Tool Shed Updates

Posted by James on July 23, 2013

Posted in: New Home. Tagged: Tool Shed. 133 Comments

Right after we moved in to the Cavender house Jamie found this A-dor-able little tool shed online.

It wasn’t very expensive, even with shipping.

I’ve looked all over the internet and can’t find any for sale, so I’m assuming they don’t offer them any more.

It’s pretty cute is all you own is a small push mower, a bag of potting soil, a few terra-cotta pots, and a bird feeder. It’s 5 feet wide, 5 feet high and 28 inches deep.

We have real stuff to store…..

There’s a weird inefficient layout to the inside.

2 odd corner shelves, probably to stabilize the beast, and a small 2 shelf build-up taking up valuable floor space on the left.

I removed the odd shelves inside and attached 2 2 X 4’s across the back. One along the floor and another about eye level.

Stabilizing problem solved.

Now it seems to hold much, much more…….Even our wheel barrow.

I hung 2 Ikea Bygel hang bars on the right side. I think they are designed for kitchens. All our small tools and soaker hose are hooked on S-hooks.

On the left side we hung a plastic Rationell Variera storage bin, also from Ikea. This one holds winter cover-ups and fertilizer. Two small hooks underneath hold the pruning shears right where we need them.

Now for the outside…

Remember all the cedar slats I pulled from the old gates? Of course you do, it’s nicely weathered now.

Well, I planked the sides of our shed with it.

See how the side of the tool shed now mimics the lines of the horizontal fence….

Pretty clever, Am i right?

The old latch had some “design issues” so we slapped on a hook & eye combo and 2 new handles as well…….

A few more cedar trim pieces and some russet stain….

Now to replace that horrible asphalt roof….with something with a little more character.

Just you wait people…..

Ohhh, just you wait,

133 comments on “Tool Shed Updates”

Jesse on July 23, 2013 at 9:25 PM said:

OMG twinsies! I use those IKEA bars for EVERYTHING.. I love them (and the price!) great lookin shed boys! I’m jealous.. We need major sheds up in here. I love how you put the plants around it to make it look nice even though it’s a shed, SO MANY people just don’t get that! ya know? Even storage can look GOOD, right!? Oh, and btw… I think in your last picture I see a sneak peak of what roof you’re puttin on there.. .maybe? I love the corrugated if so 😉

Reply
- James on July 23, 2013 at 9:47 PM said:
  
  You got us Jesse, it is corrugatd tin…I didn’t have an in-between projects pic. We just get carried away sometimes and forget.
  
  Reply
Vickie H. on July 23, 2013 at 9:34 PM said:

You have really jazzed that bad boy UP!! Nice work!! Hope it is nice & secure…..I can’t recall if it is open to the street or not…. I’d be SICK if thieves decided to tear the doors down to get inside & make off with your tools after all your hard work….! Love these DIY posts!!! Y’all inspire me!!!

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- James on July 23, 2013 at 9:50 PM said:
  
  I’d thought about break-ins too. That fence is like a ladder isn’t it? The shed doesn’t really lock now but there isn’t much we would miss….AND we have a Doberman.
  
  Reply
Amber on July 23, 2013 at 10:05 PM said:

For the roof… Have you seen the aluminum can shingles? I think the look of something like that would be really nice.

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- James on July 23, 2013 at 10:23 PM said:
  
  Sounds awesome, are they recycled? I love the idea of smashed coke cans as shingles…….
  
  Reply
  - Amber on September 27, 2013 at 1:51 PM said:
    
    Best way to get them…
  - Amber on September 27, 2013 at 1:52 PM said:
    
    http://www.instructables.com/id/Make-Shingles-and-Siding-Out-of-Aluminum-Cans-Bee/#
  - James on September 28, 2013 at 2:55 AM said:
    
    Amber, that is pure coolness, wish I was building a chicken coop, (Ohh how I wish), but may make a dog house someday……I should start drinking beer in cans right now.
  - Amber on October 3, 2013 at 11:58 AM said:
    
    I desperately want to build a gazebo with it (I LOVE the sound of rain on a tin roof!) but there is nowhere in my yard it would work for.
    
    Soda cans work too. I plan to draft hordes of children to get enough cans when I can build my gazebo.
  - James on October 4, 2013 at 12:18 PM said:
    
    Love the sound of rain on a tin roof too, plan to cover the house roof with tin, when we finally need it.
Benetha Sheets on July 23, 2013 at 10:47 PM said:

Awesome shed, functional and stylish. Who’d thought a tool shed could serve as such a win win? Thanks for sharing with us.

