A mum-of-four has won 'Britain's best shed' for her incredible DIY project built out of second-hand Facebook Marketplace items for just £200. Kelly Haworth created her unique garden hideaway out of recycled pallet wood and old doors, Manchester Evening News reports.
The 44-year-old, from Bury, spent just five weeks constructing the stunning 2m x 3m potting shed with the help of her husband Derrick. With a passion for up-cycling old and unwanted items, Kelly transformed her dull allotment plot into an idyllic retreat on a budget of just £200.
The incredible space features a small kitchenette, potting area, tool storage and even an off-grid bathroom. Kelly, who is also a keen baker, said she was 'over the moon' to find out her tiny garden haven had been named Cuprinol's Shed of The Year 2022.
"It's been a real labour of love and I haven’t stopped dancing since I found out the wonderful news," she added. "I was inspired by my dad’s shed and after waiting years for a plot, I couldn’t wait to build my own.
“It’s just so peaceful, I can stay in the shed for hours on end, in fact, I often lose track of time while I’m down at the allotment. It was fun being able to share the journey with people on Instagram – it even encouraged others to start collecting doors for their own ventures too!”
She added: “I always enjoyed upcycling and reinventing items, which is even more important now that prices are on the rise again. I hope those that see my shed can look at it and say: ‘I can do that’ – so much so that I’m actually going to start my own Potting Shed blog.”
Kelly says she decided to transform her basic allotment plot so she could grow fresh plants and ingredients for cooking and baking – with homemade Lavender & Lemon cake and Nettle Tea being regular treats at the Haworth household.
Her shed won the budget category in a public vote before being awarded the overall title and £1,000 prize by a panel of judges.
Marianne Shillingford, Creative Director at Cuprinol, added: “We love seeing all the entrants making the most of the outdoors and that’s exactly what Kelly has done. She’s managed to create a special place for herself, without it costing the earth – which is so crucial at the minute. "
Cuprinol's 'Shed of the Year' celebrates the great British shed in all forms - from the miniature to the massive, or the modern to the more traditional. The paint company strives to celebrate the great outdoors, with the planet being the forefront of their brand.
The competition runs every year - and is in its 16th year now. Twenty one British shed enthusiasts make the finals from hundreds of entries. Judges then shortlist the unique garden sheds.
Shed enthusiasts submitted their creations to one of seven categories:
- Budget
- Cabin/Summerhouse
- Lockdown
- Nature's Haven
- Pub/Entertainment
- Unexpected/Unique
- Workshop/Studio
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here .
