Karen McCartney contemplates her perfect shed, with the help of a new book by best selling author Sally Coulthard. 

'Shed Décor' by Sally Coulthard takes a look at the interior of the much loved shed. It is surprising to see the level of personality packed into these diminutive spaces, as the book explores a myriad of stylistic types. Spare Scandi garden shed - tick. Floral vintage - tick. Rustic with a twist - tick… and the list goes on. Each choice is a great example of its genre and the effect is to leave you yearning for a shed to call your own and decorate with the devil-may-care attitude often missing in a larger home. The trick seems to be to adopt a strong decorative stance and run with it to the max. If you are a minimalist then go ultra spare but if colour and pattern is your thing then it is the opportunity for creative layering - equally American hunter's cabin, retro fanatic or recycling enthusiast. For me it would be all about the bed, daybed or sofa and books, lots of books – the rest could be vintage, minimal, rustic – I really wouldn't mind.

In her book foreword Sally says, "There's something really important about creating a space in your life that allows you to be yourself. So many of our waking hours are spent doing things for other people – work, commuting, family life, domestic chores. Sheds give us the permission to do something that's life affirming, creative or just really good fun".



This example belongs to John Carloftis, a garden designer, author and TV presenter who has two thoughtfully crafted sheds in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.

"Sheds can take up precious gardening space, but by thinking vertically as well as horizontally, he was able to create an enviably chic tree house and keep the original large tool shed, without making the outside space feel cramped," writes Sally.



The exposed internal structure in John Carloftis's tree house provides just enough slim shelving for a few found objects and bird watching binoculars, while the irregularly placed windows and door add a haphazard charm. The moose head adds a note of drama and the bedding looks irresistibly comfortable.



John Carloftis has made the most of his collection of vintage garden tools by displaying them within the internal battens of the shed. It both adds character and a certain whimsy. The combination of lanterns, a raw timber table (which retains the bark of the tree) and a stack of galvanised planters all contribute to the functional charm of the place.



This tiny Danish summerhouse manages to combine femininity, and comfort with a distinctive style. Painted walls, beams and floorboards create a calm context for floral and striped fabrics with seascapes and delightful decorative touches.

"A cluttered floor space can make a shed feel cramped. Here the owners have cleverly put most of the visual interest on the walls. Paintings, mirrors, sconces, lamps, peg rails – everything is at eye height to draw your interest upwards," writes Sally



"The essence of vintage style is a romantic attachment to the past, seeing beauty and meaning in everyday items from times gone by from heirloom fabrics to distressed furniture, old woven baskets to mismatched crockery, vintage has to be the homeliest of all the styles," writes Sally of this vintage shed.

Images from Shed Decor by Sally Coulthard, published by Jacqui Small and available in bookstores or online.  

Update: Congratulations to Lucy J, the winner of a copy of Shed Décor. This promotion is now closed.