8 | Gallery

There’s something special about every she shed, and this chapter provides another look at why they appeal so to our spirits and imaginations. She shed ownership fosters an amazing spirit of community. Hundreds of Facebook groups, Pinterest boards, blogging communities, forums, and Houzz members exist and flourish for the sheer enjoyment of comparing notes on designing, building, improving, sharing, and enjoying their sheds.

Consider this a gallery of ideas and impressions. Elements of these sheds may provide you with just the right inspiration as you do your research. The more you look at them, the more ideas come to mind about all of the essential elements of good she shed living: construction, design, style, site selection, color, function, and, yes, livability. Explore these well designed and versatile structures, from classic to modern, and use the inspiration to help you build a she shed of your own.

Audrey’s Teahouse

Audrey’s teahouse reflects the widespread appeal of this ancient Asian practice of using a small private building for the ceremonial pouring of tea. Here the structure is modernized, intended as a substantial focal point for an extensive yard with a large pond and waterfall. It was designed by architect Jerry Eschman, who used only a very old photo of a Bali teahouse for inspiration. Eschman designed a mortise-and-tenon structure joined with wood pegs, a traditional and very strong method of frame construction.

One of the shed’s important distinguishing characteristics is its roof. Both the ridge of the roof and the rafters curve up slightly at the ends, something that Eschman noticed on the structure in the photo. This more than anything else captured the spirit of the place. Beyond that he added thoroughly modern features for comfort and for harmonious balance with the house. French doors and large multi-paned windows reach almost floor to ceiling to make the teahouse feel wide open. The teahouse sits on a raised foundation of concrete topped with slate and faced with dry stacked stone.

Audrey’s teahouse was designed for pure relaxation and enjoyment. It is intentionally situated on a rise to command sweeping views of the water and gardens. From a long-ago hut in Bali, a modern-day teahouse emerges.

Photography: Jerry Eschman

Unique features of the teahouse include gently curving roof ridges and rafters, as well as decorative carving on the rafter tails and bargeboard.

Audrey’s teahouse is a modern interpretation of an old Bali thatched structure. Using thoroughly modern materials and mortise-and-tenon construction, this wonderful little house anchors the entire yard. Architect Jerry Eschman used standard window sizes to cut down on costs.

Studio Sheds

In response to the growing notion that sheds are not just for storage anymore, Studio Sheds came to the fore. These pre-fabricated, customizable sheds have the look of an uber-cool addition you might build on a contemporary house, giving the remarkable appearance of a professionally designed space.

At the core of the Studio Shed concept is a construction method utilizing products and techniques that are sturdy, economical, and less wasteful. Engineered wood is the base material selected for its strength as well as its sustainability. Because engineered wood products are created using more of the timber parts, such as tree fibers that are typically left to waste, they are extremely efficient. They also provide more consistent structural integrity due to the reconstitution process (i.e. no knots or cracks). All of the lumber used is FSC certified, which means that it passes criteria on how and where the lumber was harvested in order to better protect forests and ecosystems.

In addition to the wood, these sheds are designed with a distinct window trim made of metal. The metal used within the window construction and as trim is fabricated to each shed’s specification and all scrap metal is reused. Insulation is made with recycled denim, and the flooring is cork.

From one core structural plan comes an impressive array of options that allow each she shed owner to personalize the pre-fab. The company’s online 3D Configurator allows you to design your shed by selecting size, layout, color, siding, accessories, and foundation type. As always, select with care, and get all your questions answered before moving forward.

Photography: Studio Sheds

Nestled in a corner of an ordinary suburban backyard, this modern-style she shed is all about clean lines and an unobtrusive profile. Its monoslope roof peeks just a foot or two above the fence along the property’s boundaries. It is constructed on a simple concrete slab foundation. Using a variety of sturdy and eco-conscious materials, the shed appealingly provides a residential-grade structure while still being cost effective and easy to build.

Sunlight streams in from all sides in this Studio Shed configuration. The roof is multi-cell polycarbonate, which offers sturdiness as well as letting in plenty of diffused light. Simple brushed aluminum-clad wall panels surround the large floor-to-ceiling windows and full-lite glass door. Note that the interior remains relatively unfinished and spare—it’s all about the well-being of the plants and space for potting. Eyebrow windows open on hinges for ventilation. The shed is built on a pier foundation with no-fuss cracked gravel flooring.

This is one of Studio Shed’s home office configurations. Note that the entire front façade of this she shed is crafted in glass—eyebrow windows above, side glass panels, and glass doors in front make it completely open to the outdoors. The living space extends to the outdoors thanks to the large front platform deck made with the same panels as the shed. A large percentage of these sheds are used as home offices, ideal for women who are starting businesses of their own or who wish to work without leaving their children each day.

Streamlined in Seattle

A Seattle-based artist was priced out of her downtown art studio and began looking around for another solution. Since she was a large-format painter, her work gets messy, and she requires plenty of space to move around. There was a tiny studio on the property, and it germinated the idea of a larger shed—a less expensive way to provide all the room and light she needed. Modern Shed is the company that she selected to create the design. The attractive palette of deep gray and tomato red on walls and trim is a close match to the house, and the shed design was modified to fit the very steep slope in the yard. Inside, a cubby system holds many rolled-up works in progress; otherwise, floor space reigns.

