
We have been working on a backyard project since we returned from Italy. Here are some recent fruits of our garden.

Ever since we finished the backyard, we have wanted to work on the shed.

Although there is still work to do, today the mess had been temporarily picked up, so we let Madeline and Francis play while we worked. It is taking longer than we thought, because there had been a lot of rain and what we think is cold weather this year.
This was a side yard off a courtyard at our last home.

When my daughter was young we built her a playhouse tucked into and hidden in the shade of the house. It was quite a project, and it included putting a play kitchen inside, and her selecting the exterior trim and the interior colors. You can't see that the inside had pink walls and a yellow ceiling and a linoleum floor. At the time, I made the curtains from kitchen towels. She had her own sitting area and play area; it was quite a special place, and over the years, she played there for hours with cousins and friends. The window tilted out to open, and once when she forgot to close it, a cottontail rabbit climbed inside and spent the night.

When we moved here a few years ago, my spouse bought a kit from HD and built a shed. It has mostly held storage while we remodeled, but has been cleaned a few times by my daughter for use.
But the problem is that it really needed to be finished to be used. Out in the open, with no shade except for a palm tree, most of the year it is too hot to use by mid morning, so it needed insulation and electricity. This time around, my daughter was involved in all the choices, and had the final say, because she really had vision. She is also making the decorating decisions. And because we have a small home, this will have a big impact.

Only recently, while searching for photos of the original play house, did I note the impact that first little shed had on her. When we moved here several years ago, I gave her and her two cousins paintbrushes and three cans of sample paint that they had selected from a exterior paint pamphlet called "coastal", and let them paint rectangles on the house to choose the color. We have the blue by vote and later the door by my daughter's custom choice. They were perfectly safe color choices, because the houses in the neighbor are pink, orange, mint, lime, and some boring browns :) The Adirondack chairs were a rescue My spouse rebuilt one and repaired the other. My daughter saw them on a neighbor's bulk trash and made us get them.

So unlike the potting shed in the carport, this space will be functional like my spouse's office most of the year.

Her shed will overlook the garden.

More to come soon.
Thank you for reading and leaving me lovely comments and encouragement.
xoxo
Su
Sharing with:
Shabby Art Boutique

