Gardening from the couch: Stylish Sheds and Elegant Hideaways
"I wish I was the kind of guy who could call his wife and tell her I'm buying a shed," he said.
"You are," I said. "You just can't buy the shed."If only he would buy a shed like the ones Debra Prinzing and William Wright have collected in their new book, "Stylish Sheds and Elegant Hideaways." I would welcome him home with open arms and Manhattan.
The sheds in this book are not the kinds of sheds were you store the empty clay pots and the extra shovels and the opened bag of potting soil. And whatever other junk you can't fit into your garage.They are just what the title says: elegant hideaways. With chandeliers and day beds and tables set for intimate dinners. No shovels here.
Prinzing, a well-known garden writer from LA, and photographer Wright have found sheds that reflect a variety of styles and purposes, but they all have one thing in common: This isn't your husband's shed.I had the pleasure of meeting Debra Pinzing at the recent Garden Writers Association convention, where her book garnered top honors. And she was kind enough to autograph a copy for me to give to a randomly selected commenter here on Garden Variety.
This is a beautiful book. And it will inspire beautiful daydreams.
Comments
Living in a townhome, with out garage, sheds are a necessary evil. As a compromise, my wife and I spent $1,600 for a very nice cedar shake shed. I'd like to think it falls perfectly in the middle of elegant and functional; just large enough to store my lawnmower and shovels, and aesthetically pleasing enough for my wife to be proud of it. I wanna check this book out!
Posted by: E$ | October 4, 2009 8:36 AM
Now that looks like a useful and inspirational book!
Posted by: Dahlink | October 4, 2009 2:41 PM
Now that is a shed that any one would be glad to have in the yard. They are beautiful to look at as well. That would add so much to any yard. Thank you for sharing this with us. That would be a book worth having as well.
Have a great day.
Dan and Deanna "Marketing Unscrambled"
Posted by: Dan and Deanna | October 5, 2009 5:12 AM
I so want this book! Looked for it at my bookstore and DANG IT they didn't have it. Might have to order. That is, unless I win the book!
I enjoy your blog, Susan. This one was especially funny, because I am just WAITING for the day that my husband does the same thing to me!
Posted by: Katie | October 5, 2009 11:13 AM
I wouldn't be surprised if it's almost a universal desire to have a beautiful shed, or small space. Not necessarily to store things in, more to have a place to just be and think and read - preferably without junk - only a few beautiful things. Ever since play spaces of childhood (think blanket over a chair), getting that feeling of a perfect, small place, has been high on my list.
Posted by: Kerry | October 5, 2009 11:32 AM