I took a few days off (3 to be exact) from the magazine business and celebrated the new year by building the little shed I needed for storage. Of course, I didn't want just an ordinary shed but something that would look as it had always been there.
It's on the concrete pad (which I used as the base) on the other side of the guest house. I had saved the old window, door, and copper awning when I demolished the garage. So glad I did!
The little shed is build with plywood painted to look old (like the "planks" in the guest house.)
I also saved the leftover pavers from the courtyard and used them to do the shed's floor. As for the interior I have to find the right pieces but must remind myself that it is a STORAGE shed NOT a little house and MUST not think "decorating".....hum......that's going to be tough!
I know you are going to ask so here you go: The little "nest" in the right corner is made from Spanish moss and the little egg isn't real. it's just for looks. The old sign over the door came from a junk shop (about 20 years ago!!) and the mirror came from a flea market in France. The sweet stone cherub was a gift.
The roof is tin but it's hard to see. I will have to take a photo. Still have to paint the back and add little shutters and curtains to the window (in the back.)
On to the "furnishing" part soon..................................
Oh that is so adorable! I think it might be very hard just to consider this a storage shed....
Hugs,
Penny
p.s. Happy New Year!
Posted by: Penny @ Lavender Hill Studio & The Comforts of Home | January 03, 2010 at 07:25 PM
Such a sweet little shed!! I love the little bird nest in the corner and the rusty awning is so charming!
I am sure you are going to have a hard time just using this for storage!!
blessings
mary
Posted by: Mary | January 03, 2010 at 07:40 PM
How sweet... I love the awning....
Posted by: Marietta Hoschak | January 03, 2010 at 07:41 PM
Cute, can't wait to see the inside when its done. Impressed, 3 days, huh? Great job.
Posted by: Arlene | January 03, 2010 at 07:49 PM
You did that? In three days? I'm impressed! It looks fabulous! Your New Year is definitly off to a wonderful start!
Posted by: Bonnie | January 03, 2010 at 07:49 PM
That has to be one of the cutest sheds I've ever seen. I would have to keep it as a special place to go "hide away" and read a book or take a nap.
To cute to use as storage.
Can you come to my house to make me one?
Hugs,
Joanne
Posted by: Joanne Kennedy | January 03, 2010 at 07:52 PM
I love it!!! Maybe you can come over and help me build one.
Posted by: Ginna | January 03, 2010 at 08:02 PM
Fifi,
The shed is totally awesome....how did you do it in such a short time. It would take me years! You are amazing! Looks wonderful. Mumzie
Posted by: Yvonne Powers | January 03, 2010 at 08:47 PM
Hi Fifi-
Your new shed is perfectly adorable! I would love to have a shed/summerhouse, garden cottage, etc in my back yard. It would be my oasis :) I love all of the touches you have added, it looks like it has always been there.
Toni
Posted by: Toni @ The Tattered Cottage | January 03, 2010 at 09:06 PM
It turned out beautiful! What a wonderful project.
Posted by: Enzie Shahmiri - Portraits and Fine Art | January 03, 2010 at 09:30 PM
I can't tell you how much this project speaks to me, Fifi! How did you get the white washed looked on the exterior of the storage shed? I am working on my little shed all this week and would love to know. I love the brick flooring as well and can't wait to see more of your project.
xo~Tracie
Posted by: Tracie~My Petite Maison | January 03, 2010 at 09:32 PM
You are totally amazing. I would love a "shed" like that!!!!!
Posted by: Paula | January 03, 2010 at 09:33 PM
Now that's impressive! Puts my weekend to shame for certain. Such a quaint shed, sure to inspire you to use it to its fullest capacity. One question, though, I did not see a photo with your helper. Surely there was one. I can't imagine dainty Fifi building a shed, although I wouldn't doubt it. The paint job is very convincing, faux sure! ~ Angela
Posted by: Angela | January 03, 2010 at 10:14 PM
What a gorgeous little shed. Gosh I need a little area to store my growing collection of furniture that I am accumulating to do up.
Sarah x
Posted by: Sarah | January 04, 2010 at 12:18 AM
you are sooooooooo talented!!!! It's adorable, I would find it difficult also to remind myself that it is for storage only!!
Happy New Year Miss Fifi!
Hugs,
Jackie
Posted by: jackie | January 04, 2010 at 02:49 AM
Thats not a storage shed, thats a little home from home ( perhaps for a gnome? )! It does look as if it has been there for decades, I love what you have done with it.
Posted by: Lululiz | January 04, 2010 at 03:22 AM
Hello Fifi, You are an inspirational role model for all women! I would love to have the building skills that you have. What a gorgeous shed and I love that your "old planks" is so versatile and adaptable. I am so envious :) Love Linda
Posted by: Linda | January 04, 2010 at 03:52 AM
Wow!...Do you just wake up one morning and say "I think I'll build a shed today - one worthy of a magazine feature"? No, seriously, I'm sure you did some planning beforehand, but clearly you have a special talent. I do not have such a talent, but I am so grateful when people like you share!
Thank You!
WendyBee
Posted by: Wendy | January 04, 2010 at 04:04 AM
Oh Fifi, I LOVE your little garden shed! Everything you touch turns into something magical! The birdnest looks so cute and I love the old Herb sign above the door... xoxo Julie Marie
Posted by: Julie Marie Vicknair | January 04, 2010 at 05:26 AM
It is adorable:) It's your imagination..creativity energy and great decorating items all rolled into one..
