Thursday 6 August 2015

The Bespoke Summerhouse is ready

Hello. Here we are, the post you have been waiting for, at last the bespoke summer house is finished. I have personalized it with my decorative bits and bobs for the photo's, these will be taken out and stored safely in the house tonight. It is not lockable, and I expect through the winter months some dampness will be find it's way in. At the moment the roof is not letting rain in, and because of the wide overhang the rain seems to be missing the sides as well. Please take a look around, and join me on a guided tour at the end. 













I am extremely pleased with it, chuffed to little mintballs in fact. To make something myself gives me a lot more pleasure than going to a shop and buying it. I get the same buzz from everything I make, not just this. I have the fun of sourcing the materials, picturing it in my mind, thinking of ideas, working out how all the bits fit together, making adjustments if needed, watching it grow, and when it is finished, stepping back and saying, 'I made that'. Put me on a desert island and I will build my own house.

Thanks for popping in. See ya soon. Toodle pip.

98 comments:

  1. Wowee! It turned out amazing - you are so talented Ilona! And your art looks so neat in there. Well done - I would love to have a little nest like that in my yard.

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  2. Brilliant, it's like a very grown up 'den', I loved making dens when I was growing up. It's always nice to have your very own space ... even if you have got a whole house too ;-)

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  3. It's wonderful Ilona! Unique and colourful. I would love one in my garden! x

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  4. You should be proud of yourself! Throwaway items have become a fabulous retreat.
    Jane x
    PS Were you a Womble in a past life?!

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  5. Very sweet place to rest and relax, Congratulations and greetings from ann

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  6. Totally fabulous I absolutely love it :-)

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  7. Absolutely superb and wonderful. I'm chuffed for you.
    xx

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  8. Wow! that should be on Shed of the Year! And should win! Have only just discovered your blog but love it already. Will watch your video in the morning when our internet connection is faster....

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    1. I thought of Shed of the Year too :)

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    2. I haven't heard of Shed of the Year, but certainly this would be great!

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  9. Fabulous Ilona, very well done indeed.
    You are so clever.
    Thank you for the tour, my husband and I watched it together, he was very impressed.
    Love from Pam in TX. xx

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  10. Wonderful Ilona. I wish that I had your inventive turn of mind. Miles better than my shop-bought shed.
    Best wishes
    Colin in Kent

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  11. That is just AMAZING!! It really is wonderful. You should be so proud of that. I am and I haven't even done anything! It's shame you will have to take some things inside. Is there anyway of securing it? I love all of it. It's brilliant that all the homely touches have been made by you too. Well done, megaqueen, there is certainly nothing mean about you Ilona! Xxxx

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    1. Not a single mean streak! I wish Ilona could change the name slightly.

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  12. what a lovely little summer house! I know what you mean by getting to stand back and say I made that. I love that feeling too!
    Awesome, cheerful colors too!!!!
    ~Lisa

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  13. Totally fabtastic! Love the zingy colours and all the bits and bobs. Natalie

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  14. absolutely great! What a lot of work you have put in. I hope you get some relaxing hours in your posh shed.

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  15. Fantastic summer house and lovely art - very inspirational, and just shows what you can do without spending a fortune! Well done you xxx

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  16. Hello.You have done a fantabulous job and it is SO pretty and charming and quaint!Very much enjoyed the video tour,thank you.All your art and crafts really pop despite being in such a multicoloured place.Beautiful work,and a serene place to enjoy a nice cool drink and sit back and relax.Bye the way loved that old phone,the trucks and the barley twist plant stand.Am happy for you,bye for now,D.

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  17. That is really, really fantastic! Yes I do want one. I love the way you have decorated it with your artwork and the curtain looks fabulous. Hopefully it will give you years of pleasure. You've certainly nailed it! Debbie.

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  18. That looks fantastic! Well done - brilliant work.

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  19. Better than we could have imagined, it is wonderful and so very colourful! Who would have believed that ten doors, a few pallets and a few other items could have become this!
    The people who donated their door should come and view it! Definitely worth of a magazine article. Well done indeed! It was fun seeing you build it bit by bit and then the Great Reveal! Thank you. JanF

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  20. I absolutely LOVE it. The colours are fabulous!

