Before and After: A Shabby To Chic Toy Stove Makeover

Hello Friends,

I have always been “Home” oriented. I remember when I was about 6 or 7 years old I attended at a friend’s Birthday party and a woman asked all the little girls what we wanted to be when we grew up. I immediately said “A Mom and Housewife!” Well, as you can imagine that answer didn’t quite impress the woman and I remember her asking me “WHY?” in a distressed tone. Gee, it was like I said a curse word or something!

As a kid one of my favorite things to do was to play house. I had tons of dolls and would spend hours in my room playing house and tending to my “children”. I was so tickled the year I got a shopping cart, cash register and a set of play food for Christmas. I would set up shop and go “Grocery Shopping” in my living room after persuading my Mom to be the cashier. Oh what fun!

As an adult I haven’t shied too far away from my original dream of being a Mom and housewife despite society’s expectations. I do work outside of the home part time a few mornings a week and juggle my design business but my mind and heart still revolves around the home. I am happiest puttering around my house, making it feel like home and spending time with my family.

Today I would like to share with you a before and after story that I would have loved when I was a kid. I found this vintage wooden play stove at a local flea market and knew I could bring it back to life.

I started this Shabby to Chic makeover by giving the old play stove a few coats of pretty pink paint.

I painted the sides a pretty Cottage Green….

I hand painted the burners on the top of the play stove….

and embellished the front with images torn from a vintage Children’s book. On the base I painted “Pat-A-Cake Pat-A-Cake Baker’s Man” for another touch of whimsy.

I had so much fun with this Shabby to Chic Vintage Toy Stove makeover. I could see it in a vintage style little girl’s room with another little girl can spending hours playing house. I would have LOVED to have this upcycled vintage play stove when I was little.