Julie Bove wrote in rec.food.cooking:


> More recently, the teens asked if they could use it as a hangout.
> Husband agreed to let them do this. I did buy some cheap curtains and
> a few things that they chose from Big Lots. But mostly they are
> making use of things that we already have. So it isn't costing me
> much to let them use it. I even offered to get them a fridge but they
> didn't want one.
>
> It is next to the fire pit, so if it starts raining when they are out
> there, they can duck inside the building.

I like that idea. A simple hangout spot that costs nothing and yet
away from the parents. Boom box, maybe practice rapping with no parents
to get in the way (or whatever else they wanna do).

On the floor, I assume it's on a cement pad? (structures of that size
normally are). 20x20 or so for 400feet. On flooring, for a simple
hangout if the floor stays dry, you can let them have fun painting with
artwork in multiple colors (later if repurposed, paint dark brown
overall and can antique a light color over). Area rugs. If it gets
damp, use indoor outdoor carpet and they have some very nice ones now.
Quite inexpensive and you can roll it out yourself so don't need to pay
anyone.

Can I dream a little as if I had that spot? First Don would make it
into a work room but let me dream something else!

I'd insulate then put up paneling (cheap and easy) and then paint the
floor brown and let my kid decorate it with pokemon around the edges
and put in some indoor/outdoor carpet. Ceiling fan with lights and a
portble AC unit for summer and some portable heater for winter. Cast
off sofa from freecycle (maybe 2 in that space), coffee table
(refinished from a freecycle offer), a mini-fridge, a 32 inch TV and
DVD player, something that played music, and curtin off a section for a
portable toilet and think about a mini-kitchen (no sink, just take that
inside at need to wash).

Smile, could be a mini-home for my daughter if she married and they
needed a place to stay until stable. Not perfect, but could be worked
with.


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