Susan Teare, Joanne Palmisano
Experienced DIY creators Susan Teare and Joanne Palmisano show how to craft a delightful toy kitchen from an outdated entertainment center. Gather these materials: an old entertainment center; base paint, white paint, and brush; painter's tape; a sander with medium-grit sandpaper; wood screws (various sizes); finish nails; hinges; metal hooks; a spring curtain rod; kitchen cloth or fabric; a used faucet; a metal bowl with a lip for the sink; 10 to 12 feet of black rope; a picture frame for the window; silver spray paint; stove knobs; luan or plywood for the refrigerator door, stove door, and back; cabinet hardware; a drill and bits; a tape measure; puzzle (for details); scissors; and a hot glue gun.
Entertainment centers like this were staples in the 1980s. We found ours at a charity thrift store—your local one likely has similar pieces waiting to be revived.
If the unit has an open back, craft one from plywood. Measure the opening, cut the wood to fit, prime it, let it dry, then secure it firmly to the unit.
Seek an entertainment center with a tall cabinet ideal for a fridge conversion. Otherwise, measure for fridge and freezer spaces. We removed a lower cabinet to fit our larger appliances.
Cut luan plywood doors to size, curving the inner non-hinged corners for a nostalgic 1950s vibe. Sand, prime, add hinges and magnetic catches, then install them.
Cut luan for the oven door and prime it. Mark a central rectangle with painter's tape, paint inside silver, remove tape, then add black borders and horizontal lines for a realistic window effect.
Measure the countertop area to size the stove and place the sink precisely.
Trace the metal bowl on the surface, drill starter holes just inside the line, and use a jigsaw to cut out the full circle.
Ensure the hole fits snugly so the bowl rests securely on its rim.
Cut plywood to stovetop dimensions and finish with silver spray paint.
Sand the entire unit for paint adhesion, mask the oven window, apply base coats, let dry, then add a second coat. Secure the stovetop with wood screws once dry.
On the fridge side, apply four light coats of chalk paint (drying between each) to form a functional message board.
Hang a scenic landscape print in a blue frame above the sink for an authentic window touch.
Halve a dish towel, hem it, and slide it onto a spring curtain rod. Mount the rod high above the window.
Coil black rope and hot-glue it in place to replicate electric stove burners.
Mount the secondhand faucet on a wooden block to allow pots to fit easily in the sink.
Glue or screw knobs from underneath so they rotate smoothly.
Susan Teare, Joanne Palmisano
Install hooks for hanging cups, towels, and utensils to complete the play kitchen.
