Yesterday Lindsey wrote about some Stylish Sheds, leading us to wonder what can be done — aside from the obvious coat of paint — to pretty up a shed of the low-budget Home Depot (i.e. not-so-stylish) variety? Robert solved this problem by tucking his shed into a woodsy corner of his yard, flanking the door with a large tree and shrub and letting a male Hardy Kiwi vine grow wild up the side. The result is definitely more “hidden fairy-tale cottage” than “unsightly lawnmower depository”...
If you’d prefer a tidier look, vines can be disciplined with a trellis — try the perennial Clematis or the annual Morning Glory, which grows in one season. The shrub in front is a Globe Arborvitae — common at any garden center — that will grow into a spherical shape with pruning. Other slow-growing evergreens such as Rhododendrons, Azaleas, or Hollies would also work well. Fast-growing plants are nice in a pinch, but can quickly turn into monsters. If you have patience and are willing to let things look bare for a little while, the result is worth the wait.
(Image: Sarah Rainwater)
© 2009 Apartment Therapy
That's really lovely. I also once saw a shed that had been trompe l'oeil painted to look like a Candyland gingerbread house. The technique could work for a less-childlike style too.
view Lisa (Montreal)'s profile
I'm all in favor of softening the presence of a garden shed. A spruce gray-green is a nice color to paint a shed, and helps it blend into its environment.
view SunnyBlue's profile
There's nothing like a life-size Buddha standing on a tiered alter to distract from a pre-fab plastic shed à la Home Depot: http://stylenorth.ca/blog/2009/06/peter-and-elaines-asian-bauhaus/
view ChrisToronto's profile