The Fun-Shed

We've pretty much finished our shed/playhouse project and we are having so much fun hanging out in it!  To check out all of the inspiration sheds, check out this post here.  When we bought the house (about a year ago) this shed (below) was on the property sitting on a concrete slab.  It leaked and a some sort of animal family lived in it:


Dave and his dad knocked it down and replaced it with 6' x 8' Hartland shed from Lowe's:


We haven't painted the outside of the shed yet to match out house but if you'll remember, we haven't even painted our actual house fully yet, so those pics will come this summer.  (Can  you tell interiors come first with me? ;) ;) 


We wanted to create a fun place for us and the kids to hang out.  It's part playhouse- part relaxing place for us to hide from the bugs...  I wanted it to be pretty enough for me to enjoy being in, but still appeal to little boys.  (Will I ever have a girl??!! ;)   Anyway, here's what it looked like inside before:




And here it is now:

We strung up our globe (a 23rd birthday gift to Dave from me) between the rafters and I love looking at it when we're laying down on the bench. 


For a little nod to our own kitchen, we decided we'd do white shelves above a black counter.  We don't really have any kitchen-y toys yet so we're using pretty fruit juice cans and an old olive oil contrainer.  I love their vintage-feel. 



We've displayed things we've collected over the years along with the things Christian finds on walks.  It seems sticks are one of his favorite. I've "let go" of what happens on these shelves (meaning I totally helped get everything up there but he whatever happens, happens)  and it's really refreshing to have a space out of my control.   He says he needs to put them up here so Ashby (our dog) won't get them:



 I think it'll be fun to use actual leftover food containers (like empty mini cereal containers) to add "food" over time.   I also thought it would be fun for Christian to play "bartender" when we have parties/ bbqs. (ok- yes, I know how bad that sounds but I'm not talking only alcoholic drinks here :)  We'll put the different drinks we have to offer up on the shelves - ie coke, bottled water, orange soda,  etc- for people to see their options and then they can tell the kids what they want so they can fish it out of the coolers for them. 



Christian has been "cooking" a lot and also sampling the honeysuckle that grows just outside:

{honeysuckle leftovers on chair}

The beautiful old adirondak chair was given to me by my friend Rebecca of Acanthus and Acorn and Christian just loves it! 

{I adore the crackly old vintage kitty on the floor}

The bass that hangs is the first bass I ever "caught."  I was 4 years old and my dad had it mounted.  It reminds of of the fishing trips I used to take with my dad when I was little - playing Barbie's and caring more about the surrounding waterlilies rather than the fish.  It has been moving from house to house with me with no place to go, and finally, it's found a home.  (ps- I'm not sure I've even caught a bass since...  my dad's an awesome bass fisherman and has even been on those fishing shows...  this apple falls far from the tree.)  The botanical prints are different plants (and weeds!) we have around our yard.  Christian & I picked them and photocopied them with the printer.  I labeled them and added some personal stories/ thoughts on any that have special meaning.  To see the how-to details, click here


My "spot" is the bench Dave built.  We used a cheapie outdoor chaise lounge cushion for the seat wrapped in an old natural-colored ikea curtain.  (very washable and we have multiples!)  The dog pillow (we've had for years) looks exactly like our dog Ashby and I propped an old water-damaged flea market painting on the ledge.  We painted the floors black and added a grapic outdoor rug.  The old wire basket under the bench given to me by a friend is great for coralling suncreen, baby wipes and other necessaries:



Do you spy the "real" tenant in the playhouse?  Just under the painting... "Spidey" earns his keep by eating mosquitoes.  This playhouse is not for the squeamish!



Justin enjoys the bench too but not as much as the plates...


Do you remember those old fisher price tea seats?  My mom had saved mine:


Here's a photo Christian wanted me to take of the "oatmeal" he made for me:

{yum!}

Christian has a great time playing in here...


...But I think Dave & I might  actually like the playhouse more than him.  We love seeing him have so much fun and being so excited, so in that sense, it's just as much of a gift to ourselves as to the kids.  It's funny how that works.


Anyway, hope you're having a great week & enjoyed the tour!!

xoxo,
lauren

Rug: "Matrix" rug from overstock.com
No VOC Paint: (a favorite) "Beach Pearl" by FreshAir Choice @ Home Depot
Globe: Rand McNally

67 comments:

Aubrey said...

FAB-U-LOUS!

Melissa Marie Head said...

Amazing! I love it. What a gorgeous place, Christian is a lucky boy.

Alicia Clinton said...

that is just the coolest!

Cottage Dreamers said...

