Guidecraft’s Hideaway Country Kitchen

Every August, my hubby and my dad head to Iowa for a week of dirt-track racing.  It just so happens that, during the very week he was away, I received Guidecraft’s Hideaway Country Kitchen for review.  Now, being the modern, stubborn, and impatient woman that I am, I decided that I could easily put together this kitchen set on my own. Ha!  Was I in for a surprise!

Let’s just say it’s a very good thing that I didn’t have a camera handy and my kids didn’t decide to sneak any pictures of me putting this thing together.  I’ve shared in other “some assembly required” product reviews that I am not a fan of the picture directions.  I much prefer some words to be included in my directions.  The directions for the Hideaway Country Kitchen were pictures only (which I call “men’s directions”); and I do. not. like. them.

For me, the worst parts of the assembly were attaching the front to the back, and putting on the knobs.  It was so frustrating that I ended up putting all the pieces aside and re-examining the situation the next day.  Eventually, though, I did get it together.

And it’s adorable!

The cuteness factor and the durability factor pretty much make up for the stress during assembly.  Once I got it together, stood back, and looked at it, I felt pretty good about myself and about the product in general.  I liken it to childbirth – once you have that baby in your arms, the pain all goes away, right?

I so wish I would have had this gorgeous kitchen set when Ashley was a little girl.  She had a Fisher Price kitchen set; and, while nice, the plastic versions just don’t compare to this lovely wooden kitchen.  My Gracie was not a role-playing child; so I don’t know that she would have really appreciated it.  Ian (5) was very excited when I was putting the kitchen together (needless to say he was very disappointed when I took a break from the assembly process).  He thinks the kitchen is quite neat; but he uses it more as a “hardware” center than a kitchen set.  I guess that’s ok – it’s sparking some imagination in him, which I love seeing! 

While the kitchen set is referred to as “hideaway”, I don’t think this should be a deciding factor for whether or not to purchase it.  I would have assumed it was easy to fold when not in use and slide under a bed; but, not so much.  Folding it up requires the removal of a large bolt in the front of the kitchen; so it’s definitely not something you want to fold up each night at bedtime and store ‘til the next day.  It’s more of a folding option for storing away when your child outgrows the kitchen. 

This kitchen is available from Guidecraft  for $200. While expensive, I think it would certainly make a great gift for that special little girl in your life (you just might want to defer to your hubby – or another man in your life – for assembly).

You can visit the Homeschool Crew blog to see what others had to say about the Hideaway Country Kitchen, along with lots of other great products!

NOTE: I received the kitchen set mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. I only recommend products or services that I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.