Greg and his wife wanted to honor their daughter for graduating from middle school with honors. They decided that since their girls loved camping on the property during the warm season each year, it was time to upgrade them from tent camping to a cabin of their own. They selected a barn design shed because it had huge double doors on one side that opened up the entire wall. Living in Orange County, CA, the nights are mild most of the year so having an opened-walled structure would be like camping, but not.
Once the pad was set and the workmen finished the construction assembly of the structure, the inside measured about 14" X 16". The high ceiling allowed room for a second level, so Greg built a Loft that was half the length of the inside. This allowed for half the cabin to still have a vaulted ceiling giving the room a spacious feel when walking in.
Greg and his wife installed cork flooring. It has properties such as being anti-microbial and a natural bug repellant, great for controlling spiders. Plus the surface of cork is cushiony and does not get cold, great for bare feet. The cork has natural sound absorption so kids can play as loud as they want. The cabin came with windows that slid open leaving build-in screens, one of these windows was above the loft for fresh air. They placed a strong "futon" mattress across the loft floor and built a sturdy ladder with strong metal pulls to use for climbing.
Next Greg ran a heavy-duty construction weight extension cord through conduit to the cabin. He ran it through the wall along main beams. He and his wife covered the walls with bamboo fencing material that made the cabin look finished but rustic. They had an old mint-colored loveseat and plush chair in great condition, and a breakfast nook bench with a pine table. His wife made mint colored curtains for the four windows. They picked up some patio furniture Kingston, and potted flowers for outside.
Next a small mini-refrigerator, portable air-conditioner under the loft, and a 24" flat screen TV with a DVD player inside, attached to the beam up near the vaulted ceiling. They put a cart on casters near the refrigerator to hold a very small microwave. They stocked microwave pop-corn, juice boxes and a cloth-covered box with the girls' videos. They stocked the fridge with small water bottles, freeze pops in the freezer and fruit.
Before dark the couple found a lamp and battery-operated LED-lights that attached to the wall near the fridge, along the ladder and at the front doors. It's understandable that this mom and dad wanted to test everything before the girls got home to make sure it worked. The TV remote was set perfectly and the little microwave had a push button setting for popcorn already programmed. Greg and his wife were testing the love seat when the squealing and hooting began.
Armed with their flashlights, the girls were tucked-in with comforters and pillows - and a big bowl of popcorn. As the video began, Greg and his wife headed back to the house. Job well done, mom and dad!