Cuprinol's Shed of the Year 2020 has announced an extension for this year's entries due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic — but there's one submission that has already caught the judges' eyes.
Sheffield-based design and technology teacher, Sarah McGoldrick, has transformed her garden shed into a makeshift factory to create PPE (personal protective equipment) for NHS workers serving on the frontline.
As medical staff continue to experience critical shortages of PPE, Sarah wanted to put her shed — and design skills — to good use. And since she first began making masks, Sarah has already raised over £6,000 towards materials and impressively wants to produce 1,000 masks a day.
The competition's founder, Andrew Wilcox, says: 'This entry really is a fabulous use of a shed to show the nation. Every year we look out to alternative uses of sheds and the competition really captures how much more a shed can mean to people's lives.
'Sarah's lovely creation is a perfect example of this – and one we really want to celebrate. Extending the deadline means we can all look to what our outdoor space is being used for – and we'd love to see some more entries from people really making good use of their shed – maybe they use it as a pub, or a space to be creative. Or maybe they've created a play space for their children to learn or explore from.'
The much-loved national shed contest celebrates sheds of all shapes, sizes and forms. Over the years we have seen some rather impressive entries, including a nature-themed hobbit hole shed, an eco-friendly bee shed and a real-life hobbit house, too.
There's still time to enter your shed for 2020, if you haven't already. Entrants are invited to submit their creations for one of seven categories, including 'historic', 'pub and entertainment' and the 'unexpected'.
Marianne Shillingford, Creative Director at Cuprinol, explains: 'We have always celebrated creativity in the UK, especially in the spaces that we can truly put our individual stamp on – like our garden sheds.
'Our beloved sheds have become one of the most important rooms in our homes – and even more so recently, allowing us to reinvent their purpose far beyond a place we store garden furniture into spaces where we can reconnect with nature and nurture our own wellbeing.'
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19 stylish indoor plant pots to suit every interior
This unique indoor plant pot, with a striking scalloped edge, is made from 100 per cent ceramic. Choose from blush pink or turquoise.
Looking to make a real style statement? If you've grown fond of the bubble trend, this cream plant pot will wonderfully complement the lush green foliage of your houseplants.
Bring a nautical feel to your bathroom or kitchen with Habitat's bright ceramic planter, handpainted with blue and white stripes. Pair with a spider plant, as seen here.
Talk about making a statement. Made from ceramic with a classic glazed finish, this unique indoor plant pot from M&S features a delicate petal design.
This pink ceramic pot is perfect to house an aloe vera plant. We love the floral-inspired geometric pattern, finished with a shiny crackle glaze.
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We love the scalloped edge and fluted finish of this H&M Home stoneware plant pot. Why not pick up the smaller version, too?
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This on-trend stoneware pot from H&M Home is all over Instagram. Boasting an organic, wavy shape and a fluted finish, it's perfect if you want something more unique.
This rustic seagrass design from Notonthehighstreet.com will help to keep things natural and bring the outdoors in.
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As happy as a spring day, this leaf plant pot from Dunelm is a surefire way to boost your mood. Why not get one for yourself and gift one to a friend?
