This kitchen looks like a real kitchen with features to boot! I started researching kitchens before Christmas last year. When I saw this Deluxe version, I knew this was the kitchen for my daughter's second birthday!

This Kitchen features a plate rack with light over the sink, realistic stickers depicting the outdoors viewed through a window, an oven, dishwasher, cook top and microwave that all make sounds, and a refrigerator with "water dispenser." There is lots of storage and even a pretend water spritzer in the sink!

The colors of the kitchen are friendly to any decor and the counter top reminds me of Corian! The main part of the kitchen is a light tan color with accents of a soft Hunter green and white. The appliances all look like stainless steel.

The kitchen comes with a 10 piece set of assorted play food, two spoon/forks, two plates, two cups, two bowls, two play knives, a spatula, a large spoon, a pitcher/creamer with lid, a larger serving pitcher with lid, a pan with lid, fry pan with lid, Salt and pepper shakers, and two clear pots that both set off the sound effects on the cook top. One is like a pan with a lid that will allow the cook top to sound like something is frying. The other resembles a casserole dish with lid that allows the cook top to sound like something is boiling, recreating the effect by having the sound speed up as if the pot will boil over! Both sound effects have automatic shut off.

This kitchen also comes with two plastic bins for storing food and 3 drawers. The light over the sink can be powered by either battery or with an AC Adapter. There are so many great features on this kitchen I can't pick one for my favorite! My daughter loves everything about it! She is just 2 and at 34" tall she can reach everything she needs to for play! The dimensions on this kitchen are 48 1/2"H x 49"W x 18 1/2"D. The top of the counter top is at just 21 1/2 inches high, making it just the right height for my 2 year old and my 6 year old!

Assembly is required for this kitchen and 14 batteries are required for all the sound effects and light to work. All the stickers are provided with clear instructions including photos on what to do at each stage!

This kitchen at first was only found on line at various retailers for about the same price. I wanted to save a bit on shipping so I searched local stores until I found one that not only carried it, but had it in stock! This was worth it to me and I was able to pick it up immediately.

PROS
-Realistic looking kitchen
-Microwave, Oven, Dishwasher with sound effects
-Cordless phone with sound effects
-Storage drawers and cabinets
-Utensil drawer
-Double sink with faucet and sprayer
-Plate rack
-38 piece accessory set including food
-Clear instructions

CONS:
-14 batteries required for electronic features to work

Now, I have to say something about assembly. I gave the instructions and parts careful study. When all the parts are taken out of the box, you will find 6 major pieces (base, countertop, plate rack, window section, right and left upper cabinet sections). You will also find one bag of sticker/details, one bag of play food, a bag of dishes and a bag of pots and pans and electronic accessories to be assembled into the kitchen, and one set of instructions. All the required screws, buttons and pins are included with the unit.

Looking at the instruction sheet, it lists all the pieces you should receive with the kitchen and I would recommend you check to make sure they are all there so if you need to contact Step 2 about a missing part, you can ASAP. I also recommend that the whole kitchen, all the parts and pieces, be wiped down with a damp cloth to remove any residual dust from either the manufacturer or warehouse storage as then you can be sure that the stickers will adhere well and that your child won't come in contact with dust of unknown origin. I also highly recommend that all the stickers be applied BEFORE assembly of the unit begins. None of the stickers interfere with assembly and some of them appear to have the potential of being difficult to place after the whole kitchen is put together. Careful study of the other parts and where they go will make assembly easier. Each electronic unit for the microwave, oven and dishwasher, look similar. They are clearly marked on the back where they go.

For us, we also had a small issue with connecting the base piece with the top piece. A "snap" was supposed to have been heard when assembled properly and we thought we heard it. When we stood the unit up, we realized we didn't hear it. There are 5 bumps on the upper unit that "snap" into the base when assembled properly. They are only visible from the back of the unit. If you aren't sure if you heard the snap, you can easily check by standing the unit up and looking at the back of the unit where the upper and lower sections connect. Two people are required for this or the upper and lower sections could come apart. It helped us to place the upper section on the carpet and the lower section on the tile floor since we had a height difference in the surfaces (about an inch).

This kitchen also requires 14 AA batteries in order for the sound devices to work. Two batteries each are required for the microwave, oven, dishwasher, phone and cook top. 4 batteries are required for the light to work. We decided to avoid the batteries for the light and paid 10.99 for an AC adapter for the light instead. Our reasoning is, once the light is installed and the kitchen is assembled, it would be a little challenging to change the batteries later. The light does have automatic shut off in case your child leaves it on.

I highly recommend this kitchen!! The features are wonderful and both our kids love it! The kitchen is just the right height for both our kids to use it without being too big or two small. There is lots of storage for dishes and food!


**Note: First reviews for the Lifestyle Deluxe Kitchen were found under this link: Step 2 Lifestyle Kitchen.

Recommended: Yes

Amount Paid (US$): 199.99
Type of Toy: Playscene
Age Range of Child: 3 to 5 Years