If your shed is common or garden, take some inspiration from these very des res
By
CHRIS SLACK
Last updated at 8:53 AM on 20th April 2011
If your back garden shed is cluttered with a broken lawnmower, rusty bicycles and a range of unused garden tools then prepare to be amazed.
Entries for the Shed of the Year are already taking shape with a wide range of pubs, diners and other creations among those entered into the nationwide competition.
Perhaps the most spectacular entrant of all is this American diner created by Paul Siudowski in Neath, South Wales.
Spectacular: Paul Siudowski has spent £4,000 creating a 1950s diner in his shed in Neath, South Wales, which has now been entered in the Shed of the Year competition
Retro: The shed is adorned with memorabilia from the 1950s and includes popcorn and jellybean machines, numerous posters and a classic jukebox
Just a shed: From the outside there is no evidence of the diner Mr Siudowski has created - and he says visitors are absolutely amazed when they open the doors
Recreating the look of the classic 1950s diner, Mr Siudowski has spent nearly a year transforming his shed to house a wide range of memorabilia.
Hanging from the ceiling are a number of American licence plates and adverts for Budweiser beer while the look is completed with a classic jukebox.
Hungry visitors are also well catered for with popcorn and jellybean machines and 24 seats to sit in.
Mr Siudowski, 51, said: 'It caused quite a lot of arguments because of the amount of time I was working on it, but now my wife Jessica thinks it is great.
Britain's smallest pub? Dave Lockett has converted the shed in his garden on the Isle of Man into a 'Caribbean rum shack'
Nice selection: The Lockett Inn has a choice of beers on tap, including home brew, one lager and one local ale as well as a bottle beers dating back to the 1970s
'What makes it really special is the fact that from the outside it just looks like a normal shed. Everyone is absolutely amazed when they open the doors.'
Mr Siudowski is not alone in his quest for the title of Britain's best shed - and the £1,000 prize.
Among the others taking part is Dave Lockett’s 'Caribbean rum shack' on the Isle of Man.
Thirsty visitors have a good choice of beers, with two hand pumps delivering his own home brew and one local ale while another tap provides lager.
It is decorated with several mementos from the island and the patio it is housed on acts as a beer garden to enjoy the drinks.
Entertainment: Musicians Elena Thomas and Dan Whitehouse have decorated their shed with denim and are even able to transport it around to perform their songs
Entertaining friends is a theme for another entrant with the 'song shed' entry by musicians Elena Thomas and Dan Whitehouse.
The pair have decorated the inside walls with denim that goes from light at the top to dark at the bottom to give an effect of sky and sea.
It was decorated especially for a performance by Mr Whitehouse at an art exhibition in Stourbridge in the West Midlands.
Another shed in the competition is known as 'The Horatio Nelson' and is a summer house owned by Tony Downing.
'Best thing I have ever done': Tony Downing created this tribute to Admiral Nelson in his summer house and says it allows him and his friends to 'forget the misery of their modern lives'
The Hobbit: This shed was formerly an astronomical observatory before the owner converted it into a shed, which his wife gave the Tolkien inspired nickname to
Mr Downing describes the shed as a typical log cabin on the outside and a wonderful old pub inside.
He has decorated it with his own nick-nacks from his travels but says the main focus of his shed is a tribute to Nelson, who adorns the walls.
In a post on a shed website, Mr Downing said: 'I can honestly say its the best thing I have done.
'It is an oasis of the past that allows me to be with dear mates and forget the misery of our modern lives.'
Sheds entered in to the competition do not have to come in normal shapes and sizes either.
'The Hobbit' is an entry that once served as an astronomical observatory but local light pollution made it a poor location.
Dot's Dooket: This shed was created as a last hurrah to smoking in pubs by its owner - who then added memorabilia from a bowls club that was being demolished
Contender: Pat's Place is another entrant in the competition, which has prize money of £1,000
So owner Peter Bowers converted the building for his wife who gave it the nickname after J.R.R Tolkien's character.
Inside the shed there are eight port-holed windows, while the moving part of the original roof was fixed with perspex added to let in more light.
The competition is sponsored by garden woodcare company Cuprinol, who found that the most common items found in sheds are tins of paint, bikes and broken tools, according to a study of 2,000 adults. Entry closes next month.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1378693/Shed-year-Take-inspiration-des-res-creations.html#ixzz1K3xLOm5o
