Pages

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.

    ReplyDelete
  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 ;-)

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

    ReplyDelete
  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?!

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

    ReplyDelete
  6. Totally fabulous I absolutely love it :-)

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

    ReplyDelete
  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....

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

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

      Delete
  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

    ReplyDelete
  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

    ReplyDelete
  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

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

      Delete
  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

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

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

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

    ReplyDelete
  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.

    ReplyDelete
  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.

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

    ReplyDelete
  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

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

    ReplyDelete
  21. How cute. You are talented.

    ReplyDelete
  22. I love it and yes I want one too

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

    ReplyDelete
  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.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    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.

      Delete
  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

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

    ReplyDelete
  27. Superb, you are so clever Ilona

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

    ReplyDelete
  29. laura blackpool6 August 2015 at 21:55

    Amazing just amazing :O

    ReplyDelete
  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.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Yes Ilona, I want one too.

    Joan (Wales)

    ReplyDelete
  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

    ReplyDelete
  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

    ReplyDelete
  34. LOVE IT! WELL DONE!

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

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

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

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

    ReplyDelete
  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.

    ReplyDelete
  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.

    ReplyDelete
  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!

    ReplyDelete
  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.

    ReplyDelete
  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)

    ReplyDelete
  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.

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

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

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

    ReplyDelete
  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

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

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

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

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

    ReplyDelete
  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.

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

    ReplyDelete
  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!

    ReplyDelete
  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.

    ReplyDelete
  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

    ReplyDelete
  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.

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

    ReplyDelete
  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

    ReplyDelete
  59. Beautiful and cosy too!

    ReplyDelete
  60. It looks a picture. well done you.

    ReplyDelete
  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

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

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

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

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

    Enjoy ~ FlowerLady

    ReplyDelete
  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

    ReplyDelete
  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

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

    ReplyDelete
  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!

    ReplyDelete

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

    ReplyDelete
  70. Amazing! Well done. Love it x

    ReplyDelete
  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.

    ReplyDelete
  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

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

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

    ReplyDelete
  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.

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

    ReplyDelete
  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!!! "

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

    ReplyDelete
  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!

    ReplyDelete

Comments will be published after my approval.