A few weeks back, Don came home with something in the back of his car. He found it on the side of the road and thought that it might be something I could use for potting my plants. Since it is fairly lightweight, I quickly realized it was a no-go for the porch. We get a lot of wind.
But, we were about to wash the walls and the floor in the shed and once we rearranged things, I was pretty sure I knew where it would go. And yesterday, it all started to take shape.
His discovery alongside the road? The utility tub.
You know, Don amazes me sometimes. That he would see this and immediately think of me, gardening, and potting plants just boggles my mind! I was surprised when I first saw it, but I must admit, my mind immediately started thinking about what I could do with it.
For now, this is the way this potting area looks. What I would love to find eventually is an old workbench of some kind to place on the right of the tub. But this will definitely do in the meantime. The garden tools, snow shovels, rakes, etc., are on the opposite side of the shed.
We’re doing a little ‘decoration’ as well. Some antique locks and hinges are on display on the back wall. I’ll take a picture of that area soon. It’s still a shed, but dang if isn’t a lot more spacious than I thought it was.
I’ve had the shelf for a long time. It used to be on the wall in my studio when it was under the skylight. It’s not the strongest piece, but it could definitely hold packs of seeds and a few tools. I’d also love to find some really cheap framed prints of flowers and botanicals. Nothing too precious, of course, because it is, after all, a shed.
Before we rented the dumpster this shed was so full of stuff that we could barely get in there. I would have to crawl over things to find my pots.
You have no idea.
That’s why I keep marveling at how spacious it is in there!
By the way, we have no water access in the shed, but Don urged me to put the faucet on the sink ‘for the look of the thing.’
Isn’t it neat? I have my own little potting shed!
I’m going move the trash can that holds my potting soil to the shed. It’s currently on the porch. But first, I have to buy some fresh potting soil and some plants – I haven’t done any of that yet because it’s been too cold. But, as of today, freezing nighttime temperatures are a thing of the past, so I can finally get going.
Today, I’m going to start clearing out the garden beds – my first pass.
We worked outside for about 2 – 3 hours yesterday and we were tired. So we’re being very careful to pace ourselves. But, boy, is it wonderful to be outside again.
Stay safe.
Happy Thursday.
April Baldwin says
What a nice space for you! The sink fits right in. It looks great. Have a wonderful day, Claudia.
Claudia says
Thanks so much, April.
Stay safe.
Ellen D. says
My first glance at your top photo – I thought it was miniatures you had gathered for one of your doll houses! Duh! Of course, it is your shed cleaned out and now put to good use for your gardening needs. You could put a large board on top of the sink when you want a work bench… a temporary fix.
Claudia says
I could, but the sink is pretty light in weight so I don’t think it would work.
Thanks, Ellen.
Stay safe.
Donnamae says
At first glance, I am struck by that wood. It is absolutely gorgeous! It makes the shed. You do have quite a bit of room in there…oh, the possibilities. I can imagine the start of another collection….antique gardening tools, perhaps?
You are going to have fun with that….enjoy your day! ;)
Jen says
My thoughts exactly! The wood walls are gorgeous!!
Claudia says
xo
Claudia says
Thanks so much, Donnamae!
Stay safe.
Shanna says
Great space. We have that same utility sink in Fred’s shop. Before that we used it as a kitchen sink while re-building the beach shack. Such a versatile little sink—it has even been used as a doggie bath tub. Good spotting, Don!
Claudia says
He has an eagle eye, Shanna!
Stay safe.
jeanie says
What a wonderful surprise! And a thoughtful gift, too. And I love the paneling on the shed. It’s cute before you even start making it cute!
If you REALLY want to go on the cheap but cute, how about picking up several packages of seeds in more vintage looking packaging (google vintage seed packaging or vintage seed art). Plant or save the seeds in marked bags and frame the packets in a grouping based on the size of your frame. There are cute Peter Rabbit download seed packet printables, too. I love google!
