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.
6 comments:
Heidi,
My children are enjoying playing with the kitchen too. You are brave. I would have made the kids wait (which I did) before putting the kitchen together. My husband does a better job at that.
I only read directions when I cook. All other times (sewing too), I like following the pictures and only go back and read if I make a mistake.
We had so many "helpers" while trying to put this together, we had to "fix" it several times. It is a pricey item, but the quality makes it worth it. It is so much better than the plastic kitchens!!!
My review is scheduled to post tomorrow morning. You've got to take a look at it. My son made a video of the assembly process and my daughter talking about her kitchen afterwards. It turned out really cute :)
Good to know about the fold-up aspect, because yeah, being able to fold it down when not in use was the big selling point for me!
This does look cute. My girls had a little plastic fridge (with plastic food) under our kitchen counter.
This looks so cute though! Love it!
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