Garden Retreats

An open-air gazebo, garden shed or pool house can give you just that - a little extra room outdoors to use as required. Perhaps you'd like a sheltered spot to lounge and read, an outdoor dining area, a garden shed to free up the garage, or a covered playhouse for kids. Maybe even an artist's retreat for painting or throwing clay.

Style & Continuity
When researching ready-to-assemble styles, think about what would be most consistent with the design of your home. Would a Victorian look suit it best? Or a more rustic structure with cedar shingles? You can customize a standard look by adding elements of your home's architecture, like a window shape, roofing detail, distinctive wrought-iron accent or moulding pattern on the door. It's best if the colour scheme is the same as your house or complements it. For a natural look, integrate the gazebo or shed and the landscape by planting flowers or shrubs around it.

It's all about location
As with anything relating to real estate, location is everything. Position your structure according to its purpose, and to create a focal point in your garden. If planning an outdoor dining area, keep it close to the kitchen or barbecue for efficiency. If you're building a tool or garden shed, place it away from the house and make it blend in with the garden and landscaping. A pool house would benefit from the addition of an adjacent outdoor shower.