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An ordinary backyard cubby can become a convincing doughnut shop without replacing the entire structure. In the documented Better Homes & Gardens Australia makeover published June 10, 2021, a sound but drab cubby with too few windows was repaired, repainted and fitted out as a children’s shop. The transformation combined careful timber repairs with an exterior paint system, a translucent roof panel, checkered flooring, a serving counter, chalkboard menus and a hand-built doughnut sign. You can use the same sequence as an idea bank, but the project is not a tested kit, price guide or professional structural assessment.
The most important painting lesson is that the finish began with condition assessment and preparation. Rotten lining and frame timber were removed, sound parts were kept, and the repaired shell was primed before two coats of exterior acrylic were applied. That order is what makes the bright red, blue and white palette look intentional rather than like paint over a failing surface.
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The starting point was an existing elevated cubby, not a new build. Its frame was considered structurally sound, but the building looked worn, lacked windows and had deteriorated plywood lining. The makeover retained the basic structure while opening it up visually and giving it the identity of a small doughnut shop. The original project is documented by Better Homes & Gardens Australia.
That distinction matters when planning your own work. A cubby with active rot, movement, water ingress or questionable footings needs an on-site assessment before cosmetic work. Paint can improve appearance and protect prepared timber, but it cannot make unsound framing safe. Treat the Australian project as a documented renovation and source of ideas, not as a universal engineering method.
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Materials and finishes used in the project
The published supplies list identifies the materials below. Dimensions are material specifications from that project, not performance ratings or a required bill of materials for every cubby.
| Project element | Named material or product | How it was used |
|---|---|---|
| Frame and supports | 150 x 50 mm treated pine sleepers; treated pine matching the existing frame | Temporary support during relocation and replacement of rotten frame timber |
| Wall lining | 12 mm exterior plywood | Cut to fit over the repaired frame and screwed in place |
| Roof daylighting | Translucent polycarbonate roof sheeting and polycarbonate roofing screws | One central solid roof sheet was replaced with a same-length translucent panel |
| Floor | Checkered vinyl flooring and double-sided tape | Cut to the floor and secured around its perimeter |
| Counter and shelf | 140 x 22 mm merbau decking; 140 x 45 mm treated pine | Merbau formed the window counter and treated pine formed an exterior shelf |
| Menu boards | 4 mm marine plywood and Dulux Design Chalkboard paint | Plywood boards were painted and screwed to the shop |
| Sign details | 4 mm plywood, 4 mm diameter dowel and craft letters | Shaped plywood became the sign, with dowel pieces painted as sprinkles |
| Paint system | Dulux 1 Step Primer, Sealer & Undercoat; Dulux Weathershield Low Sheen Acrylic | Primer/sealer/undercoat followed by two exterior acrylic coats |
The project’s exterior colors were Vivid White, Symphony Red and High Blue. The menu boards used plain black chalkboard paint on the outside and Colossus on the inside board; the sign used Dulux Smooth Chocolate. Product names and colors are historical project details, so check current labels and local availability before buying. See the published supplies and color list.
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Separate cosmetic wear from structural decay
Walk around the cubby and mark peeling paint, soft plywood, swollen edges, leaking joints and any timber that crumbles when probed. Rotten plywood lining that cannot be recovered should be removed rather than sealed under new paint. Frame members with decay should be replaced with treated pine of a similar size, as the project did. Keep a record of which pieces are being reused so you do not accidentally discard sound doors, awnings or trim that can be refreshed later.
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Plan the work area
Exterior acrylic and primer need a clean, dry surface and time to dry between coats. Choose a weather window that lets you sand, prime and paint without rain or heavy condensation. Protect nearby play equipment, garden beds and paving from dust and splashes. Remove loose hardware and label parts such as the door and awnings so they return to their original positions.
Step-by-step: rebuild the shell before decorating
- Strip out irreparable lining. Remove rotten plywood wall lining and any fasteners that no longer hold. Save reusable components, including the door and window awnings, so they can be renewed separately.
