Big Sur has something I like to call the “funk factor”. The creativity is off the charts, and often it is out of necessity. With the closest hardware store an hour away and frequent road closures due to mudslides, people learn to make do with what is available and it often leads to creative solutions.
Our contractor Brendan Wahl is just such a person. He has lived in the area all his life and to him there aren’t problems, only solutions. After he and his talented crew of two finished the deck, I asked him if he could build a storage shed off the house. There is a small garden shed on the property, but not close enough to be useful. With no garage, attic, or basement, there is no place to store things like paint, outdoor heaters, garden paraphernalia, and other bits and bobs. While my parents were visiting (my dad was a contractor) we all put in our two cents in designing this shed!
It may not be to everyone’s taste, but it is certainly Big Sur. Brendan came up with the idea of recycling our old deck boards to use as siding and shelving…complete with nail holes and joist marks. I was on board…after all, the materials were free!
While the boys were working on the shed, I was busy cleaning up the adjacent garden area where a new path and gravel garden had been added. After a few bouts of poison oak, I’m extra careful when I’m out pulling weeds!
After the main shed was built, there was still the issue of the grill. After working to fix up the garden and path, it stuck out like a sore thumb.
We decided to build a smaller enclosure off the main shed to house the grill. The boys called it “the doghouse” but I affectionately dubbed it the “grill garage”!
With the shed mostly complete, I was able to finish cleaning up the garden area and organize the inside. It still needs a proper roof, which Brendan suggested could be created out of some left over copper from his friends’ fireplace. I say let’s go for it!
And finally, the last project tackled on this visit was a bench for the front deck. I knew I didn’t want the railing to wrap all the way around and Brendan, Lyle, and myself came up with the idea to install a fixed bench. It is under the shade of a tree and perfect for setting down groceries, putting shoes on, or just resting in the cool shadows. After we all collaborated, Lyle built it in one day. I love it!
And there you have it. The funk factor of this place allows us to be creative, not take things too seriously, and learn how to use what already have. It is Big Sur after all!
It looks beautiful Elizabeth and extra fun that you could use what you already have. What a view of the ocean you have there! Is that the reason you bought this house?
Groetjes, Petra
Thank you, Petra! And yes, I fell in love with the view before I even laid eyes on the house! 🙂 But once we saw the house, and the large deck with so much outdoor space, we were sold. I try and spend as much time there as possible.
xx Elizabeth