I think all artists and creative people would love their own place to work away from the disturbances and interruptions of the household. I have been looking into building a backyard shed to serve as a creative oasis for my art. There's something special about a small place that you can retreat to, be alone, and create.
I got inspired a long time ago when visiting Williamsburg and wandering through the gardens and outbuildings. I remember an outbuilding bakery with delicious molasses cookies, warm out of the oven. There were walkways, gardens, picket fences and gates with a cannon ball weight to close them.
I have found two very inspiring books about backyard cottages or sheds. One is Ideas for Great Backyard Cottages. It is filled with pictures of sheds, studios, pool houses, cottages and cabins. There is information about planning and building your structure. 
The other is Stylish Sheds and Elegant Hideaways: Big Ideas for Small Backyard Destinations. This book goes more in depth about 28 structures and includes several artist studios. These books are the inspirational ones - there are many more basic books with plans, building specifics and materials. I am the dreamer - my sons and husband are the practical ones.
There are even blogs that I found on sheds of all types: http://www.shedworking.co.uk/ and http://www.shedblog.co.uk/.
I will keep you updated on my shed - hopefully it will be a dream that comes true for this artist!
7 comments:
What wonderful retreats....it would be nice to have something detached from the house....maybe someday when the kids are older and more self-sufficient.....beautiful little studios!
Smiles
Chloe Rose
http://chloerosedesigns.blogspot.com
We create from a two bedroom apartment at the moment. Our idea is to sacrifice now, so that we can buy a year round cottage, on a lake.
A separate studio would be heavenly but in the meantime, I would happily settle for just ONE room, devoted to our biz :)
That is exactly what I want! I think I need these books....Thanks for the inspiration...
:0)
Stephanie
http://sunshinenravioli.blogspot.com
Great blog! Hope you get the workspace of which you dream!
These are adorable! Instead of a Room of One's Own, a whole little house!
Oh I'd love to have a little place like those! Thanks for sharing the books!
Hi Diane, I'm the author of Stylish Sheds and Elegant Hideaways, so it was a delight to see your blog posting on this new book about the secret life of a backyard shed. Since you were inspired by the little buildings at Williamsburg, I thought you'd enjoy knowing that the "shed" on our book cover was inspired by George Washington's potting shed at Mount Vernon. Please visit my blog at www.shedstyle.com for continued reporting on cool shed ideas. Fondly, Debra Prinzing
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