So cute! I want one for myself!
☺ Celeste

Shannon @ What's Up Whimsy said...

I love this little spot! So rustic, yet so put together! Thanks for including the source for the rug - it caught my eye right away! And I know what you mean about not having a girl - I need to create a pretty room!

TheVirginiaHouse said...

I love this! I am currently redoing our pool house and making it fun for our two boys as well. (no girls yet either!) It is about the same size as yours I think. You can check out the sloooow progress on my blog. Thanks for sharing, it looks so cute and fun!

Jade @ Flip Flops + Pearls Design said...

How fun!! What a great place to enjoy with your family!!

The Gimlet Eye said...

INSPIRING PROJECT!! LOVE IT.

Kathysue said...

What a fun place for your family and it is so cute. Love all the special touches. That counter is just the right height for all kinds of adventures, great for running cars and building with leggos. I can imagine many fun hrs. out there, Happy Wednesday,Kathysue

Teresa Meyer said...

I'm jealous! This is too cool. I better not let my son see this. ; )

Janell @ House of Fifty said...

I'm speechless!!

And where did that fabulous outdoor rug come from?!?!?!?!?

Janell

lemondropdreams said...

UNBELIEVABLE! Truly...Love the Woodchuck's Cider bottle, haven't had one of those in years!! Where oh where is that rug from?? I'm swooning...

Julie said...

Super cool! That is not like the playrooms I had in the 80s, I can guarantee you that!

pixelimpress said...

so creative, so cool, so unique. i love it, lauren! it's beautiful. here's to many happy memories in your shed. pam

Sing of Singature Style said...

Very cool and loving his little chair.

http://singaturestyle.blogspot.com/

bluehydrangea said...

Oh my gosh..even your shed is stylish! Love it!!!

daninotes said...

LOVE!!!!!!

Julie Holloway said...

girl, you are really good! You know you are becoming a confident designer when you hang up a globe like that! I love your style. My favorite room to date though is probably that shelter bedroom!

Dreamy Whites said...

Lauren,
You are so creative. I LOVE it. My kids would love a playhouse like this! Great job, and thanks for sharing!
Have a great day!
Take Care,
Maria

Blessed Rain said...

Very nice!
Have a great and enjoyable summer!

Blue Artichoke Interiors said...

I would love to have this in my backyard.....sooo fabulous!

Stephanie said...

Aabsolutely love this shed! I want a fun place to hang out like that - ha! Great job!

Unknown said...

I always wanted a playhouse in my yard, so I'll live vicariously through you and your family for a while! Love the rug, and tell Christain that I think his sticks are pieces of sculpture!
What a fun space.
www.divinedistractions.blogspot.com

The House Creative said...

That is the coolest shed/playhouse ever! I bet your little ones will have a lot of fun here over the summer!

Anonymous said...

This looks like so much fun! smiles.

Averill said...

Wonderful! I would have DIED for a playhouse like this as a kid (though my sis and I would've probably insisted on more pink! ;)). You did a great job and I'm sure the family will get years of enjoyment out of it.

Annie said...

What a great space you have created! I'm going to have to show my hubs! I'd love to build one like that for my Aubrie & Everett ;)

A Perfect Gray said...

awesome, Lauren! so inspiring!

Maria Johns said...

really amazing, best looking shed i've ever seen!!

Debby said...

So darn cute. Can't believe that is the inside of the shed. How creative.

Vanessa@decor happy said...

Makes me want to go out to Lowes and pick one up! It looks amazing and love all of the personal touches and meaningful objects.

Laura Trevey said...

The floor is Amazing!!!

Annie Wilcox Designs said...

You are so good at what you do. Thanks for the idea of the botanical prints, my four children bring me treasures all the time, everyday, every second, every...you get the point. What a great way to capture their story.

angela | the painted house said...

Oh, it's gorgeous! What a fun idea to put the globe on the ceiling. :)

Forgive me, dear Lauren, but I so swiped your rug on Overstock. I've been looking for a black & white one and scoured O but didn't see Matrix. So thank you for the tip. I hope it looks great on our patio like it does in your playhouse. I was about to settle on one from Ballards. :)

Patricia @ 9th and Denver said...

Love the play house!
Does it have side windows or no? and you mentioned getting away from the bugs... are there screens?

It is so hot here, windows with cross breezes would be nice and sliding screens too- (to keep out the mosquitoes). Otherwise...where could I get me a bucket full of spiders?

Linda@ Lime in the Coconut said...

I wanna come play there! Spidey doesn't scare me in the least!

Perfecto!

Acanthus and Acorn said...

