A wide open lawn provided the perfect setting for a beautiful backyard barn. The home owners, who are avid gardeners, wanted an indoor workshop and space to store supplies - and they didn’t want it to be an eyesore. During the contemplation phase, they came across a few barns designed by a company called Country Carpenters and fell in love with the charm and character of the structures. Since they had worked with us in the past, we were automatically the builder of choice! Country Carpenters sent us the drawings and supplies, right down to the pre-cut lengths of lumber, and our carpenters put all the pieces together. In order to accommodate township rules and regulations regarding water run-off, we performed the necessary calculations and adjustments to ensure the final structure was built 6 feet shorter than indicated by the original plans.

Jo Fenton

"BEST OF HOUZZ 2018, SHED" This sunny potting shed features bluestone floors, walls sheathed in white pine and Shaker pegs for hanging gardening tools. Robert Benson Photography

Mick Hales. Designed by Amy Aidinis Hirsch http://amyhirsch.com

Potting/ Garden room sided with recycled wood pallets

The original concept for this space came from the idea that this modern glass greenhouse would be built around an old wooden shed still standing beneath the trees. The "shed" turned Powder Room would of course be new construction, but clever materiality - white washed reclaimed vertical panelling - would make it appear as though it was a treasure from many years before.

The Oakland 759 shed features a unique polypropylene resin plastic material with the look of rough-hewn wood. This rugged appearance blends in with your outdoor landscape, making the shed a natural part of the yard from the moment you set it up. If the original color doesn't match the theme of your home, this storage shed can be painted as desired, a feature you won't find with any other resin shed. The double doors mimic the look of real wood while the Victorian-style window brings a touch of elegance to this storage building.

The barn has a center paved aisle that features (3) 12x12 stalls, tack room, hot water wash rack, tractor garage, hay room and a half bathroom with a washing machine (for riding gear).

Photography: Jen Burner Photography

Photopia UK Strong and sturdy, made from pressure treated timber and then finished off with cedar shingles on the roof. The solid door has galvanised hinges and a pad bolt that can be secured with a padlock (padlock not supplied). It comes with a decking floor that is raised slightly from the ground, allowing air to flow underneath to prevent damp.

What our clients needed: • Create a garden folly that doubles as a well-built shed for crafts and storage. • Size the structure large enough for comfortable storage without dominating the garden. • Discreetly locate the shed in the far corner of the rear yard while maintaining existing trees. • Ensure that the structure is protected from the weather and carefully detailed to deter access of wildlife and rodents. FUNCTION • Construct the shed slab close to grade to permit easy access for bicycle storage, while building shed walls above grade to ensure against termites and dryrot. • Install a French door and operable casement windows to admit plenty of daylight and provide views to the garden. • Include rugged built-in work bench, shelves, bike racks and tool storage for a rustic well-organized and efficient space. • Incorporate GFIC electrical service for safe access to power at this distant corner of the yard. • Position energy-efficient interior lighting to ensure space can be used year-round. • Switch control of exterior light from house and from shed for ease of command. AESTHETICS • Design and detail the shed to coordinate with the Arts and Crafts style house. • Include an arbor for future flowering vines, further softening the shed’s garden presence. • Simple and rustic interior surfaces ensure that the space is easy to clean. • Create an aged and softly weathered appearance, and protect the exterior siding by finishing the cedar with a custom-colored semi-transparent stain. INNOVATIVE MATERIALS AND CONSTRUCTION • Factory-built components were pre-assembled to allow for a speedy assembly and for a shorter on-site construction schedule. • Each component was easily transported through the yard without disturbing garden features. • Decorative exterior trim frames the door and windows, while a simpler trim is used inside the unadorned shed. OBSTACLE OVERCOME • The structure is located in the corner of the yard to avoid disturbance of a curly willow tree. • The low-profile structure is positioned close to property lines while staying beneath the allowable daylight plane for structures. • To comply with daylight plane close to fence, the roof form combines hip and gable forms, with door located at gable end. • The height of the modest interior is maximized, without exceeding the allowable building height. CRAFTSMANSHIP • The concrete slab was precisely formed and finished for ease of shed assembly before the factory-built components were delivered to site. • Precision planning meant the pre-framed door fit exactly between raised concrete curb.

Three sheds; He Shed (lawn mowers, etc.), She Shed (gardening, small tools), and Wee Shed (shelter, bench & firepit). These sheds named by the owners form a strong backdrop to their midcentury modern home.

Erin Matlock | Professional Architectural Photographer