Hi Donna,

I want to convert my garden shed into a summer house. At the moment it's full of junk but if I clear it out and give it a new coat of paint, it could be very useful. Any tips on where to start?

Thanks.

Our Homes And Property Expert replies:

Hi there,

You're extremely lucky to have a garden building. If you want a place to retreat from the stresses of everyday life, you could have fun with your shed and give it a fantasy theme.

Keep it simple on the outside to blend with your garden - a muted, calm green looks best - and then have fun with the interior. You could for instance conjure up a Greek Mediterranean theme and go for a colour scheme of cobalt blue and white combined with wooden shutters and simple floor cushions in a bright and breezy peasant fabric.

Or you could go all out on a Moroccan theme and decorate your interior with a mix of opulent, jewel-coloured cushions, vibrantly coloured voiles, low-level seating and hand-painted pieces of china.

Alternatively, if your tastes are more traditional, go for a vintage look that suits a summer house down to the ground. If your priority is to create an unusual dining or office area, invest in a simple, junk-shop find table with mismatched painted wicker and metal chairs. Then pretty-up the room with café curtains and cushions in faded florals, gingham and bright and breezy deckchair stripes. Avoid heavy colour on the interior walls and instead go for either brilliant white, warm clotted cream or a fresh eau de nil for a charming country cottage effect.

This summer house (shown) was given a mellow, English Country garden feel using Cuprinol Garden Shades in Sage, Holly and Country Cream. Garden Shades are formulated to protect all types of wood and to leave an opaque, matt finish that lets the woodgrain's natural appearance show through. They are ready to use over existing colours and finishes and are ideal for old wood as well. Garden Shades are available from Homebase, Focus and leading DIY and Garden retailers. For further product information, advice or to find a store near you, call the Cuprinol Customer Care Centre on (01753) 550555 or visit the Cuprinol website.

Have fun!

Donna