Kid's garden mansion (picture heavy)

[dewi]

Combination of things came together one weekend that led to me building the kids a garden mansion.

1. Started out with chopping a huge limb from a tree in the garden. I didn't realise it would leave such a large area of clear ground.
2. Being a known hoarder, people often tell me about quantities of concrete flags, timber or just about anything that they think I might want. Over a few days I happened to get lots and lots of used timber and I had some roofing felt left over and a raft of other stuff.
3. I'd taken the kids out to buy some plant pots. They'd spotted a playhouse, wanted one and after seeing the price tag I hatched a cunning plan.

First of all this thing would need a base...

With a nice solid base down and bit of decking at the front, the stick build began...

It was around about this time that I kind of realised I was building something large... might sound daft, but I'd been building away not thinking how to cover it, so I went out and grabbed some tongue and groove...

By the time darkness fell, everyone seemed rather pleased with it so far...

So that is as far as it goes up to now. It has two floors to it, so this year I'm adding in a staircase and cladding the inside... then its furniture time. Looking forward to building some furniture.

 

[Mesquite]

I they're going to love having that to play in

 

[sunndog]

Awsome stuff, pair of lucky kids there fella, i think my "den" was a couple of old tea chests i'd dragged into a corner when i was that sort of age

 

[GGTBod]

Awesome, the only thing your kids are gonna hate about that is when they get too big to play in it

 

[SGL70]

Wow...

 

[Toddy]

My Dad built me one over forty years ago
Your kids will have great memories of this one

Nice one Dad

M

 

[Disco1]

Amazing I bet they love it.

 

[Jack Bounder]

That's great.

 

[dewi]

Thank you

You can probably tell by the piccies... the kids were moving toys in long before I got the walls finished.

The current request list is for a carpeted bedroom upstairs and a bench for downstairs... oh, and my daughter wants a sandbox and a planter outside next to the deck... so I have a busy summer ahead.

When this is all finished I've already been told by my youngest son that a go-kart style thingy with a real engine would be good... they don't want much!! Saying that, I have half a dozen pallets that are begging to be turned into a swing.

 

[Toddy]

I grew up knowing my Dad could build anything

I think it's good for kids; we don't see obstacles, or 'you can't do this', we see problems to be worked through, and practical application of skill. Soak it up like a sponge at that age
Good stuff

M

 

[badoosh]

Very lucky kids.
It looks just right too,fits your garden nicely.
You definetly deserve a pat on the back..

 

[dewi]

I love building stuff... my most recent was a chicken coop... decided to build a small one, it is now 7ft high, 10ft long and 6 ft wide... can't help myself.

Kids love joining in (although the eldest has a whinge every now and then) and they have big smiles that spurs me on to build more and more.

My other half is a ceramic artist, but she does woodwork and metalwork as well, so the kids get to see us making all sorts of weird and wonderful things.

Attentions have turned more to outdoor activities like camping since we bought a bell tent... amazing bit of kit, but we camp on organised campsites... not really wild enough for me... I want to be in the sticks with a real fire and no noisy neighbours.

 

[Qwerty]

Brilliant, well done and thanks for sharing!

 

[sandbender]

That is fabulous!

 

[British Red]

Very professional, I've seen professional chippies do a lot worse!

 

[Yorkshirewanderer]

That looks amazing!! well done

 

[Alan 13~7]

wow.... never mind the kids I could live in that... superb build!

 

[woodspirits]

Toddy is right, these sort of childhood memories will endure. when my children were little i clad my build in half round logs! i noticed your secret cellar too!

 

[Tony]

Great build and way better than what you would have bought...

 

[Goatboy]

An excellent play house. The kids must be really made up with that. Looks better than some of the houses I've lived in.
Cheers for sharing.
GB