A Shed for All Seasons

The perfect garden shed/studio is as much about the outside and how you integrate it into your garden as it is the inside and how you decorate it. This characterful garden shed belongs to Mar Jennings and features in his book, "Life on Mar's".

Mar Jennings is not only an author, he is a talented Lifestyle expert, designer, blogger and an Emmy nominated TV host. After sharing an inspirational garden office last week, I thought you might like this little shed as a complete contrast to the white contemporary garden studio I shared previously. This little shed not only has function but its clever architecture adds immense charm.

Lavender coloured Wisteria, winding and twisting its way around a pergola leads towards the garden shed (image below) in Mar's Connectcut garden. The images are from Mar's book "A Four Season Garden", a "photographic essay documenting the four seasons of a garden as seen and photographed through the eyes of Mar Jennings". 

Above: How I wish Wisteria didn't have such a brief flowering time, it is definitely one of the most stunning climbers you can have in a garden. Another of my favourites is the English, climbing rose, Albertine which has a similar flower span. Always the prettiest climbers seem to have the least flowering time :(

I love the architectural detail of the garden shed, in fact it is way beyond a typical shed. If you can't afford to include extra architectural detail when you build your own shed, pots of flowers or topiary and attractive exterior lighting add charm to the exterior

The studio I featured last week flowed to an outdoor area,  this shed has an outdoor courtyard with a table and chairs to the front and another to the side

Above: It is all about the detail and this charming wood fencing is just beautiful

Above: I love how Mar has filled this courtyard with potted plants and topsy turvy topiary. It is good to vary heights of plants, even in a small area. The large urn on the table is the 'crowning glory' so to speak and fills the courtyard with elegance...Hmm, I am having a few 'light-bulb' moments for my studio courtyard

Above: A simple portico adds charm

I love the detail above the window architraves, it is little additions like this that make all the difference

Another door leads to a small stone chip patio to relax and enjoy the surrounding garden

Above: A welcome sign and pretty vignette greets visitors

This is exactly how I would envision the perfect potting shed 

Every shed needs a place to rest your weary feet. I had tossed up between a rattan and upholstered chair for my studio and the latter won with me as mine is more a sitting room/studio, however this rattan chair is perfect in its surroundings

Above: A pair of wall lights make this a really homely space

Above: The cover of Mar's book "Life on Mars"

Images via Mar Jennings Houzz Profile

I hope you've enjoyed these images, if you want to see more, I suggest a copy of Mar's book, Life on Mars where you can view the entire garden in four seasons. You might also enjoy watching Mar TV, I have added a link to the video on his Home Makeover Show on Outdoor Sheds where Mar designs and builds two pool folly's united by a pergola. They are simply the most darling spaces and although they do appear to be folly's and folly's are meant to be ornamental, these definitely have a function.