Hi, got a question for ya'll. I posted this on the Toddler board, but wasn't sure if that is viewed as much as here. Sorry, this is long.

DH and I are slightly at odds over the playroom. I got a used (off ebay) Little Tikes Country Kitchen while DH was on deployment for DD. She loves it, however, I wasn't thrilled with the aesthetic aspect of it. So, I looked around and found the Step 2 Lifestyle kitchens and fell in love. So many cool sounds and stuff to play with, very well thought out. Her current kitchen's only sound is a "ding" when she opens the microwave door. The Step 2 is at least green and tan tones, which goes with our color scheme in most the house. I was worried about price (they range from $130-$199), but was surprised when DH said he didn't mind the price as much as the fact that it was too much plastic, too gaudy, too big, and just plain too much altogether. He then said he'd rather see a wooden play kitchen in the playroom. He likes the scale better and likes the heirloom quality to it (fears the plastic will look dated soon). He mentioned that he liked the wooden kitchens at Pottery Barn Kids, but wasn't thrilled about the pink color used on the trim since ds (6 weeks old) will eventually be using it. I actually thought it was pretty cute too, but am having a hard time letting go of all the cool features the kids could play with on the Step 2 ones.

The overall look is important to DH because in the future, as in the past, we may not be able to close the door to the toys. We used to own a small home in San Diego and had the toys in the open in the family/kitchen. We have sinced moved to Phoenix and currently we are moving into a large 5 bedroom home that will have a den which will be dedicated as a playroom. However, we will only own this home for 2-3 years and then be transferred again (DH's on an exhcange tour with the Air Force, he's a Marine). So, we might be back in San Diego again, in which case we might be struggling to buy a 3 bedroom home again. If that happens, and we don't get a 4th bedroom, the toys will be back in the family room or living room again.

So, should I jump on his band wagon of wooden set, or wear him down for the cool features of the Step 2? Will the kids even care? DD is coming up on 2 1/2 years old and DS is 6 weeks. I do want something gender neutral that will hold their interest as long as possible.

Step 2 Lifestyle kitchens:

http://www.step2.com/index.cfm?stp2s...roduct_id=1283

http://www.step2.com/index.cfm?stp2s...tegory_id=1024

Like: Overall colors, cool features and sounds, like moms (microwave), has plenty of storage for items
Dislike: Size, plastic

Pottery Barn Kids:

http://ww2.potterybarnkids.com/cat/p...ID%7CcPLA%7Cp1

Like:Size, wood/heirloom quality, classic, cute white retro look, refrigerator has ability to put magnets on it, oven door has nice large viewing window and opens downward like real oven, clock, cupboard has cute gingham curtain and hooks for cups (though dh says this piece may be too much as far as space...I want it for storage)
Dislike: Would have to paint the pink parts (to antique red, blue or green probably), would have to replace the pink gingham curtain, DH dislikes 3rd piece that has shelves, clock's second hand is pink even if do repaint (very minor)

Land of Nod:

http://www.landofnod.com/landofnod/p...om%5FFurniture

Like: Size, wood/heirloom quality, classic, cute white retro look, refrigerator has ability to put magnets on it, cute red gingham curtain and hooks for cups, color parts are gender neutral (red), DH likes size and style slighly better than PBK
Dislike: The way the oven door opens from the side (not downwards like a real one), maybe too small for my liking (not enough storage...maybe could put small shelving nearby though)

What do you all think? Which one should I get for the kids? Thanks for your input in advance...

Bridget