Thursday, July 23, 2015

Garden Shed Makeover

When I lived in Vienna, Austria, I discovered a charming area on the edge of the city crammed with little garden sheds. Each shed had a tiny plot of land in front of it. I learned these were weekend getaway cottages for city folk where they could grow fresh vegetables and escape the crowds. 
They were simple structures but were trimmed out and neat as a pin.


Years later, I find my own garden shed in the middle of the city provides a similar escape. 
A private place where the hum of the freeway is softened by the buzz of bees. 
Where the air smells earthy and the sun pouring through the skylight relaxes my tense shoulders.


It's a standard Tuff Shed but I wanted it to look more like those tiny cottages in Vienna.


I decided to remove the giant X on the door that made it look like a barn.
Nothing wrong with barns. In fact, I love them. Just not the look I was going for. 
The boards came off easily with a small crow bar. 
I left the board in the middle for visual interest as I had a plan for it.


I debated on whether to paint the door a different color (I was thinking lavender or a muted violet) than the rest of the shed but finally decided to keep it simple and stick with the same green.


The iron window box was a freebie alley find.
The metal plant basket, a Goodwill bargain.


Enamel pans and an old trellis were yard sale treasures.
A rusted lantern and garden tools were found objects.


And the old metal garden chair belonged to my Dad who came from a long line of farmers.


A home-made potting bench with a mullioned window is tucked into the corner.


Wildflower gardens surround the shed, 
providing a calming view and transporting me to the mountains.


In France, even Marie Antoinette had her Queen's Hamlet at Versailles which, among other things, featured a farmhouse where she could pretend to be a peasant. 
I guess everyone needs an escape now and then. Too bad it was so small, huh?


And here's my finished shed.
I'm thinking about removing the pans and trellis on the side
and putting wooden shutters on each side of the window. What do you think? 


Take a deep breath. Listen to the birdsong. This is a sanctuary for the senses.

Sharing with:  French Country CottageMy Romantic HomeShabby Nest,
DwellingsRustic & RefinedCedar Hill FarmhouseKnick of TimeSavvy Southern Style,
The Vintage NestFrench Country CottageMy Romantic HomeShabby Nest

28 comments:

  1. Your garden shed and retreat is beautiful Pat! I miss my garden shed since we moved and, seriously, they aren't allowed by the HOA here :-( I love the idea of shutters!

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  2. Your shed is just lovely.
    Funnily enough just last night I was watching the Tatton Park Flower Show on the TV (that's a UK gardening show thing, a smaller version of the Chelsea Flower show which is probably the most famous) Anyway! They had a competition for people to decorate sheds. Some were very modern but one entrant had gone for a super cute, pretty shed a little bit like this and they were joint winners!

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  3. Adorable Shed, love your garden spot Pat and the potting bench is just perfect. Shutters would look great, but everyone has them, and you would have no room for display. I simply adore junk collections on sheds they are so much more personable and unique to me. The trellis is cute but is crying for a plant, or heck you can just add more junk in its place.
    Beautiful vintage space!

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  4. Hi Sister, I love the looks of your shed now. I like the green and glad you decided to stay with it. I agree with Brenda. Shutters would look so cute but it is very common. Some old garden tools would look neat. I'm sure you should have some or did I get all of Dad's? Poor Marie A. to have to suffer through such a little place for a retreat. Ha Ha. Love Jan

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  5. So pretty and charming! A truly lovely transformation! Thanks for sharing!!

    Hugs,
    Deb

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  6. Charming!
    Thanks so much for sharing at AMAZE ME MONDAY!
    Blessings,
    Cindy

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  7. Very pretty garden shed! I love the green color you used and I have been wanting my own potting bench.

    XO,
    Christine

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  8. Oh, I love your shed. I have a garden shed also, and I am always looking at ways to make it look cuter. Yours is adorable and it gives me some ideas for mine. Thanks for sharing. Karie

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  9. Love the trellis and pans,but the shutters would look really nice also. And that's about no help!!! Maybe you could use the trellis as an awning above the door. I've seen pics, not sure how you'd attach it at the top and the exact angle down to clear the door...I know it's attached to a couple of wood or metal brackets on each side at the bottom. Just a thought ~ Mickie

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  10. so wonderful! I'd love to have a little getaway garden shed like yours, it's just adorable!!

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  11. I love it!! It looks so adorable.

    Kathy

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  12. Totally adorable - what a treasure! Found your link at Dwellings' Amaze Me Monday. Thanks for sharing!
    ~~ Carolyn @ Our Gilded Abode

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  13. Pat,
    Amazing Garden Shed Make~over!!!
    I agree, shutters would look fabulous!!!
    Thank you for reminding one to s l o w down and enjoy!!!
    Fondly,
    Pat

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  14. Hi Pat, Happy to make your acquaintance via Christine's blog and your potting shed being featured - I love it! Great job, with great finds and I love your area too. It's been almost 40 years since I visited there and stayed in Estes Park for several of that visit, but it was wonderful. I live in WV, and it is our Almost Heaven . :)
    Rita C at Panoply

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  15. Pat,
    Don't you just love puttering in and around your garden shed? Did you put shutters up as you were thinking about doing? Shutters are very French.

    Judith

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  21. Very pretty garden shed! I love the green color you used and I have been wanting my own potting bench.shelves

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  24. Oh, I love your shed. I have a garden shed also, and I am always looking at ways to make it look cuter. Yours is adorable and it gives me some ideas for mine. Thanks for sharing. KItchenBath

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