- Move the cubby only with adequate help and a suitable plan. The documented project used lengths of timber beneath the floor as handles while the cubby was lifted to a new backyard location. A heavy elevated structure can crush or tip; do not treat those handles as a complete lifting procedure. Use enough capable people and professional lifting advice where the weight, access or ground conditions are uncertain.
- Lower an elevated cubby cautiously if your design requires it. In the pictured renovation, three treated-pine sleepers were screwed beneath the floor, the legs were levered out, and the cubby was lowered gradually. This is a description of that project, not a universal method. Stop if the frame shifts, the ground settles or the load cannot be controlled.
- Replace rotten framing. Cut out decayed sections and fit treated pine similar in size to the existing members. Keep replacement joints tight and fasten them with exterior-suitable screws appropriate to the timber and connection.
- Re-line the walls. Measure each opening after the frame is repaired. Cut 12 mm exterior plywood to fit, leave practical clearances at edges, and screw it to the frame. Seal exposed cut edges with a compatible exterior coating system before final painting.
- Install the roof skylight panel. Remove one central solid roof sheet and substitute a same-length translucent polycarbonate sheet. Secure it with polycarbonate roofing screws and follow the sheet manufacturer’s recommended fixing pattern, washers and overlap details. The source records the material choice but does not provide a wind, snow or load rating.
Build a durable exterior paint finish
1. Remove loose paint and contamination
Scrape or sand away flaking coatings until the remaining surface is firm. Feather abrupt edges so they do not telegraph through the new paint. Remove sanding dust, dirt and chalky residue; primer cannot bond reliably to a powdery or greasy surface. On old painted timber, use appropriate dust control and personal protection, and follow local rules for dealing with unknown coatings.
2. Prime repaired and exposed areas
The project used Dulux 1 Step Primer, Sealer & Undercoat after sanding. Apply primer to new plywood, replacement timber, exposed old surfaces and filled repairs according to the current product label. Pay particular attention to plywood edges and end grain, which absorb more coating than broad faces. Let the primer dry for the label’s stated interval before recoating or applying acrylic.
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3. Apply two exterior acrylic coats
Two coats of Dulux Weathershield Low Sheen Acrylic were applied, with drying time between coats. Use the project’s Vivid White, Symphony Red and High Blue arrangement as inspiration, or develop your own palette after testing sample patches in the cubby’s actual light. Keep a wet edge, avoid painting in direct heat or damp conditions, and inspect from several angles after the first coat so thin areas receive proper coverage on the second.
4. Keep the finish maintainable
Low-sheen exterior acrylic is easier to wipe than a highly textured finish, but a cubby still receives knocks, dirt and moisture. Keep leftover paint identified by color and surface so future touch-ups match. Inspect annually for failed caulk, open joints, peeling edges and water entry; repair the cause before touching up paint.
Add the shop interior and serving details
Install the checkered floor
Cut the checkered vinyl flooring to the cubby floor dimensions and dry-fit it before removing backing. The project secured it with double-sided tape around the floor. Keep the substrate clean and dry, press the taped perimeter firmly, and avoid trapping folds that become trip points. Confirm that the adhesive and vinyl are suitable for the temperature and moisture conditions where the cubby sits.
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Make the counter and shelf
Merbau decking measuring 140 x 22 mm became the window counter, while 140 x 45 mm treated pine formed an exterior shelf. Position each piece against the repaired frame, pre-drill where splitting is likely, and screw through the frame. Round or ease exposed corners and check that no screw tips protrude into the play area. These dimensions describe the original project; choose sizes that suit your opening and the reach of the children using it.