Reply
- Benetha Sheets on July 23, 2013 at 10:49 PM said:
  
  Meant to ask, what is the galvanized bucket in front of the container with the post hole digger? Looks like an old fishing bait bucket? Whatever it is, me likes.
  
  Reply
  - James on July 24, 2013 at 9:08 PM said:
    
    It is a minnow bucket…you have good eyes. I’ll buy anything galvanized…and it looks cool on the kitchen table full of red roses and evergreens at Christmas.
Dianne on July 24, 2013 at 1:26 PM said:

I can’t believe I’m going to say AWESOME JOB about a tool shed-but I just have to! You may have inspired me to go ahead with putting one in our yard and freeing up some garage space! And I think you could free up even more floor space with some wall hangers/hooks on the inside for those long-handled tools. I spied the great roof update in the photo as well. AWE-SOME!!

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- James on July 24, 2013 at 9:07 PM said:
  
  We love the style…could even translate to a dog house…or chicken coop.
  
  Reply
cardinalkay64 on July 24, 2013 at 2:23 PM said:

We had the same, exact shed at our former house. It was $500-ish, wasn’t it? I am going to borrow your idea for the latch + handles on our yet-to-be-completed garden shed. Always remember: imitation = flattery.

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- James on July 24, 2013 at 9:06 PM said:
  
  We had issues with the old latch….as the shed moved, it didn’t. It took a large amount of force to open/close. Borrow away.
  
  Reply
hornetsphoto on July 26, 2013 at 3:43 AM said:

I know you said it’s no longer available, but where did you originally get the shed?

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- James on July 26, 2013 at 7:47 AM said:
  
  Pretty sure it was from Skymall, I think Jamie saw it while sitting on a plane
  
  Reply
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Karen Stackhouse on August 26, 2013 at 1:16 PM said:

Brookstone did carry them http://shopping.yahoo.com/817129364-solid-wood-outdoor-tool-storage-sheds/ – but you’re right, they don’t anymore. They were also available at Costco at some point. If someone is looking they have a similar shed here, different wood and the roof slants away from the door… but pretty much the same otherwise. http://www.diamondresource.net/index.php?page=products-outdoor-shed Hope that helps!

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- James on August 26, 2013 at 4:52 PM said:
  
  Great, thanks Karen….I’ve always thought that our roof slants the wrong way, so that’s much improved
  
  Reply
  - Ms. Nash on March 17, 2014 at 10:13 PM said:
    
    You definitely want the roof slanting the way it is if you have the shed pushed up next to a structure. If it is slanted the opposite way all the moisture that lands on it will drain towards the house and do damage.
karen j cosme on September 16, 2013 at 2:16 PM said:

i had looked into building one a month or so ago…thought i had a link to a websit, handyman or something. here is something similar: http://www.wayfair.com/Leisure-Season-Wood-Lean-To-Shed-MSS6602-LSV1001.html if anyone is still interested.

Reply
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Donna Williams on April 17, 2014 at 10:35 AM said:

Worked on my potting area yesterday and invisioned this very Shed!!!! Where did you get it and I love all of the wonderful things you have added to it. Plan to make all of your ideas my own as soon as you soon as you relinquish your source!
Donna Williams, Columbia, SC

Reply
- James on April 17, 2014 at 10:57 AM said:
  
  Hi Donna! Jamie found this shed in the Skymall catalog on an airplane, it was a few years ago and they don’t make this exact one anymore 😦 But if you Google there are several similar ones available online now…….
  
  Reply
  - Donna Williams on April 17, 2014 at 5:43 PM said:
    
    Thanks James, I actuallly started digging and found a great one on Wayfare. I have ordered from them before and they seem to stand by their products. We have recently moved into a 1958 home on a small lake. This year we completed a huge kitchen renovation and yard project. I an ready to get my garden going again after a full year off. I am enjoying your Blog! Happy Easter or Pass Over Anyway, have a Blessed Day!
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humptydumptymuralmagic on July 6, 2014 at 10:18 AM said:

Thanks for stopping by my blog. I am deeply flattered that you found the content worth following. I hope that I can continue to inspire you.
I also want to say that your site is beautiful.

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- James on July 6, 2014 at 10:29 AM said:
  
  Aw thanks…(blush)..I’m a set designer for a living and can learn quite a bit from your site. I’m always looking for new inspiration. 🙂
  
  Reply
CORONAEX on July 8, 2014 at 11:48 AM said:

I AM LOVING THIS SHED…….AND WOULD SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME WHERE TO FIND IT OR WHERE TO BUY IT. THANK YOU!

