MUSHROOM TREE HOUSE AND UNDERGROUND BUNKER ARE THE FIRST WAVE OF CUPRINOL SHED OF THE YEAR FINALISTS
- This week’s episode unveils the winning sheds in the Cabin & Summerhouse and #NotAShed categories
- Category winners are being revealed each week on Channel 4’s four-part series ‘Amazing Spaces Shed of the Year’
- The two winners are now in the running to be crowned Cuprinol Shed of the Year 2017
A labour of love from one dad to his 12 year old daughter, and the ultimate underground man cave have been selected as the first category winners in the 2017 Cuprinol Shed of the Year competition.
The winners were revealed last night in the first episode of the annual competition, now in it’s tenth year, and chosen by public vote after a record breaking 26,571 votes.
You can watch the episode again here.
Beating off tough competition in the Cabin & Summerhouse category, Ben Swanborough’s Mushroom Shed was brought to life after his daughter Elsie handed him £500 of her own savings and asked him to build her a house in the shape of a mushroom.
Full of fungi paraphernalia, Ben built the two-story shed himself with the help of friends which includes a hidden trapdoor, porch swing and glass floor overlooking the stream at the bottom of his Surrey garden where Elsie loves to spend time enjoying the garden.
Taking home the prize in the brand new #NotAShed category, Colin Furze, from Lincolnshire built his very own bunker hidden four meters beneath his unassuming garden shed. Filled with a selection of Colin’s own inventions, including an ejector bed and wolverine claws, the bunker also features a games console, satellite TV access and a drum kit to create the ultimate chill out space.
The two winning sheds were announced last night by George Clarke on the Channel 4’s hit series ‘Amazing Spaces Shed of the Year’, produced by Plum Pictures and sponsored by Cuprinol. Category winners are being announced during each episode of the four-part series, with the final winner being announced in the last episode in September.
Marianne Shillingford, Creative Director at Cuprinol said: “We’re really proud to sponsor Shed of the Year for the tenth year in a row! Year on year, we are absolutely amazed by the creativity and hard work of the sheddies around the UK, so it is fantastic to see these two being rewarded for their amazing sheds.
“We hope the competition will continue to inspire the nation to make the most of the outdoor space they have, no matter how big or small.”
The Mushroom Shed and Bunker Shed have now secured their place in the final which will see them up against six other category winners in a battle to be crowned Cuprinol Shed of the Year 2017.
Best Cabin & Summerhouse Shed winner, Ben Swanborough said: “It’s been such an amazing experience being part of Shed of the Year 2017 and I’ve met so many great people. This year was so competitive I never thought we’d win the Cabin & Summerhouse category but my daughter and I are so delighted! We’re looking forward to spending time in our wonderful creation knowing that the judges loved our shed as much as we did!”
Best #NotAShed winner, Coling Furze says: “I’m really honoured to have won the #NotAShed Category and I’ve loved every minute of the competition and will remember it every time I’m chilling out in my bunker!”
The overall winner will be decided by a panel of shed experts including the founder of the competition Uncle Wilco (Andrew Wilcox), last year’s winner Walter Micklethwait, George Clarke and his expert team; craftsman William Hardie, architect Laura Clark and industrial designer Max McMurdo.
For those feeling inspired by last night’s show to create their own shed hideaway, blogger Jane Foster will be recreating Emily Fisher’ #Girlshed, shortlisted in the Cabin & Summerhouse category and documenting the process on her blog. Keep an eye out for the piece going live over the coming weeks! https://www.facebook.com/Cuprinol/
The winner will receive £1,000 courtesy of sponsors Cuprinol along with a wooden plaque, £100 worth of Cuprinol products and a giant crown for their shed.
For more information on Cuprinol Shed of the Year 2017, visit: http://www.readersheds.co.uk/index.cfm