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  21. How cute. You are talented.

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  22. I love it and yes I want one too

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  23. Very colorful and creative. I hope you get to enjoy it for years to come and you are right to be chuffed.

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  24. Amazing summer house. I spotted the black phone as well. It is your house (land) phone and it does work right?

    I believe you could have just had about any job you wanted as you seem able to work out and solve most problems.

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    1. Hi Sandy. Yes the black phone works. It's an old phone with new innards, and a very loud ringing bell to it. I don't use it in the house though because the volume is not very loud and no way to adjust it.

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  25. hi ilona - i'm a 'lurker' who just loves your blog and never misses a day but rarely comments - everyone else seems to have already said it so much better than me. But today - well i just have to say that that's truly amazing, wonderful, etc etc - you really should have your own tv programme.
    i also love your video of Rocky in the church yard - it is so special and one day i will email you and tell you why - till then know that i am reading and enjoying every day - keep smiley and spreading the joy, only jo

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  26. That's great! Thank you for the tour :) xx

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  27. Superb, you are so clever Ilona

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  28. I absolutely love it! You should be so proud!

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  29. laura blackpool6 August 2015 at 21:55

    Amazing just amazing :O

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  30. Ilona this is absolutely stunning and as others have mentioned well worthy of a magazine article. I had doubts when you first started but the finished project is amazing. Love it, love it, love it. Well done. Kristel.

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  31. Yes Ilona, I want one too.

    Joan (Wales)

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  32. No one else could have come up with this from the materials you used. Brilliant!
    But I did expect to see more cats lolling around on those lovely cushions. X

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  33. what a brilliant end to your project. well done/ just shows what can be achieved by a determined soul on next to nothing. love the colours

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  34. LOVE IT! WELL DONE!

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  35. Absolutely fantastic, it has been so inspiring watching it being planned and constructed! Thanks for sharing it Ilona!

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  36. Totally charming, I'd imagine it would be a lovely place to sit and watch the weather change.

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  37. I love your summer house you've done a wonderful job ! AussieCheryl : )

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  38. Beautiful, wonderful, colorful, inspirational!!!!!! Makes me want to get busy:) sweet kitty too:)

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  39. From Margie in Toronto - Just wonderful Ilona - you are so talented. Love the colourful summerhouse and your artwork is gorgeous. You really should be displaying some of it at art shows - you are so talented. Congratulations, I hope you get some lovely summer weather to enjoy your little house.

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  40. I love it! I love the beautiful colors and the lovely view of the "sea." I love the landscaping with flowers. I love that you recycled items that most likely would have ended up in a landfill.

    You are so talented, Ilona.

    Today has been very stressful for me. But it is a joy to sit down and relax with your blog and watch your delightful video tour. Thank you for putting a smile on my face.

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  41. Wowie!i am blown away with how talented you are! This is so gorgeous! Love all the colours😀i would love to have this in my garden!i really enjoyed your video! Thank you!

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  42. Really amazing Ilona, you should be so proud of yourself.
    What a beautiful, relaxing little haven to while away many warm summer days or snuggling in a blanket with a warm drink when the days are colder.
    Well done ~ hope you and the little ones enjoy it for many years to come.
    BRILLIANT.

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  43. You thoroughly deserve every bit of praise from everyone. You have made it look so bright and attractive. We remember how you hunted down the doors and physically got them in place and fixed them together. No mean feat Ilona. Absolutely love all your artwork arranged inside. Lizzie mentioned Shed of the Year - we watched this recently - wish yours had been entered.
    Wendy (Wales)

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  44. You are one amazing lady, Ilona...you did a great job, and it's delightful. Thanks so much for the video to hear your voice. Maybe just a little crazy, but definitely creative. You are also the queen of hearts.

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  45. came out great!!
    love all the colors, esp. your beach out the window.
    bravo!

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  46. I as surprised how cute it is! You are very talented! Martha from Kansas

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  47. Love it! Take those cushion in during winter though to stop them getting mouldy! x

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  48. It looks so colourful, Ilona! Just love it. But come winter, won't you need a door on? Or perhaps you will bring in all the bits and pieces into the house, otherwise they might get a little damp? All the colours look amazing, and what a good idea to paint a bespoke sea view! It just shows what one can do with a bit of will power and imagination! This should go forward to the Shed of the Year competition!
    Margaret P

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    1. The pictures and cushions are all inside the house now.

