Focusing On My Workshop Makeover (From Plain Shed to Cute Cottage)
Since I haven’t been able to get anything done on our bedrooms suite (and I’m probably about to fire the contractor, but that’s a story for another day), I’ve decided to turn my attention to something fun to keep myself from stressing out about something I can’t control. And that fun project I decided to focus on right now is my workshop.
We had this built just about three months ago, and while I love it and I’m so thankful to have it, the workshop is looking a bit sad and drab and plain right now. This is the side that faces in towards the back yard.
The building sits perpendicular to the house and in line with the carport behind my studio, so this is the view of the garage door is the one I see the most.
So I’ve started working on the first project to make this workshop look like a cute little cottage in our back yard. I want it to match our house, so we had it painted the same color (Mindful Gray and Extra White from Sherwin Williams). So this week, the first project I’m tackling is to make the shutters. I did a little mock up of the workshop with shutters, window boxes, a coral front door, and some details added to the garage door.
What missing from the mock up are (1) skirting around the bottom of the building, and (2) wood steps to match our front porch. But those are in the plans for the building.
I won’t be able to get the shutters completely finished this week because all of the hardwore that I ordered (the decorative hinges, shutter dogs, and ring pulls) won’t be here until the end of the week or next week. But I can at least get the shutters constructed, painted, and installed. So far, I have the basic shutters put together for the front windows…
So now I just need to get those painted, installed, and then paint and attach the battens.
I did a complete tutorial on these shutters when I made them for the front of our house. You can find that tutorial here: DIY Board and Batten Shutters (Decorative Non-Functioning Shutters Made From PVC Boards)
While I was ordering the hardware for the shutters, I also ordered some magnetic hardware to dress up the garage door. It’s just so plain right now, and while I know that adding lighting to the building (which I’ll do when we run electricity to the building) and adding landscaping around the building will go a long way, I’d also like to dress up this plain-looking garage door.
So I ordered these magnetic hinges and handles (affiliate link) to make it look like a carriage door, and while I was looking at the customer-submitted photos and customer ratings, I came across one picture in particular that I thought was really beautiful. So I’m going to use that as inspiration to add faux windows to the top of the garage door. When all is said and done, the garage door will look something like this…
I’m still trying to work out my plan for making those top sections look like windows. I know they have those magnetic faux windows, but those don’t look real to me. Windows are glass and should be reflective, so I’ve got a couple of ideas on how to do that. But anyway, this won’t be done this week, either, because that magnetic hardware won’t be here until next week.
So for now, I’ll concentrate on the shutters and getting the front door painted. Hopefully I can at least get those projects finished before I have to turn my attention back to the bedroom suite.
Addicted 2 Decorating is where I share my DIY and decorating journey as I remodel and decorate the 1948 fixer upper that my husband, Matt, and I bought in 2013. Matt has M.S. and is unable to do physical work, so I do the majority of the work on the house by myself. You can learn more about me here.
Put mirrors either into each window pane, or put a larger one behind the whole thing. It will be “alive,” ie reflect the passing skies and whatever else is within range, and folks won’t necessarily know it’s a mirror unless they walk up and see their face reflected.
You’ve done a great job!!
So so cute! What a good use of your time!
I love the shutters, window boxes and the addition of faux hardware and windows to the garage door!
Maybe magnetic locker mirrors for garage door windows?
Would you share where you got the magnetic stuff for the garage door? I have 3 doors just like yours that I would love to give some personality to, especially since they take up almost half of the front of my house.
I meant to add that! Here’s my Amazon affiliate link to the one I bought: https://amzn.to/3OVGi7j
I replaced a window over my back door with a mirror and mullions. Looks just like a window. I should say, it was already covered in wood paneling.
https://a.co/d/5sU9bkK
I have these and they look amazingly real. I can send a picture if you want to see them in real life
That will be so cute!
Great use if your time and it’s going to be so cute when you are done.
Your mock up is darling. I don’t see how you do that but I like the ideas.
Why fire the contractor? Guess that is tomorrow’s story.
I love it. It looks great. I love shutters, and here where we live, they are necessary for the storms we get. Have you contemplated adding a small pergola to the garage door area…https://www.bhg.com/home-improvement/outdoor/pergola-arbor-trellis/attached-pergola-design-ideas/
It’s a great way to give something as boring as an overhead door a great look and some interest along the way. I love that you can plant something that you can train over the pergola and have that added attraction of flowers.
Stay strong with the contractor, sheesh, it really is hard to find good labor these days.
Cheers! It’s looking awesome!!!
Sounds like your contractor didn’t show up again. I hate working with them too. I had my bathroom redone and it should have taken a week tops or less. Four weeks later, while coming two hours one day, none the next day, 3 hours, etc. you get it. I was so mad. I specifically told him when I hired him that I would NOT put up with that nonsense and he promised, oh I don’t do that. Well, guess he had a few other jobs going at the same time and came just enough to keep me off his back, but he knew I was DONE! I can’t stand it, do you want the job or not. Guess he didn’t care much.
It’s so hard to find workers to do anything these days. I couldn’t tell you the number of times I have contacted workmen regarding a job and they will set an appointment to come and then not show up. If you aren’t interested just say so.
Kristi, can you not pop out a row of the garage door paneling and put in a row with actual windows, skip the faux? I know garage doors are put together row by row, so it seems like something within the realm of possibility and worth looking into… I hope!
I was going to say this same thing! Eliminate one row of paneling, replace it with a row with actual windows to add natural lighting.
Just noticed what appears to be stickers on the windows on either side of the doors. Be sure to remove those because the sun can cause them to deteriorate to where they’re almost impossible to get off. love the plans for enhancing the shed looks.
Hi Kristi,
I have followed your talent for a long time (losing contact with you once & recently finding you again) and admire everything you have done to your homes, your Mother’s and I believe a niece’s room. You have great vision…it is amazing.
I was on facebook and an advertisement appeared with a before and after photo of the interior of your home. I know your photos well enough to recognize that it is your photos.
I took photos for the name, business name and “address” but am not sure how to get them to you. Does the name Tawbat Hakim ring a bell? If this is something you have approved, that’s great and I apologize for butting in. If not, I just wanted you to be aware of it. Please let me know how to forward the info from my phone to someone that could help.
Thank you, Gayla! I saw it. 🙁 I can’t seem to get it removed, but I did leave plenty of comments. 😀