Container living, but not quite what I expected

As we wandered around Grand Designs at the start of last month in the distance something gold and a bit bling caught my eye. Wondering what it could be, as we were in the more functional area of the show, I steered MOH towards it.

You can see why it caught my eye, can't you?

Intrigued, we headed around the front of the structure to discover it was a rather fabulously converted shipping container. Yes, you wouldn't know from that outside.

I know that there's some innovative ways of using shipping containers, but this is the first that I've seen close up, and definitely the first I've seen of this ilk.

Inside it didn't look like a shipping container either.

It looked like any plush interior would. And like the many shows you see on the TV now, it had outside space too that folded up on itself to offer protection.

We got talking to the people from Reluxe, and were totally converted. I think MOH would have signed up for one if, as ever, we had anywhere to put it. That and he was still angling for his very own pizza oven (and yes, he got one of those)

We jokingly said, ah you'd have to winch it over our house and the reply was, yes we quite often have to do that. And thinking about it, not many people have side access that a shipping container can slip down do they.

I dread to think what might happen if we move house and find we have space in our garden.  Hopefully there'll be the next new thing and maybe we'll go straight to that...

What do you think about converting shipping containers as living spaces (and yes, I know this isn't a true living space, but it'd make a great home office, man-cave or she-shed)?

The final two - and my favourites - in the Grand Shed Project

Last week I shared some of the sheds from the Grand Shed Project - there was somewhere to read, somewhere to party and and indoor garden - today I'm sharing the final two, and I think I've saved the best until last.  Both are ideas that I can't see happening with MOH's shed, which is the traditional shed and despite me having several attempts at tidying and organising, somehow it still gets dishevelled and rummaged through, and he can't find a thing in it.  You'd think the labels on the plastic crates and storage boxes would help, well they would if things were put back in the right one!

1. The Sewing Shack

But anyway, maybe one day I'll have a sewing shed - how fabulous does that sound? And how luxurious?

And it looked so spacious, even with a table, a wardrobe and an easy chair.  Plus some great ideas, look at the front of the wardrobe - or fabric store.

There was a novel storage for wool too, though I'm not sure I can see that catching on in this house. Our wine racks are used for more traditional items.

That quote - I've had a couple of those unique creations!  I'll be getting my sewing machine out again shortly (in case you're wondering I've made little progress with my scrappy quilt and I'm hoping to get back to that soon) as I've plans to make some bunting, much to MOH's dismay and perpetual state of eye-rolling every time I mention it. It's because of this reaction that I'm determined to make some, not that I'm stubborn at all...

I think what really appeals to me about the Sewing Shack is having somewhere that is just dedicated to sewing and crafts. I call our study my craft room, but occasionally MOH makes a bid back for it as a study and a work from home space, which never goes well. 

He thinks it's cluttered (it is - I need a bigger space) and doesn't understand why I need all that junk. That is until he wants a piece of card, a bit of string or whatever and I disappear returning with the said item in hand.  It's organised to me, but just imagine not having to share it with anyone. Pure bliss.  

And I imagine a lot more productive than my current space.  I'll keep dreaming...

2. The Boutique Bedroom

The last shed I'm sharing from this year's Grand Designs Live is a bedroom, and a rather stylish one at that. Totally impractical and without an en-suite I can't see it catching on. But the muted colours of the decor gives plenty of inspiration for the more usual kind of bedrooms. The thing that struck me about this shed as I leaned as far into it as I could, was the amount of texture in a relatively small space.

It was good to see hints of copper still in evidence, with the mirror hanging on the wall and the items on the bedside table. And those dressing gardens would come in handy wouldn't they for the hop up the garden.

There were bookshelves too, and I was pleased to see the title "101 things to do in a shed" which I bought once for MOH - I think I've cleared it out too, as the title was the most interesting thing about the book!  But a shed exhibition without it, it wasn't going to happen was it?

So now you've seen all the sheds, which is your favourite? 

Grand Shed Project: Somewhere to read

This shed screams pure indulgence doesn't it? A place to read undisturbed, and somewhere to lose yourself in a good book.  I think the snug effect is helped by the dark, chocolatey brown colour inside. The metallic touches add highlights and gives a luxe finish.

I think it would be a great place to escape to, but it does seem rather indulgent, and I think I'd struggle to keep it for its intended purpose.

But I do like the idea of a dedicated space to read, and like the sheds in the first of this series of posts, it certainly challenges what a shed could be for doesn't it?

What do you think, could you justify - and, or keep - a dedicated reading space?