Set the Controls to Random!

"I am and always will be the optimist. The hoper of far-flung hopes and the dreamer of improbable dreams." The Eleventh Doctor The Almost People

Here it is mid-October and I started this the last day of July. I still have a ways to go, but the time I have spent building this has been quite a journey. I realize that borders on cliche, but it is what it is...I spend as much time thinking about where this 'box' will take me as I do swinging a hammer.

I can visualize my trip, I can ruminate on it, but I have a hard time writing about it, here, in this blog. I'm thinking this blog is harder to write than the studio is to build!? However.....

Here is the progress thus far:

walls

windows

doors

more windows

Dormers

Rafters

Lofts

Views

Phews

Me

My design add-ons (the windows and dormers) were certainly challenging, to say the least. I would like to say that I am taking my time, but truth be told this is hard work and my learning curve is....steep, Mt. Everest steep. It's really a great experience, you should try it! (I'm being snarky right now).

A Brief History - The Actual vs. The Imagined

The actual design of the shed:

This is the shed I ordered from Costco online.

As I mentioned, I am constructing this with the intention of re-building it on a trailer, so I have to forgo the actual instructions that came with the shed and figure out how I need to build the panels so they can be disassembled and re-assembled, relatively easy.

I have also added a few design elements; windows and dormers. I have reconfigured the door; it will now be on the 12' side, rather than the 8' side. And of course, the interior will be a living/creating space, rather than storage.

I purchased 4 48" x 48" aluminum windows, for $100, on Craigslist. Having never installed, or framed a window, I believed this to be one of my greatest challenges, and greatest achievements. Thus far, it has.

I will be painting the studio a sand/light brown color with soft white trim, rather than the red.

So this is a picture of the actual, now on to my vision.....

Start at the Beginning or The Foundation.

August 1st 2013

While awaiting the arrival of my shed, I spent many a day marking up the brick patio (?) trying to decide on the best spot for the shed to rest (until I put it on a trailer). I lay the blocks and asphalt shingles, the 4 x 4 lumber, leveled and re-leveled, and waited for this day (looking at the picture, I realize, it doesn't look very level, take my word for it....it is).

The day after hauling all the lumber to the backyard I was able to finally begin building. Keep in mind, I've always wanted to build my own house, and I've never built a house before. The biggest thing I've ever attempted, thus far, had been a flight of stairs that led to an apartment above a garage. I feel very confident that I can build this house on wheels, however, I knew there would be a learning curve that could affect the soundness of my time-machine.....onward and upward I go!

Joist Hangers - I am building this so I can disassemble it when I put it on the trailer. So I'm using connectors where I can. Plus, joist hangers are a good idea, anyway.

If you follow the sun in the pictures, you can see how long it's taking me to get through each phase. Also, I have a tendency to stop and 'look' way too much.

There. I finished the floor, sub-floor....Miller-Time (actually, Michelob Ultra Lite time).

It's Bigger on the Inside.

July 31st 2013.

It's arrived! My pre-cut shed (Stockton 8' x 12' Wood Storage Shed - Costco online) was delivered this morning, 1,100 lbs. of wood and nails all ready for me to lug to the backyard, Just me....by myself....did I say lug? I meant Ugh!!!! But I did it, in just over an hour, piece by piece.