one more reason to keep him
I have this incredible husband. More than incredible. He's a great father and my best friend. And get this ladies, he helps around the house. But there's another reason he is so great: he can do anything.
He makes most of our money, he is an environmental activist, he remodels our home, and he fixes appliances. A couple of months ago our clothes dryer stopped heating. He fiddled around on the internet, found information and part numbers, replaced some stuff and Bingo! It's drying again. A few weeks later the washing machine started leaking. The tub kept filling up with water even when it was off. So he did that internet thing again and he replaced some valve, and what do you know? It's fixed too. These are just a couple of examples- He's always doing, making, repairing something. I ask and he says, "Add it to the list!" Now I'm not helpless. I'd almost call myself "handy", but I intimidate easily. This man is fearless. He just figures out what needs to be done and does it.
So now we get to the real reason for this post. Our little N got all kinds of kitchen items (food, pots and pans, utensils) for Christmas and her birthday. I decided she needed a kitchen. I looked around and there are plenty of cute ones out there, but not exactly what I had in mind. This is what I wanted. Amanda showed that kitchen for her very first Corners of our Home post. I showed that picture to Brian and here is what I'm looking at this morning:
Click on either picture to see it a little larger or here to see a close-up.
It's made entirely from salvaged or scrap materials. The ONLY things he didn't dig up in our basement or the scrap metal pile at his store are the two cabinet doors (bought at ReStore) and two bolts with nuts (bought at our neighborhood hardware store). I'm amazed. I painted it white (with paint we already had, of course) an off she cooks. Handmade and well made from materials that would have otherwise been trash- Wow.
Isn't it cute? Brian plays it cool, but he's proud. After one of the MANY times she has said, "Thank you, Daddy" he said, "Maybe she'll want to give it to her daughter someday." See why I want to keep him around?
Comments
WOW!! It's beautiful! What a talented guy you have, and a lucky little girl too! Can I ask what he used for the knobs?-- I'm still in the nailing together stage (!) of the little one I'm trying to do for our little guy, and I'm not sure what I'll use. I am SO impressed! Wow... I coveted Amanda's kitchen when I saw it too; I love yours with the white paint, clean lines & happy baker. Very impressive!
Posted by: Beth | February 13, 2007 10:00 AM
Holy moly, that is amazing!! Yep, I have one talented brother. My only question is... why doesn't it run in the family?! :) I am TRULY impressed with his abilities.
Posted by: Jennifer | February 13, 2007 10:32 AM
This is so amazing...
Really, truly incredible!
Posted by: Amy | February 13, 2007 10:54 AM
Yep, he's a keeper!
That's an amazing kitchen!
Posted by: autum | February 13, 2007 11:19 AM
My goodness he did a great job. It looks fantastic and well loved already. N - I'd like a grilled cheese please.
Posted by: Mama Urchin | February 13, 2007 11:26 AM
Nice work, Papa! May your handiwork be appreciated my many generations.
Posted by: Sarah | February 13, 2007 11:46 AM
oh alicia! how fantastic. an heirloom indeed. i have a toy box my dad made me and it is one of my most cherished belongings... hand to heart.
Posted by: tracy | February 13, 2007 11:47 AM
and where can we sign up for one???? good job dad!!
Posted by: hannah | February 13, 2007 11:58 AM
WOW!!!!! I just love it. Oh yeah - he's a keeper for sure. What a great job. I love that oven with the real rack and everything!! That's wonderful. She will undoubtedly keep that around for her kids (and their kids). Oh my goodness - and I love her little teakettle and colander too.
Posted by: Amy | February 13, 2007 12:03 PM
Truly inspiring! I love that it's made by the little one's dad, and that it's made from all reclaimed and refashioned materials.
Posted by: sarah | February 13, 2007 12:11 PM
GoodNESS! Awesome. Keep keep keep.
Posted by: Alicia P. | February 13, 2007 12:34 PM
Ah, he just put PBKids to shame.. That little kitchen is absolutely amazing.
Posted by: stacy | February 13, 2007 12:45 PM
that is spectacular! she will cherish it...nice job dad!
Posted by: erin | February 13, 2007 12:55 PM
holy smokes that is cute. it's an entire kitchen!
Posted by: capello | February 13, 2007 01:06 PM
That's really awesome. I love everything about it.
Posted by: Megan | February 13, 2007 01:15 PM
What a great little kitchen! I am completely jealous- I wish my real kitchen looked that nice:)
Posted by: Michelle | February 13, 2007 02:12 PM
That is truly stunning.
Posted by: valentina | February 13, 2007 02:34 PM
she is going to be a big hit with all the cool kids. so sweet. the shelves are a fantastic touch.