The Charm of Home
French Country Cottage
What a great project to be working on. Love the little playhouse.
ReplyDeleteLiz
Thank you, Liz. That playhouse was so cute. xoxo
DeleteLove sweet little spaces in the garden it's adds such attention getting charm.
ReplyDeleteIt's really like you live in A life size play house full of charm.
Xx
Dore
Thank you, Dore. It sort of looks like a giant play house with the photos side by side. :) Have a wonderful day and week. xoxo Su
DeleteI love the cute little playhouse. I can imagine what a great thing this was for her as a little girl.
ReplyDeleteHugs from here
It was a great space for her and her friends when she was little. xoxo Su
DeleteWhat a lovely playhouse for your daughter to play in! I can imagine the children swarming in and out of it, fantasizing adventures and inventing games...
ReplyDeleteFaeries, princesses, witches, knights, wonderland, magicians, Heidi, Jane Austen, and so on in those years. xoxo Su
DeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful little playhouse that was ! She's got to be so excited about this new project!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful little playhouse that was ! She's got to be so excited about this new project!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Deb. She is. We had hoped to finish by Christmas, but with weather and obligations, it has taken much longer. xoxo Su
DeleteWow,what a lovely idea. And the pics are adorable!!!
ReplyDeleteHugs Kuni
Thank you, Kuni. xoox Su
DeleteExcited to see the finished project. Although all the photos are lovely my favorites are the side by side photos with the flag. Adorable shot of your young daughter posting the flag.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lorri. Me too. xoxo Su
DeleteSo looking forward to following you in this project!!!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Lin
Thank you, Lin. Have a wonderful day and week ahead. xoxo Su
DeleteI loved all your photos, especially the little one putting her flag out. Precious. Can't wait to see everything you do there.Blessings, xoxo,Susie
ReplyDeleteMe too, Susie. xoxo Su
DeleteHow exciting - I can't wait to see what you and your daughter come up with!!
ReplyDeleteThank you. It's fun, because she is so grownup now. xoxo Su
DeleteSu,
ReplyDeleteI can see Sara with another magical space. All the inspiration and whimsy from her enchanting doll house will direct her in her own new design. Memories of a happy childhood are never forgotten they spark the inspirational seeds to make futures happy and bright.
Looking forward to following along on your latest project. I respect your parenting style of allowing your daughter to particate in the creation of her future. BTW I love your garden.
Xoxo,
Vera
Thank you, Vera. I agree with your beautiful description of the space. The garden looks great this time of year. It only looks bad in July, August, and the beginning of September; it's too hot then for even the plants. xoxo Su
DeleteOh, what a lovely project for your family. I know it will be magical. Maybe it will be all finished and the site of the Mad Hatter's Tea Party in July.
ReplyDeleteI am hoping so! xoxo Su
DeleteLooks like a fun and functional project!
ReplyDeleteJudy
Thank you, Judy. I think it will be a great creative space for her. xoxo Su
DeleteLucky girl--cant wait to see it done!
ReplyDeleteThank you, DD. Me too. xoxo Su
DeleteI have a garage size workshop in my yard that I am hoping to make into storage/she-cave! I love the little girl playhouse and would have loved one when I was a kid. Have fun on your project.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Rose. Me too. I remember that some of my friends had a special place, and I loved playing in theirs, so if I ever had a child they were going to have a fort, a house, a tree house, or a teepee. xoxo Su
DeleteThese are the times when I wish I hadn't left our last place. We had a log cabin built at the bottom of the garden in a wooded area that we started to use as a play room for the kids. That was many years ago and I am sure they would have had so much fun as they grew. Ho hum. Stick with your project and enjoy every moment! xx
ReplyDeleteThank you, Chel. It sounds like it was a lovely place. xoxo Su
DeleteHow thoughtful of you to create a space just for her throughout the years of her life. Many dreams are birthed in tiny playhouses/studios/cottages. A place to retreat too.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kerry. You said so well what I believe. xoxo Su
DeleteSu, your garden truly is amazing…I love reading posts about it and looking at your pretty photos!
ReplyDeleteThank you, RJ. As you probably remember, the garden always looks great except in the three hottest months. xoox Su
DeleteOh how fun for all of you to fix that for your daughter. She will love it and it will be her space and have her mark on it.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to seeing your progress.
Have a great week.
Mary
Thank you, Mary. You too. xoox Su
DeleteFun!! I am excited to see more. :-)
ReplyDeleteCarla
Thank you, Carla. xoxo Su
DeleteHow sweet I cannot wait to see what you do with the shed. I know it will be beautiful. I know your daughter will love it just like her little playhouse years ago. Looking forward to seeing this beautiful work unfold.
ReplyDeleteKris
Thank you, Kris. I think so too. xoxo Su
DeleteJust precious. I think I need a little house for the grand girls. This size would be perfect.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Barbara. xoxo Su
DeleteHow fun to have a respite for your daughter. Electric is a must for some type of a/c here. But let's celebrate our winter here while we can:) Looking forward to see how the shed will turn into a magical retreat. Kathleen in Az
ReplyDeleteI love that it has been cold. I'm hoping that was a fluke last month and that it won't be warm a month early. xoxo Su
DeleteLooking forward to seeing this project come to fruition!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Michelle. Have a wonderful week. xoox Su
DeleteIt sounds like you have a delight new project that will keep you busy. It will be a joy to see the process :) And oh my, the little playhouse is darling!
ReplyDeleteHave a great week. Hugs!
Thank you, Stephanie. Thank you, that little cottage was so much fun to make. xoxo Su
DeleteA fun project to be sure. The former playroom was so adorable.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Vee. It really was. xoxo Su
DeleteI love the little play house. Such a beautiful back yard. The roses are so pretty.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Debby. xoxo Su
DeleteOh Su, I'm sure it's going to be a wonderful place for your daughter. That little playhouse was darling, too! The rain has been nice and having these cooler temps has been wonderful. My granddaughters certainly enjoy the playhouse I have in our backyard, hours of delight! Have a wonderful new week. Blessings, Cindy xo
ReplyDeleteThank you, Cindy. I remember seeing your playhouse. It is adorable, and the kids have so much fun in them. xoxo Su
Deleteso beautiful! I love the pups!
ReplyDeleteXO Ellen from Ask Away
www.askawayblog.com
Thank you, Ellen. The pups are the best. xoxo Su
