The humble storage shed, once considered a backyard closet at best or an eyesore at worst, has long been merely a place to stash the lawn mower and bikes. But not anymore.
One of the latest home trends: the tricked-out storage shed.
"Sheds can be sexy," joked home and shed owner Buddy Verrette.
NEW ORLEANS HOME AND GARDEN SHOW
Taking advantage of the space, they hired Sturdy Built Sheds to build something both functional and aesthetically pleasing.
The couple wanted extra storage space, but Dugally, an avid gardener, also wanted a covered area to sit and enjoy her handiwork. Verrette loves the Bywater, so the punchy lime green and bright orange paint job is an ode to that New Orleans neighborhood. A chicken coop wraps around the structure.
Corbin "Cory" Woolsey, president and chief executive of Sturdy Built Sheds, has seen clients come up with all sorts of novel ideas for exterior storage buildings, from aquarium rooms to writer's retreats and recording studios to mini schoolhouses for home schooling. "I've seen everything from man caves to art studios," he said.
A variety of customized sheds will be on display at the 2016 New Orleans Home and Garden Show March 11-13 at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Designs range from an art studio to guest rooms to a "getaway retreat" space — all built in garden sheds.
For such fully customized buildings, prices can range as high as $10,000 or more, Woolsey said. The expense varies, depending, of course, on the amenities. Most of Woolsey's clients want buildings with at least electricity. Indoor plumbing isn't as common, and can require permits, he said.
Many of Woolsey's clients, such as David and Tracy McLendon, want dual-purpose buildings.
The McLendons keep all the typical things you'd expect in their shed: bikes, kid's toys and lawn equipment. But the exterior also boasts an impressive outdoor kitchen — granite countertops, a wine fridge, a built-in trash can and an extension that functions as a bar — a project that was a joint effort with Tracy's parents, Bernie and Cindy Fruge. The highlight is a stove with a four-burner gas grill, two side burners and a vent.
The couple's wooden shed is built on a cement slab with termite-resistant boards on the bottom. Stainless steel and fire retardant boards back the kitchen area.The McLendons and their six-year-old son, Miles, live on the Thoth parade route and host an annual Thoth party and do plenty of outdoor entertaining during football season. "It really adds to the backyard," David McLendon said. "And my son has a kick in there."
The McLendons' next-door neighbors, Jeff and Nancy Helmstetter, love their his-and-hers shed. The single structure features a covered vestibule joining the two sides.
The original plan was for the space to be entirely Jeff's. "But then Nancy saw how nice it was going to be and said, 'I want half,'" he said. "I'm a tool guy; I have every tool known to man in that place. It's tough to even walk in there." As a result, the couple built a separate, smaller shed to house additional tools, and a former bunny hutch also is used as storage.
The shed's architectural features are a result of Jeff's collector habits and affinity for repurposed items. Nancy's side features an old door the couple saved when they converted their double shotgun into a single. Jeff's side has doors saved from a previous shed that was in their backyard. The doors now slide on a homemade track system.
A House of Blues/Day of the Dead-inspired altar, dedicated to Jeff's deceased father, decorates the vestibule. A white, weather-worn cabinet opens up to reveal the shrine. "He was my heart, I just loved the guy, so this is an altar built to him," Jeff said. "I come out here every so often and drink a beer to him, and when the family comes over for get-togethers we all come over here and toast him."
Nancy uses her side as a craft workshop, where she's busy year round making glittery parade throws. The couple marches in Krewe du Vieux, and Nancy is active in Muses and the Daughters of Lir, a walking group in the Irish Channel Parade.
"This is my little space," Nancy said. "I've got the radio. I've got a heater and an A/C and say, 'goodbye cruel world,' and I'll do something fun, do something fun for me...I'll just say I'm going to the shed."
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