The Cutest Swedish Shed in West Seattle!
This past summer, we decided to build a shed in our smallish backyard. Since we savor summer hours in our little hideaway park, we wanted to build an attractive shed; one that suggested the style and color common to many Swedish houses, Falun red. Here's our inspiration...
As first-time builders of an outdoor structure, we had no idea what satisfaction – and what challenges, awaited us. Before beginning, we thoroughly researched city building codes and John drew up a plan. Then he rolled up his sleeves and got to work; first building a retaining wall in the corner of the yard. Then he added a privacy fence.
He then leveled the yard; carting many wheelbarrows of dirt to the South end. After firmly packing the dirt, he used rebar to hold the retaining walls in place.
When he'd leveled the entire area, he then constructed and placed a wooden platform on which the shed would be built.
Meanwhile, I collected, cleaned, sanded and spray-stained many slats of re-purposed cedar. When finished, I sealed all of the slats with spar varnish.
In what seemed like just a few weekends, we had constructed walls and roof, fastened shingles, and painted the interior.
We attached the red, cedar siding, added the white trim and installed the frosty stained-glass windows. Suddenly, our shed was looking very, very Swedish!
Soon enough we were ready for all the final touch ups. John installed some marbled, green stained-glass in the openings of a sturdy, re-purposed door. I then fashioned a green- stained, cedar trim for the door windows.
Summer is long gone and the autumn gloom has returned. Still, our little red shed shines on, adorned with jello moulds and other family treasures.
The old "Kaffestugan" sign is Swedish for "Coffee Cabin." But If the day comes when we no longer need this storage space, I highly doubt it could become an espresso stand. Still, it could easily be converted into a small, stained-glass studio or even a bunkhouse for visiting children or a friendly hobo. This was one super, FUN project!