Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Building Our Shabby Shed. . .


Do you think outside-the-box?
I do.
And, it drives John nuts.
He's an inside-the-box thinker. If it's an old boat trailer bed, then it's to be used to haul a boat. Right? Not the way I see it.
So, when we ran across the old cypress trailer bed--and John was about to scrap it--I protested loudly!
"It's good wood! We'll do something with it!"
"But, we don't have a boat!"
I told you he was an inside-the-box person.

We set the trailer bed aside--for a time.


Then, low and behold! We uncovered five cypress rafters in a pile of old lumber in the barn one day! Now, I knew what to do with the trailer bed--build a cute shabby shed for our log cabin! We had plenty of old cypress, we had an old shed door, we had buckets of nails, we had old windows, and we had enough tin for the roof--yep, we could do it!

But, the inside-the-box person wasn't sure. Took a few days to convince him. . .
So, I told him we were going to BUILD A BOX! That did it!


We're not completely finished with the project. 
Still have to add trims and such. . .
but I couldn't wait any longer. . .I had to share. . 

See the skids of the trailer? We set them on concrete blocks that we found around the farm. Then down went the floor--recycled barn wood.  The four corners were set up next--we put the temporary braces on them to keep everything square--well, almost square. . .

The shed was boxed in with 2x4s at the top.  The window was framed in with 2x4s. Pressure treated posts were set in concrete for the open shed area. Next came those five cypress rafters.

1x4 scrap wood stringers were nailed across the rafters. Recycled corrugated tin was screwed down on top of the stringers for the roof.

We had exterior Masonite left over from another project. Just enough to "box" it in. John sealed the edges with caulk and paint. The window was added with hinges at the top so we can open it out.

Then came the siding--old barn wood from the Simmons Plantation. I began adding a faux stone foundation, using concrete "stones" from a fireplace tear down. From a distance, you can't tell they're not real stones.

To finish--we'll add the battens (narrow strips where the boards are joined)--and other trims. Hopefully, we'll finish this week. Then I'll add lots of rustic, shabby touches. . .and maybe shutters? a picket fence?


Total cost? (Drum Roll)-- $35!
Talk about recycling. . .
All kidding aside, I have to give John the credit. . .
He did a fantastic job building this Box, don't you think?




54 comments:

Carlene @ Organized Clutter said...

Love the shabby shed! I have that headvase.

Linda said...

You did a great job, and it looks like it has been there for ages! So cute!!

Keeping It Cozy said...

Amazing! I love it!

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

I wish my hubs could build me a "box" like that....I love it!

Unknown said...

I want your shed! I have shed envy!!! It's just beautiful!

Florida Farm Girl said...

What a lovely little house!! Good job. I know what you mean about someone who has a hard time thinking out of the box!! I have one of those, too!

Vickie @ Ranger 911 said...

It's so charming! I'd love to have a shed in our yard, especially if it looked like yours!

Michele M./ Finch Rest said...

SQUEAL OF DELIGHT!!!

I ADORE your shed - and what a perfect place for tea! '

John is wonderful - tell him we blogggers sure think so...and you- how clever and courageous of you to do this- it is AWESOME!!

WELL DONE, you two!!!!

Old Time Cindy said...

Lovin' it!!! Makes me want to start building my shabby cottage shed...but have to wait. I'm having fun collecting the material for it all. Yours looks wonderful, I'd love to come and sit a spell with you!

Heaven's Walk said...

Tooo CUTE! You both did a great job on this darling shed! :)

xoxo laurie

simplicityinthemaking said...

Adorable. I have just the place for something like that!

Sandi~A Cottage Muse said...

So sweet...great job!
Happy WW!

Susie~From My Home To Yours said...

Talk about 'thinking outside the box'....it's so very charming. My hubs is totally helpful...but he's no carpenter. You got one talented and good man there!
Blessings, Susie

Liz @ Quirky Vistas said...

Woo hoo, you showed your inside the box thinker a thing or two. Maybe now he'll begin to think creatively too. Kudos to him for going along with your lead and helping you accomplish your vision. You had a great idea there and I'm so amazed at what you two were able to accomplish because of that boat trailer inspiration. It's really fantastic.
Liz

Candylei said...

I love this shed!

Candylei said...

I love this shed!

Audrey said...

Just LOVE that shed. I want one in my back yard.
Blessings,
Audrey Z. @ Timeless Treasures

Anonymous said...

Oh you are going to love this shed!! Are you going to fix it cute inside or is it just for storage? Bet you hubby loves your outside the box thinking after this great project!

Laurel@ChippingwithCharm said...

I am in love with your shabby shed...as I like to say, it's "chipping with charm" :) Laurel

Ivy and Elephants said...

This shed is amazing. Wow this was a wonderful post. I would love it if you would share it at our WIW linky party. I hope you can join us.

Paula
ivyandelephants.blogspot.com

Daniela @Frugal Aint Cheap said...

I LOVE your boat! I mean...shed ;)

At The Picket Fence said...

That is seriously AMAZING!!! I cannot believe how creative and clever you are and it just looks perfectly chic in it's shabbiness. :-) Thanks so much for sharing it at Inspiration Friday this week!
Vanessa

Shabby chic Sandy said...

That is charming--I love it!

Unknown said...