Clever entryways and decking convert a “plopped-down” shed into one that is truly integrated into its surroundings. You can opt for simple extras like a stairstep, or shift to a more indoor/outdoor configuration by building a full porch or deck, partitions, pergolas, or fencing. What turns an ordinary shed into a place for living and creativity are elements that connect the structure to its environment. Companies like Modern Shed will usually provide services for add-ons and provide expert consultation.

Photography: Dominic Bonuccelli

The metal wall panels install quickly and are prefabricated at the company’s facility. The lightning-speed construction of this shed leaves time for creating a spectacular entrance. Stylish Arts-and-Crafts fencing is characterized by large 4×4-inch square posts, with the frame painted the same gray as the shed, and, for contrast, stained wood rails and decking.

Perched on a steep slope, this she shed was the answer to an artist’s quest for light-filled space in which to work on large-format pieces. Much of the pier foundation was clad in the same dark-gray metal paneling as the walls, for a graceful, continuous elevation.

Modern Meets Historic

There are many alternative terms for a she shed and here’s another one to add: Alternative Dwelling Unit, or ADU. This is a planner’s term for a fully livable (and professionally designed) second unit that is part of a larger owned property. Sheila Meehan’s 10×12-foot shed was the answer to a dilemma she faced as the owner of an historic home with no room for her work as a licensing agent for artists. “There were two deciding factors that made us choose a shed,” Meehan says. “The cost was affordable without having to refinance our home, and the speed to a finished product was impressive.”

The shed (from Modern Shed) is very modern in its minimalist structure and low sloping roofline. Yet its clever color palette of sage green and slate gray suited Meehan’s 1925 home, so that it felt like a natural extension. An architect helped determine the best site for the shed, as well as where the doors and windows should be. Within a few days, Meehan’s homey new office was ready for move-in.

Photography: Dominic Bonuccelli

Inside, the features are simple but attractive. The walls are birch, which come standard with the shed. Meehan selected locally grown bamboo for her flooring and also selected her own lighting, which the shed company installed for her. She decided to use her own furnishings instead of making built-ins, so that she could move things around as she wished.

Made entirely with modern and eco-friendly materials, Meehan’s shed nevertheless reflects the spirit of her ninety-year-old home. It fits snugly within her small backyard and allows her the quiet and privacy she needs to run her business.

The Literary Cabin

Nestled in the woods of the North Shore of Lake Superior, Ann Possis’s she shed evokes the classic fairy tale cottage. Possis’s former husband built it for her so that she could have a place of her own—he just acquired his own office above their new garage. They converted an old shed that had rotted almost to the ground. Original components include the great double doors, which close over the glass doors when desired.

The interior is illuminated with ten windows, including two additional stained glass panels and glass sidelights flanking the front door. The original ceiling boards were painted sky blue, and the shelves, desk, and trim all have a pale white stain. After unsuccessfully trying to stain the floorboards (and using many choice words in the process), Possis settled for dark green porch paint.

The shed is not insulated, so it is purely a summer place. However, it is wired for electricity and for phone service so that Possis can use it as a home office.

Photography: Ann Possis

Possis and her carpenter designed the interior of the shed, including the shelving, brackets, and an L-shaped desk for making paper art cards. The shed is a great place for reading, too; the shelves are filled with books that go back to Possis’s childhood.

Ann Possis’s rustic she shed was fashioned from an old tool shed. A local carpenter jacked it up and built a new foundation on piers; Possis reused as much of the old materials as she could. The result is a shed that feels at one with its surroundings.

Recycled Green-houses

A unique business in central California designs and builds “functional art” in the form of spacious and light-filled she sheds. A Place to Grow/Recycled Greenhouses structures are characterized by a heavy use of reclaimed wood, including one hundred-year-old barn wood, torn-down wood fences and even recycled wine flavor sticks (pieces of wood used to flavor wine as it ages in the barrel).

The sewing shed windows are reclaimed, with wood frames and real divided lites.

The interior is a hospitable space with a table for tea and a soft area rug underfoot. The walls are outfitted with plenty of shelves and display cabinets to hold the owner’s myriad collections of glassware and vintage figurines.

Very little new lumber is used in the construction of these sheds; as a result, the wood species and color will often vary from shed to shed, or even wall to wall. Other materials are also used in the construction process, such as corrugated metal and polycarbonate panels. The result is an eclectic construction that is nevertheless extremely sturdy and utterly unique.

Once the design is determined, materials are sourced directly from Recycled Greenhouses’ warehouse. Over the years, they have accumulated a huge inventory of materials salvaged from demolition, remodels, and lumber mills. Clients can come in and select from hundreds of salvaged doors and windows, but they can also use anything of their own and have it integrated into the design. Then the entire shed is designed, cut, and brought to the site for installation.

