Our Porch. Oops, My Potting Shed. OK, the space I’m showing you today.

Thank you Rhondi, for hosting your wonderful Porch Party, so we can all share our porches today!! She has a beautiful blog called Rose Colored Glasses. I love the idea behind that, don’t you?

 

I can’t show my porch today though, because it’s still the birthday hut!! Strung with lights and banners, set up with buffet tables, with its furniture spread all around the yard, still sticky with remnants of birthday cake and punch, Hot Cheetos and enchilada casserole. I washed dishes and platters all day yesterday, and the porch clean-up is still to come! Instead, I’ll show a little of our former playhouse, now my potting shed. I really think I might be living out here this summer, anyway, even more than the porch.

 

We built this little house when our daughter was three. Almost everything was salvaged, and we had no idea what we were doing. We just started throwing the thing together, it almost fell over once, and a neighbor had to come over and tell us how to fix it! We were determined though, finally got it put together, and for many years we played Barbies out here, read stories, and had tea parties.  After Abby lost interest in using this as a playhouse, it sat neglected for a few years and turned into an area for me to stash all of my display fixtures. Now that I’m no longer traveling with my merchandise, it became time to reclaim this space for something useful and enjoyable.

 

Here it is today

 

 

And yes, we really did salvage almost everything used to build it. The floor came from a lowered ceiling we removed in our home. The roof, from a tear-down garage across the alley. A new house was going up across the street, and when the builder told us we could have anything we wanted from his dumpster, we went over every night and salvaged all of the 2x4s. The siding came from fencing that was in someone’s big trash heap. We didn’t want little fingers getting slammed in a door at the time, but I think we still have a french door in our garage to cut down and fit into the doorway. Windows, too. I think we can finally add those now that the kids are teens!

 

 

 

This wicker bench came over with a neighbor when it didn’t sell at her yard sale. Piled with cozy pillows, it’s a comfy place to sit. These all came from the thrift, $1.59 each! Perfect for outside pillows that might not always be protected from the elements.

 

 

 

The bookcase and desk were found on the curb, and while those two items aren’t exactly fitting of my dream potting shed, they are functional for now.

 

  

It’s great to have a space to store my garden gloves, potting soil, fertilizer, and other planting paraphernalia. In the past it always seemed to get buried in our garage, under sports equipment and painting supplies. The rule around here now is that if anyone takes anything out of my potting shed, they must put it back! We’ll see how long that lasts……

 

 

 

Lots of vintage punch cups, filled with tea lights, are so pretty when lit up at night. These grocery store candles add a punch of color and some evening sparkle for just a dollar each.

 

 

 

That’s scrapbook paper in a flea market frame!

 

 

An old brass tray that was painted a pretty bright turquoise (formerly for jewelry display!) fills this space.

 

 

I bought some gorgeous vintage linens from Lynda Saxton in Canton last month. She has bins and bins full of wonderful items, so many that she can sort them by species and colorway! A bin full of just bird embroidery. One of peacocks only. She’ll price them for you on the spot, and loves to give her customers a good deal. Visit her ebay store if you would like to see almost 1,000 of her wonderful linens and vintage collectibles.

 

 

 

It’s nice to come in out of the sun and eat a quiet lunch. I sat out here with a friend and had some wine the other night. Last evening, a fuzzy-headed baby mockingbird hopped right in while I was out here doing some paperwork! Lizards scamper in and out during the day. I can look out the windows and see (and hear) our red-headed woodpeckers, enjoying their meal from the pecan tree. It’s soothing to me to be so connected with nature in this peaceful spot.

 

 

I hope someday to paint a checkered black and white floor in here. A thrifted faux tiffany lampshade with fruits and vegetables is waiting in storage until we can run a wire in here for lighting. And while I loved the weathered boards in the past, I’m ready now to paint the exterior and make the appearance a bit more polished. Curtains, maybe gingham, are being dreamed of, too! Even though the shed was accessorized with only leftovers and extras, I love the sort-of-retro look that’s evolved. Maybe this can be the place to display the bright, primary colors that don’t really fit into the more muted interior of our home.

 

 

Please stop by anytime to have some lemonade or a glass of wine! I would love to catch up with you in my cozy little potting shed, enjoy the friendship, and dream of what can be planted next. Until then, dear friends, please also visit sweet Rhondi for her once-a-year Porch Party. I’m looking forward to seeing your porches, or other spaces, too!!!

 

 

Love, Andrea

Comments

[Bunny Rose Cottage]

Oh my gosh I love this!!!! Your potting shed is the sweetest thing! I would love to have one of these :) I love all of the touches of red you have added! Just beautiful :) Thank you so much for having us!
Hugs,
Amy

[Willow]

How darling. I just have to have one. We are always talking about getting a shed, but wait til I tell my hubby about yours.

Willow

[Stacey]

Andrea, that is so neat! Doesn't every girl wish for a little place like that? I sure do!

[Penny @ Lavender Hill Studio & The Comforts of Home]

Andrea I am in love with your potting shed! I want one!!!! Everything little thing about it makes me smile.

I would love to sit there with you and sip a glass of wine!

[black eyed susans kitchen]

What an excellent spot for a little wicker settee! Love the mixture of the rustic and the refined. The tablecloth and tea set are lovely touches.

[Rhondi]

Hi Andrea
Your potting shed is adorable. I love all the bright colors you've used in it and it just is so cosy and inviting. You did a fabulous job on it. Thanks for joining the party.
Hugs, Rhondi

[Rebecca]

This is the sweetest thing! I want one now! Have a lovely week, and hope you can come by and visit my porch.

Back Porch Blessings,
Rebecca

[Beverly]

Oh my goodness! I am in love with every single thing. It is positively enchanting.

And, I am so glad you invited me over. Now, I want to stay and play all day.

[rue]

Hi Andrea :)

Your potting shed is more than just that! It's a dream!! I love it all... from the salvaged parts to the little bits and pieces you've accessorized with :)

Thank you so much for your sweet compliment!

xo,
rue

[Nicky]

What a sweet little retreat!Love it. The vintage stuff makes it extra special.

[Pat T.]

Love all your bright cheery colors! Your retreat looks so cozy and inviting. I'm embarrassed at the state of my potting shed right now...with Spring gardening - everything is pulled out. Please come visit me though - my front porch is a little neater!

[Cindy]

It is absolutely charming. I love the mix of colors.

-c
yapping cat

[Mary Lou]

A woman after my own heart. This is as charming as it gets!!! I love all the little touches. Thank you for sharing it with us.

[gabrielle]

that is the cutest potting shed..i love the wicker bench with it's cozy pillows..my fav and the watering can in the window.

[Christina]

I'm in love with your little shed. Everything looks delightful and fun. Love the wicker settee.

[Richard Boles]

This is a charming and cozy shed! There's one great thing about this little home: the materials used are recycled. The decors are interesting, especially your grandfather's stuff. It's a great hangout spot for the family, and it would also do well as a place of meditation if you want to spend some time alone, meditate, or even drink tea.

[Lida]

They want us to be happy and they realised this is our direction

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[Katie M.]

Andrea, I saw the top image on Pinterest this morning without a link back to you. http://designpostdaily.com I thought you might want to check it out in case this image is being used without your permission.
It is a beautiful image and you deserve the link back.
Katie