Play Kitchen Build Along: Lesson 4 the Details

Here we are finally to the really fun stuff!

After you have painted and assembled your kitchen it's time to add the details. (This is also where I confess that I am a bit behind! I haven't painted the counter top yet. So these are old pictures.)



Burners- I trace a roll of masking tape and paint a silver or gray circle. Then I use bits of dowel painted black for the burners. This year I am using bits of chopsticks for the burners. I use Elmer's wood glue to secure the burners and then coat the counter and burners with several coats of low VOC varnish. The varnish is what makes the counter smooth, so be generous!

Other Burner Ideas:
Painted margarine lids
Modern Painted Cooktop
Wooden disks
How cute -dots!
CD's

Knobs
For the oven knobs I have used wooden wheels from Michaels, soda caps painted silver, and these things that go on the bottom of chairs.  I drill a hole into the counter top (tool free- use your nail to make a hole then remove the nail) and screw them in so that they are on tight but still have room to turn.

For the sink knobs I have used bits of dowel with a hole drilled, and wooden people shapes. I install these like the oven knobs, but I add a washer to help hold them up a little higher.

Faucet
In the past, I have screwed in the letter J by drilling holes in the counter and in the J. This can cause the J to crack, so from now on I am going to use Gorilla Glue instead. To "clamp" it down while it dries I will tape it in place until the glue dries.

Curtain-
Cut some dowel a bit longer than your opening this will be your curtain rod. Or use a small cafe curtain rod. Measure your opening and add a few inches to the length. This way you will have some gathering. You do not want to skirt too full or it will be hard for kids to open. Hem it up with either hem tape or by sewing. Or use fray check and don't worry about it! Then sew a tube and slide it onto the dowel (rod) and you are done. Screw the rod into the kitchen! If you don't sew, you can cut slits (like button holes) and thread the curtain onto the rod- similar to grommet curtains.

Chalkboard- I have always cut and used an old baking sheet. I got a bunch of them at a Craigslist curb alert and since I am all about using what I have, that is what I have used. I buy a cheap wooden frame at the dollar store and frame the metal. Then I paint it with primer and chalkboard paint and glue it on to the side of the kitchen. For the green kitchen I was tempted to leave the pan as is and paint it. I thought it would look really vintage to have the pan shape. And, now that I have learned about steel "roof flashing" at HD and may never cut another pan again. So easy!

This play kitchen had that great indented area and so I painted a chalkboard right on the side and called it a day. It's not magnetic, but it works.

Wow! So that was only four lessons! (Of course, I am not done yet, so I think it was wise to get a head start.) Was anyone so industrious that they are finished? Do you have any questions? I am so looking forward to seeing your finished kitchens! Please let me know so I can feature your finished results!

* If you make a play kitchen from this free tutorial, I'd really appreciate if you would add a picture to my Play Kitchen Build Along flickr group and link to this tutorial on your blog! Thanks!