Photography: Kim Snyder/kimberlyjoysnyder.com

Dog-ear fence boards nailed upside down create a whimsical scalloped pattern across the front gable of this she shed. Note the overhang of the roof extends out far enough to create a shelter over the front porch.

Two beautifully crafted full-size doors were salvaged and put together to create a wide entrance to this shed, which is used as a sewing room. Several large tables provide plenty of work surface for projects—and no one complains if the mess is left out to be worked on another day.

The Little Red Shed

This cheery red shed is the perfect example of how the surrounding landscape should be an extremely important consideration when determining a location. While the shed here provides a substantial focal point for the outer edge of the property and is attractive in and of itself, you can see how much the environs matter.

A large yard like this one is often divided into various sections, with interesting plantings and pathways that encourage the eye to wander in several directions. Here the meandering flagstone pathways lead through and around a raised “island” of succulents and palms, with the main pathway heading towards the shed. Flaming pink bougainvillea is planted near the shed and it will eventually frame the entrance.

Photography: Gabriel Frank/Gardens by Gabriel

At the far end of this beautifully landscaped yard is a simple classic shed, painted oxblood red with white trim. It makes for a quiet and secluded retreat and feels quite at home within the garden design. The owner furnished it with a small pine armoire, an antique round table, a day bed with lots of pillows, and a small vintage chandelier.

French Farmhouse Style

What exactly connotes a French farmhouse? It is a style that is both rustic and sophisticated, earthy, and colorful. Nearly half of France’s land is still used for agriculture, and the people take pride in their locally farmed products. So it’s no surprise that this Old World style is appealing to people in the rest of the world, as well.

This gardening shed is an interpretation of what a humble shed might look like in context with the French farmhouse, which is often constructed of stone and plaster. Note the wide barn wall siding, set vertically on a short foundation of gray stone, and the exposed rafter beams inside. A large French door is framed simply in unpainted wood trim, and complemented by large multi-lite windows. Although designed to appear rustic, the shed’s meticulous finish work and pristine appearance give away the fact that it was intentionally designed and built for a contemporary taste.

Photography: M-Buck Studio LLC

This French farmhouse-inspired gardening shed offers a pleasant and sheltered place for both the serious gardener and the novice. The exposed rafters and joists as well as Provence terra cotta tile flooring contribute to its pastoral appeal. Pea gravel walkways are also a quintessential French touch.

Old-Fashioned Cottage

Once upon a time, when we were small, we dreamed of a yellow cottage with white trim where we lived happily ever after. For the woman who never quite outgrew her love of playhouses, this steeply gabled clapboard shed is irresistible, especially since it looks like a miniature version of a real house. Although measuring just 12×12 feet, the shed seems spacious because of the high, sloped ceiling. It is actually used for a number of crafting and art projects by the owner and has a large loft space for storage (after her daughter outgrew it as a reading nook). The wide French doors allow her to bring in furniture pieces that need restoration.

A small gable roof over the front entryway mirrors the shape of the shed’s roof, creating a classic cottage look. To further embellish this theme, tiny porch posts and gingerbread millwork on the gable are important details if you are going for a look that is less shed and more house.

The Victorian style isn’t for everyone. Some consider it too fussy and not harmonious with the natural surroundings. Nevertheless, this cottage shows restraint in its ornamentation and could suit any kind of property. It is truly the feminine she shed of the imagination.

Photography: Pamela/flowerpatchfarmhouse.com

Built in the classic cottage style, this she shed is a practical studio with good light and space. The roof is corrugated metal, and the walls were super insulated to keep the shed warm during the winter months. In the summertime, the owner’s abundant flowerbeds create a pretty framework around the creamy yellow shed.

Inside the cottage is the look of a little house that has been lived in for many years—beadboard walls and double-hung windows both contribute to the vintage cottage style. Vinyl flooring has the look of Victorian black-and-white tile. Freestanding furniture includes a handsome painted armoire in mint green and white.

Belle of the Garden

Sheds are often designed and built to be decorative on the outside while covering up a practical storage area on the inside. Still, in some cases it ends up being considered more than just a tool shed by the woman owner of the house. This is what happened with this grand she shed, dubbed Williamsburg Gardenbelle, that sits in an award-winning garden near Greenwich, Connecticut.

The owner wanted an historic-looking shed to anchor a walled vegetable garden. This shed design, from Garden Sheds Inc., was inspired by the architecture of Colonial Williamsburg, with its somewhat austere and tidy aesthetic of tall, narrow brick or clapboard buildings, narrow divided-lite windows, and paint colors in neutral shades of white, gray, brown, or dark green. It was exactly what she wanted, with a few key custom touches that made it unique.

Whimsical details make this she shed a standout and not so austere. First, it is hexagonal in shape and features small eave brackets spaced at short intervals. Topping things off is a wonderful ogee roof (slight S curvature), with high-profile asphalt shingles and a ball-and-spike finial for good measure. The end result was so pretty that the owner puts candles around the shed for parties so that it glows.

Photography: Stacy Bass Photography

Twin trellises support the garden’s climbing roses on the Williamsburg Gardenbelle she shed. This impressive architectural structure is actually centered within the brick wall and becomes part of the landscape’s permanence.