Living Large In Small Spaces - Backyard Getaway

An old grain shed restyled into a backyard retreat is today's featured small space.





Welcome to the seventy-third post in the series
"Living Large in Small Spaces".


Hours spent in my garden shed this past week may have had something to do with my choice of today's small space feature. Cleaning and tidying up my little shed got me to thinking about backyard retreats and, well, then I got to searching online and found this shed turned shabby chic getaway. 






The owners removed two interior half walls to create a roomier space. 







From the shed's cupola -- rescued from a neighbor's home -- to the jadeite dish collection, everything was hand picked specifically for the space, much of it bought at auctions and garage sales. 




The antique Quick Meal Stove's electric burners were installed prior to purchase. Until such time as the shed is electrified it remains unusable. Now it makes for a fun, homey decorative piece.





This window, created by the owner, is made from sea glass she collected in Key West.





A three-quarter size antique bed fits perfectly in the corner and pairs well with the wash stand, a family heirloom.



The original flooring was refinished. White walls visually expand the space and keep it light and bright. The blue ceiling is a nice touch and I imagine lying on the bed looking up one would have a sense of gazing up at the sky.





I love the quirkiness of the shed's original window cut to fit under the eaves. Stained glass hanging on the frame is a sweet touch.





This charming dish flower in the garden is one of many crafted and sold by the owner. 




At a mere 112 sq ft, this diminutive converted shed lives very large.

Do you have a backyard retreat?


Join me next Saturday for another post in the special series


 Living Large in Small Spaces

See more home tours and small living ideas in the 
Living Large In Small Spaces Series here.

39 comments

  1. What's NOT to love here?!? And, yes. I DO have a backyard retreat :)

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  2. Nope Nancy no back yard retreat. Common driveway and garages ... But my front has green prettiness.
    Cool sea glass window - I love Key West.
    xoxo,
    Vera

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  3. No backyard retreat - yet. We left three lovely cedar sheds at the old house and haven't yet replaced them here. I need one for practical reasons, as well as aesthetic. I like the idea of putting a table, chair and bed out there - I know two little boys and their wee sibling and cousins who would like to sleep in such a place.

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  4. I have a small shed in my backyard, but it's full of gardening implements and bicycles. That one is very cute, though, makes me wish we could put more in the garage. But it is my husbands carpenter shop.

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  5. I have posted about she-sheds the past week. I think we ladies all need one...to just escape to. I love the dish garden pick . The shed has everything we need for a mini vacation. LOL. Blessings, xoxo,Susie

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  6. This is truly a very little home, where there's everything, just everything needed, so very charming, adorable, romantic ... and so very cozy, I'd love to dwell there, maybe for a wonderful fortnight holiday !
    Sending blessings of joy on your weekend, sweetest Nancy,
    with love and gratitude
    Dany

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  7. Well, that is just the sweetest! I love the blue ceiling. I actually do have a small/ cabana in our pool area. It is used for changing and storage. I have often thought of prettying it up, but have never really gotten around to it. Perhaps this year!! Thank for the inspiration!

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  8. I love this! I have a little shed I'd love to turn into a little garden shed. My husband uses it though, so even though we store garden tools in it it's not very organized or very chic!

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  9. No back yard retreat or shed or me right now. It might be on my 'gotta have next time we move' list... this place is perfect for overnight quests (with main house bath privileges).

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  10. I love seeing unused sheds made pretty and useful again. This would be a great spot for an overflow of warm weather company. That bed is amazing.

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  11. So cute. It's like a doll house.

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  12. This is precious! I really love the sea glass window and the complete stye and color scheme. So cute.

    At our lakehouse we have a small place set off about 20 feet from the main house. It's 12 x 12 and has 7 screened windows which can be closed with pop on/pop off windows. It's very much like a freestanding screened in porch. We have two Murphy beds that come out of closets for guests to sleep, a sweet little chippy drop leaf table for dining and comfy cushioned wicker furniture. I love to read and watch a little TV on warm summer days without mosquitoes, as we have a lot. It also has a cute porch with chairs and we can sit and look out at the bay. Another great feature is a ceiling fan that can also generate heat, too. Nice for coll spring and fall days. There is a picture of this on my sidebar. We call it the Summerhouse. Once our rehab done I'll post tons of pics for my new friends who have never seen it.

