I’ve been in a bit of an artist funk lately and needed a brief creative outlet, so my daughter ended up getting a kitchen set!

You know those old entertainment centers that are now almost obsolete since they don’t accommodate flat screen TVs very well? They make excellent kitchen sets with just a little bit of paint and creativity!

Took me a couple of weeks to find the perfect one on Craigslist. Was looking for space for the “oven” and “refrigerator”. For the same price as others were attempting to ask for a particle wood one, I got one that was a litte bit more solid. Tad taller than what I was looking for but what sold me on it was the hidden “pantry”…….. Read “storage”!!!

Here’s the original ad image (not taken by me)

After moving it into my place. My little fur balls thinking that they are “helping”. Replaced the cardboard backing with thin plywood.

Kept the colors pretty basic, along with being more appropriate to resembling an actual kitchen. This is Swan White

It’s a bit of an eclectic kitchen! And I love that fact!

My budget for the entire project was $100 for everything. Entertainment center – paint – hardware – accessories – etc. I came in right at $125. Not bad. From what I’ve seen of those plastic kitchen sets, this is far better and cheaper!

Being that I needed to stay within a budget, meant pulling together random materials that I found.

I highly recommend a ReStore in Denver, plus you’re helping out your community. At the Restore, I found 6×6 slate tile for .25 a piece, faucet for $6, enough of each matching handles & hinges for .25 each, and cabinet doors for $1-$2 a piece. I walked out with everything for a total bill of $15.55!!

Being that I live in a 2nd story condo, I decided against sanding the entertainment center. I really didn’t want to deal with all the dust and clean up. Opting instead for a paint & primer paint. Took about 3-5 layers!

I highly recommend sanding it if you have the space and means!

Silver oven door. Spray paint did not work well. Martha Stewart metallic paint worked really well.

Orange is her favorite color. Thought I’d throw it in somewhere, and where such a bright color could be hidden. This is the hidden pantry.

The black is chalkboard paint.

She was very excited about getting the finishing touches to her kitchen set at Home Depot.

Sometimes one needs a little more muscle! I did jigsaw out the smaller circle myself though!

Tile to set over night, mounted with liquid nails. Originally, I wanted to use the tile as a back splash but once I saw it inside the kitchen, it was much too tall. Not to waste good .25 tile, it became a decorative piece.

I hate waiting for things to dry! The oven door does sway open, and that’s fine. When I mounted it to pull down like an actual oven door, it would tear up and scratch the paint where it meets. Not sure if I just have the wrong hinges or if it is because the bottom comes out further than the bottom edge of the door.

Light for the oven of course!

Complete with magnets of her friends and family.

DONE!!!