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Refresh the door and awnings
Reinstall the removed door and awnings after their surfaces are sound and repainted. The project replaced old polycarbonate awning sheets where possible. Check that hinges, latches and edges operate without sharp projections or pinch points. Match the awning fixings to the replacement sheet and existing frame rather than forcing old holes that have become loose.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Make chalkboard menus and a doughnut sign
Menu boards
Cut menu boards from 4 mm marine plywood, coat them with chalkboard paint, and screw them to the shop. The documented color treatment used plain black on the outside and Colossus on the inside board. Marine plywood is not automatically maintenance-free: seal cut edges, keep fasteners tight and repaint when the chalk surface or substrate begins to fail. Leave enough clearance around the boards for children to write without hitting adjacent trim.
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Layered shop sign
The doughnut identity came from a sign built from two pieces of 4 mm plywood. One piece was shaped like icing, painted Dulux Smooth Chocolate, and decorated with pre-painted craft letters. Short pieces of 4 mm diameter dowel were painted in assorted colors and attached as sprinkles. Dry-fit the lettering and sprinkle layout before fixing, and smooth every cut edge. Small decorative parts need secure attachment and regular checks because loose pieces can become a hazard.
Finish the surrounding play space
The after-makeover view shows the cubby as part of a larger play setting, with a raised garden bed, a slippery dip and other play equipment around it. Use that idea to connect the shop to the yard without crowding access routes. Keep fall zones, drainage and adult visibility in mind, and make sure new garden structures do not direct water toward the cubby’s repaired walls.
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| Decision | Use the documented approach when… | Reconsider when… |
|---|---|---|
| Repair or replace the cubby | The frame is sound and deterioration is limited to removable lining, paint or individual timber members. | There is widespread rot, movement, unstable support or water damage that cannot be isolated. |
| Solid roof or translucent panel | You want more daylight and can detail the panel, screws and overlaps for your local weather. | The roof structure, fixing method or local conditions require an assessment beyond this makeover’s information. |
| Painted plywood menu boards or another finish | You want a writable shop surface and can protect plywood edges and fasteners. | The board will be exposed to persistent wetting that the chosen coating system cannot tolerate. |
| Bright three-color scheme or a custom palette | You want the playful contrast of Vivid White, Symphony Red and High Blue. | The cubby must coordinate with existing structures or a stricter neighborhood color scheme. |
Common problems and practical fixes
- Paint peels soon after coating: Moisture, chalky old paint, dust or insufficient drying is more likely than a color problem. Scrape back to a firm edge, clean the surface, allow it to dry and re-prime before recoating.
- Wood still feels soft after painting: Coating has hidden a symptom rather than repaired the timber. Remove the affected plywood or frame member and replace it before repainting.
- Patchy color after the first coat: High-contrast colors and porous repairs often need the full two-coat system. Let the first coat dry, inspect in daylight and apply the second rather than overloading one wet coat.
- Vinyl lifts at an edge: Dust, dampness, insufficient pressure or an unsuitable adhesive can prevent bonding. Lift only the loose section, clean and dry the substrate, and refix with a compatible method.
- Polycarbonate leaks around screws: Check that the screw, washer, hole size and overlap follow the sheet manufacturer’s instructions. Do not simply add random fasteners, which can distort the panel.
- Decorative sign parts loosen: Remove any loose dowel or lettering, smooth the surface and refix it securely. Inspect the sign whenever the cubby is cleaned or the paintwork is checked.
What this makeover does—and does not—tell you
This is a useful sequence for turning a tired but repairable cubby into a themed play shop: assess, remove failed material, repair the frame, re-line, add daylight, prepare surfaces, prime, paint and then install the decorative pieces. It does not establish a total budget, project duration, load rating, formal safety assessment or product-performance result. None of those figures is supplied for the 2021 project, so they should be determined locally for your cubby, climate and regulations.
For a painting-focused renovation, the durable idea is simple: spend effort on the substrate before the color. Once rotten material is removed, replacement timber is fitted, plywood edges are sealed and the primer-plus-two-coat exterior system is applied correctly, the doughnut-shop details have a sounder surface to live on. The final look comes from combining that preparation with a few high-impact additions—daylight through the roof, a serving counter, chalkboard menus, checkered flooring and a sign that children can recognize as their own shop.
Quick Recap
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