Posted by: melissa f. | February 13, 2007 02:48 PM
totally an amazing example of
coming up with something beautiful
out of otherwise "scrap" materials.
this toy is so useful... it will grow right
along with her level of play - looks like she's
already diggin it. (and your potholder
and towels look very cool with the stove.)
awesome family creation. :)
Posted by: kristin | February 13, 2007 03:06 PM
Keep him for sure! That is so wonderful and has so many great details. I like the oven rack. :) Well done. It is beautiful! I'd have a blast playing with that so I'm sure N will too! Guess you better get on that play food making train now. ? heh.
Posted by: Angela | February 13, 2007 03:07 PM
I think it must be a "Brian" thing, because my hubby is quite the jack-of-all-trades as well. Lucky you! Lucky me! Lucky little N!
Posted by: Sarah | February 13, 2007 03:07 PM
wow! yup he is a keeper ! Does he have a younger brother ? (college princess ya know ) lol.
Posted by: diana | February 13, 2007 03:12 PM
Oh wow! That is amazing!!!! He needs his own blog so that he can post a tutorial for my husband. Way to go DH!!!
Posted by: Eren | February 13, 2007 03:38 PM
Amazing! Yes, Brian is a keeper. Love a handy man. Ok, my man isn't that handy when it comes to broken pipes + machines, but he's good with the computers and very handy in the kitchen. =)
Posted by: sally | February 13, 2007 03:59 PM
Oh. My. That is just amazing! I am totally, totally impressed! That comment at the end?! (About passing it on to her own daughter one day.) Oh, wow, that'd be Valentine's Day for me!
We have an Elves & Angels kitchen, too, (this one). I am totally impressed that Brian made one himself.
My sweetie is quite handy, too; he has also repaired our washer and dryer, and he's quite lovely. But he also works 3 jobs and is finishing his doctorate, plus we live in a teeny condo, so he has neither time nor space to try his hand at woodworking.
I am so impressed ... I just can't get over the fact that he only used materials he had on hand. I just love that philosophy. I totally heart your family.
Posted by: Grace | February 13, 2007 05:35 PM
I love how much he loves her. He is a very good daddy.
Posted by: laurie | February 13, 2007 05:54 PM
Wow! Wow! Wow! Such a beautiful and lasting piece of work. I'm sure she will pass it on one day. Such cuteness...
Posted by: Meegan Blue | February 13, 2007 05:58 PM
O. M. G. Is there anything he can't do?? Way to go Bri. That is absolutely *perfect* for little N!
Posted by: Kim | February 13, 2007 07:09 PM
How could you not keep him around, indeed?! What a guy! I *love* that he plays it cool, whilst thinking about him granddaughters playing with it in years to come. What a lucky little girl she is...
Posted by: Kylie | February 13, 2007 11:27 PM
Oh, it's the cutest! N is a lucky little girl!
Posted by: erin | February 13, 2007 11:50 PM
oh, this post made me cry...the sweetest thing, little n, your wonderful husband, the beautiful little kitchen, perfect!
happy valentine's day!
Posted by: Veronica TM | February 14, 2007 10:49 AM
Wow! That's fantastic. Wow! You're a lucky girl, Alicia!
Posted by: laeroport | February 14, 2007 11:38 AM
LOVE it!!!!!! Oh my goodness!!!! That is completely fabulous.
I want Spenser to have a kitchen, but don't like the ones I can afford and can't afford the ones I like.
Posted by: lera | February 14, 2007 01:07 PM
This turned out so, so cute! Good job, Daddy! She is going to love playing with that for a long time.
Posted by: amy h | February 14, 2007 03:03 PM
Way to go daddy!!!! That is a wonderful kitchen!
Posted by: Joanna | February 14, 2007 10:58 PM
He sounds so much like MY husband for a split second I wondered if Ted was living a double life :)
Isnt it grand when you find someone who is the total package?
Love the kitchen set!
Posted by: Amy | February 15, 2007 01:42 PM
too wonderful!
Posted by: dorie | February 15, 2007 08:19 PM
wow, that is awesome.
Posted by: Rachael | February 16, 2007 01:44 AM
i think i'd keep him to. can we buy dna?
Posted by: kerry :: k8tykat | February 16, 2007 06:40 PM
Dude...I'm 24 years old and even I want that play kitchen! Amazing work!
Posted by: geek+nerd | February 18, 2007 01:20 AM
This is fantastic and soooo inspiring! What a beautiful piece.
Posted by: Alex | February 18, 2007 11:06 AM
I love your photos, and your family life sounds so great. I wish I had such a nice set up when I was a little girl. Your family is lucky to have you as such a creative member of it. Love your blog.
Posted by: Marisa | April 16, 2007 08:21 PM
One of my readers directed me to your photos of this sweet little kitchen on flickr. I can't find any contact information for you. Would your husband be willing to share the plans or instructions? We're looking into making our own as well.
Thanks so much,
Jessica
Posted by: kerflop | October 31, 2007 01:47 PM