Mattel Provides Barbie a Culinary Backdrop
Written: Jan 20 '04
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Pros: lots of little accessories, attractive layout, stickers add delightful detail
Cons: lots of little accessories, fake oven, drawers and doors that don't open
The Bottom Line: Although there are areas that could stand improvement, it's worth the price.
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| dandj's Full Review: Barbie Living in Style Kitchen Playset |
Every little girl (and her mother) should have a completely furnished home for her Barbie dolls. Upon my daughter’s recent fourth birthday, she inherited the dollhouse that my grandmother made for me when I was a little girl. Once this gift was given, I was faced with the challenge of deciding which room would be furnished first.
I finally chose the kitchen, as I thought it would gain the most attention. I mean, yes, the bed gets slept in, but that’s only once a day. The bath is used, but again only once a day unless Barbie is particularly filthy. But the kitchen, ah yes, the kitchen. Now that is used at least three times a day! Right? Okay, fine, I admit it. I chose Mattel’s Barbie Living in Style Kitchen Playset because I wanted it! But hey, who’s going to play with her while her siblings are in school? That’s right! Mommy!!
Let’s Talk Detail
The Barbie Living in Style Kitchen Playset is constructed of a hard plastic and has three main areas in a primarily white and aqua color scheme. 1)The table and chairs, 2) The stove/oven and 3) The sink/cupboard/refrigerator section. Each area comes with its own little bit of “assembly required” touches.
The table (4-1/4 high x 4-1/4 diameter) and chairs (5 x 2-1/2 x 2) come completely in pieces. . eleven to be exact, but they snap together easily enough. And so long as it’s just Barbie and friends using them (and not, say, the household pet thinking it looks like a nice place to rest), they’ll remain in that snapped-together condition. Don’t worry . . . they’re sturdy. Kitty won’t do any real harm.
The stove/oven (6 x 6 x 3) requires only slightly more work. The stovetop needs to be attached to the oven, a handle goes onto the oven door, and a utensil bar rises up from the right side of the stove‘s countertop. There are also two stickers for this piece. One of a turkey on a rotisserie rod affixes to the oven door, and the other is a picture of a second utensil bar, this one bearing a cheese grater, funnel, tongs and wire rack. Apparently, not all utensils can be made real for Barbie’s use.
The last, and largest (11-1/2 x 14 x 2-1/2), section involves the most effort. Both handles have to be attached to the side-by-side refrigerator and two shelves slide into place inside. The dishwasher’s shelf must be snapped onto the basket that is inserted into the dishwasher itself. And that has a handle to be attached, as well. Lastly, a semi-circular ledge (which will eventually have a sticker of bread in a basket) fits halfway up the outside left wall. The rest, although shown separately on the content sheet, is already put together, with the exception of the majority of stickers and cardboard cutouts that give this section its life.
These stickers and cardboard pieces come on two sheets, one for each group. The cardboard is perforated for easy removal of the “pictures” from the surrounding frame. One will be the back of the refrigerator, thereby filling the appliance with lots of one-dimensional food. Two others will act as the wall behind the shelves, and these depict a tea set with platter and a water pitcher beside covered creamer and sugar holders. Already in place is the window above the sink. The final pieces are free standing. One is a cutting board complete with veggies and knife, and the other is a recipe book that sits in its own (real) easel.
The sheet of stickers adds even more realism with pictures of plants, canisters, the tiled wall beside the sink, dish towel and oven mitt, more food for the refrigerator, and notes and photos “clipped” to the fridge door. These are details that are important in any fine family kitchen, but which would be too much to expect small hands not to lose at some point. How fun, though, would a real Barbie oven mitt be? I, personally, would love it!
The Best Parts
The entire main area of the dishwasher, sink and refrigerator is a joy all by itself. There is a pretty arch over the “window” which is, of course, above the sink. The dishwasher opens and has the aforementioned basket that the dishes can be put in for cleaning. And to either side of the window is a shelf with railing going across its front and drawers that resemble those used to storing recipe cards. These particular drawers are each sectioned into three parts that beautifully store most of the utensils. (Those that hang from the bar on the stove are too large.) Also, there is an adorable little ledge to the left of the window that can hold a pot of yellow daisies (one of the many accessories).
Speaking of those accessories. The Barbie Living in Style Kitchen Playset comes with lots of them, and you’ve just gotta love ‘em! There is a pot and pan each with its own lid; a blender with lid; service for two in utensils, wine goblets, cups and saucers, and plates of spaghetti; three different-shaped canisters that appear to hold varying kinds of pasta; a mixing bowl with “wooden“ mixer; three large utensils for the stove; and three small utensils (2 of which slide onto Barbie’s hand) that can either go in a drawer or on the counter in a cup-like utensil holder. The play food includes such things as milk, juice, loaf of bread, ice cream, bag of cookies, box of cereal, frozen veggies, Jell-O, and Hot Pockets.
The Worst Parts
Well, depending on the age of the owner, those same accessories mentioned as so fun above could also become one of the biggest cons, as they are easy to lose.
I was less than thrilled to find that the only drawers that open are those recipe card-like ones. The other three drawers located beneath the countertop and the two cupboard doors to either side of the dishwasher are just for looks. No storing things inside those! So, if you’d like a place to store the pot, pan and plates when not in use you’ll have to go for either the dishwasher or the refrigerator because they won’t fit anywhere else.
What irritated me the most, however, was the fact that the oven is completely fake. Not only does the door not open, but even if it did there would be no point since the oven is backless! No pretty piece of cardboard to slide into place for this part. Nope! Not even a shelf inside for a baking dish to rest on. Nada! Just a stovetop for the pans, a utensil bar, and a mouth-watering sticker of a “spinning” turkey. Well, that kind of takes some of the fun away, now doesn’t it?
Final Thoughts
The Barbie Living in Style Kitchen Playset is very attractive to look at. It actually resembles how I’d like my own kitchen to look (sans the aqua color and the non-opening drawers and doors, of course). What isn’t provided for in reality is detailed in the stickers and cardboard. No stone was left unturned in that department, at least.
And while there are those areas that I’ve already noted could be improved upon, I . . . I mean, my daughter . . . has still enjoyed hour after hour of cooking and dining fun.
Oh, and by the way, if you like the kitchen set there is also a Barbie Living in Style Bathroom Playset and a Barbie Living in Style Bedroom Playset.
A big thank you to Suzanne (sblaydes) for adding this product!
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 19.99
Type of Toy: Playscene
Age Range of Child: 6 to 8 Years
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Epinions.com ID:
dandj
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Member: Danielle Reid
Location: Michigan
Reviews written: 429
Trusted by: 112 members
About Me:
Ah, summer, what power you have to make us suffer and like it.~Hal Borland
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