How It All Began
In the winter of 2018, I started craving warm weather breezes and dreaming about an indoor/outdoor playspace. My FEMA-complaint home, built in 2016, had no basement but was built 12 feet above ground level with a large garage and fair amount of storage with the home's footprint. Originally, the area was dark and gray and used much like a basement or attic; that is, filled with plastic tubs of holiday decor, various sporting goods and a few bins of unknown content and origin.
One day, the decorating juices started flowing. My idea was to create a three-season room that opened up to the backyard and extended the outdoor entertaining area. Suddenly, my loggia/she-shed/teen cave was born!
Step by Arduous Step
The first task involved painting the plain, cement floors a light gray. Naturally, one coat was not enough, so even my first step took more effort than expected. Then I bought 8-foot sheets of waterproof plastic boards to create faux interior walls. The real fun began when I decided to build my own barn doors. Not one, not two, but three of them! One to access to the garage and a set of double doors to open to the backyard. Luckily I started this project in the dead of winter because given my lack of free time, it was going to take me many months to complete.
Just google 'DIY Barn Door videos' and you are bound to find many ways to create your own custom door. Of course you can also purchase them from various sources, including big box home improvements stores and Etsy. I will say, my DIY versions saved me hundreds of dollars per door and were a lot more fun than I expected, especially with help from my handy son.
The Home Stretch
I added a handmade wooden counter and some metal stools for extra seating. Ordering the rest of the indoor/outdoor furniture and lighting from places like Wayfair and Target was quite simple.
Soon all that was left was to wait for warmer spring weather to create the new garden for visual interest and a nice indoor/outdoor transition.
Looking Back (and Ahead)
I must admit, this project turned into a much greater endeavor than I originally conceived (doesn't that always happen?) But with a large flat screen TV and ping pong table now in place, it truly serves it's purpose for lots of indoor/outdoor fun. The only thing missing, I began thinking, was a hot tub...but that's a story for another blog!
DIY hot tub planning below:
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