A tiny, funky, 8' by 8' art shack/studio-shed/fort

Here's one I've been working on....an 8' by 8' guest house/art studio (or kids fort). It still has a ways to go, but I'm getting there.....

I've got more on this one over at relaxshacks.com, my other blog.....

This is also most likely going to be one of about 50 forts, shacks, cabins, and tree houses that'll be part of a NEW book I've been collecting material for- a follow-up, somewhat, of my other book "Humble Homes, Simple Shacks".

 -Derek "Deek" Diedricksen

A playhouse made from old books!? HUNDREDS OF 'EM!

This one really needs no explanation. With printed books, sadly, going semi-obsolete, here's one thing you can do with them- make 'em into a kids playhouse or tiny (INDOOR) house! -Just make sure you have strong floor joists, as I can't imagine what this many books would weigh! I'd guess they're held together with drilled holes for rebar, or at least glued- if this were to collapse on a child, it just may ruin his/her, and YOUR, day.

 -Derek "Deek" Diedricksen

A Mock Shipping Container Kid's Fort Concept (Tree House?)

A photo of a sculpture I took while in Chicago- it would make for a GREAT n' funky tree house or mini shipping container-looking fort for kids! Just screen it in and add a door....

MORE PHOTOS can be seen on my other blog Relaxshacks.com- CLICK HERE

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My book.... Was Amazon's #1 Kid's Fort/Idea/Carpentry book for 14 weeks! 

 -Derek "Deek" Diedricksen

A great beachside tree house in Scituate, MA

So simple- its not even painted, just bare plywood- but what a great little fort/playhouse this one is! Its in Scituate, MA, and I just happened to be driving by it one day when I had my camera. Below, it a better shot showing how great the tree and locale area- one street from a beach, and backed up to some woods/a marsh.

 -Derek "Deek" Diedricksen

Paint Can Lid Siding for your clubhouse/fort/tree house

I posted on this more extensively over on my other blog www.Relaxshacks.com, as I'm pretty addicted, and involved with salvage-material building- especially when it comes to building clubhouses, tree forts, and shed offices on a budget. This is a great/simple idea (my favorite kind!) and uses saved paint can lids as effective, and decorative siding for a kid's play space. The window box is even made from re-used vegetable cans! Very clever AND fun! The brightly colored trim also adds a large whimsical and attractive element to this little shack as well!

 -Derek "Deek" Diedricksen

An A-frame Fishing Shack in Iceland, as a Kid's Fort?

From Iceland! Its a fishing shack/hut. but if you look at the VERY simple lines and construction of it, it would make for a great budget, low-skill, kid's fort, clubhouse, shed, or even a tree house! Basically its a lopsided A-frame, and while A's aren't so space efficient on the interior because of their sloping roofs, they are simple to build, and GREAT in areas with heavy snow loads. I love the look of them too!

I have a few A-frame concepts in my book "Humble Homes, Simple Shacks"....including a pretty wild UPSIDE-DOWN A-frame.

 -Derek "Deek" Diedricksen

A very colorful Dallas-built playhouse for girls

Check out this super-fun Dallas-built playhouse/clubhouse for kids- its boxy and simple, yet appears fancier and complicated upon first glance- there's an art to that! The upper level, or railed-in balcony, is nice too, although I'm not sure if you can get up there (or would want your kids too). Notice the slots near its base for forklift tines- smart.

-Derek "Deek" Diedricksen