Build that workshop you always wanted

Most of us can remember at least one childhood summer when, armed with little more than a refrigerator box, Dad’s sawhorses and a sheet of plywood, we built a playhouse or club house. A place that belonged to us, alone. The last thing we did was hang a sign that read, “For Kids Only.

“Workshops You Can Build,” by David and Jeanie Stiles, is geared toward anyone who would like a place of their own.

“This book is written for anyone who wants a space in or next to his or her house, for business or for a hobby,” the authors, a husband and wife team, write.

Divided into chapters covering the nuts and bolts – “Why and where to build,” to Workshop accessories” and “Skill Review,” the paperback book provides detailed designs for a number of workshops, writer’s retreats and artist’s studios.

Detailed drawings and instructions cover various building techniques and the basics of flooring, installing doors and windows and sheathing and siding.

Large color photos of buildings make it hard not to daydream about creating another playhouse.

Although the authors don’t include exact specifications for the structures, they do go into detail about the tools and techniques you need to make your own outbuilding.

And this time, it can be for adults only.