| in the garden | she sheds” began popping up in backyards
PPerhaps as an
answer to the
“man cave”
craze of recent
years,
everywhere.
These cottage-like structures became an
extension of the home – some simple and
some elaborate – that provided a practical
space for hobbies like gardening or simply
served as an outdoor escape to read or just
relax. Their typical “shabby chic” décor
allowed for any outdated yet sentimental
furnishings to find a home once more, just
as the “man-cave” became a place for sports
memorabilia or hunting trophies.
Building her own “she-shed” was only fair,
JoEllen Artz says with a laugh toward her
husband John, “since he has a 5,000 square
foot ‘man cave’ of a garage.”
The two spent their time during last year’s
quarantine building a new “she shed” next
to their modern farmhouse in the outskirts
of Morgan County. Despite using salvaged
windows and materials on hand, the 16’x20’
building looks fresh and new. It is topped off
by a pig weathervane that JoEllen’s parents
gave her decades ago and patriotic bunting
lines the front porch. A Dutch door opens
into an inviting living space with natural
light streaming from the windows and a
decorative chandelier glowing in the front.
John cut and converted a dining room table
to serve as a crafting area on one side. On
the other, a hand-painted armoire holds
games and books. An air conditioning unit
keeps it cool on hot days and a space heater
that looks like “an old-timey stove” fits the
16 LAKE OCONEE LIVING | FALL 2021