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The Potting Shed

11/22/2012

9 Comments

 
PictureOld shed partially taken down.
This past summer I spent almost all of my weekends building a potting shed.  Originally I had an old shed with a rotten floor with doors that were only partially hinged and locked with a plastic fork.  It was only used to store stuff that I probably should have thrown away years ago.  At least 25 years old it was slowly sinking into the soil.  

I had always dreamed of a potting shed.  Not just any old shed but one that would be my woman cave. I could go inside when I needed some me time...some breathing space and I could just sit and play in the dirt or just relax and read a book.


I spent a wet weekend tearing down the old shed and ordered a plan off of the internet.  Little did I know that this shed would start in June and end in September.  

I come from a family of carpenters and I think I carry that gene.  I've built a few sheds within the past 10 years.   Some from kits, some stick framed. This one though started out as simple but my imagination took over..and in the end became exactly how I envisioned it.

The original plan was a 10' x 10' x 14' high shed.  I wanted a tall ceiling as I've seen English potting sheds that almost looked like a church.  

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Basically it all started with a door.  I had gone to the local landfill and found this door sitting in the "reuse" building.  It was awesome.  A solid wood screen door with a round top.  Exactly what I wanted.  Driving home with this awesome free door in the back of my truck I started to think of how my potting shed would look.  Then I started to panic.  How am I going to build a door frame for this door?  Not to worry though I was able to google and work through what was needed and it all came together.


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The shed plans ordered and printed off I started to build my shed. 


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Then I started to think...maybe I should put a skylight in?  Maybe I should have a small deck and and overhang as well?  Well...it was a design/build job.  This is a pic of me tar papering the roof section.  I've never really been afraid of heights but it was a little intimidating as it had a 12-12 pitch.  

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Gotta love Kijiji.  I bought these shingles for half the regular price at Home Depot.  

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The shed just kind of started to become its own.  The old plans only being a guide.  I used rough cut pine for the siding and cedar shakes for the front installed randomly.

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By September the shed was completed and landscaped.  I can't wait until I can actually use it as a potting shed this spring.  Rain barrels will be attached to the downspout and more landscaping will be done in the spring.  

Total cost to build my shed was $1500.  I used an old window for the side and the large window is only screened  but is covered up for the winter months with chipboard that folds down into a table in the potting months.  

This is my WOMANCAVE!!


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Inside showing the table which folds up to cover the window in the winter.
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The vanity was found the same day as the door at the landfill site. The enamelled bowl fit just perfect. A great place to wash my hands! The window is from a metal screen door.
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Found this bird house at a thrift store!
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The skylight!
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Love my pond!
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Winter View
9 Comments
Alaine McGill
11/22/2012 01:57:40 am

Oh my goodness MaryAnn!!! This is WONDERFUL!!! It must absolutely thrill your heart to walk out to your enchanting back yard!

You are sooooo creative, talented, and industrious and I love it that you started with an amazing door and a great idea!

I am hoping to get my greenhouse built next spring and perhaps have a hen house attached to it. Dave has scrounged some old patio doors for me for that project, so I hope we finally get it done for next year's seedlings. I will be happy to get all of my potting out of the house! I will be thinking of you out puttering around in your fabulous woman cave and I may be calling you for ideas when the time comes! I absolutely LOVE every part of your new potting shed!!!

Love & Blessings!
Alaine

Reply
Caroline link
11/26/2012 09:48:54 pm

MaryAnn! This is just phenomenal! Beautiful, beautiful potting shed. I;m totally impressed by your carpentry. I've been eying our wooden shed for a studio. What an inspiration!

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Joyce Butler link
11/27/2012 05:21:08 am

Mary Ann:

Beautiful. Your talents never cease to amaze me.

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Deborah
11/28/2012 08:13:17 am

My friend Caroline told me about this project. How wonderful! You must so be enjoying this perfect space......

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Wayne Schafer link
1/15/2013 09:23:37 am

Love the door. Wife has been on me to do something, and showed me this post. I tried to tell her this was time lapse photography ! Lovely work!

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Jerri Jensen
4/3/2015 02:09:14 pm

Love your shed. I have been collecting ideas for quite some time. Would you mind sharing the internet site that you purchased your plan?

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The Backyard Bear
4/6/2015 09:17:48 am

Thank you Jerri for your comments. I purchased the shed from JustSheds.com. I didn't stay true to the plan with additions and some changes but I used the basic plan.

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Funky Junk Interiors link
1/18/2016 10:04:06 am

Oh. My. Goodness... to have this ability... mind blowing. This is gorgeous! And suits that spot perfectly. Your yard... everything you've created is absolutely amazing!

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The Backyard Bear
1/18/2016 11:05:12 am

Funky Junk you could do it too!. I see all the designs you do and you have all the skills. All you need to remember is "measure twice, cut once: ;)

For those reading, check out Funky Junk Interiors web page by clicking on their name in the above comment. She is amazing!

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    About Me

    I am a self-taught wildlife artist from Muskoka, Ontario Canada

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