the time I should've with these. I'll probably re-do them for a sturdier & more finished look

So here's a close-up of the "window" I took a 2 section picture frame from the dollar store & turned it on end then found a picture of a cherry tree on line & had it printed to fit the frame. The curtain is fabric from Wal-Mart that I attached to a strip of molding with my staple gun. I used a remnant of it to cover an empty tomato paste can & trimmed it with ribbon to make a utensil crock. I found the pots & pans pans set at Ross for 8 or 9 bucks (it also included the utensils). The plates & bowls are melamine from Target ($0.99 ea.), I found the shelf at Goodwill for $1.00.

I'd love to make more of these, this was a good "guinea pig" I definitely figured out some what not to do's for next time. I think they'll only get better as I go along. Any requests? : )

I'm linking this to the following blog parties: