Friday, January 16, 2015

a little garden house

For a long time, this little corner of my garden has gone unchanged.


But, because I finally spoke a dream out loud, this spot has been transformed.


I have been pinning cottages to my Pinterest board, "garden houses", for ages.


Last summer when I saw my friend Lisa's garden cottage (I wrote about it here) I began dreaming.


So, when Steve asked me what I wanted for Christmas, I sent him this photo - I can't locate the source because Pinterest has blocked the link since I originally pinned it.


That same day, Steve sent me an email (with a photo of this door) telling me that the wheels were in motion for my little garden house.


Even though I watched our dear friend Manny and his helper building the little house,


as did Lulu,


I still can't believe it is a reality.


The door was a donation from our good friend Mark.


The sides of the house are 8 foot tall windows that someone was throwing out (still in the box), but Manny grabbed them - they sell for $1000 each and we paid nothing!


There is still a lot of work to be done and I am being patient.


The house was primed yesterday, but our painter was called away for an emergency and won't be back until next week.


The original plan for this little 4" x 6" structure was for storing all my decorating tchotchkes, but there is actually room for a table and chair.


There is so much work to do - the entire garden area is a jumbled mess,


but I finally have my own little "garden house"


and my Pinterest boards for inspiration.

69 comments:

  1. Oh wow how timely is this! I have been bugging my contractor to build me a garden shed and 2015 is the year! I need to visit your Pintrest board to see your ideas. Yours is just lovely....thanks for sharing!

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  2. Lucky you and I can't believe someone would throw out very expensive windows still in the box. Plain crazy!

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  3. What fun!

    AND I had to laugh at your jumbled mess...bear in mind some of us just have a bunch of ice and snow out there in ours so you are far ahead of the game! :)

    What LUCK in regards to those windows!!!!

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  4. OH MY G...........

    CAROL! GEEEEEEZ! YOU GOT IT! And for literally a SONG! WHO in their right mind would be throwing out such expensive and PERFECT windows? You have your house, and Lulu is eyeing it...uh oh.....

    I am so thrilled. I am so excited for YOU as well as for me because in your first Pinterest board share, I spied a perfect solution for my dream....there is a narrow little house that I bet could be made to fit into a corner of my garden. Oh, enough about me....

    ARE YOU THRILLED? What color are you going to paint it? Brava my friend. And am I ever happy that I am still and always will be part of this blog world.

    MUCH LOVE! Anita

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  5. What a lovely little garden house....!!!!....love from me Ria...x..

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  6. Oh my gosh Carol! I would be over the moon with this shed. What a perfect addition to your back yard garden. And a great place to hide with a cup of coffee... LOL! I love it. What a great husband you have there too. Have a great weekend!
    Sherry

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  7. Well, Merry Christmas to you!! I love it! The windows and the door are amazing...such a charming and light filled space. It's hard to believe that someone would throw those windows out. Like they say, one man's junk....enjoy it, Carol!

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  8. Your little garden house is adorable. I hope you are going to give it a name. I think all houses, even little garden houses, should have a name. Your dear husband is amazing - to have gathered the bits and pieces - it makes it somehow much more special than a house that was just bought and delivered. This lovely little garden house has provenance!!

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  9. How perfect!!! and I love the shot of Lulu!!!

    Have a great weekend!

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  10. Wowsie Carol this is awesome. Ohhhhhh you are going to have so much fun with your garden shed. How sweet and cute is this. I cannot wait to see what color you paint it.
    Kris

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  11. How fun, love those windows! Great door, too. I bet you can't wait to get in there!

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  12. How wonderful! Your husband is a prince!

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  13. That is so cute! I can't wait to see how you paint and decorate it. How great to find those free windows too, and the door is so nice. Have fun!

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  14. How exciting to finally have a vision become a reality. Steve is such a gem to get the wheels in motion for your sweet garden house. Looking forward to seeing the progress and finale.

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  15. Oh, I LOVE your new garden cottage! That Steve really knows how to make your Christmas wishes come true! He is right up there with Santa! Can't wait to see what you do to it!

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  16. Have a garden house is really precious!
    Happy weekened!
    Olympia

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  17. It's charming! I can't wait to see it finished. Good guy Steve, did a great job making this happen for you.
    hugs,
    Linda

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  18. Oh Carol, it is gorgeous! I love that door and having the sides all glassed is going to give you such wonderful light. I am so happy for you. Merry Christmas! You are going to have so much fun adding your special little Carol touches to it and we (all of your blogging sisters) can not wait to see you all moved in. Give that Steve of yours a hug from me :)
    Connie :)

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  19. So awesome!! I know that will be the cutest little spot in California!

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  20. Carol,
    Very cute garden house but I think Miss Lulu thinks this will be her doggie sanctuary! Wow to the door and the 8 foot glass windows. Someone's waste became your pot of garden gold. When I saw the primed photo my mind's eye saw the adorable shed in Periwinkle blue. Happy weekend.
    Xoxo,
    Vera

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  21. Jeezly crow ~ I can't even get my husband to make me a potting bench!! :P This is adorable; can't wait to see what colors you choose, and how you decorate it!!

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  22. What fun that will be to decorate and use!!

    Judy

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  23. How fun to have your very own garden house! Can't wait to see more of it when it's all done.
    ~Cindy

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  24. How exciting I can't wait to see it finished! I love the inspiration you can find on pinterest! Sarah x

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  25. A little "home of your own", how delightful!!

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  26. Oh my, this is so fun and exciting!! You're going to have so much fun playing, and we're all going to be able to follow along because I know you'll keep us up-do-date on the progress.
    Mary Alice

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  27. Carol, I love the garden house. Also just loved seeing Lulu watching the workers. Too funny. I am still thinking of a garden/greenhouse that my Teddy and I have been thinking of for two years now. I am now starting to think of it a just a dream.LOL. Blessings, xoxo,Susie

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  28. Oh Carol...I LOVE it! It is absolutely adorable and it isn't even finished! Love the door and the windows. Goodness, I can't believe that someone would just throw those out! Your original idea for the shed is a great one, but I think it is too pretty for storage! Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

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  29. Very sweet, Carol. The tall windows and the door give it so much character. It's such a nice addition to your garden. Your Steve is a good husband. Congratulations on a dream come true! xxx ~ Nancy

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  30. ah, you are so lucky. I love the little garden house. Enjoy as I am sure you will.

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  31. How neat! You're going to have such fun with this. Happy weekend! Hugs, Diane

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  32. Oh Carol, I love it! What a wonderful gift from Steve. I know that when you finish decorating it, it will be terrific. I can hardly wait to see it finish. You deserve it!
    Mary

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  33. That's just perfect. What a great door. Being a gift makes it even nicer. The window were meant to be yours. I can't wait to see what colors you choose. A little chair sitting next to it would be a perfect spot for you to sit and read.
    .
    .

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  34. I am literally crying right now!!!! My heart is just swelling with joy to see this in your garden Carol!!!! Oh my!!!! It is the most fantastic piece I have seen in a long while! Please tell Steve that he rocks!!! And I can not wait to see everything you do with it! It looks stunning in your garden! And I commented on your last post but it didn't go through for some reason.....I am thankful for you!!! Nicole xo

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  35. Hi Carol, what a wonderful project. From a idea, a spoken wish to a new addition. It will be fabulous.
    Enjoy the process. Your hubby is so talented and making your dream come true.
    Have a nice weekend.
    Hugs

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  36. Carol, I have been waiting for this post! I too have a Pinterest board full of Garden sheds. Love your sweet house with the windows on the sides! Wow, to get them free, how fabulous is that? We cleared and area on the top of our hill for me to have one. My Engineer hubby will have to graph everything out, so it will not come together quickly. lol! Hopefully, it will be done by this coming Fall.
    hugs,.
    Jann

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  37. Well, what a wonderful gift you've received, Carol! You're going to have so much fun thinking of all the ways to use your new garden house. I'd love to have one in our back yard, but I think we'll start small with a dollhouse first. :o)

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  38. What fun, and what a great gift from that hubby of yours. It is going to be darling when you've put your had to it! Can't wait to see more.
    Blessings,
    Patti

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  39. Oh, this is great! And you're going to have so much fun now, making it your own!

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  40. I just had to come back for an early morning visit to your little space. OH I can't wait to see what colors you will paint it or add to it! You are having fun, aren't cha!!! Anita

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  41. OH.....and these men of ours, they are "dream weavers!" Bless their big and husky hearts. Anita

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  42. How exciting for you! What a great guy you have! Can't wait to see it all finished.

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  43. It's nice to see a dream in action and coming true. Love how you found all the deals or freebies --- and can't wait to see how you decorate it. Intrigued that you can fit in a table and chairs!

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  44. How wonderful is that??? I cannot wait to see the finished project - those "free" windows are amazing and so it the door!!

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  45. ohhh myyyy it is almost ready for the inside to be done.......how wonderful and what an ongoing beautiful gift. Those are the best. Congratulations on your dream coming true.

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  46. Oh, what a great present and how exciting, can't wait to see what you do with it next.

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  47. It's so cute! What a wonderful and enterprising husband and friend you have to get something to perfect for a song. Enjoy!

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  48. How sweet! I've wanted a potting shed for ages. Maybe this will be my year. I can't wait to see how you decorate yours.

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  49. What a sweet husband to make your dream to true! It's such a darling little house. I know you're excited to finally have it.

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  50. You are right to celebrate this little garden house success story.

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  51. just wait, carol. when you start using it--you'll wonder why you waited so long:) mine thrills me every time i see it!

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  52. Oh, Carol, how cute!!! I want to come over and play in your playhouse with you!!!! I wish I had one!!! I really want a greenhouse.

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  53. How lovely! Isn't it astounding what people throw away?

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  54. Oh, I'm so thrilled for you! You will have such a good time with that.
    Brenda

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  55. Well done you! It all looks wonderful. Even the garden -- cluttered or not! :)

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  56. It looks wonderful. I know you are going to love it. I can't believe someone was throwing those windows away. Crazy.
    Can't wait to see what you do with it.

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  57. What a beautiful blessing and addition to you and your garden!

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  58. What a sweet hubby you have, making your dreams a reality! You should next commission Steve to paint you something special for your little garden house...just sayin'!:))

    Poppy

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  59. That is very exciting. I can't wait to see the finished product.

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  60. Oh wow, Carol! What a wonderful Christmas present! I love how you used castaway pieces to make it your own!

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  61. What a cute little house, and to get the window and door for free! Yikes! Your garden look pretty good to me, at least there's not snow covering it all. Your garden stays alive all year...how lucky is that. I have about 16 windows in our garage that people threw out? vintage ones, just don't get it! I would have to put a chair out there and spend "alone" time. Can;t wait to see it finished!

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  62. First we have to go through the mess but then look what you are getting! Awesome, I have this dream too. Maybe someday my little wish will come true. What a sweet gift and I'm sure you can't wait to get out there and have fun with this. I can't wait to see the end results!!!! Lots of photos please............

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  63. What a blessing to find those doors! Now they are part of your little dream come true! I am so happy that your little garden house has become a reality! Can't wait to see how you decor it.

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  64. I am just catching up, and was so thrilled to see your dream of a little garden house has come true!! You will have such fun decorating it, Carol!
    Helen xox

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  65. I love your garden house! It's so wonderful that it's coming together like it is and really, spreading out the time till it's finished just prolongs the fun of watching it happen. Hooray for Steve and Manny!

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  66. Wow that's pretty cool. I can't believe someone was going to just throw away those windows.And a door. Your garden house is really cute. I'm not much of a gardener but I'm jealous of your little house. LOL ;o)

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