We gardeners don’t pay enough attention to buildings, much less out-buildings like garages and toolsheds, 
but damn, they play a greater role in making our properties look good – or not – than all the plants put together. And my architect neighbor demonstrated that recently by building (and I mean building himself) what he calls a casita in his back yard. He also calls it the most overdesigned toolshed ever built, but I guess he couldn’t help himself. (Hell, gardeners overdo gardening as a point of pride!)
Now check out the casa that inspired this casita, also designed 
and partially built by the same owner/architect. At the top of the driveway on the left you can spot its offspring.
Next up is some landscaping around the casita, and I’ve been asked to help. (Oh, goody, another chance to pretty-up my street.) And starting with a building that’s downright adorable, you just know it’s going to be fun.
[You've seen a glimpse of this house before and because it's directly across the street from me, I see it all the time.]
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You’re so right–those cute little sheds and other well-constructed outdoor structures make all the difference in the garden.
I have plans to “Texify” my garden shed/greenhouse with a false front and a tin-roofed porch with cedar posts, but it will have to wait for my DH to help me with this project. Maybe it’ll happen this winter, while it’s cool . . .
Our across-the-street neighbors have a lovely house too — a ranch style that was converted so two couples (married sisters) could live in it in separate “wings.” The outside was covered with plaster and painted a nice sand color with lighter trim. Mere description doesn’t do it justice, but they also have a very nice front perennial garden, and it’s really pleasant to be faced with that as a view every morning.
I feel bad that our house has tired blue vinyl siding and the foundation planting is all rhododendrons, so after mid-May there is bupkus to look at, not just for us but for them too.
(Of course, the other house they look on more than makes up for us — they currently have an inflatable Santa and Frosty the Snowman, not to mention flashing Christmas lights around the porch.)
Now, that’s going to be a fun project. Nothing like a blank canvas. Does this builder have any spare time?
That shed makes me wish I had more carpentry skills. It’s really well done.
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