Remember Emily & Drew’s charming 1940s style kitchen remodel? Well Emily has been at it again, building a second kitchen for their vintage home. This time, though — it was a child’s play kitchen upcycled from an old TV entertainment center — and it is quite possibly the cutest thing ever.
Emily mentioned that our first 1940s kitchen design mood board was among her inspirations. She paid close attention the details, including installing a faux marmoleum countertop with metal edging, real stove burners, oven knobs that turn, a tile backsplash, what-not shelves and even a chrome thermometer for the refrigerator. Emily spent four months on this project from start to finish, and predicts this play kitchen will likely become a family heirloom to be passed down throughout the generations.
Emily isn’t the first person to transform an old TV stand/cabinet into a play kitchen. This upcyling DIY trend has been gaining momentum on the internet over the last several years — resulting in many different variations of play kitchens created from cast off furniture. Because the old TV cabinets like the one Emily used are falling out of favor due to newer sleeker flat screened televisions that do not require cabinets to hide their bulk, these cast off cabinets are often found very cheaply or even for free on Craigslist and along the side of the road. If you have the ability to see potentials in these pieces, a little bit of creativity, some carefully chosen materials and time to put it all together, you too could make an adorable vintage style play kitchen for the weebit (or weebit at heart) in your life.
Congrats on a job well done, Emily, and thanks so much for sharing the results with us.
Read more about this transformation project over on Emily’s blog:
- You can read more about Emily’s project — and see more photos — over on her blog prairie loon.
Can’t get enough of the play kitchen cuteness? Check out the links below to other adorable DIY play kitchens:
- This red, white and turquoise vintage style play kitchen from Fresh Cut Flours (detail shown above) is adorable — I love the multi-color tile countertop and the addition of a phone around the corner.
- This aqua play kitchen from tinker has a Smeg refrigerator and a block random retro tile backsplash.
- This aqua and white play kitchen from Easy Peasy Pie has it’s own window over the sink.
- Here’s an adorable red and white DIY play kitchen from The Longs.
- The way the dishwasher was constructed on this handmade play kitchen from Exploring Domestically is brilliant!
- Here’s a cute light blue, white and hot pink play kitchen setup from Doubletake Decor.
Chris says
I am overcome with love!!!! LOVE LOVE LOVE!
Mary Elizabeth says
What a great idea! I know people who have made play kitchens out of scrap lumber, but never out of a complete piece of furniture. So now we have three sizes of retro-renovation going: life size, kid size and dollhouse size.
pam kueber says
And the occasional canned ham size!
tammyCA says
Really neat job! Those entertainment ctr makeovers are cute & since they never were great quality pieces of furniture it’s good they are being repurposed.
lynda murray says
Emily!!! I love this. You are so creative.
Scott says
That came out so nice I want a real 1:1 size version! With my pale yellow walls and red countertops this would be perfect.
Usually the word repurpose, like upcycle, sends chills down my spine, so its nice to see that repurpose can be used for good and not just for evil. 🙂
rue says
Cute! I only wish I could have seen this when my daughter was little.
Vince says
That looks awesome! Plus if any readers want to make their own out of a TV stand, these things are a dime a dozen on Craigslist and Kijiji right now.
I like that tile/countertop combination too… it looks sharp! I’d like the same thing in my kitchen actually, green! 🙂
pam kueber says
Yes — these things are a dime a dozen, as you say. I see them at virtually every tag sale!
LuAnn says
This is so creative and well-planned. The children who play in this kitchen are so lucky! Makes me wish that I still had a little one. 🙂
Nancy says
That kitchen is ADORABLE! What a terrific piece. Heirloom, for sure.
midmichigan says
Heck. Of. A. Job.!!! You’ve got real vision and execution talents there, Emily! I love it!