Andy T
SMF Supporter
I'm sure you've had enough of me moaning about working out in my shed 
but plans are afoot for me to come in out of the cold.
My initial plan was to build a sturdy, insulated garden/hobby room. I put it on hold when timber prices rocketed, but even now I'd be looking at the thick end of £4k to build and equip what I want, so I've been working on the missus for an alternate.
This used to be our main front room, where the tribe would gather of an evening around the magical moving picture box on the wall. However, some time ago we had a big extension to the rear of the house where we now lounge at the end of the day. That means we've hardly sat in this room for 5 years and it's just become a dumping ground for Thomas's old toys, tiles & stuff for the shower room refurbish, and airing our laundry.
By converting this to a hobby room it'll save a boat load of cash, plus I won't have an extra room outside to heat.
Negotiations have taken some time! but Zoë has eventually agreed with my plans, so it's all systems go
The idea is to have a bench along the big sofa wall, about 8 foot long, with shelves above & below for storage and display. This will be the main build desk, with an area to the left (near the door) set up for photography.
Another bench will run back along under the TV, mostly for painting, with a proper airbrush booth at the right hand side, where the extraction can go out of the bay window.
Then I'm planning some kind of gate leaf folding table, stored where the small sofa is, that can be pulled out and opened up to the regulation 44" x 60" (I think) needed for my lads wargaming on the odd occasions his mates come over (giving us back our dining table!). There'll also be some overspill storage for his hundreds of painted miniatures, and hopefully he may get into airbrushing if he hasn't got trek down to the shed.
It still means spending a few quid but it'll cost a fraction of constructing a new outbuilding and will ultimately be more comfortable. I'll keep some stuff in the existing shed like my kitchen extractor hood and 50l compressor for any really big, smelly paint jobs, or overly messy diorama work.
I'm really excited! Hopefully the sofas are going to a relative tomorrow, I need to do something about the dire lack of electrical outlets, then make a trip to Ikea for a van full of flat pack
but plans are afoot for me to come in out of the cold.My initial plan was to build a sturdy, insulated garden/hobby room. I put it on hold when timber prices rocketed, but even now I'd be looking at the thick end of £4k to build and equip what I want, so I've been working on the missus for an alternate.
This used to be our main front room, where the tribe would gather of an evening around the magical moving picture box on the wall. However, some time ago we had a big extension to the rear of the house where we now lounge at the end of the day. That means we've hardly sat in this room for 5 years and it's just become a dumping ground for Thomas's old toys, tiles & stuff for the shower room refurbish, and airing our laundry.
By converting this to a hobby room it'll save a boat load of cash, plus I won't have an extra room outside to heat.
Negotiations have taken some time! but Zoë has eventually agreed with my plans, so it's all systems go
The idea is to have a bench along the big sofa wall, about 8 foot long, with shelves above & below for storage and display. This will be the main build desk, with an area to the left (near the door) set up for photography.
Another bench will run back along under the TV, mostly for painting, with a proper airbrush booth at the right hand side, where the extraction can go out of the bay window.
Then I'm planning some kind of gate leaf folding table, stored where the small sofa is, that can be pulled out and opened up to the regulation 44" x 60" (I think) needed for my lads wargaming on the odd occasions his mates come over (giving us back our dining table!). There'll also be some overspill storage for his hundreds of painted miniatures, and hopefully he may get into airbrushing if he hasn't got trek down to the shed.
It still means spending a few quid but it'll cost a fraction of constructing a new outbuilding and will ultimately be more comfortable. I'll keep some stuff in the existing shed like my kitchen extractor hood and 50l compressor for any really big, smelly paint jobs, or overly messy diorama work.
I'm really excited! Hopefully the sofas are going to a relative tomorrow, I need to do something about the dire lack of electrical outlets, then make a trip to Ikea for a van full of flat pack