Deleteoh, that is really a wonderful playhouse...so cute...also the dogs and your little daughter...really nice picture...love it.
ReplyDeleteGreetings fom isa
Thank you, Isabell. It really was. xoox Su
DeleteOh you have flowers! I'm so ready for spring to arrive in our little part of the world so I can finally go outside and start gardening again.... I truly love that little secret garden-garden side yard...
ReplyDeleteCielo
Thank you, Cielo. Yes. The only time the garden doesn't look so good is in July, August, and September. xoox Su
DeleteOh Su, that picture of your daughter decorating her little playhouse with a flag is the cutest!!! I can't wait to see more pictures!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Victoria. She loved her little home. xoxo Su
DeleteI know it's going to look amazing. And how fun for your daughter to have such a special space
ReplyDeleteThank you, Daniela. It's a small home, and this will be good. xoxo Su
DeleteI would love to have a shed to store things and to decorate! I'm sure yours will be as lovely as your home when you're done and I can't wait to see your progress!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Vicki. Well she is making the choices, but she has very nice taste. xoxo su
DeleteThe one when She was small is so sweet and the area it was put in so welcoming.Now that She is a teenager I wonder how She will use Her nice shed.Hope I see Your continued work and play with Her shed.Hugs Denise
ReplyDeleteThank you, Denise. She has plans: study,write, art, read and so on.xoxo su
DeleteThe one when She was small is so sweet and the area it was put in so welcoming.Now that She is a teenager I wonder how She will use Her nice shed.Hope I see Your continued work and play with Her shed.Hugs Denise
ReplyDeleteThank you, Denise. What she has in mind she will really enjoy. xoxo Su
DeleteSuch a sweet little playhouse that you built for your daughter! Having a special place to call her own is such a lovely gift. I'm looking forward to following up on the progress of her 'she shed'! Hugs xo Karen
ReplyDeleteThank you, Karen. xoxo Su
DeleteA play house is every little girl's dream! It's so beautiful and your daughter will always have memories of magical times there growing up.
ReplyDeleteThank you for popping in to say hello Su.
Shane x
Thank you, Shane. xoxo Su
DeleteI admire how you move forward on these projects. So many people have dreams of creating and making things, but never move forward to the doing of them. The loveliness you spread in the world is such a gift. I know that you will create many happy times through this new project.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lynda, for such a sweet encouragement. Have a wonderful week. xoxo Su
DeleteWhat a fabulous play house!!! Your daughter will always have sweet memories about it. I' m looking forward to seeing your new project.
ReplyDeleteHugs
Alessandra
Thank you, Alessandra. It gave her many years of play. xoxo Su
DeleteWow! That little playhouse is adorable! Way better than my plastic playhouse when I was a little kid. :) I bet your daughter had a blast picking out a lot of the finishes and that she spent countless hours playing pretend in there! Can't wait to see Part 2 of this!
ReplyDeleteShe loved it. xoxo Su
DeleteWhat a wonderful, special space that will be for your daughter! The photo of her and the playhouse when she was younger is so sweet. It reminded me of being a child and how we took almost any available space to make into a playhouse. It was always great fun and sparked so much imagination.
ReplyDeleteOh yes. I remember building houses under tables and forts in the backyard. It was a lot of fun and so imaginative. One of my girlfriends had a real house, and I always loved it, so I wanted my daughter to have one. xoxo Su
DeleteIt looks cute! I'll be interested to see more about this project!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lydia. Have a wonderful week. xoxo Su
DeleteHi Su, the little playhouse was so adorable. What a special place you created for your daughter when she was little. I am sure the new teen shed will be just as amazing and she will once again enjoy hours of fun times there. Looking forward to the rest of this story. Have a great week. xo
ReplyDeleteThank you, CM. Have a wonderful week. xoxo Su
DeleteHow adorable is that! Can't wait for more this. PLease share at Home Sweet Home! Luv it!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the invitation to Home Sweet Home. xoxo Su
Delete... and you've gave life to a masterpice of beauty to enjoy, darling Su !
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to next part of your story, I can't wait !!!
I wish you a most beautiful week
sending love to you
xox
Dany
Thank you, Daniela. Have a lovely week. xoxo Su
DeleteMy sister and I had a playhouse when we were kids.
ReplyDeleteTruly, it was one of the best things about my childhood.
I adore your daughter's and I really look forward to seeing the shed!
I'm dreaming about making a potting shed for myself! LOL!
xo
Thank you, Cindi. I did not have a playhouse, but one of my friend's did and I loved it like you did yours, so that's why I wanted to make one. xoxo Su
DeleteThe playhouse is so cute....never had one as a child and to think you built her's. Your daughter and the dogs are adorable.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Cathy. xoxo Su
DeleteOooh, what a fun project! I can't wait to see it unfold. The photo of your daughter putting up the flag is so precious. Does it make your heart ache to see her at that tender age? Her little house is just adorable. But her own space overlooking the garden? Perfect (and I'm kinda jealous). xo ~ Nancy
ReplyDeleteThank you, Nancy. Oh they grow so fast! xoxo Su
DeleteThat was such an adorable playhouse your daughter had and I loved the cute picture of her hanging up the flag. I'll bet she has a lot of wonderful memories from those days. I'm excited to see what you have planned for the new shed. It's always fun to work in a brand new space... :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Dee. I love that photo of her. Yes, it is always fun to have a project. xoxo Su
DeleteThis sounds like a wonderful project... I always enjoy your projects Su.. You're a natural at decorating. I look forward to seeing it when it's done! Have a blessed weekend.
ReplyDeleteTamara
Thank you, Tamara. Have a wonderful weekend. xoxo Su
DeleteOh this is so sweet Su. I love love love your daughters darling playhouse. What a magical and color place. I am sure it was her favorite spot to be in.
ReplyDeleteA new pretty shed for your now teenage daughter will be amazing. I am looking forward to see how it turns out.
Have a great weekend.
Janet
Thank you, Janet. It was so sweet. We built it with out her knowing. We had a pool, and the door knobs to the outside were about five feet high, so we just played in the courtyard, instead of the backyard for a couple of weeks. We tied a ribbon to it and all the way to Christmas tree on Christmas day. I think her new space will be wonderful, because she has great taste and a good eye. xoxo Su
DeleteThis is a great project and it'll be very interesting to follow along all the transformations.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see the finished space! Your daughter has excellent vision and taste! Hugs!
ReplyDelete