Though the blog is intended for just the California Contemporary A Frame DreamHouse, after 80 or so posts I am branching out into related topics. For you diehard blog purists, be sure to check out the earlier posts and work your way up to the later ones. This post is about doll kitchens from that era, most specifically the Sears kitchen center also known as the Wolverine kitchen playset. True, it does not fit into the 1978 Barbie house, so cannot technically be used with it, but as I like 1970's kitchen playsets I was intrigued enough to purchase one. They can run very high depending on condition, completeness, color scheme and if it has the box or not. I was outbid on a green and white one that went for $100 on feebay, getting the brown and orange one a few weeks later for $30 total, including shipping in a HUGE box that the dream house itself could have fit it, so shipping had to eat up almost all the $30 rendering the playset itself cost-less. Weighing in at 8 plus pounds, it has a large bag of accesories: food, cookware, kitchen stuff, all very well made, as is the kitchen itself. It is slightly larger scale than Mattel Barbie items and makes her look like a very height challenged person, or tween. The photo includes the 1978 Fridge and stove so viewers can see the difference in scale (read quality) and overall feel. The main reason why I am making special note of this playset is because we appreciate the quality and design of the A Frame house and furniture so much, this set deserves special kudos for the same reasons, and as it came out in the same time period is direct competition. While I degraded other dollhouses for quality reasons, I have to acknowlege this set for going over the status quo for toys. I dont know of any other color variations produced besides the green and white one and mine, but I LOVE my brown and orange playset and especially the harvest gold mixer and avocado blender (did not come with this set but is a perfect addition). Notice how the Wolverine/Sears set dwarfs the Barbie yellow appliances, especially the stove. Mattel never did make counters or a sink for the '78 dollhouse. The food containers are so well made too. I put the Mattel 1978 fry pan and spatula next to the larger brown ones, but the photos dont do it justice, the brown set is far superior to the orange. The food containers are cool and most have different grapics on te other side and are good replicas from the real 70's food they imitate. There are many tupperware containers with lids and a two piece butter dish etc. The set even dwarfs my 13" Aquaman, if that gives you any idea the size, its almost too big for 11-12" dolls, especially given the size of the blue iron and makes the Mattel appliances look like they are for Blythe, not Barbie. Well that is more than enough rant for now on this one. UPDATE: the top photo is a 1996 Kitchen Littles battery operated fridge. It is larger, better made and features clear bins and divider. I like this better then the yellow side by side issued by mattel in '78.
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| Extremely rare blue cabs, white appliances, translucent dishwasher door. Probably last year issued. |
Though the blog is intended for just the California Contemporary A Frame DreamHouse, after 80 or so posts I am branching out into related topics. For you diehard blog purists, be sure to check out the earlier posts and work your way up to the later ones. This post is about doll kitchens from that era, most specifically the Sears kitchen center also known as the Wolverine kitchen playset. True, it does not fit into the 1978 Barbie house, so cannot technically be used with it, but as I like 1970's kitchen playsets I was intrigued enough to purchase one. They can run very high depending on condition, completeness, color scheme and if it has the box or not. I was outbid on a green and white one that went for $100 on feebay, getting the brown and orange one a few weeks later for $30 total, including shipping in a HUGE box that the dream house itself could have fit it, so shipping had to eat up almost all the $30 rendering the playset itself cost-less. Weighing in at 8 plus pounds, it has a large bag of accesories: food, cookware, kitchen stuff, all very well made, as is the kitchen itself. It is slightly larger scale than Mattel Barbie items and makes her look like a very height challenged person, or tween. The photo includes the 1978 Fridge and stove so viewers can see the difference in scale (read quality) and overall feel. The main reason why I am making special note of this playset is because we appreciate the quality and design of the A Frame house and furniture so much, this set deserves special kudos for the same reasons, and as it came out in the same time period is direct competition. While I degraded other dollhouses for quality reasons, I have to acknowlege this set for going over the status quo for toys. I dont know of any other color variations produced besides the green and white one and mine, but I LOVE my brown and orange playset and especially the harvest gold mixer and avocado blender (did not come with this set but is a perfect addition). Notice how the Wolverine/Sears set dwarfs the Barbie yellow appliances, especially the stove. Mattel never did make counters or a sink for the '78 dollhouse. The food containers are so well made too. I put the Mattel 1978 fry pan and spatula next to the larger brown ones, but the photos dont do it justice, the brown set is far superior to the orange. The food containers are cool and most have different grapics on te other side and are good replicas from the real 70's food they imitate. There are many tupperware containers with lids and a two piece butter dish etc. The set even dwarfs my 13" Aquaman, if that gives you any idea the size, its almost too big for 11-12" dolls, especially given the size of the blue iron and makes the Mattel appliances look like they are for Blythe, not Barbie. Well that is more than enough rant for now on this one. UPDATE: the top photo is a 1996 Kitchen Littles battery operated fridge. It is larger, better made and features clear bins and divider. I like this better then the yellow side by side issued by mattel in '78. 
I love these kitchens! I have two but repainted one to make it a little more modern. I also repainted one of my A frames as well. Love this period for doll furniture ��
ReplyDeleteGlad you like, they are exceptionally well made.
DeleteI had one of these as a child and loved it. All of the little "stuff" that came with it was great.
ReplyDeleteI just got this set MIB in two tone green and white. It's unassembled, and the decals have not been applied yet. It is 16" high and 29" long. It includes a table and two chairs and 2 sets each of three different food sets and doubles of the box items. ....and one set of the dishes, pots, drainer, etc. To my surprise, there is a Sears Supermarket Checkout set in the box, too. I found this supermarket set's box on ebay showing all the pieces it should have, and they are all here. I don't have the box for the supermarket set, though. I bought this Kitchen for my 8" Ginny dolls and it is a really large scale next to her so I'm not sure I'm going to keep it Perhaps I have another doll for it....possibly my Linda McCall Linda in Arizona.
ReplyDeleteI meant to also say that mine is a bit different from the green and white set you show above with the box. Mine does not have bricks over the window, the window is closed white shutters and the decals for the front of the stove and sink and top of the dishwasher are a dark brown wood. The stock number is 79-10513-L Sears Kitchen Center Linda in Az
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