Love, love the shabby shed (box).
We built an enclosed porch onto our camper years ago (trying to only use recycled items)from windows and doors found on job sites ready for trash, and other misc. items we had around the house. We did well with this project on the $$$$ as well.
Thanks for sharing your project.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Michele

Ribbonwood Cottage said...

Love this. I think I need something like this on our property. We live on a Chicken ranch on three acres in S. California and I am married to a farmer. But he also likes the shabby look, or farmhouse look like your shed is. You have decorated it so perfectly. I love the little tablescape area. It turned out wonderful. Have a great day. Come by for a visit if you get the chance. I'm your newest follower.
Blessings,
Debbie

Donna Wilkes said...

So creative - to get your husband to accept that this was possible. I am jealous (green with envy) - I love this shed with its chippy paint finish. I see all kinds of possibilities for you. Enjoy!
Came over from Rustic Restorations.

Distressed Donna Down Home

Tammy said...

I am so glad you found me! I love your shed!!!! It is so rustic yet lovely. Your inside-the-box hubby did a terrific job! I would be so excited if I were you! I am now your newest follower. Thank you so much for linking this up to Rustic Restorations Weekend!!!

Bohemian said...

Your Shabby Shed is fabulous! And your Post made me Smile since I'm an Outside the Box person and The Man is an Inside the Box person so for him to catch my Vision also takes a lot of convincing that I'm not totally Mad! *LOL*

Blessings from the Arizona Desert... Dawn... The Bohemian

Art and Sand said...

So, does he sit inside the box or outside of it? I would make it into a craft space if I was lucky enough to have a box.

Patricia @ 9th and Denver said...

Love the shed.
Love the re-use of old materials, and left overs from other projects.

Love the $35 dollar pricetag.

Love the creativity, and the fact that Inside- and- Outside thinkers can work side-by-side together to get things done.
PRICELESS, Pat

Anne said...

I absolutely LOVE this! What a great idea.And yes I do think outside the box.Sometimes my husband things I am a little crazy with my ideas.But then when it is finished he gets it.LOVE this chippy paint.And looks so pretty with your vignette.So glad I found your blog.I am now following.Have a great day!
((Hugs))
Anne

Debra@CommonGround said...

You guys did an incredible job, it looks like it's been there forever!! thanks for linking up to the party!

allisamazing said...

It's fabulous!

chateau chic said...

Your shed is wonderful! I LOVE the old boards you used for the siding.
Mary Alice

Unknown said...

amazing job- every house should have one!

Buttons Thoughts said...

It is wonderful and $35 wow you gotta love out of the box people and their in the box talented builders:) B

carol l mckenna said...

Fantastic ~ Your creativity is awesome and lucky you to have someone to build your 'design' ~ thanks, ^_^ (A Creative Harbor)

Rosemary Aubut said...

Oh! What a lovely post, enjoyed my visit here. Love the rustic with the feminine touches!

Anonymous said...

I love the shabby shed!

Anonymous said...

I was watching a DIY show the other day & this guy was going to rebuild his back deck... he took a sledge hammer & just started demolishing the rails & the posts & I started hollering at him, "Hey, that wood could be reused for something else!" He didn't hear me tho, cuz he kept right on... a shame they don't think before they do, isn't it!!!

Beautiful tea setting, love love love it... I'll be over for tea as soon as I can make it! heheheee =)

tiarastantrums said...

GORGEOUS! I wish I had a handy hubbie! Now what are you going to use this little sweet spot for?

Candy C. said...

That is just too, too cute!! I definitely think shutters are in order!! :)

Nancy said...

I want one! In fact, I'll show my husband this post. It's awesome!

Thank you for sharing at Rural Thursdays this week. xo

renae said...

I was stunned to see you actually made it to look old! amazing and different, too. Glad you are talented in that realm. It looks like it came right out of my grandma's back field. tremendous!!!

Anonymous said...

That is so stinking cute!

Courtney ~ French Country Cottage said...

Love it~ it's so charming!!Thanks for linking up at Feathered Nest Friday!

Courtney ~ French Country Cottage said...

Love it~ it's so charming!!Thanks for linking up at Feathered Nest Friday!

Curtains in My Tree said...

I just wanted to put my 2 cents in
I love it also what a great paly house for you

Bonnie K said...

You should be so proud of that. What a great project. It is perfect.

Glo @ Off The Grid at -30 said...

Very cool! I would love for you to share this on my very fist blog hop!

http://offthegridat-30.blogspot.ca/2012/07/frugal-i-made-it-tuesday-1.html

Unknown said...

This truly is a chic and shabby shed! I love it! :) It turned out beautiful! Please come share this at our link party - "Home is Where the Heart is" Homesteading and Homemaking http://www.homesteadsimple.com/home-is-where-the-heart-is-link-it-up-wednesdays-2/
Please feel free to link any other posts you'd like to share!

Sara said...

I love to read your post, you write so precisely and explain every concept nicely.
Portable Garages

Unknown said...

Wow, great job on the renovation, it looks amazing. I was actually looking to renovate a my shed and barn in Indiana, but I think I'm going to just call in the professionals and see if anyone can manufacture pole barns in Indiana for me.

Patti said...

This is absolutely amazing! I have to show this to my husband!

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