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.

Design ideas for a traditional detached greenhouse in Atlanta.

Robert Nehrebecky AIA, Re:New Architecture
Inspiration for a traditional detached garage in DC Metro.

This is an example of a traditional detached shed and granny flat in Other.

Maintaining the setback distances suggested by the building department, Sweeney built a garden shed addition that matched the color and architectural detail of the home. It was placed within 10 ft of the rear property line and 15 ft from the side lot line to provide functional access to the shed and built parallel to the fence. Looking at the landscape, the shed was also strategically placed on level ground, away from water collection points, and low branches.

One of a group of three identical sheds grouped in a row. This one houses the yard tractor and equipment.
Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional detached garden shed in Portland.

Detached 4-car garage with 1,059 SF one-bedroom apartment above and 1,299 SF of finished storage space in the basement.
Large traditional detached four-car garage in Denver.

Photography by Brent Bear
Mid-sized traditional detached greenhouse in San Francisco.

This is an example of a mid-sized traditional detached shed and granny flat in San Luis Obispo.

Morgan Howarth Photography. Surrounds, Inc.
Photo of a traditional detached greenhouse in DC Metro.

Angle Eye Photography
Inspiration for a large traditional detached three-car garage in Wilmington.

Inspiration for a traditional detached greenhouse in Hampshire.

Photo of an expansive traditional detached greenhouse in Vancouver.

Lake House Guest house
Small traditional detached granny flat in Burlington.

The playroom in the second floor has plenty of natural lighting. The flooring is a commercial grade laminate that can take the wear and tear of active play. Heating and cooling is supplied by a high efficiency mini-split system.

Wood Garage Door Look-Alike. Designed for homeowners who love the look of wood but not the upkeep, Clopay's Canyon Ridge Collection faux wood carriage house garage doors offer the best of both worlds: the realism, design flexibility and beauty of wood along with the benefits of a low-maintenance, energy-efficient, insulated steel garage door. Unlike real wood, the door is moisture resistant, so it won’t rot, split, shrink, separate, or crack. The cladding is molded from real wood boards to duplicate the natural texture and grain patterns to give each door one-of-a-kind character. The surface can be painted or stained. Doors shown: Clopay Canyon Ridege Collection Limited Edition Series, Design 13 with Mahogany cladding and overlays, factory-stained in a Dark finish.

This is an example of a small traditional detached garden shed in Chicago.

A delightful oak structure we built for a client who needed extra garden storage room space. Inside this tradtional design we incorporated a garage space car port, gym, storage and even a room above space. the logstore was a bespoke design with the rear section enclosed.

The interior details are simple, elegant, and are understated to display fine craftsmanship throughout the home. The design and finishes are not pretentious - but exactly what you would expect to find in an accomplished Maine artist’s home. Each piece of artwork carefully informed the selections that would highlight the art and contribute to the personality of each space. © Darren Setlow Photography