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- James on July 8, 2014 at 1:09 PM said:
  
  Jamie found this shed in a Skymall catalog about 4 years ago, I’ve looked everywhere for them and sadly they aren’t producing the same one anymore. Sorry, that I can’t be of more help……
  
  Reply
- Danielle on July 10, 2014 at 1:49 PM said:
  
  http://www.wayfair.com/Leisure-Season-Wood-Lean-To-Shed-MSS6602-LSV1001.html
  
  Reply
Danielle on July 10, 2014 at 1:49 PM said:

LOVE this shed! I have a small backyard and this summer I am starting to completely change everything up. Tearing down the old broken down shed and figured I would just not have one. I don’t like the look of having a shed hanging out by itself in the corner of my yard. So I was thrilled to see this! Its perfect. But then after reading I was sad to hear it was no longer available. Then 2 of your followers said that they found it at Wayfair! I was going to order it next year but I don’t want to miss out. I am totally adding the corrugated roof. Love it! Thanks for sharing!

Here’s the link…
http://www.wayfair.com/Leisure-Season-Wood-Lean-To-Shed-MSS6602-LSV1001.html

Reply
- James on July 10, 2014 at 7:09 PM said:
  
  Thanks for the link!!!! Ours is perfect, wish we had 2 of them now…we could clear the garage out even more…hhhmmm?
  
  Reply
Dee on August 30, 2014 at 10:34 AM said:

What color and what brand stain did you use?

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- James on August 30, 2014 at 11:00 AM said:
  
  Hi Dee…..detailed all that in this post here….https://thecavenderdiary.com/2013/08/17/the-cavender-paint-colors/
  
  Reply
Beachnut66 on September 7, 2014 at 10:50 PM said:

We bought ours for extra saddles and horse tack supplies. It hasn’t held up very well. As the tongue and grove dried in summer it has created openings between all the boards running vertically on the door. Such and bummer, plus the water drains off the roof onto the doors creating mildew streams both inside the doors and out. Any ideas on how I can improve the openings between the boards on the front? I like your idea of handles and a different latch on the front. Ours never quite lined up right even when level. Currently we are using twine. Way paid over $400 from Brookstone

Reply
Tanya on March 26, 2015 at 4:08 PM said:

Love your energy, your organization and thoughtful designs! I was able to locate the shed you purchased or one very much like it from Amazon approx $578 and free shipping. The brand was Leisure Season.
Thanks!

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- James on March 26, 2015 at 6:41 PM said:
  
  Thanks Tanya……I’ll find it on Amazon and link it on the post…….we get A LOT of questions about where to buy one.
  
  Reply
manley02 on April 7, 2015 at 8:51 PM said:

do you have the plans for the tool shed? I would love for my husband to build me one.

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- James on April 8, 2015 at 6:57 AM said:
  
  Sorry they don’t make them anymore….but another reader found a similar one on Amazon
  
  Reply
Edgardo Vásquez on May 18, 2015 at 9:06 PM said:

Hello, can you help me, these sheed is wonderfull, héroe in my country never sow before. Do you know how can you help me to build one these?

Reply
- James on May 27, 2015 at 7:57 AM said:
  
  I don’t know how to build them, we bought it as a kit.
  
  Reply
maryshade on May 27, 2015 at 7:27 AM said:

We’re in the process of building a shed like yours. I went into Pinterest to look for some ideas as to how what kind of siding to use. I found yours and absolutely love it! Where did you get the Russet stain and Redwood siding?

Reply
- James on May 27, 2015 at 7:56 AM said:
  
  Hi Mary, we get most of our home improvement supplies at Home Depot. If you live in the US, I’m sure there is something similar near you…..
  
  Reply
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Paulette Blunck on October 14, 2015 at 3:51 PM said:

How much did this shed cost and do you deliver? Lol.

Reply
- James on October 21, 2015 at 7:26 AM said:
  
  LOL, I wish we had a garage full of them. People ask for them all the time…..
  
  Reply
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Karen on April 29, 2016 at 6:33 PM said:

Love it! A metal roof would give it some added character.

Reply
- James on April 30, 2016 at 9:44 AM said:
  
  Thanks Karen, We thought so too.
  
  Reply
Piper on May 24, 2016 at 2:19 PM said:

I love your shed! What color stain dos you use on it? Love the contrast with the black hardware!!!

Reply
Piper on May 24, 2016 at 2:23 PM said:

I don’t know if my comment went through, but I was asking about the stain color that you used on the shed. It looks great with the hardware! Also, did you do a polyurethane top coat or a dealer of some sort? Love your design!!!!

Reply
- James on May 24, 2016 at 2:44 PM said:
  
  Hi Piper, our stain color is Russet from Hone Depot. Here’s the trick though. I had them only mix 25% of the colorant so it’s kinda light and let’s the wood grain show through. Glad you like it. Best of luck!
  
