As designers, we all come across landscape elements that we'd just like to get rid of, but must be included for one reason or another. The garden shed often falls into this category. Our usual inclination is to tuck it in some obscure corner where it can't be seen from the house or at least not from important areas of the house. I came across this problem in my own yard. My husband wanted a 12' x 22' shed, but even on an acre, we had no place to put it that was out of view. My solution - If you can't hide it, feature it!

To the basic shed we added a 4' x 4' picture window complete with a window box and a side door painted in the trim color.

On the end where one might normally use a garage door, we used a set of glass French doors instead. It added light and charm and was cheaper. Instead of a concrete ramp to the door we used the new Trex Deck product and made a gently sloping 8' x 12' deck for the lawn tractor to drive upon. The French doors are flanked by large decorative pots flowing with annuals and the roof is adorned with a cupola. Our shed now looks like a charming English cottage that my friends say they'd love to live in.