...because home doesn't happen overnight.

modern shed and playhouse 1

Today I’m sharing two more golden nuggets from our friends’ home: a modern shed and playhouse nestled in a corner of the backyard. James designed and built both structures on his own. (If you haven’t noticed by now, his craftsmanship is impeccable.) The outbuildings are covered in 12″ HardiePlank lap siding, a fiber cement product known for its beauty, strength and durability. The planks are meant to be lapped over each other but James installed them flush for a simpler, sleeker look.

modern shed 1

Since James uses the attached garage to work on client projects, the family needed a separate space to store tools and equipment for lawn maintenance and gardening. A wood ramp allows James to wheel out the lawnmower easily. I wasn’t able to snap a shot of the shed’s interior, but the walls are lined with leftover walnut paneling from the home’s interior renovation. (It’s the same paneling that wraps the pony wall as seen here.) It’s the most attractive shed interior I’ve ever seen.

modern shed 2

The exterior is painted a rich chocolate brown. Colored acrylic windows (from TAP Plastics) are a surprising and fun feature.

modern playhouse 1

Many elements are repeated in the playhouse for cohesion: chocolate brown HardiePlank siding, colored acrylic windows and a mono-pitched roof. The door is painted the same turquoise as the home’s front door. Large outdoor playthings are stored underneath the raised structure and concealed by timber slats. A small deck cantilevers off the front of the playhouse supporting a staircase on one end and a slide on the other.

modern playhouse 4

A series of five small acrylic windows in orange and blue tie in to the shed’s colored windows.

modern playhouse 3

The interior is outfitted with interlocking foam floor tiles, a chalkboard wall, a small picnic table and a toy box. A niche in the chalkboard wall (not shown) provides a convenient spot for storing a bucket of chalk.

modern playhouse 5

modern playhouse 6

modern playhouse and shed 2

modern playhouse 2

The modern designs of the shed and playhouse fit the family’s midcentury home so well. James and Kristina have a knack for incorporating their style into everything they do. When you visit their home, you experience the different spaces – inside and out – as parts of a bigger whole. The spaces flow into one another with ease thanks in part to deliberate, consistent design. I love that.

So what do you think? What’s your favorite aspect of the shed and / or playhouse? Obviously, my kids are big fans of the slide ;)

images: Dana Miller for House*Tweaking

19 Comments

22.October.2014

Thank you for continuing to share your friend’s home. I have been trying to describe to my husband that the clubhouse I envision for our boys should resemble our home and not a big box store playset. This is the inspiration I need to share with him. Although our house is far from modern (which I enjoy) (standard colonial layout – here) these photo should help him see my vision! Already sent him a link at work ;)

22.October.2014

I agree with your kids, my favorite is the slide, then the extra storage under the play house is smart! Very nicely done, all of it.

22.October.2014

That playhouse is fabulous – definitely need to get my husband on it in our soon to be new backyard.

22.October.2014

I love the door color on the play house, as well as the roof line! Okay, and the whole front porch idea – steps on one side, slide on the other. I want to show this to my husband to get ideas for a playhouse and shed for our backyard! Like Kelli said, our house is far from modern (brick colonial, built in 1930), but I would love to have a play house back there, and he would love to have a shed, so… inspiration :)

[…] Today I’m sharing two more golden nuggets from our friends’ home: a modern shed and playhouse nestled in a corner of the backyard. James designed and built both structures on his own. (If you haven’t noticed by now, his craftsmanship is impeccable.) The outbuildings are covered in 12″ HardiePlank lap siding, a fiber cement product […]  […]

22.October.2014

These are both so well done! I am fascinated by the colored windows. I never thought of that but will now. I think we need a shed. ;)

22.October.2014

That is just about the most glorious thing I’ve ever seen! It reminds me of Daly City, CA homes, specifically Westlake (my grandparents have had a home there since it was first built), I’m including a link of the area designed by Henry Doelger, which, given your fantastic sense of style, I’m sure you’ve seen and heard of but I can never get enough of ;) https://www.google.com/search?q=Henry+Doelger&es_sm=91&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=zvdHVP3fOoiVyQSayYL4Dg&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAQ&biw=1572&bih=959

22.October.2014

Possibly the most stylish playhouse I’ve ever seen. My kids are almost grown, but I wouldn’t mind one like that for myself…full of books and quilts and a couple of comfy chairs for “escaping”.

22.October.2014

Wow, just wow! So very cool!

22.October.2014

Yes, I’m familiar with Doelger’s work but haven’t checked it out in quite a while. Thanks for reminding me!

22.October.2014

What a great-looking backyard. My favorite part is the pops of color from the windows and playhouse door. Those details are small but make a huge impact and make it feel so unique and homey!

22.October.2014

These are awesome! I am totally using these outbuildings as inspiration for my chicken coop!

22.October.2014

Those are awesome. Would he be willing to share/sell the plans?

These are so adorable! I want one in my yard :) Love the colours and how well it fits in with the greenery and existing garden :)

23.October.2014

Impeccable design indeed, and the playhouse door even has a deadbolt. What else is impeccable? Your writing style.

23.October.2014

ohboy, the toyhouse is adorable!
Thank you for the inspiration.. a playhouse will be on our to-do-list for on of the upcoming summers (as we are expecting our first child in february)!
looking forward to building one my own.
all the best, Katharina

They didn’t miss a detail did they!! These two structures couldn’t be more perfect for this house. I love that they put so much though and intention into the design process of their home as a whole.

16.April.2015

Beautiful structures, thanks for sharing! What is the size of the window on the front of the shed?

19.August.2018

Thanks for sharing! These are awesome! We recently “flipped” a playhouse for our girls. I’m into this shed!! Where can we find plans for it?! I’m wanting to build one in our backyard! Thanks!