Selecting Colors and Accents In continuing the transformation of the property featured in this series, host Mayita Dinos and crew dress up a practical storage shed, giving it a warm, gracefully aged look that blends it into the look of the surrounding area and turns it into a striking visual element. The goal of this project is two-fold: first, to transform the shed into a "gardenesque" focal point; and two, to create an access path to the structure that allows lawn equipment and garden supplies to be easily stored within. For anyone in need of more outdoor storage space, this type of pre-fabricated shed may provide an ideal solution for stowing lawnmowers, bikes, garden supplies, etc. (Owners of old metal sheds may want to consider replacing them with one of these ready-made wood versions, most of which are reasonably priced and available in home improvement centers.) The down side of these sheds, however, is their appearance: though sturdy, most tend to be plain and utilitarian, lending little if any aesthetic value to the landscape. In the four segments of this episode, Dinos demonstrates just how easy (and fun!) it can be to make one of these plain little buildings come alive with color and character. - The first step is to decide what color the shed will be painted. To preview various colors, Dinos uses landscape software and a digital image of the shed (figure A) to experiment with different options. She begins by trying out a soft shade of green (figure B), which she can immediately see won't produce the desired look. After sampling a soft gray, she knows she's found her color.
- Next, it's time to think about accents. One of the main areas in need of detail is the shed's bare side wall. To dress up this space, Dinos adds an image of a window frame to her digital picture (figure C), which creates the appearance of genuine window and gives the shed the look of a country cottage -- definitely a great addition!
The Path and Surrounding Plants - With the color of the shed determined and an architectural accent selected for the side wall, Dinos is ready to move on to the pathway. Since an entrance should provide a sense of arrival, it is important that the walkway help define and beautify the entry area.
- Having previously used concrete pavers in several other areas of the property (including the front deck and the French kitchen garden, aka "potager"), Dinos decides to use concrete pavers here as well to create continuity.
- After sampling a layout of the pavers on the digital image, Dinos adds plant images to get a complete picture of the finished project. In choosing the plants for this project, Dinos selects varieties that will continue the feel of the adjoining French potager. To balance the height of the cypresses that define each corner of the potager, she adds two topaiaries as vertical elements to frame the shed's entrance.
- In the spaces along the walkway, boxwood hedges, butterfly bushes, vines and other plants will complete the design (figure D). While the varieties featured here are native to the southern U.S. (figure E), plants should always be selected based on their compatibility with the climate in which they'll be planted.
- For most intermediate do-it-yourselfers, this project will rank about 3 on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the most difficult. On average, it will require about 16 hours over the course of one weekend to complete.
Creating a Patina ... with Paint - Since this shed should look as if it's been on the property for many years, the first step is to paint the exterior with a technique to give it a natural-looking "patina." Here, Dinos uses a technique known as ragging to achieve the desired results. The process consists of these simple steps:
- Dampen the entire surface to be painted with a wet rag. (This will prevent the paint from covering the surface in a solid, opaque coat.)
- Mix a little water with water-based latex paint to create a slightly thinner consistency. This will create a soft wash of color that will help suggest an aged look. (Using a water-based latex house paint will ensure easy cleanup as well -- just use soap and hot water.)
- Use a brush or roller to apply the paint (figure F).
Tip: Since this technique is designed to create a slightly worn look, don't worry about covering every square inch, just apply a fair amount to the majority of the surface. - Using another wet rag, rub out the paint on the shed wall to keep it from having a freshly-applied look (figure G). When it's dry, the wash of color will have a slightly faded appearance, helping create the illusion of a patina.
Expert Tip: (Barbara Legacy, Decorative Artist) Before painting, always make sure your surface is paintable. It should be free of any oil, grease or dirt and should not have been painted previously with oil-based paint. (Latex paint will not adhere to an oil-based undercoat; if necessary, apply a coat of primer first.) Dressing up the Door - With the walls finished, Dinos is ready to move on to the door. Since the door's design isn't in keeping with the look of an old cottage, Dinos decides to minimize its details; changing the structure of the door isn't an option. Downplaying the details, however, is only part of what the door treatment should do: since the entrance of the shed needs to be well-defined, a coat of paint should also help it stand out.
- Dinos selects a deep, dark green for the color, which provides a strong, attractive contrast with the pale gray walls, while reducing the visibility of the door's structural details. After thinning the paint to the same consistency as the wall paint, Dinos applies it uneven layers to create a time-worn appearance (figure H).
- Next, she paints the door frame antique white, careflly using a roller for an even, opaque coat (figure I). On the hinged side, she uses a brush to keep from getting white paint on the freshly painted green door. As Dinos explains, although this step may seem like a minor detail, it will ultimately emphasize the entrance and make a big difference in the shed's finished look.
Window Illusion Time elapsed: 6 hrs.
RESOURCES :
Garden Shed by Tuff Shed
Model: Builders' Series
6' x 8' x8' high
Tuff Shed
Ontario, CA 91761
Phone: 909-988-8833
Website: www.tuffshed.com
GUESTS :
Barbara Legacy
Temple City, CA Decorative Artist
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