  Reply
  - Piper on May 25, 2016 at 10:16 AM said:
    
    Is that Home Depot brand or Minwax etc? I love the color and the design! Thank you so much for your help!
  - Piper on May 25, 2016 at 10:18 AM said:
    
    I found it! Behr brand! Thank you a bunch!
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Millie Little on June 14, 2016 at 3:55 PM said:

we ordered one and the boards did not match up and my husband called and the company offered no help at all. He had to purchase lumber to build the shed correctly and had to add additional stabilizibing boards to make it sturdy enough to stand on its own. The roof did not fit correctly and my husband had to alter it to fit. After a couple of years it srarted falling apart – and is now in total disarray. Would never purchase another one – would be easier to build from scratch.

Reply
- James on June 14, 2016 at 5:38 PM said:
  
  Millie, I’m sorry. That’s probably why they stopped making them. I rebuilt mine and its held up pretty nicely…
  
  Reply
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Penny on July 17, 2017 at 1:44 PM said:

So, not too spend, BUT WHERE DID YOU BUY IT????????

Reply
- James on July 17, 2017 at 8:44 PM said:
  
  Penny, it came from a Skymall catalog 7 years ago. Sorry that they don’t make them anymore.
  
  Reply
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Margaret on August 11, 2017 at 7:55 AM said:

This is a perfect size behind a chimney – Do you know what stain you used?

Reply
- James on August 21, 2017 at 9:05 PM said:
  
  We used a russet colored stain from Home Depot…but it only has 1/4 of the colorant so the wood comes through a little more than usual….
  
  Reply
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Dana fryman on March 14, 2018 at 2:46 PM said:

Where do you find russet stain? Is this stain a certain brand? I am looking for something for my cedar shutters

Reply
- James on March 21, 2018 at 8:03 AM said:
  
  Hi Dana, “Russet” is the name of the color…pretty sure it was Behr stain from Home Depot….pretty sure
  
  Reply
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Ann B Cinderey on September 5, 2018 at 1:00 PM said:

We own the same exact shed that you refurbished and I was so inspired by what you did! My husband is now following your guidance on your blog and our refurbished shed is taking shape. I did have a question for you – where did you find the scalloped trim for the roof of the shed? I’ve looked on the internet and haven’t had much luck finding it. Any advice would be appreciated! And thank you for your creative ideas. Love them.

Reply
- James on September 9, 2018 at 9:02 AM said:
  
  Hi Ann, so glad we could inspire you. Our shed is just the right size for all the yard tools I don’t want to see in the garage. As far as that scalloped detail…..it’s just the trim for holding the metal roof in place. Nothing fancy. Pretty sure they sell it in the same area of the hardware store as the sheet metal. Hope this helps….and we’d love to see pics of your finished shed!
  
  Reply
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Jay on September 21, 2019 at 3:51 PM said:

What brand of “russet” stain did you use?

Reply
- James on September 21, 2019 at 5:16 PM said:
  
  Behr at Home Depot
  
  Reply
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Nikki blackburn on February 15, 2020 at 9:29 PM said:

Hello! I saw on Pinterest that you sell this as a kit. Is it true? If yes, how much does it cost and can you send it to Southern California? I need a storage shed for our outdoor furniture cushions!

Thanks! ~Nikki

Reply
- James on February 16, 2020 at 10:50 AM said:
  
  Hi Nikki, I certainly hope Pinterest isn’t telling people that! We bought that shed from an American Way magazine about 10 years ago…… sorry, but they don’t sell them anymore. And we never did. 😐
  
  Reply
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SCOTT M ZAWADZKI on May 14, 2020 at 8:20 AM said:

What color stain did you use on the shed?

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SCOTT M ZAWADZKI on May 14, 2020 at 8:25 AM said:

Nevermind…..I think I found my answer….Behr @ Home Depot…Russet @ 25% colorant….correct?

Reply
- James on May 21, 2020 at 10:53 AM said:
  
  Hi Scott, Yupp Russet, 25%… Sorry I’m so late to respond.
  
  Reply
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Joann Cummins on October 19, 2020 at 6:13 PM said:

What is the size of this shed?

Reply
- James on November 2, 2020 at 2:26 PM said:
  
  Hi Joann, it was about 30” deep and maybe 5’ tall. Rebuilt it last summer.
  
  Reply
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Katy Baron on June 27, 2022 at 9:16 AM said:

Hi,
I’m interested in buying your tool shed.
Please could you tell me how much it costs?
Kind regard
Katy

Reply
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