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  49. Amazing , you should have your own tv show, about making from recycled materials, x

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    1. I second that thought! I`d subscribe to the Ilona Channel, lol.

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  50. Fantastical! Imagination come to life and so much fun. I love it!

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  51. I love it. It is bright and cheerful and so inviting. I recognize so many of the lovely pieces of artwork you have shown us on you blog and to see them hanging on the walls brings it all to life. You are a very clever lady and so inspirational.

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  52. Just brilliant. Thanks for the tour. Hope you enjoy many happy hours in your very special summer house.

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  53. Absolutely brilliant Ilona, you need to enter the UK Shed of the Year 2016 next year, I'm sure all us readers would love to nominate you!

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  54. You should invite people round to view this fab little house during summer time. Open house for viewing as an art installation? Just an idea. Charge a minimal fee for entrance and make a few pennies to put towards new art projects in the future, me thinks.

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  55. That's just fabulous! What a brilliant way to highlight how recycled 'junk' can be turned into something beautiful and useful :-) Definitely worthy of Shed of the Year entry

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  56. A fantastic job Ilona!!!
    It looks smashingly GOOD....you are one talented lady.
    I love how the artwork is displayed which makes it cheerful. I think the cats are going to take over soon.

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  57. Clever lady, that looks absolutely great!! Pam in Norway

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  58. Well done Ilona, when you started the build I did wonder how it would turn out, but it's wonderful! All credit to you. :o)
    Best wishes
    Rose H
    x

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  59. Beautiful and cosy too!

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  60. It looks a picture. well done you.

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  61. I thought you had surpassed yourself with the lovely hearts but this is Mega and truly Ilona! Loved the pics and the video tour (and your cheery 'Hello' again at the beginning). It's going to be a great sewing/reading/relaxing place for you. What does Rocky think of it?

    Linda xxx

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    1. Hi. He likes it, when I am in there he follows me in.

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  62. OMG!! Love it, love it, love it! Want one!!

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  63. OMG - just tremendous! Like the sort of posh pastel-painted ones you see in upmarket places like Southwold, etc. Want one!!

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  64. What a great, colorful spot you've created.

    Enjoy ~ FlowerLady

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  65. How brilliant is that! I love it. I must admit l had my reservations at first but l take my hat off to you. I should have had more faith :).
    Chris x

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  66. Love your creatively colourful summer house! It's so bright, so cozy and cheery. I know you will enjoy many happy hours in there, surrounded by your lovely artwork! Nanny Anny in Canada

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  67. Amazing piece of work! Quintessential english, that's exactly what I like about this country. Well done Ilona!

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  68. Beautiful! I admit when you first started with the doors, I wasn't sure how you were going to pull it off. But you did a wonderful job! Enjoy your summerhouse!

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  69. I admit I had my doubts when you started--but it's adorable!

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  70. Amazing! Well done. Love it x

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  71. Fab fab, fab. Love the colours and art work. Your lovely summer house is a piece of art in it's own right. Like your "Muriel" too.

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  72. To be honest when you started this project , I really thought ,frugality without style , Now you have style , Its beautiful such an amazing space , Well Done xxx

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  73. What a happy and colourful summerhouse , I love it and wish I had one with all the bits and bobs .

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  74. That is so clever! Love it! I want one!!

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  75. I love your amazing new space I too love making things rather than buying them, love the fact you have filled it with your art. Fabulous.

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  76. You need to enter this for Channel 4s Shed of the year, it's a worthy winner.
    X

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  77. I have been trying to imagine how you have been feeling the last few days. Imagine if you could bottle that joyous feeling and send everyone a sample. Why? We could all move mountains. I can't think of the words to tell you how much you have brightened your world, except to say " well done!!! "

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  78. Amazing! Like living in a fairy tale isn't it?

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  79. Love it! It's so cheerful and bright - it really lifts the spirits especially knowing that it's all recycled and built with solo girl power! Well done!

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