American Girl Grace’s Bistro Set

Posted on Jan 1 2015 – 5:02pm by Rudy

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Grace’s Bistro Set

One of the new really cute pieces to the GOTY 2015 collection is Grace’s Bistro Set. From the moment I saw it I knew I had to make a replica. This set is meant to be used with the Bakery, as a sidewalk table so Grace can sit down and enjoy her freshly baked pastries. The picture shows Isabelle on the left on the homemade Bistro Set, and Grace on the right with the American Girl version Bistro Set. How do you think they compare? If you want to make this set, the instructions are below. I also put my prices below.

American Girl Set $85

DIY Set $20

Materials Needed:

**I have links on here to Amazon showing you the product, however I want you to know I did not get these items from Amazon. I listed the stores by the products**

Metal Chair Hobby Lobby Spring Section *$8.99*
Red Glossy Spray Paint *On hand*
Turquoise, Black, White, & Grey Acrylic Paint *On Hand*
Silver Sharpie Marker *On Hand*
Sanding Block *On hand*
Black Iron Scroll Candle *Holder Hobby Lobby $5.99*
Round Wood Plaque Hobby Lobby $0.99
Wooden Picture Frame *Michaels $1*
Wooden Dowel 7/16″ *Hobby Lobby $0.99*
Wooden Fancy Plaque *Michaels $0.99*
Scrap wooden block for menu stand *On hand*
Drill *On hand*
Wood Glue *On Hand*

Step 1

The chair from Hobby Lobby is already painted. However, it is painted the wrong color. It’s painted to look like rust, but don’t worry it’s not rust! Simply sand it down completely, wash it, and spray paint it glossy red.

Step 2

Sand the round plaque that will be the table top. Make sure it is nice and smooth. Get your white and grey paint and swirl together to make the table top look like marble.

Step 3

Get together your supplies for the Menu. It will be the frame, dowel, fancy plaque, and scrap wooden block. Measure your dowel for how tall you want your menu and cut it. Mine was about 12″. However, if you want it to look more like the American Girl Menu stand, it’s much shorter, maybe 6″. Drill a hole in the fancy plaque and the scrap wooden block. Do not drill all the way through. The hole needs to be big enough for the dowel to fit in. Place a dab of wood glue on the back of the frame and stick the wooden block on it. Make sure the hole is facing down for the dowel. Once it is dry, add glue to both holes and stick the dowel in place. Now the menu is ready to paint!

Step 4

Paint the picture that came with the frame black. You can also use chalk paint if you have it. Once it’s dry, use the Silver or White Sharpie to write the menu items on. Another option instead of paint and writing the menu, is to just print out a black menu with white writing! Easy!

DIY on the left, American Girl on the right. What do you think?!

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American Girl Grace’s Bistro Set was last modified: January 11th, 2015 by Rudy

