The Making of The She-Shed
This tiny structure, a.k.a. The She-Shed, is near and dear to my heart. Not only is this space my studio - it is my creative haven and secret hideaway, tucked away in the woods.
Entirely designed and built by my husband Captain Andy and me, The She-Shed is filled with meaning and personality. It has also been my silver lining during the Pandemic, providing me with a place to work outside of the home and helping to keep me motivated, focused and sane.
As many of you know, working from home is not always easy. Having a designated work space, whether in the living room, in a separate shed or even under the stairs, can make us exponentially more productive and happy!
As a positive inspiration, I wanted to share to share the fun and personal story of the making of The She-Shed with you :)
Photo by Eric Striffler
Functional & Design Goals
Our main goal for The She-Shed was to create an independent design studio for me to work. Even before the Pandemic, I had been working primarily remotely, both as a professor and in my design practice. However, between the TV, the laundry and the minute details of domestic life, working in the living room became complicated (to put it mildly).
We opted to keep the interior space under 120ft, in order to file the structure as a Residential Storage Shed with electricity, rather than filing for a building permit. Functionally, I needed a desk & chair, computer, storage for my design materials, a corkboard, power, internet and natural light.
Inspired by our wooded landscape, our design concept was to create a “treehouse” floating above the ground. Our aim was to integrate the building with its surroundings - to work with nature, rather than adapt nature to us.
©️ Natura Interiors
The Design & Construction Process
I created a floor plan and elevations to define the overall design, however, many of the construction decisions were made on-site, as we went along. This made the process uniquely hand-crafted and organic.
For example, we re-purposed the DJ platform from our wedding (which was held in our backyard), to use as the base of the structure! Andy placed this platform on stilts over a slope on our property, next to a retaining wall made of tree trunks. He then built a wood-plank bridge to access the platform. We decided to cut a hole in the bridge, to allow a young oak to continue growing, rather than cut down the tree.
Andy framed out the structure with 2x4’s, and created a lean-to roof with exposed rafters extending beyond the side of the shed. This slanted, funky roof added character, while preventing the rain & snow from pooling.
A generous friend donated large Anderson windows and a glass door, and we installed the windows on both North & South sides of the space. This allowed for ample sunlight and unobstructed views to the woods. Andy cladded the exterior with rough-sawn T1-11, and finished the roof with black asphalt shingles. Because we were already in November, we made a mad rush to weather-proof and insulate the structure before winter hit!
Once the cold weather passed, we settled on painting exterior black, with white window & door frames for contrast. Then began the process of wiring, sheet-rocking, and finishing the interior. For the flooring, we installed wide, hardwood pine planks, and we chose tongue & groove, bead board for the ceiling. We painted the entire interior envelope in different tones of white for a luminous effect.
Andy built a railing along the bridge out of 4x4 posts and natural rope. Being a captain, he created nifty nautical knots to attach the rope railing to the posts. Such a clever man :)
Defining the Interior Space
Bright, airy and functional, we crafted a place for everything inside. We designed a full-height, built-in shelving unit that works with the slant of the ceiling. This unit is intended to store materials & books, including a desk-height additional work surface for an assistant, when necessary.
The furnishings were kept simple, and easy to maintain. A simple, free-standing open desk, white Eames office chair and wood-finish file cabinet create a comfortable, practical, work area. A blue & white indoor/outdoor rug from Serena & Lily, natural wood elements, translucent drapes & hand-crafted textiles, add softness and warmth. A pink, comfy dog bed for our mini-dachshund Pepper, is the final touch…And our new rescue pup Moose now has his own spot too!
Adjustable LED track lights in the ceiling, and a desk lamp provide flexible, energy efficient lighting. I added a salt lamp in the corner of the space to purify the air and add a warm glow. I love looking out my window from the house, and seeing the orange sparkle of this lamp at night.
Photography by Eric Striffler
A Space Filled with Meaning
Each corner of The She-Shed is envisioned and built by Andy and me. Every stage of the process has had its challenges and adventures, which makes it all the more special, and meaningful.
As I sit and work at my desk on a design project or reviewing my students’ work, I typically see a family of deer walk by or a rabbit sniffing the air. I watch the seasons change right before my eyes, without fail or fuss. In this simple, quiet space, built by and around the things I love, I am inspired to do my best work for my clients and students. My hope, and greatest joy, is to also help others create spaces that are filled with meaning.
Do you want your very own She (or He) Shed, or do you need help creating a work space in your home? Click below to book a discovery call with me today!
