The Grateful Shed

HOUSE OF GRATITUDE

Set your manifestations into motion at this South Pasadena wellness space.

BY SARA SMOLA

As studio director for House of Honey, Traci Fleming has been exposed to some of the chicest homes in Southern California. Her friend, Jennifer Parker-Stanton, a founding partner at Deasy Penner Podley, also has a keen eye for design, as the rm is known for selling architectural masterpieces including the Landmark House, Arthur Bush Stevens House, and Thompson Moseley House. But when it came to her own property and backyard remodel, a serendipitous addition made all the difference.

“I had a Pinterest board of modern sheds for ages,” says Parker-Stanton. “In the midst of a major overhaul, a friend sent me a photo of [the shed] and said she might buy it. I told her that if she didn’t, I would.” When the friend ultimately passed on the shed, Fleming and Parker-Stanton went to see it in Linda Vista and fell in love. “It was built by a gentleman who used it as an of ce while his house was being built. He kindly agreed to disassemble it and resurrect it at the back of our garden,” Parker-Stanton recalls.

Along with the arrival of the midcentury-inspired outdoor structure, an idea for a gathering space came about, inspiring Fleming and Parker-Stanton to share their wellness journey with others. In March 2019, the duo launched The Grateful Shed, a wellness-concept space where they host immersive gatherings and experiences dedicated to cultivation of connection through rituals, remedies, and workshops. “We are always connecting with healers, experts, and brands that celebrate nature, community, and well-being,” explains Fleming. “We create a lineup of events, and we seek leaders in wellness to share their wisdom and knowledge.”

Located at the end of a cul-de-sac, the South Pasadena residence offers a serene backyard environment, cocooned by a swath of palo verde trees with a nearby pool suitable for water meditations (or simply lounging about) and, when not in use for gatherings, is the ideal locale for Pilates, contemplation, or one-on-one healing sessions. “We created this space to bring people together in a beautiful, relaxed setting,” says Fleming.

While the pandemic put a pause on in-person gatherings, Fleming and Parker-Stanton are eager to reengage with the community—several events are slated for late summer/early fall, including an interactive panel on aging fearlessly, an art- lled afternoon where guests can create nature-inspired landscapes and oral collages, and a transformational experience led by a spiritual medium who will guide attendees through a soul exploration and meditation.

Gatherings and workshops range in cost from donation-based to $125; gatheratthegratefulshed.com and IG @ the.grateful.shed