    Jane

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  13. I do have a backyard retreat...but it's really just sitting out by the pool with an umbrella...but I'll take it, especially since I painted the beachy mural last spring. Love this cute little space, a fun getaway! I bet you enjoy searching for new little spaces. I sure love being introduced to them. Blessings, Cindy xo

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  14. What an adorable retreat!!! Yes, I have one I am working on. Maybe one day it will be finished. :-)

    Have a lovely Sunday ~ FlowerLady

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  15. This is SWEET as can be, and pure Shabby Chic. I think art and design is so much like my beloved poetry because the right combinations and those UNEXPECTED spaces really bring on the surprise! I so wish we had room for another little retreat, but for now, our retreat is a covered deck right off our French doors and we love it. If I had to do it all over again, I would have painted the interior white and would not have let my husband cover the exposed beams with beadboard. The orangy color of the treated cedar is not my preference, but the space is heavenly on earth.

    LOVE THIS!

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  16. Very sweet!! I would want to be out there all day! It is very cozy and feels like a mini vacation spot. I don't have a building in my yard but I have tried to make it so I want to sit out there. A neighbor had to chase her dog into my yard one day and told my daughter it was like running through Alice in Wonderland. I'll take that!

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  17. I do not have a back yard retreat. Don't really need one since I live alone. This is the cutest little cottage. Been a long time since I seen a 3/4 bed, it is the perfect fit. Have a blessed week Nancy

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  18. No, do not.

    Love that sea glass window!

    Tessa

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  19. Oh Nancy how sweet is this place. What a cute little hideaway. They used every inch of space beautifully. So sweet.
    Kris

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  20. Hi, Nancy. My first impression is that the bed area reminds me of Van Gogh's Bedroom at Arles, and my daughter leaning over me agrees. The sea glass window is really cool. We do have one, because we have a small home. xoxo Su

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  21. Hmm thanks for posting Nancy,,,you have me thinkin now!! I don't know that we are going to move forward on our Guesthouse,,,,but I do have a garden shed pretty much the same size that I could get very creative with!! It could be a summer sleeping shed for sure!!
    Have a wonderful day!

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  22. Such an adorable shed....I thought the same thing about the bed being Van Gogh's! Wish my yard was large enough to had a shed like this!

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  23. We do not have one, but some day :-) I have several ideas in my head. I do have a very small, fun garden shed. I am thankful to have that space. My husband helped me hang a lot of my tools so I can utilize most of the table space for planting or working with plants.
    I have my bird nest collection in my shed. :-)

    I love the stain glass in this shed. A great idea.
    Carla

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  24. I love how the shed is charming in everyway. I'm keeping the idea of the blue ceiing for my own shed that will be transformed in a studio someday...

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  25. This is so adorable, Nancy. If I ever wanted to run away from home...
    Amalia
    xo

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  26. Looks like the inside of my garden house . . .
    at least the inside walls/paint . . . but I have garden items instead of furniture . . .
    This little grain shed has a certain vintage charm . . .
    It gives me some new ideas . . .
    Thank you for doing this series Nancy . . .

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  27. What a great idea. And such character they have created. We have a tiny shed but it's definitely got me thinking about being more adventurous...

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  28. Hi! I just found your blog. I took your house tour and fell in love!! Also, this shed is just darling. I think it's too pretty to be called a shed!!

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  29. Oh this is such a darling little retreat!
    Mary Alice

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  30. Isn't this just the greatest. It would make me so happy.... and the grand girls too.

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  31. I'm a little late but so glad that I got to see this beautiful little shed. Who wouldn't love to have this sweet retreat to hide away in? Love it!

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  32. Realmente esa pequeña casa es un encanto , me encanta ese ambiente shabby y vintage

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  33. I would live in either adorable space. I love my little cottage. We need designated spaces badly. Maybe when the boces are unloaded.

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  34. Charming and vintage too! I adore the touches reminiscent of times gone by with the old stove, oil lamp, and the gorgeous wash stand. The glass window from sea glass is just beautiful too! You always share the best little places Nancy, and I'm inspired by by the clean simple lines in this one :)

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  35. I'm in love!!!! When can I move into this beautiful house ???
    sunny greetings
    Antje

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  36. Oh, what a fantastic shed find. I absolutely love it and all the little details. Great write up and find. :)

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  37. This little shed is darling and it would be so nice to have a space like it to run away to! My little vintage trailer is my 'backyard retreat'.
    ~Adrienne~

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