Reno Diaries: Making Space for a Wood Store

In the words of Alanis Morisette, “isn’t it ironic?” that on one of the warmest September afternoons I can remember, we were busy in the garden making space to put a log store for our wood-burning stove! I did actually start the day in jeans, wellies, 2 layers and a body warmer and by 3pm it had all been swapped out for shorts and flip-flops.

Our beautiful wood-burner was installed earlier this year and now its approaching the colder months I can’t wait to use it. We still have a last few bits and bobs to finish up before it’s ready and deciding where to put a log shed was one of those. It also gave me the opportunity to get back to my mini weekly projects too, I’ve really missed doing things around the house lately.

the space

We decided to make room along the fence next to our patio doors from the dining room – it’s out of the way but easy to get access to without needing to venture too far outside and is a good space. We have a fairly big patio, the round table in the picture above seats 4 and we can fit at least 10 of them into the area.

The only problem was that half of the fence was covered in some fairly resilient ivy and three quarters of it has been painted – badly – in a sort of dark maroon colour (I do have to apologise about the photos, I’m normally so pressed for time that taking beautiful shots and thinking it all through doesn’t come first!)

ivy fence

The first job was to strip back all the ivy which was fairly straightforward apart from some stubborn bits that Pete had to use a saw on. I think once the wood store is in place I’d quite like to let the ivy grow back around it but we’ll see.

cleared fence

Then the super tedious job of sanding – I HATE sanding and am not nearly as thorough enough as I need to be. We also found that the bits of wood in their natural state reacted differently to the bits of wood that had already been treated.

Thankfully Pete has more patience for the sanding task than I do and he did the half that eluded me before I started painting. We used a Ronseal Quick Drying Wood Stain in Dark Oak to try and mask the plain wood to the painted wood and it really does do what it says on the tin! I found painting the fence quite tough-going at first, I’m so used to painting walls and don’t have much experience at all of painting wood. Soon enough the first coat was complete.

Ronseal first coat

It took almost an entire 750ml tin, used very sparingly, to do the first coat and I did lose the will at times but it was such a beautiful afternoon that the first coat dried super fast and enabled me to get the second coat on (which was much easier to do with the first one acting as a base).

sunny garden

finished fence

It looks so much tidier than it did before and is now ready for the log store. Pete’s away this weekend but we’ve got our eyes on the one we want and will order it when he gets back (apparently I’m not trustworthy enough to try building my own one, just sticking to painting for now 😉

fence after

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12 Comments

  1. Lucy
    September 23, 2015 / 10:05 am

    Don’t apologise about the photos, they show what needs to be shown and show it clearly! I know what you mean though, I end up just cracking on with things and taking a hurried shot on my phone. What a great transformation of that area – I love projects that are proper hands on! x

    • Lins
      September 23, 2015 / 1:14 pm

      It’s definitely something I want to learn more about and master! I’m so envious of all these lovely other photos I see about the place 🙂 I’m looking forward to more hands on projects, there’s a long list of them waiting! X

  2. September 23, 2015 / 1:00 pm

    Good work! I’ve got a load of creeper I need to deal with this week too. I am so very envious of your wood burning. The evenings are really cold at the moment so you’ll soon be glad of it! x #HomeEtc

  3. September 23, 2015 / 9:33 pm

    It’s looking good. Our house is a Victorian house built in 1897 so we have the old outhouses. There are three and they have been bricked across to the house and at some point electricity and water was put out there. We have a room dedicated to our wood which is fab – perfect conditions for it! We took delivery of ours winter wood last week xx

    • Lins
      September 29, 2015 / 12:06 pm

      Ooh I’d have LOVED a Victorian house but we just couldn’t afford one as they’re so super-duper expensive (isn’t everything in London?!) Well done for getting your wood in, we need ours now as although these days are warmer it won’t be long now Xx

  4. Stephanie Robinson
    September 25, 2015 / 12:13 pm

    Looks the perfect spot for it – and I’m sure Pete won’t mind popping out to top up the logs as it’s so close 😉 well, it does appear to be his log store after all… #homeetc

    • Lins
      September 29, 2015 / 12:03 pm

      Exactly!! I’ve said if he won’t let me build one then he has to do all things fire-related. Punishment 🙂

  5. September 29, 2015 / 10:16 am

    I totally know where you’re coming from — I have lost the will to live on a few occasions when painting fences or sheds!!! Needs must though 😉 Thanks for linking up with us lovely xx

    PS — hope to see you again tomorrow on #HomeEtc

    • Lins
      September 29, 2015 / 11:55 am

      I’m so glad that second coat got easier because otherwise I’m not sure I’d have finished the job X

  6. mummyofboygirltwins
    September 29, 2015 / 11:35 am

    We have painted some fences and sheds in our time! Ha ha. GREAT job 🙂 Thanks for linking up with us. Jess xx

    #HomeEtc

    • Lins
      September 29, 2015 / 11:54 am

      Ha, sadly I have a feeling there will be many more to come for us too! X

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