Lauren
It looks so good...and the chair has found a perfect home!

The shed has such a fun,hip vibe..better watch out or before you know the boys will be hosting the girls in their "dude" shed!!!

Sharon Brown said...

I have that same rug from Overstock.com. It is wonderful and looks even better in person.

~Grace Happens~ said...

wow. amazing transformation!

nelya said...

It looks amazing. And that rug is just killer. But I think one thing is missing...perhaps a little painted tree trunk side table? I think you once had a fabulous guest blogger who posted a tutorial? ;0) Perhaps with a glossy yellow top? Or maybe shiny red. Oh, how about a sleek navy blue....hmmmm...

Jen of MadeByGirl said...

Great job...it looks livable now.
So is that rug the Sand/Black color?

www.madebygirl.com
madebygirl.blogspot.com

tarheel said...

y'all are crazy talented!

kathleen said...

this is so great and beautiful! its the perfect mix of parent and crazy boy friendly! have a great summer in there!

modernchemistry said...

this is jaw-dropping fantastic! i honestly am in shock a little bit - in a good way! beautiful work, lauren. i love that you mix beautiful and practical. looks like a wonderful place for your family to relax.

we have a shed out back and i never in a million years would have thought it could be used in this way...inspiring!

Julie Holloway said...

I wrote about you as a designer and posted several pics today...I hope that is okay. I should have asked for permission first. Thanks, Julie

Sarah said...

AMAZING!

Marija said...

This is insane! I want one! I can't believe how big and functional it is?! Years ago we did a playhouse and unfortunately, it was nothing like this. We sold the house and I swear, this has me wanting to go back there and re-do the shed/playhouse in back! Your little guy seems to be having a blast!

Lauren said...

Rug's from overstock.com called the "matrix" and I think it's the sand/ black option.
xo,
lauren

Chrissa said...

This is absolutely amazing and wonderful, Lauren! I love it!!

LindsB said...

I have so much catching up to do! This is just amazing, what a fabulous before and after. I cant even believe this playhouse is in the same spot as old, falling down house from the before photos.

The rug is my favorite- I LOVE the pattern!

Cristin // Simplified Bee said...

Love the rug! Overstock.com too... fabulous. The boys are adorable. Wow, the baby is getting so big.

xo,
cristin

Stephanie Sabbe said...

holy moly, only you could make a home depot shed look this cool. So fun!

Unknown said...

OH....I see many good times in that little shed. Your biggest little guy looks quite at home. Great job!

Anne-Marie @ 10 Rooms said...

That's really wonderful, Lauren, and I'm sure it will be the scene of many a family story :)

AnneHH said...

Hi, Lauren,
LOVE this!! Favorite parts--the stick collection, the cans, the globe, the rug and THE BOYS!!! How cute are they?!?!? Have you been out in the shed with Christian in a heavy rainstorm? That is a fun thing to share with a son--it engages all their senses and gives rise to some wonderful question and answer sessions (though I often had to say, "I don't know why... Let's look that up!")
xo, Anne

My Notting Hill said...

Your shed is fabulous. Your boys are going to have the best memories of this!

Anonymous said...

Picking my jaw up off the ground! How clever is this!!! Stunning! I think I just have to pilfer this idea for my backyard!! Thanks bunches for sharing!! What fun to decorate for the holidays this shed will be!

Amber said...

I ADORE what you've done with this shed. It's such a fun space and it is so fresh & cozy! All of the little personal details add so much character. I especially love the botanical prints. Very fun. Thanks for sharing!

Windlost said...

The playhouse is GORGEOUS and so is Christian and Justin. I love what you have done here - such a delightful space, and loving the stick collection and the bass and the dog pillow and the bugs. Perfect. You are a great Mom!

xo Terri

Pink Wallpaper said...

so stinkin' cute!!! love the geometric rug!

WhisperWood Cottage said...

Such a great project! It will be a great spot for you and your family!!

susan said...

Little boys (especially adorable ones :) need a place to hang out too--the little guy's "office". I adore the sticks on the shelves and can so identify with it! Great place for everybody-including spidey!

Hello Lover... said...

This turned out amazing! Your boys must love it!

Bailey said...

So cute, yet so...chic?? I want to come hang out here! I am a great stick collector as well :)

Jennifer Sergent said...

ooh, my boys would so flip over this shed! What a great project. Maybe we could do that to replace the weeks in our back yard, since I'm an utter failure with plants!

Jessica Define said...

your kids are going to have the absolute best memories of this.

Anonymous said...

That is sooooooo cute!!!!! we miss you!!! xoxox