66 Comments so far. Feel free to join this conversation.

Rebecca B. January 31, 2016 at 5:56 am – Reply
Can you please tell me the table/candle holder height? I am wanting to make this set for my daughter.
Amber November 12, 2015 at 1:10 pm – Reply
Your version looks better than the original in my opinion. Thanks for sharing!
Kaitlyn October 21, 2015 at 6:33 pm – Reply
cute!
Karen August 31, 2015 at 5:58 pm – Reply
how big is the table top awesome job.
Style K July 6, 2015 at 1:22 pm – Reply
Looks amazing! Can’t wait to make my own!
Rebecca Rellaford February 16, 2015 at 9:43 am – Reply
I just bought food to match this set off etsy! So cute!
Ivy February 12, 2015 at 7:51 pm – Reply
I tried to buy the color paint used for the chairs and they don’t have that color it’s either red or pink.. But the bistro chair is a pinkish-red. Where can I find a very similar color?
- Rudy February 13, 2015 at 8:06 am – Reply
  I bought the shiny red from Hobby Lobby. It came out very similar to Grace’s chair.
Jan D January 31, 2015 at 7:49 pm – Reply
I love the look of your diy version! The scroll work under the table is beautiful. Creative genius!
Melissa K January 31, 2015 at 6:11 pm – Reply
Say, we went to hobby lobby today to get the chairs and they only carry them until they are gone. And right now they are 40% off right now so I would go soon if you are wanting the chairs. We got the last two that they had today.
Nicole January 31, 2015 at 1:18 pm – Reply
WOWW. How fabulous……totally love it. Looks great. You did an awesome job. Thanks for sharing this project.
Gabrielle January 27, 2015 at 11:49 am – Reply
Thanks Rudy, I will go and look around again. The bistro set is almost done. Just love it!
Emily January 27, 2015 at 11:01 am – Reply
What a beautiful job! We aren’t planning on getting Grace but I love the bistro set. This will be perfect for my daughters to just play cafe! Thank you!
Rebecca January 26, 2015 at 3:08 pm – Reply
What section of hobby lobby is the crafe in? My husband and I made this set with the two chairs to give my daughter on her birthday Friday. We just went to the store last weekend and I saw the real AG set in person. I like this one a lot more! I am also adding chair pads that tie on ?
- Rudy January 26, 2015 at 6:35 pm – Reply
  The carafe is in two places. One is near all the glass jars and containers. The other one that is colored is somewhere random on an isle. You will just have to look around.
Rebecca Rellaford January 25, 2015 at 6:28 am – Reply
Wow!!! This is completely incredible!!! I just wish I knew how to make the food too.
Cara January 24, 2015 at 7:22 pm – Reply
What a brilliant idea. I think I need to do this for my daughter for Valentine’s day
- Rudy January 25, 2015 at 11:02 am – Reply
  That would be so fun for her to wake up to this set! Especially if you make it!
Debbie January 23, 2015 at 11:18 am – Reply
I spend so much time in Hobby Lobby! I love that place!
Gabrielle January 21, 2015 at 6:06 pm – Reply
I went to Hobby Lobby today. They did not have the same carafe. Theirs looks more like a vase. I looked around the store for the longest time, could not find any similar to the ag one.
Kahle January 19, 2015 at 8:19 pm – Reply
I saw where you said hobby lobby has the pink carafes, do you happen to remember where or what section of store you found them in?
Gabrielle January 19, 2015 at 7:36 pm – Reply
I like your version so much better. The table is more fancy with its iron scroll candle holder part. I actually found it at Hobby Lobby, and got to paint the top yesterday. Thanks again for sharing your tips.
Tiffany January 19, 2015 at 2:22 pm – Reply
You are AMAZING!!! I love your version! My daughter would love this for her AG doll, even though she has Isabelle! I will definitely be using some of your ideas! Thank you sooo much for sharing your brilliance!
Gabrielle January 18, 2015 at 2:08 pm – Reply
Thanks for your response. I will glue it to the rim like you say.
Today, I am painting the Menu stand. I am just so excited .
Amie January 18, 2015 at 6:28 am – Reply
I’ll tell you a secret, “I think yours is cuter!”
- Rudy January 18, 2015 at 7:59 am – Reply
  Thanks! And it wasn’t nearly as expensive!
Joann January 18, 2015 at 6:26 am – Reply
where did u find the water glass and pink watercontainer? Got everything else to make this!!
- Rudy January 18, 2015 at 8:01 am – Reply
  Those are American Girl, but Hobby Lobby has those pink carafes in just the right size!
Gabrielle January 17, 2015 at 6:24 pm – Reply
I sanded and painted the chair today. Looks so nice.
