Chic Shed

A backyard shed isn’t just for garden tools — it can also be an artistic refuge

STORY & CRAFT BY DIANE HOLM • PHOTOS BY LISA PRINS

During cool summer mornings you can find me tucked away in my shed. I’ll load up my paint brush with watercolors and work on some kind of imaginary art while soft music is playing in the background.

When I bought my house, which was built in

1907, I knew immediately the small carriage house was bursting with potential. Transforming it into a unique and beautiful space was important. I also wanted it to serve a dual function — as a place of inspiration and creativity just for me, but also as a place to host a few guests since it is situated near my outdoor covered patio. I also wanted to honor my home’s long history with some nods to the past.

I think the best kind of decorating — and one that may be overlooked — is making something out of inexpensive items. I created a unique backdrop for my shed by covering the walls with pages from old books. (No classics were harmed in this project!) Shelves were easy to create by fitting pieces of twoby-fours between the shed’s framing. Having a tidy space for my art supplies helps free my mind from mundane chores like finding the right color or a particular brush.

There’s plenty of room at the back of the shed for a potting area and storage of smaller garden implements.

The finishing touch was the adorable screen door I found at a group sale. Thankfully this treasure hunting girl’s dream fit — barely — into my SUV. I drove gingerly, and we made it home. Phew!

Once it was installed, I thought it would be fun to gussy it up a bit with colorful flowers, giving it a festive feel, appropriate to the start of its new life as a fresh welcoming statement piece.

I encourage you to beautify a little space of your own to enjoy in the early hours of the morning or at the end of a busy day!

DIY Crepe Paper Flowers

Handmade gifts and crafts are such a delight to create. There is something extra special about giving and receiving a gift that’s been made with love.

Supplies

• For flower petals, crepe paper

• For leaves, colored paper and newsprint (your old Inlander works great!)

• Cardstock or thin cardboard, cut in a circle

• Hot glue and hot glue gun

• Scissors (pinking shears optional)

Instructions

FLOWER CENTERS

For a fluffy center, create a fringe using a small length of crepe paper folded in half lengthwise. Then cut tiny slits along one edge. Roll the slip into a cylinder.

To make stamen as seen in flowers like crocuses, use a slightly wider length of crepe paper and cut the fringes a bit farther apart. Then twist each fringe between your fingers.

Petals

The shape of the petals is up to you! Do be aware that you’ll want to orient your petal so that the grain of the paper allows the cut paper petal to widen outward instead of lengthwise — like an accordion.

Have fun experimenting with different shapes and colors.

Make a bunch of petals that range in length.

Putting It Together

Starting at the outer edge of your cardstock circle, glue the largest petals around the edge.

Add progressively shorter petals in concentric circles.

When your petals are covering the whole circle, add a dollop of glue in the center and poke the center piece into it — like you’re putting a cherry on top!

Gently expand the petals by pulling them out like an accordion, to create curved forms.

Planters

Gardening Outdoor Decor Unique Gifts Outdoor Plants Houseplants Classes Gift Cards

Leaves

Cut petal shapes from card stock and book pages. I even added some leaves cut from the newsprint — get creative! Pinking shears add an interesting texture.

Glue the petals on the back of the cardstock circle so that they stick out from under the petals.

You can use these flowers for so many things. Glue to a headband or hat. Add a pin to the back of one to create a fun accessory. They are also a great addition to a wrapped gift, tied on the stem of a bottle of wine or plopped on top of a jar of homemade jam.

— DIANE HOLM