Play Kitchen- Repurposed Entertainment Center

After searching high and low for a cute play kitchen for my girl, I decided it couldn't be found...what I wanted anyway, (reasonable price, real wood).  Pottery Barn and Land of Nod had cute wood kitchens (but, cha-ching! $$). I could remodel one grown up kitchen for the price of those things (gulp)!

Luckily, I stumbled upon a feature that Ohdeedoh did on homemade play kitchens. They featured some awesome repurposed play kitchens that were made form  nightstands, bookcases and end tables. They were all very inspiring and cute. This is what I wanted to do and I would convince my husband that he wanted it too!

So I mapped out all the details (sketched and made lists) and convinced my husband that it would be an EASY task (2 months before Christmas).

I found a solid walnut entertainment center on Craigslist for $30.
I removed the glass door, cabinet doors and sanded everything down.

Here's the before picture:

We then cut the hole for the sink. We cut the circle opening about 1/2" smaller than the bowl (steel mixing bowl), so that the lip of the bowl would overlap the opening slightly.

Then I painted the unit with a primer/paint all in one (paint we already had on hand).

I gave it two coats.

I used a stainless metal bowl for the sink and a free faucet someone had gifted us. I found cheap, round  wood plaques at a craft store and painted them with leftover paint. I painted the swirl (heating element on burner)  with  aluminum spray paint, as I did the knobs and the oven rack

Then I attached burners with liquid nail. We used wood drawer knobs  for the stove knobs and used washers and screws so that they really turn.

We replaced the fridge door with a new door, added some shelves inside the fridge and added a plywood backing to the entire unit. I found  a cheap dish drainer to act as the dishwasher and cheap storage rack to use as fridge door shelves. We cut a hole in the oven door and used clear plexi  glass for the oven door  window.

I used a $5 key rack as the utensil rack an a floating shelf to hold mixing bowls. I decided not to put the door back on under the fridge. - Instead,  I used a tension rod and made simple curtain panels (spotted owl fabric) for this area (this is where we store pots and pans), and for the window curtain.

The window is a dollar store picture frame 8x10. I took the glass out and replaced it with a plexi material. We hung it, so if she ever wants to swap out the scenery, she can.

I used a regular metal curtain bracket to hang the curtains above the window (we had to use metal saw to cut the length down in size).

I  found a cheap chalkboard ($2), I painted it to match & then glued with liquid nail.  

I also found a click light for $6 that we placed above the sink & a cute little scrubber brush that looks like a flower/vase.

I made some felt food (which is super easy) and a friend made some for us as well.

Lastly, I added a little hook on the side, to hold aprons and oven mitts. It was a 79cent wood owl from the craft store and I glued on a leftover knob.

My girl wasVERY excited to see her kitchen on Christmas morning and she continues to play with it daily. My brother, who is a professional chef, has already been over to test it out. He taught my girl how to make a rue and toss a great salad!

THANKS to my husband for the LOADS of patience he kept through this entire process (and for the many late nights). Also, thanks to the best Father In Law in the world for all of his advice, help and TOOLS!

This project is featured on Ohdeedoh!

I hope I get to see my grandchildren play with this someday!