USA Houzz Tour: Explore a 'She Shed' Inspired by Wedgwood China
Tucked above a creek in the forest in Ohio, USA, this tiny cottage is a gardener’s favourite spot to host friends
Somewhere in the forest between Cleveland and Akron in Ohio, USA, there’s a secret shed full of delightful surprises. From the main house, a winding path with lots of intriguing little spots along the way leads to this little cottage used to host tea parties. Built by a homeowner who loves gardening, Wedgwood china and tea gatherings with friends, this is the ultimate ‘she shed’.
The shed is a 3 x 4-metre prefabricated building. Lobalzo added a small deck for viewing the creek. The glass railings keep the views clear. The deck and posts will be painted in time.
Find a building designer near you on Houzz to design your dream home
Find a building designer near you on Houzz to design your dream home
Photo by Susan Lobalzo
This is the view from the deck. The homeowner has three Saint Bernard dogs who also love the bushland setting.
This is the view from the deck. The homeowner has three Saint Bernard dogs who also love the bushland setting.
“My client wanted the outside of the shed to look very simple,” says Lobalzo. “Every time someone new opens the door they say, ‘Oh my God!’”
Browse more Australian sheds and granny flats for inspiration
Browse more Australian sheds and granny flats for inspiration
The two Wedgwood pieces on the mantlepiece are from the homeowner’s collection. Their colour and design inspired the decor of the shed. The figurines are from a local antique shop, and the wall sconces are new.
The mantle was originally cherry wood. Artist Paulette Grubb painted it to look like marble, then painted the floors to match. The fireplace is electric and throws out enough heat to warm the shed. “But you do need to wear a jacket out here on cold days,” says Lobalzo.
The mantle was originally cherry wood. Artist Paulette Grubb painted it to look like marble, then painted the floors to match. The fireplace is electric and throws out enough heat to warm the shed. “But you do need to wear a jacket out here on cold days,” says Lobalzo.
Louis XVI and Wedgwood china inspired the style of the shed. “The main house is formal but not so fancy,” says Lobalzo. She and her client shopped at local antique shops, estate sales and online antique sources for the furniture and accessories. She had all of the furniture pieces reupholstered, and she brought in toile for the window treatments.
Fully insulating the shed and adding plasterboard and electrical wiring were part of the project. Lobalzo had the existing ceiling altered from an asymmetrical vault to a symmetrical one. “That way we were able to centre the window treatments and mouldings off the peak,” she says. An antique crystal chandelier hangs in the centre of the space.
Fully insulating the shed and adding plasterboard and electrical wiring were part of the project. Lobalzo had the existing ceiling altered from an asymmetrical vault to a symmetrical one. “That way we were able to centre the window treatments and mouldings off the peak,” she says. An antique crystal chandelier hangs in the centre of the space.
Determining the scale and arrangement of the mouldings was a challenge. “This is not exactly the kind of project I work on every day,” says Lobalzo. The mouldings emulate the detailing of Wedgwood pieces. “They are a mix of plaster and resin pieces from Decorators Supply Corp in Chicago, USA. They have been in business since 1883,” says the designer.
The homeowner hosts large fundraising parties for charities in her garden, but she also loves to gather a few close friends for tea parties in the afternoon, where she serves tea sandwiches and pastries just like the ones in this photo. “We included enough seating for five people, but four is really the limit out here,” says Lobalzo.
The homeowner hosts large fundraising parties for charities in her garden, but she also loves to gather a few close friends for tea parties in the afternoon, where she serves tea sandwiches and pastries just like the ones in this photo. “We included enough seating for five people, but four is really the limit out here,” says Lobalzo.
In addition to painting the mantle and floor to look like marble, Grubb painted the ceiling to resemble the sky and chose a trompe l’oeil rug for the floor. It took her about a month to complete the faux painting.
The wall colour was tricky to get right. “Blues are difficult because they change with the light all day long. It needed to be a meld of the blues in the upholstery, the faux rug, the window treatments and the Wedgwood,” she says. She worked with a trusted painter to custom-tint just the right shade on-site.
The homeowner could not be more thrilled with the results. She loves to surprise and delight her friends when she has them over for tea.
Your turn
What’s your favourite feature of this ‘she shed’? Tell us in the Comments below. And remember to like this story, save the images for inspiration and join the conversation.
More
Fancy another dose of design inspiration? Get your fix here with Houzz Tour: When a Balcony Turns Into a Boho Oasis
The wall colour was tricky to get right. “Blues are difficult because they change with the light all day long. It needed to be a meld of the blues in the upholstery, the faux rug, the window treatments and the Wedgwood,” she says. She worked with a trusted painter to custom-tint just the right shade on-site.
The homeowner could not be more thrilled with the results. She loves to surprise and delight her friends when she has them over for tea.
Your turn
What’s your favourite feature of this ‘she shed’? Tell us in the Comments below. And remember to like this story, save the images for inspiration and join the conversation.
More
Fancy another dose of design inspiration? Get your fix here with Houzz Tour: When a Balcony Turns Into a Boho Oasis
Shed at a Glance
Who lives here: An avid gardener
Location: Ohio, USA
Size: 13 square meters
Designer: Susan Lobalzo of Lobalzo Design Associates
The structure is on a four-acre property. “It is so woodsy and there are so many winding paths that you feel like you are in a park here,” says Lobalzo. “The homeowner loves nature, and working on her beautiful gardens is her outlet.” The owner planted ferns around the shed to maintain the forest-like feel.
In addition to the main shed, there is a potting shed on the property, as well as a pavilion where she likes to host dinner parties on nice nights.