Play Kitchen

For Christmas our kids got a play kitchen.  There are lots of great DIY options out there, but I've always loved the Ana White version, and it was the perfect size for the spot I knew we would put it. (I've planned on putting it there since the day we moved in!)

This was our first Ana White build.  I have tons of plans bookmarked and dream of one day getting them all done, but one step at a time.  I have quite a few bigger plans in the future, so this was just to get our toes wet and have a practice run.  I think it turned out really well!  

The plans were pretty straight forward, and though we had to improvise a couple times, it all worked out.

My hubby got a new circular saw for Christmas and wanted to cut the boards with that, but if you don't have a saw, Home Depot will make cuts for you.  We used Pure Bond plywood whenever possible, because us asthmatics need to be careful about our indoor air quality!  When we stopped by Home Depot none of the plywood was labeled as Pure Bond, but they were wonderful to scan the products and were able to tell us the manufacturer was indeed Pure Bond.  Score!

After they were put together (some pieces I was able to prime before putting together, but it all depended on what I could do while my hubby was working on other parts)

Primed, holes filled and painting.  Santa's workshop sure is messy! ;)

We were out of town for the holidays, and of course we weren't bringing it with us.  So we set up while the kids were sleeping and snapped a few shots.  Then after we were all in the car headed to the airport hubby ran inside to double check doors (he always does) and slipped them from the extra room out by the tree in the exact spot we had shot the photos.

On Christmas morning our kids got a note from Santa saying that he had to leave these at their house.  And sure enough, when we walked through the door after vacation, they were there waiting for us!  

The elves didn't quite finish, so we'll be painting it for them.  The magnetic paint in the spray can didn't work, so we'll be repainting with regular magnetic paint.  That way the kids can have their magnets on their fridge, not mine!  We'll also do a stainless/silver paint on the fridge, oven, and dishwasher. 

The kids are loving it, and we're glad it turned out so well!

Any of you ever been brave enough to build something?  I hadn't done it since high school.   My hubby never had done anything like this, but he kept commenting how easy it was and how he was proud of the little tricks he was learning.  Good thing to, cause we need to get started on my mile long list of DIY projects!