Just a question about the table. How did you put the wooden top and the iron scroll candle holder together, cause the candle holder is not flat. So, would gluing the rim of it to the top be enough?
Thanks for your response.
- Rudy January 17, 2015 at 8:53 pm – Reply
  I just glued the rim to wood piece.
Stacy January 17, 2015 at 9:42 am – Reply
Also, what are the dimensions of the chair you painted from hobby lobby? I have a chair that I can use but I wonder if it’s too big for this table. Thanks!!
Stacy January 17, 2015 at 9:36 am – Reply
Anyone know or can provide the dimensions of the chair in Grace’s bistro set? I would love to know that. Thanks!!
Rebecca January 16, 2015 at 4:34 pm – Reply
Silly question….. What grit sand paper did you use on the chairs? My husband got my 320 auto. I’ve never sanded metal before LOL!!
- Rudy January 16, 2015 at 4:52 pm – Reply
  I used a sanding block 120 grit. Your really just trying to sand off the blotchy paint they made look like rust!
Gabrielle January 16, 2015 at 3:11 pm – Reply
I just bought all the items and material to make this set for my grand’daughter’s birthday. So excited.
angelica January 16, 2015 at 10:55 am – Reply
Thank you so much.
angelica January 15, 2015 at 3:53 pm – Reply
Hi. Do you happen to have a stock number for the chairs? I don’t have a Hobby Lobby close by me and i’ve checked Michael’s and a few other local craft stores with no luck.
Thanks ?
- Rudy January 16, 2015 at 8:00 am – Reply
  I don’t. But, Home Goods also has chairs like this and so does Pottery Barn Kids. You can always order them online and have them shipped to you!
angelica January 12, 2015 at 9:41 am – Reply
You’re bistro set looks wonderful. I need to try this some time.
Kahle January 8, 2015 at 6:55 pm – Reply
Can you tell me how tall of a candle stand you used for table?
Rachel Klopp January 8, 2015 at 9:28 am – Reply
How did you duplicate the items on the table? By the way, OUTSTANDING JOB!
Aimee January 8, 2015 at 8:34 am – Reply
On my way to Hobby Lobby Stat!!
- Rudy January 8, 2015 at 8:53 am – Reply
  LOL. I feel like I say this to myself everyday! Seriously, I’m in the store several days a week!
Jacqueline January 6, 2015 at 2:13 pm – Reply
I am doing this right now. I did some chairs, but didn’t work very well. I love yours, I just entered online Hobby Lobby, but the chair doesn’t show up.
We don’t have hobby lobby where I live (Puerto Rico) If you can send me the direct link, I would be deeply thankful.
Kahle January 5, 2015 at 7:32 pm – Reply
imo I like your version better! Love all the attention to detail you gave! Can’t wait to go find a few chairs myself! ?
Rudy January 5, 2015 at 6:17 pm – Reply
I found the chairs in the Spring garden section.
Nonna January 5, 2015 at 1:45 pm – Reply
This is awesome! Thanks!
Lori January 5, 2015 at 9:49 am – Reply
Looks like I need to make a trip to hobby lobby! Love your ideas
Lori January 5, 2015 at 9:46 am – Reply
Looks like I need to save my pennies for the next visit to the AG doll store
Rebecca January 4, 2015 at 7:42 pm – Reply
PS What section in Hobby Lobby did you find the chair?
Rebecca January 4, 2015 at 7:41 pm – Reply
My daughter is in love with the AG Bistro set. She loves the table and chair. Might just have to make my own and with 2 chairs! This looks amazing!!!
Anna January 4, 2015 at 5:58 pm – Reply
*applause, applause*
I commend you. This is beyond genius!!!!!!!!
Jane Barry January 4, 2015 at 7:31 am – Reply
I love everything you are doing. I can’t wait to have a room to do this in. Thank you for sharing
alisa harrison January 4, 2015 at 6:58 am – Reply
I went yesterday to Hobby Lobby and found all the items so im doing mine today!!!!
Amanda January 4, 2015 at 5:15 am – Reply
So neat, I need to go to Hobby Lobby and look around.
Britta January 3, 2015 at 9:59 pm – Reply
I like yours better. I looks more French. The filigree and ironwork is much more fancy. What I would expect. The chalk board is very realistic too.
Melinda January 3, 2015 at 3:16 pm – Reply
When I glanced at the photo I thought you had purchased two Bistro sets from AG! This is just fantastic. I will look for the pieces to make this next week.
Emma Walters January 2, 2015 at 8:27 am – Reply
great idea!
Lisa Neary January 2, 2015 at 8:02 am – Reply
Wow brilliant!
Christina January 2, 2015 at 6:02 am – Reply
Your set looks amazing! I am definitely using your chair idea to make another chair for the AG bistro since it only comes with one.
Betsey Foxx January 2, 2015 at 5:47 am – Reply
I still can’t decide if I like the homemade one or the real AG version better! I am such a fan of making your own, but the more pics I see, the more I want the real thing!