In case you were wondering...

In case you were wondering...

This blog exists to encourage all those who have ever wanted--and needed!--a tiny getaway close to home. A workshop, playhouse, garden shed, sanctuary, mini-greenhouse, studio, home office; whatever it is you need, it IS doable, with some sacrifice, imagination, and compromise.

It helps if you're handy, too.

Sunday, June 27, 2010

So...which makes more sense?

Hmmmm...to use things you have on hand already--doors, doorknobs, hinges, beadboard, etc.--or to buy new, more shedlike ones? (I know, no real need to answer that, just finding it odd that recycling elements elevates a project from one level to another. )

The small door, the French doors (which will let me start seedlings away from the hungry kittehs if so moved), and both windows are recycled. Ditto the hinges, and doorknobs, some of which are "new" (but not to us) and some old. Some of the plywood is re-purposed. Some of the insulation will be, as well. Seems like a good idea to me...

And more deciding...


The front of the shed is mostly stained...won't be using that stain on the deck or French doors, though. Not wild about how orange it is (the original sample was less so, and more transparent...different brand, I think), and hoping it will mellow.
We sure don't need more of it.

Meanwhile, what to do about the French doors?? I really like natural wood, though the other door and the two windows have white trim.

So I did a quick-and-dirty Photoshop Elements tweak to see how white would look there too. Good, I think, but not quite as elegant. (OK, I know, "elegant shed" is a bit of an oxymoron. So sue me!) The white shows more how much we had to cut off the bottom of the doors to make them fit, too...




Doesn't have to be decided right this second, anyway...

18 comments:

  1. The white does make those French doors "pop" but I can understand the way you like the natural wood. When is the open house party?

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  2. Seems more serene and restful to me, wood...

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  3. I love natural wood... I think that I'd keep the french doors natural, and try to find a paint color that matches the general tone of the french doors, and paint the window frame and small door that color, echoing the french door in tone. :) My (unsolicited) 2 centavos.

    It will be so fun to see what you do with and inside it!

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  4. Katie, I did think of something similar, so "great minds..."

    Or maybe driftwood gray stain for the whole shed, with white trim...

    Or....

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  5. I'm in the natural camp, too. Like Katie's suggestion for painting the white stuff, maybe a lighter tint of the wood? Didn't you use cedar for the facings, etc? Could be why the stain is so "orange?" Will have to steal a car to come to the Open Shed party!

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  6. Yes, the facings are cedar, and I thought we'd used transparent stain on them. I think some got transparent and some (the lighter cedar) got the "red cedar" stain.

    I discover I'm missing the contrast between the trim and the walls now; Mark did some lovely subtle details and they just kinda blend in.

    J. just painted the white door (it was white before, but bad shape...) so probably not just now.

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  7. Blue gray doors and windows...hmmmmmmm....>;-P

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  8. The siding and the trim are two different woods so just leave them be and with time and weather you'll have your contrasts. Or as you tell me Harris used to say, "Stop before you f**k it up!" :)

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  9. Yes, dear, she said, smiling sweetly...

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  10. Blue! The doors would look great blue. And the deck? Well, I'd go dark there so the orange and blue would show the most. Maybe a very dark gray to complement the roof color? I tend to be wild (my husband worries about my color choices for the house but he always wins and we don't get the colorful).

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  11. Not bad, I think! But maybe we'll see how this all looks in a few months. Nope, no dark deck; it would get hot in the sun, for one thing. Just natural, but sealed. J. and I mostly discuss and compromise, and everybody wins!

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  12. I like it fine just the way it is right now. Over time it will change or need a coat of paint here or there, so I'd wait till then to change anything. You'll have lived with it for a while and then can see what you think. But I like the natural deck and french doors. :)

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  13. That's pretty much what Joseph says, Rita! I know untreated cedar darkens with time--the cabin's dark gray now. Wasn't sure about the UV protectant stain though...

    And yes, I think the deck will get a bit darker with a clear stain, but I don't want it red. Natural provides a rest for the eyes...

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  14. I vote for the natural, also... it allows your eyes to travel from here to there and gives a less "chopped up" appearance to your wonderful retreat. Not sure if "chopped up" is a good design phrase but that's what came to me on a lazy Sunday afternoon as I sit on my deck with my laptop on my lap... Elizabeth

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  15. Sounds right to me, Elizabeth! I do find the white against the ruddy color a little jarring, don't really want more of it.

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  16. Oh I love your sweet little cottage . I would love to build one in the very backyard of my mothers house one day (when I need to care for her). Did you get seven little men to live with it? LOL
    Thanks so much for sharing this post,
    it must be a dream come true.
    Best,
    elise

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  17. Elise, it sure FEELS like there are seven little men in and out! Hopefully they'll all go HOME soon.

    And I do hope you can have something similar someday...

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