Insulating a Shepherds Hut – making it cosy at Belle’s

Beautiful Belle, my happy place has suffered at the hands of our cruel winter. In today’s story I talk of how one goes about insulating a Shepherds Hut retrospectively and the tender loving care Belle received as a result. There is also news of our plans for 2019 both in and around my Shepherds Hut however be warned, several photos show Belle somewhat bereft of her internal beauty: They are not entirely suitable for the Belle lover I know you have become. As with all my stories however, I seek a happy ending. Do join me this week for one such story…

Shortly before Christmas our (lovely) neighbours took down a collection of overgrown and old leylandii which they had inherited when they moved in their home several years ago. Their intention is to replace with a more appropriate hedge in time, for now though beautiful Belle is rather exposed on her right side. Add to this heavy rainfall and the bitterly cold winds and snow we have endured this winter, Belle has taken a bit of a beating and extensive repair work was very much needed.

Insulating a Shepherds Hut is not an easy task retrospectively however it was evident this winter it was a necessity. We began by removing all her pretties and soft furnishings. They were damp and sad and needed drying out. Before Master M returned for our family Christmas fun, we prettified his bedroom spreading out pastel pink cushions and frilly cottons and linens to dry.

Betwixt Christmas and New Year clever men came and lined Belle’s beautiful tongue and groove walls with ugly insulation and dull chipboard. I am not sure I realised insulating a Shepherds Hut and covering with chipboard for a temporary finish was going to look so sad and I tried not to appear too ungrateful at Belle’s soulless appearance.

Externally, Mr and Master M climbed ladders, resealing and painting troublesome spots on her roof which they hoped would help with leaks.

And a friendly chap visited who talked of resealing Belle’s pot-bellied stove’s chimney and fitting a collar to stop any future damage. Seemingly this man is rather busy since neither he nor the collar he mentioned have materialised yet. I fear we are now on the lookout for another friendly chap. 

Early in the new year, and with much of the work over, The Spotty One and I returned to Belle’s. I enjoyed an afternoon of faffing, returning her to her former glory. I even added a few new pretties like this fabric beach hut from the lovely Clara Claire @looandbert and a photo tile of Beautiful Belle herself. And slowly she began to take shape again.

We restocked kindling and Mr M chopped more tiny logs and when the snow fell and settled, we enjoyed toasty days with roaring fires and plenty of warm blankets.

Talking of blankets, I treated myself to a little electric blanket for the beautiful (and cold) vintage bed which I switch on for a short while before I settle comfortably for my blogging days.

I can barely bring myself to type the overused phrase hindsight is a wonderful thing. Nonetheless it is. These extensive repairs to my pretty Shepherds Hut have been time consuming and costly. I have on occasions had to fully focus on achieving my 2019 word, calm. Oddly it hadn’t registered with either one of us that what is essentially a shed (never ever say that in Belle’s presence) would need protecting against our harsh winters. Insulating a Shepherds Hut is an absolute must if you hope to use the space as another room; an extension to your home if you like. And for what it’s worth, insulating a Shepherds Hut when you first get one is preferable. We live and we learn.

Looking forward, there is much to do. Belle will be treated to more tongue and groove panelling inside and she shall be painted a glorious shade of white. Chipboard is simply not enough for this beauty. Mr M and I are also chatting about a new floor to keep The Spotty One’s paws and belly warm next winter when we stay a while on our blogging days.

Work will continue outside and around Belle too. You will recall last year’s successful Wildflower Garden. This year we hope to create a more permanent cottage style garden in front of Belle. There will be a twee picket fence and little cobbled path. Mr M’s obsessive tidiness was greatly tested last summer, when my cornflowers and borage spilled over his carefully tended lawn. I’m not sure we should put him or I through that again this coming summer.

And after all the upheaval she endured this winter, it was only fair Belle should have a treat of her own. I found this beautiful chandelier at a brocante I visited last Christmas and thought it perfect for my happy place. The delicate crystal droplets twinkle and sparkle as night falls. And I remind myself calmly the unattractive chipboard ceiling is simply a temporary measure, just for now… x