This is just the most wonderful space! Whatever you do, you’ll love it!
Claudia says
Thanks for the idea, Jeanie!
Stay safe.
annette says
Love this post! Nothing better than a peek into a charming cottage.Thanks for sharing all the tidbits with us along with the “historic” memories.
Claudia says
Thanks, Annette!
Stay safe.
Linda MacKean says
The potting shed is cute as can be and I’m so glad you have the room in there now. Great roadside find by Don. Hugs!
Claudia says
Thanks so much, Linda.
Stay safe.
Mamey Brown says
This is perfect! I am LOVING your room tours this week! So nice!
Claudia says
Thanks very much, Mamey!
Stay safe.
Deb in Phoenix says
What a great find! I have the same sink in my garage that I use all the time. The wood in the shed is beautiful. I too am so glad you are sharing pictures of your lovely cottage. Is there a restroom upstairs or downstairs? Can’t wait to see all of your flowers when they start coming up. Take care!
Claudia says
We have a full bath downstairs and a half bath upstairs.
Stay safe, Deb!
Vicki says
Glad you could get outside. I’ve always wanted a utility sink in the yard or garage; you just have to be careful of what goes down the drain. I rented a house once which had a utility tub next to the washer/dryer in the garage and that sink constantly got ‘stopped up’. One of the worst times was when a house painter the owner had hired, decided to wash up all his paint supplies at the end of the day, so he put big globs of paint down that tub’s drain and, well, call the plumber.
Yours seems like a well-built shed; puts mine to shame! It’s got nice wood on your interior. Built to last like everything back in the day, right?!
(Of course my BIG wish would be to ever have an actual laundry room inside my home, with counter space to fold clothes out of the dryer, a hanging rack for clothes and also to have a soaking sink for handwashing of delicate items or getting out stains on clothing, etc. And cupboards for the bottles or boxes of detergent, bleach et al. In my part of Calif and older houses here, the laundry equipment is usually in the uninsulated, dirty garages with the cars and junk. [Whose bright idea was that at mid-century, from like the 1940s and onward?] I did briefly, once, have a newer home out of state, and the laundry equipment was in a closet off the kitchen; I could fold on the kitchen island and I had the kitchen sink for washing stuff by hand. That was the bomb; just can’t beat indoor laundry! Oh, and in my last home, a little vintage cottage which is soon to be one hundred years old, we did convert a tiny room which had once been a back porch so that it could hold a washer/dryer and nothing else, but it was so tight I could barely move around in there; however, I think of all the years I was a renter and having to go to laundromats or the apartment-complex machines, and I remind myself to be grateful for my own washing machine in the years since I married!)
Claudia says
Well the shed was built about 22 years ago, so it’s actually fairly new. The guy who lived here before us built it to house his motorcycles.
And it’s a utility sink but we’re not using any water. The shed is too far away from our water supply.
Our washer and dryer are stacked and in a closet in the bathroom. Folding happens on the living room sofa. We adapt as we need to. My dream is for a mudroom, but I don’t ever see that happening.
Stay safe, Vicki.
Sherry B says
I just love a trash to treasure! A lucky find by a thoughtful guy. The shed looks clean and organized and ready for some springtime planting. Spring seems so late this year, but I potted my first geraniums today. Your green thumb will have your containers and garden beds in full bloom soon!
Claudia says
It’s SO late this year!
Stay safe, Sherry.
Roxie says
A potting bench is one of my goals. How wonderful to have all my gardening supplies in one place, Said someone who is looking fruitlessly for her expandable peat pots so she can start warm season veggies!
Your shed is a gem. Lucky girl!
Claudia says
Thanks so much, Roxie.
Stay safe.
Kay+Nickel says
Beautiful knotty pine walls in your shed. I love finding treasures by the side of the road. Sometimes I use them and sometimes I just clean them up and donate to a charity thrift store. It is amazing what people will throw away.
Claudia says
What a good idea, Kay. Clean them up and donate them!
Stay safe.