Did I mention adorable too?
Posted by: Monique | January 04, 2010 at 05:45 AM
Fifi, you are always amazing! The shed is perfectly charming. I love the way you've 'weathered' the wood - and the awning is just wonderful! Can't wait to see more!
xo
Claudia
Posted by: Claudia | January 04, 2010 at 06:20 AM
Just precious. You have such an 'eye.'
Hugs...
Posted by: 'Aunt Amelia' | January 04, 2010 at 06:35 AM
You did this in three days?? Amazing.
Posted by: Carole | January 04, 2010 at 07:06 AM
HELLO FIFI,
A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU......
LOVE YOUR SHED, AND THE BIRDS NEST IS JUST TOO SWEET, LOVE IT ALL!!!!
Posted by: MARIBELLES | January 04, 2010 at 07:57 AM
Fifi...just darling..I want to move right in..Lorraine
Posted by: LORRAINE BELL | January 04, 2010 at 08:08 AM
I love your little shed. The old door and the awning are perfect for it. I can't wait to see what you do to the inside!
Hugs,
Lee Laurie
Posted by: Lee Laurie Noll | January 04, 2010 at 08:29 AM
This is so cute and I can't wait to see how you will furnish it....I am sure it will be lovely!
Happy New Year to You,
LuLu Kellogg
Coastal Sisters
Posted by: LuLu Kellogg | January 04, 2010 at 08:47 AM
Fifi, I wish I had your location and your fine talents! I would so love to have something like this. Alas, even hiring someone to do it would result as a "no-no" in my neighborhood, due to covenants that don't allow such structures. boo hoo...
I will have to live vicariously through you. I absolutely love everything about it!!
Posted by: Sue | January 04, 2010 at 09:56 AM
Amazing and impressive and super beautiful!
Posted by: candy | January 04, 2010 at 10:12 AM
Fifi....wow! SO INSPIRING! Are you sure you can relinquish it to the function of a shed? Pal and the kitties would look so adorable napping in there on a chaise! Sarah the lab says "Wow!" too! Leslie
Posted by: leslie janson | January 04, 2010 at 12:08 PM
I love it and it is so you!
Posted by: Andrea | January 04, 2010 at 04:35 PM
OMG I can't take it any more after your guest house I didn't think it could get any better... HOW SWEET LOVE IT...It's a true dream.. God Bless you Fifi you are beyond inspirational... is there a word for that???? Oh yes The Incrediable French Angel...
xoxoxolaura
Posted by: laura venosa dellaporta | January 04, 2010 at 05:31 PM
How darling. I can imagine that you would want to use it for something other than storage. What....no building codes in Sarasota?!! ~xoxo~
Posted by: Janet (Shabbyfufu) | January 04, 2010 at 05:36 PM
You accomplished your mission. It truly looks as if it has been in your backyard forever. I think I need to head over to Home Depot for some classes. You inspire me.
Posted by: Susan | January 04, 2010 at 06:30 PM
dearest fifi,
your shed is so adorable with it's scalloped tin awning that i think we need to think of a new word instead of shed.
courtesy of my online translator, i offer:
la petite remise
happy 2010
xo
elyse
Posted by: elyse | January 04, 2010 at 07:13 PM
I have always wanted a little shed dollhouse like yours. It would be hard to use it all for storage. I would probably want to play in it and fufu it up!
I love it.
Sissie
Posted by: Sissie | January 04, 2010 at 07:15 PM
They don't call you "FABULOUS" for nothing girl!
Posted by: Sue | January 05, 2010 at 05:42 AM
What a neat little shed. We built something similar when we moved to house everything, and it still is a shed! I'd like to get busy and turn it cute like yours!!
Ulrike
Posted by: Ulrike | January 05, 2010 at 09:42 AM
Hi Fifi
Happy New year. Would you share the size na dcost for materials to build? Did you have help? Thanks Fifi, I will wait to hear back. Love it.
Posted by: Karen | January 05, 2010 at 09:49 AM
Holy cow......
That has to be The World's Cutest Shed.......you really wouldn't want to see my sweet little Rubbermaid one.......... :-)
Warm blessings,
Spencer
Posted by: Spencer | January 05, 2010 at 11:00 AM
Love it! That awning above the door is just great!! I have a storage building that I'm cleaning out... your's has inspired me to make the outside look cute just like I'm planning to make the inside look.
Posted by: Lora | January 05, 2010 at 12:59 PM
You go, girl!
Posted by: Esther Sunday | January 12, 2010 at 06:25 PM
I can finally be in blog land again thanks to a new computer. What a wonderful way to ring in the new year! I love your little shed. You inspire and amaze me sweet FIFI! xo rachel
Posted by: A Romantic Porch | January 13, 2010 at 08:29 AM
Oh my goodness. That shed is exactly what I had visions of for my yard. Husband however, doesn't have the same vision. Just found your site too. It is AWSOME!!!!!
Posted by: cheryl | January 14, 2010 at 08:27 AM
Just love the shed Fifi, the finish and furnishings too, you must be very pleased with it, I know I would!!
Alicia ~ time worn style
Posted by: alicia | January 19, 2010 at 03:24 PM