For our multi-purpose garden shed / greenhouse, Linda and I started the Dream phase of our Dream :: Design :: Do process with a simple wish list:

• Two or three levels of Rubbermaid coated wire shelving
• Potting bench w/ area for cart underneath
• Not insulated
• No electric / heat / running water
• Big plastic window facing south
• Sash windows on ends
• Plastic roof
• Door and window or double door facing north

We staked out an 8′ x 12′ area east of our existing garden, and our design began to take shape in SketchUp. With pavers given to us by our niece and nephew for an on-grade floor surrounded by 4×6 pressure treated sleepers, we decided on 24″ on center frame construction.

After some research, we decided to use a clear corrugated polycarbonate product called SunTuf from Palram for the south-facing window and clear roof. Three single sash vinyl windows from Jeld Wen and a fiberglass exterior door would provide light and ventilation on the remaining three sides.

After consulting with the guys at Chelsea Lumber, we decided to use pre-primed LP SmartSide lap siding for the exterior cladding, and Azek PVC for the trim. With a couple of coats of paint to match the Monterey Taupe on the house, The Cottage would fit right in!

In case you were wondering, we are calling our little garden shed / greenhouse “The Cottage” after the garden shed my dad built several years before I was born. Growing up, we always referred to that little white shed as “The Cottage.” It was a great place to play in the summertime, especially if you were successful at avoiding getting stung by wasps or scraped up by the rusty tools that lived there year around.