toverly

I have two friends with special buildings for their sewing centers. I think it would be awesome to have all that storage and fabrics contained. Here in our county, as long as you don't have a bathroom in it, it isn't taxable. It's a shed. If you do decide to go that route, take my dads advice. When my husband was building his shed in the backyard, my dad happened to call and he told him. "No matter what size you are building, double it." Oh, how later my husband wished he had listened. He always wished he had doubled it.

KalamaQuilts

tropit, you may living where not have winterizing or summerizing is a considration? When you add power, toilet, and insulation needs the cost is considerable for what you are considering. Enough that it might be a lot more practical to sell what you have and get what you need.
When you say 'your cabin' I picture somewhere rural without a lot of zoning restrictions. I that case if you love where you are I too would consider a well maintained small RV trailer. I've been in a couple repurposed to hobby rooms and they are cute as a bugs ear.
I saw this one in Colorado and could have hugged it right into my own driveway And there is a traveling quilter who uses an RV to go and sell at shows.

tropit

Thanks everyone. I do live out in the country and I am able to build a, "utility shed," without a permit, so that's not a problem. My husband is also a builder by trade. He just doesn't want to build it for me. However, my son has been staying with us and he's giving me a little sympathy on this topic, so the DH is starting to give in. (I know...family politics...they're a pain, but sometimes ya gotta do watcha gotta do.) The hubby suddenly just mentioned that he had some old windows that might be good for this project...and maybe some old redwood lumber too that he has saved up. Oh, and he also remembered that leftover metal roofing that he has saved above the chicken coop. Yes!!!

I don't need anything fancy for my shed/greenhouse. It can be quirky and cottagy, all pieced together with old stuff. I'll just grow some vines over the shed part to hide the flaws and put lots of beautiful plants in the greenhouse. It could be adorable! I've been snooping around Craigslist for free materials for the project.

I do like the idea of making it twice as big as I plan, but unfortunately, I have limited space on the plot where I intend to put it. It's going to have to be kind of small. Still, it's better than what I have now. I won't need to tie into the septic with the envirolet and there is a water spigot right at the site for the greenhouse. As for electricity, I'll splurge and get a small solar set-up. I might be able to find that used too. We have an old, woodburning stove that I can use for heat in the winter. Summer...I'll just open the windows. (Our entire property is entirely off the grid, so these things are no big deal to us.)

I'd really like to put a nice, long lap pool in front of the shed, but that is definitely out of the range of our budget. Gosh, it's fun to plan!

~ C

tropit

KalamaQuilts...that trailer is so sweeeet! I love the sunflowers painted on it!

~ C

QuiltE

Gotta love it when a plan comes together!!!!!!
And don't give up on that lap pool ........ gently keep the idea in front of your DH and that wonderful enabling DS might just help it come together, sometime down the road.

Keep in mind that you can always go upppp!!

tropit

Yes, I totally agree! I have been mentioning the lap pool...to my son, that is, with the DH close by, listening.

I could go up, but I'm worried that as I get older and older, those stairs will not be so easy to climb.

~ C

QuiltE

You've got the men-folk thinking about it. Now they can keep their eyes open for ideas for the how-to's and snag things they will need to make it happen. First the She Shed!!! Then with all your praises to them with that accomplishment, they'll be going to extremes to please you even further.

Agree, the stairs could be a future impediment ... heck, they have the know-how to put in an elevator for you! Besides, it would take less room than stairs, being straight up instead of an angle!!!

Onetomatoplant

Same here! I set my quilting room up in our basement but ended up moving it to our spare bedroom (we’re in a ranch house) because I wanted to be near my husband and our pets. I sacrificed space, but I love it and I sew more.

tropit

An elevator! Now....that's an idea! LOL!

~ C

tropit

I particularly like this shed: http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9OO4nfSajL...ic+cottage.jpg But, I'd put some vines on it.

The entire blog is devoted to funky she sheds. Fun!

~ C