Phew, what a busy few months it’s been! I’ve had a lot going on, but the most exciting project of all has been setting up my own garden office and craft room.

It’s taken a long time, and a lot of hard work, but I’m finally in!

We only have quite a small garden, so we decided that the office should live in one corner, up against our fences. Once we’d made this key decision, we had to find the right building for the job. We finally settled on this corner summerhouse from BillyOh.

I loved the two sets of doors and the big windows – light is so important in a craft room, so I didn’t want to get this one wrong. Most traditional sheds would not have met my needs on this front. I’m really delighted with this choice – it’s created a great space.

The only problem was – the chosen summerhouse came as a flat pack! We had a massive DIY project on our hands.

First things first – the old shed had to come down.

This was when we noticed we had an unexpected massive slab of concrete to break through – that was a “challenge”! Surprise concrete removed, we had the foundations of an outbuilding we’d never met.

Well, Poppy had a new play area too.

Next step was getting the area leveled – more concrete! Once this was done, we had a nice flat surface and laid the floor.

Floor down, on went the walls.

And then we tackled the roof (quickly – look at that rain-filled sky!).

As I’m having my sewing machine, a coffee machine, a radio and an anti-spider plug in the office (all definitely essential items!), we had to run electricity up the garden. To save money, we dug our own trench for the cable.

Next up – insulation and hardboard. I chose a pegboard instead of a hardboard for the back wall, so that I can finally achieve my dream of a yarn-covered pegboard wall!

And then I moved in!!

I started moving the small bits in before Mr Elsie Pop woke up – and I remembered how much I loved each piece I’d chosen – right down to the gold bin!

Bin – Habitat

Storage unit – Ikea

Side tables – amazing charity shop find

Pegboard wall – just exciting!

Chair – Ikea

Throw – Oliver Bonas (in the sale so be quick!)

Sideboard – charity shop find

Mirror ball – wedding leftovers

Radio – John Lewis

Star light – Home Bargains (living up to its name with a £10 price tag!)

The pegboard wall is so much fun – I’ve used all my pegs already, so I need to get a few more.

I’ve just taken delivery of my rug, which has made the room feel even cosier.

Rug – Made

Cushion – Made

I had been after the Hilver desk from Ikea for a long time – I’ve now given the Mr my old desk and got myself this bamboo beauty! It almost fits my knitting machine and my sewing machine side by side… almost. I’ll take almost.

And my last frivolous purchase. I’ve developed a thing for fancy light bulbs, and as soon as I saw the Plumen, it had to be mine.

I think that’s my office tour complete!

Moving in was such a big deal after that much work, we had some office drinks on my first night in.

Cheers!

Elsie Pop xx