Red Tin Inn: woman cave design

There is nothing romantic or dreamy about the woman cave. It does not have chintz curtains and a comfy reading chair although there is nothing wrong with that. It does not have scented candles, white washed anything or ship lap. What it does have: Tools, paint and brushes, Daddy's Pipe clamps, glue gun a Worx Pegasus work table, vintage craftsman work bench/toolbox, vintage planers, air compressor, memories and storage.

For many years I had the opportunity to rent retail space in an antique store. I was storing things to refurbish, upcycle and items for resale. The success of that endeavor motivated Mr. RTI to build me a work shop.

We recycled the back door and windows from a house project . I loved this little building but had a creative fit that Mr. RTI heard "it would be so cute with a little porch and pergola on the front".

He surprised me!

Here is sits today, with the addition of a lean too, decking and pedestal sink with running water. Great place to rinse brushes and knock the dirt off of veggies.

The door needs cleaning and the drop and leave method of organization needs to be cleaned up on the inside. This is a "room" I like to be in. I now do small projects here just for my home and yard.

The Pipe clamps were my Dads. They stand in the corner and every time I see them I thank Daddy for teaching me todo many things that are taunted as mans work. His advice " you may not be able to depend on a man to do these things. I want you to be prepared to take care of your self." Before I could get behind the wheel of a car I had to, on my own, remove a tire and put it back on. That lesson has paid off many times.

The craftsman work bench was a gift from a family friend. It originally came out of a manufacturing plant and is over 30 years old. It has 24 drawers and I have them all full.

Most of my tools are Ryobi 18 volt (The airstrike I stole from Mr. RTI's shop. SHhhhh). with the exception of the 20 volt Dewalt Drill and driver set.

My little Helper is sleeping on the job.

Even my yard tools are Ryobi and very efficient.

I like Ryobi tools for several reasons. One they are light weight , two the battery life is phenomenal and three they are affordable.

The opposite side of the shop is a work bench Mr. RTI built with some of Daddy's lumber from his shop.

Underneath is storage mostly Christmas décor and paint.

I store my brushes on a magnetic bar designed to be used with tools. These are my worst ones and my favorites.

It is an evolving ever changing space. As we move through the seasons of our life our time and interest change. What does not change is how incredibly blessed I am to have a husband that is willing to put the work into making me happy and seeing my creative dreams come to life.

Have a beautiful creative day!

Sheryl

Hubby last month asked me to look at some computers at our local electronics store. He suggested buying me a new computer for our anniversary. My reply "If you want to spend that kind of money I would rather have insulation and an air conditioner for the woman cave" With the SC heat any kind of painting is miserable at times . Hubby did not bat an eye and said "OK".

Here are some befores:

Just exposed beams, and a make shift work area and old table. A lot of clutter. This space gets hot humid and working in here was not fun.

Phase one getting the air conditioner installed . We did put a little more money on one. We wanted a energy saver setting with thermostat so it does not run all the time.

Then the insulation went up. This makes this now condition storage as well.

76 degrees is much nicer than 96......

Now that the cave is finished somewhat....Lets go in....

For cutting cost and making the walls more versatile Hubby installed particle board. I hate the way it looks but love the cost and durability. I decided to decoupauge the walls. I had and still have some of a 1943 Refrigeration Manual from the US Commercial Trades Institute.

I also had and still have some of a vintage tool ID guide. I splashed it around to break up the back ground...and think the out come was pretty cool. Buying modge podge for this project was going to get expensive. I instead bought a gallon of Elmer's Glue all from Lowe's and diluted it 2 to 1 with water. Two parts glue to one part water. I needed it a little thicker for walls. Mental note: Check your OCD at the door, You are going to have wrinkles...if you plan on finishing this project in this decade...

Here is biggest space saving purchase I made.

A blue print file. I picked it up at Goodwill for only 65 bucks. It had two drawers that were bent and hard to open and shut. This was really not a problem I removed the two drawers and have deeper storage for power tools and sanding supplies. The second drawers is actually empty and I think I will line it with 2x4's and use it as an extra work surface. I do not have to worry about pulling this thing over it weighs a ton. We used a hydraulic jack with wheels to shift it to put in the walls. It has eliminated all the bins and smaller drawers that were stashed about. And everything is visible. I may be able to find something now.

The second space saver was a rolling industrial tool bench. It was Free.

Hubby did put a nice top on it and then decided he did not want to use it in his shop so of course I did not hesitate when he offered it. It has great storage on the bottom and a durable top. I still need to clean it.

Now that this area is air conditioned and I can now paint in here the paint was moved in. I kept the old mail cubby that was once over my work table. I took the front trim off and make the access larger and paint can fit nicely. I still need to label the colors in each cubby. I also brought the storage I had in the craft room inside for small samples and mis-tints These work great on frames and smaller projects. The red Husky tool box is on an old record storage rack and it rolls. I have large pans and rollers in there now.

The tree tiered storage is actually two pie pans and the base of a serving piece, all painted hammered black. One plate was broken on it however it up cycled nicely....I sat it on a lazy Susan and it holds wax and stains.

I tried to take a eclectic perspective on storage . An old grab rake now holds paint brushes....

Large Picture easels are used to hold frames and neat panels...

I found these neat beam hooks so this old light fixture hangs nicely..

Another larger grab rake head holds old tools and a measuring stick...

Yard sale task lighting that is very industrial and effective on the work bench with the box from an old hand made tool box keep the bench tidy..

Everything is back in ...and I still have floor room. This is now a work shop you want to hang out in....and oh...I do pick up Wi Fi out here so.. I can Youtube how to videos while I ~~Play~~ work.

Oh yea the somewhat finished ....refers to the roof has not been all decoupaged...Vertigo and looking at a ceiling do not go well...so I am currently bribing the younger son to help..He is 6'2"

I am so glad that you stopped by. If any one wants me I will be at the cave.....

Sheryl

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