Shed of the year 2024, Sponsored by 
I’ve always longed for a hideaway of my own, but with a small courtyard garden, set on a slope, I didn’t think there was enough space. Luckily, we also have a driveway, which held a very dilapidated storage shed. Last summer, we braved the (gigantic) spiders, cleared out the years of accumulated mess and got going.Almost all the work was done by my friends, builder Paul and sparkie Dave. My contribution was mostly ‘useful’ advice, general labour and bringing LOTS of tea and biscuits.As the build began, I saw that steps from the yard to the drive would be a handy addition, so these and the adjacent fencing are all part of the shed plan.What I love about the shed…..We have created a warm, tranquil, cosy space where I can do a bit of art and crafting and generally disappear with a book and a cup of tea.It’s very pretty! Plus, we managed to include practical workspace, a comfy reading chair, log storage and somewhere for the garden tools, all in around 12ft x 10ft.There are some build and furnishing features that make me smile. We remembered the bees and built in a bee block. There’s a stable door so I can chat with passing neighbours. The windows are both recycled from old doors, one from a friend, the other a cousin, and the wood preserver on the floor joists is the very last of my late dad’s materials. The beautiful throw was made by my sister-in-law while the table is the only woodwork project I’ve ever done. My mum (who is 89 years old) brought the wooden ornaments on the ledge from her home, so there’s a bit of her in the shed too. This is a little shed full of friendship, family and love.
It was built on existing concrete footings that housed a falling-down storage shed, and is made from:Floor – treated timber joists, damp membrane, insulation, OSB board, vinyl.Roof –shed felt, OSB board, treated timber joists, insulation, plasterboard, skim and paint.Walls – Cladding on timber batons, OSB board, vapour barrier, treated timber joists, insulation, wiring, plaster board, skim and paint.The desk and shelves are made of marine ply on top of IKEA Kallax units and drawers.
