Historic Shed™ recently completed a lovely flamingo pink shed set by a pool in a well landscaped backyard in Dania Beach. The shed had SmartSide smooth lap siding, cypress trim, 4x4 eave brackets, JeldWen double-hung wood windows, and a pair of French doors.
Historic Shed recently completed this 10'x14' custom garden shed to complement a 1920s residence in the Hyde Park historic neighborhood in Tampa. The storage shed features a gable roof with exposed rafter tails and eave brackets similar to the main house.
Other than a few new McMansions that have crept in, most buildings in the historic Gulf Coast town of Aripeka, FL are pretty small. Quaint and picturesque, set next to the Gulf of Mexico with spectacular sunsets every night, it's easy to envision a simpler coastal lifestyle in Aripeka. In particular, this quaint stilt shack that is less than 500 sf, built far out over the marsh makes one think of relaxing days swinging in a hammock with a cold drink in hand. Located on part of the Old Dixie Highway, the former Aripeka Post Office, next door to the newer (yet not much larger) Post Office built in the 1950s, also is a reminder of simpler days. It appears to be under 200 sf.
Below is a video tour made by small building aficionado, Derek Diedricksen, at the reconstruction site of Henry David Thoreau's simple cabin in Walden Woods. Thoreau said, "I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived." He chose to live in the small isolated cabin devoid of the comforts available in his day for over two years, penning the basis for Walden. The book has been an inspiration for millions of readers seeking to live a more purposeful life. "The common experience is that man fits himself as well as he can to the customary details of that work or trade he falls into, and tends it as a dog turns a spit. Then is he part of the machine he moves; the man is lost. Until he can manage to communicate himself to others in his full stature and proportion, he does not yet find his vocation." - Thoreau To see the site as it looked in 1908: http://thoreau.eserver.org/siteof.html
We discovered a great collection of vintage photographs and postcards showing bandstands around the world on a UK-based website. Many of the bandstands are no longer in existence today, but their images remain as a reminder of the many enjoyable hours spent listening to bands in the parks and showcase the wide variety of architectural styles applied to these small structures. All images shown here showcase historic Florida bandstands from either the Vintage Bandstand site or the Florida State Archives.A bandstand is a circular or semicircular structure set in park, garden, or pier, designed to accommodate musical bands for outdoor concerts. They provided a community gathering place for entertainment, particularly during the Victorian era. They remained popular until the 1950s and 60s when television became a greater entertainment draw. Smaller bandstands are often not much more than gazebos. Bandstands were common in many Florida communities, as was the related bandshell structure, which were commonly built using WPA funds during the Depression (photo above).
A fun, fact-filled article from Old House Journal on the history and evolution of the garage, the most common outbuilding found around historic homes in Florida.
Any type of outbuilding can enhance a yard when detailed properly. Check out this darling chicken coop in Santa Barbara.
Because Historic Shed custom designs and builds each outbuilding to complement individual historic homes and homeowner's needs, we do not maintain an inventory of sheds like many shed manufacturers. Instead, when a new customer contacts us, we ask them to send a photograph of their home, including any details that they particularly like, and then have a discussion about the needs that the shed will accommodate. This includes whether it will be used for lawnmower and bike storage or serve as a home office or pool cabana. We then draw elevations of what the shed could look like and layout shelves and other built-ins to accommodate any special requirements. We generally provide a ballpark cost for the cost of constructing the preliminary shed design at this point as well. This initial design serves as a starting point to tweak the look of the shed to fit the homeowner's preferences and budget. Once a design is finalized, we provide an accurate cost of construction and begin the building process in our facility at the customer's approval. Most sheds are delivered in three-four weeks. If you have more questions about our design or production process, please call Historic Shed at (813) 333-2249 or email a photo of your home to design@historicshed.com along with your ideas for a perfect outbuilding.
An outbuilding can provide a welcome backyard retreat or much needed storage. Properly planned, it can be a focal point in the yard, adding charm and delight. In order to create an outbuilding that best enhances your yard and your lifestyle, there are several factors to consider. To begin, take a good look at your property, then consult the following list to plan for the perfect complement for your backyard. Type Sheds are available from manufacturers in several forms: factory-made from stock designs, ready-to-assemble kits, or custom designed and built. The other option is to design and build your own building from scratch, or with the help of stock or custom plans. Pre-built sheds are delivered ready to use A variety of styles are available from stock designs to fully customized Generally the quickest and most economical type Quality and finishes vary by manufacturer Some manufacturers will custom design your shed Order a ready-to assemble kit Good for the do-it-yourselfer with some moderate building skills A range of styles are available and can be customized as it's assemble ***Some out-of-state manufacturers may not meet Florida building requirements Custom designed and built on site Can be customized for any use or size Stock plans available or architect/designer can design Built by owner or Contractor Use Verify that your intended use is allowed by local zoning laws Check to see if you have adequate room on site to meet your use; ie. room to pull a boat, lawn mower, etc. out of the shed Size What size do you need to meet your needs? o Measure equipment to be stored or furnishings to be utilized Is the size going to look appropriate for your site? o The outbuilding shouldn’t overwhelm the yard Verify that it can be delivered to the site (see Delivery Considerations below) if purchasing a pre-built model Consider the area available on the lot Shape/ Form Do you need separate areas for different functions? ie. storage and a workshop Simple shapes are generally more economical and more pleasing to the eye Height Will it interfere with desirable views (or be used to block undesirable views)? Proportion of building (width to height ratio) should be pleasing Style Consider the architecture of your home when choosing finishes and details An outbuilding should be visually subordinate to the main building either by size or level of ornament/detailing The building should be an asset to the yard; it should be pleasing to look at as well as be in Exterior finish Exterior siding should match or complement the main building o Historic homes look best with natural material outbuildings Should reflect the trim detailing of the main building, but may be a simplified version Color can match the main building exactly or be a complimentary palette Access doors Location Size Style/ type Overhangs for protection from rain Windows Light and ventilation requirements Style/ size Location Plan for shelving, furniture placement Roof Should compliment roof shape and materials of main building Roof soffit/ rafter details can enhance the building design Interior Finishes Consider built-in shelves, cabinets, hooks Are exposed studs acceptable or do you need finished walls? Sloped/ cathedral ceilings add headroom and storage options Wiring/ Electrical Ceiling lights, exterior lights, and outlets can be added to any shed On-site connections will need to be made by a licensed electrician Location An attractive outbuilding should be placed so that it is a focal point in the yard Do you have an area of level ground to place the shed? Consider site drainage/ avoid low lying areas Alternate foundation types may be necessary for uneven grades Check with local Zoning regulations to determine minimum setbacks from side and rear yards as well as from existing structures Trees – look at the entire tree, including overhead branches to determine where the shed can be set Sunlight (consider both how much the building receives and what it might block) Integrate with landscaping Foundations Pre-built storage sheds have a PT skid foundation to be laid on level ground Sloping grades need to be leveled prior to shed arrival, otherwise posts, piles or blocks need to be used for level support Some uses may require a permitted and inspected foundation – check with local building department Delivery considerations (for pre-built sheds) Are there fences that will need to be removed temporarily? Is there access down a rear alley? Are there trees or landscaping that will be damaged during delivery? Is a crane needed to lift the shed into the site? Sheds constructed on site of pre-built panels may be special ordered for difficult to access yards Approvals Local historic preservation board review is generally required within historic districts Building permits may be required – check with your local permitting office
