For this young artist, the idea of a shed began not with plans or permits, but with a story!
“Back in early October 2024, I was listing to an audiobook about a boy who had his own shed where he built robots, artworks and more. That really stuck with me, and I knew I wanted a shed that could become my own art studio.”
What followed was months of inspiration, research, and hands-on building, shared with her dad, Pinterest boards on one side and shed books on the other. While the original idea was to build a studio from discarded materials, the reality of design, engineering, and measurements soon became clear.
“We realised we’d probably end up buying a lot of materials just to hold everything together,” she explained. “So we started looking online and found SheSheds among a few others. After asking questions and understanding what came in the kits, my dad felt SheShed offered the best quality for what we wanted to achieve.”
Overcoming the Challenges (and enjoying them)
Every backyard build comes with its challenges, and for this project, the sloping site was the biggest hurdle.
“The ground where we wanted the shed wasn’t flat, so we needed a proper frame,” she said. “We looked at options from hardware stores, but it wasn’t clear how well they’d match a pre-cut shed.”
Discovering that SheShed offered its own steel subframe made to fit the shed perfectly, made all the difference. To meet height regulations, the pair dug into the slope, added a small retaining wall, and carefully prepared the site.
“It was annoying work at times,” she admitted, “but it was also really fun. Getting our hands dirty and putting in the effort made it feel even more rewarding.”
Designing an Art Studio that Blends with Nature
Light was one of the most important considerations when turning this SheShed into an art studio.
“The shed came with three windows, but we decided to add more. We ended up with five windows in total, including one facing the reserve behind our house. The natural light makes such a difference.”
The exterior was painted green and light brown to complement the surrounding garden and bushland.
“I didn’t want it to stand out too much. I love that it blends in and feels like part of the garden rather than something added on later.”
Inside, the raw timber interior was sealed to protect it from marks and wear, while the furniture and storage tell their own story.
“I thrifted furniture and even found some pieces on the side of the road. I love that it’s sustainable, unique, and fits the space perfectly. Everything inside has a purpose for making art.”
A Space to Create, Study and Relax
The SheShed quickly became more than just an art studio.
“It helped me get through my HSC in art and gave me a place to chill when things felt stressful,” she shared. “I’ve recently been accepted into the National Art School, so it will now be my dedicated studio for projects.”
With room to work on large pieces, store materials, and use “really stinky oil paints” without worrying about smell or mess, the space has unlocked new creative freedom.
“I can create without worrying about size, space, or mess. That’s something I could never do in my bedroom.”
Surprising Reactions and Proud Credit for a Shared Build
Visitors are often surprised by both the result and who built it.
“People are amazed and usually think my dad built it all,” she laughed. “But he always backs me up and tells them I did it too. I just say it’s like Lego for adults.”
Neighbours have also embraced the design.
“They love the paint colours because it blends in so well. From their houses, it almost disappears.”
And for friends, the SheShed has become a must-see feature.
“Whenever people come over, they always want a tour.”
Lessons Learned: Planning, Regulations and Considerations
Having gone through the process firsthand, both she and her dad have plenty of practical advice to share.
“Be realistic about the time you’ll need to build it and plan carefully,” she said. “There’s no electricity or air conditioning, so think about power options and temperature. I use a camping battery when needed, and I don’t mind the heat, but winter can be tough.”
Her dad added:
“Read the building codes carefully, especially height restrictions and easements. Measure everything multiple times if you’re adding windows, think about water flow and tree roots, and talk to your neighbours. Friendly neighbours make life easier.”
A Creative Future, Built with Love
What started as inspiration from a storybook has become a beautiful backyard art studio, built by a father and daughter!
Now, with her very own SheShed cabin as a permanent creative base, she’s ready to grow as an artist, take on commissions, and continue creating freely in a space that’s truly her own!
You can follow her artistic journey on her Instagram at @fishcake211.
