This series of DIY projects were centred on our first home and carried out in parallel with bringing up small children.  We sought to use our design skills to make a virtue of necessity when responding to the ever-pressing need for practical improvements as our family grew.  There were a number of built-in storage solutions: bench seating with drawers for toys and a video player (remember them?), a shaker style bed with large drawers beneath and a Rietveld inspired storage wall between kitchen and living room. The small garden was an opportunity to experiment with some more theatrical and playful projects, with an oversized Shinto style gateway with matching cycle store, a demountable wooden playhouse and a wooden playboat, which offered secret views back down to the living room.

There were many happy memories, and the DIY taught me a lot that I have since applied to other projects.  It certainly taught me great respect for the skill of professional carpenters and joiners!