Sometimes, we all just need to get away. But at a time when travel is difficult (and risky) due to the coronavirus pandemic, "getting away from it all" takes some creativity.
The concept of the “man cave” has been around for a while, but a growing number of women are creating their own space to escape and relax. Popularly called "she sheds," these havens are created from repurposed outdoor sheds — often adding furniture and electricity — to create a personal reading nook, yoga studio or craft room.
We talked to two Alexandria area residents who have created a peaceful place in their own backyards:
Brenda Boyle
A Zen Shed in Huntington
Huntington resident Brenda Boyle has lived in her small, brick duplex for years — but she needed more space. She lives with her three dogs and a cat and operates her business, Whole Health Massage, from her home.
Instead of moving to a larger home, she purchased an Amish-made shed for $5,000 and had her boyfriend, who is a carpenter, hang drywall and add trim. She hired outside help to install hardwood floors and to wire the shed for electricity using an extra electrical board she had put in for a nearby hot tub. Because her yard is fenced with a narrow gate, the shed had to be assembled in the yard, which cost more.
Although the plan was originally to use the space for herself, she decided to rent it out on Airbnb along with a room and bathroom in the basement. She now calls it the “zen shed” and advertises it as a spa getaway for animal lovers, conveniently located close to the Metro. The space contains a double bed, a portable air conditioning unit and a small electric fireplace. It is decorated in a colorful and artistic style.
Brenda Boyle
Brenda Boyle
Boyle purchased a second shed from Capital Sheds to create a she shed just for herself but ended up turning it into a place to house her infrared sauna for clients and guests.
Brenda Boyle
Brenda Boyle
“We all need a place you can just shut your door. It [the shed] can be art-oriented, craft- or hobby-oriented — mine just happens to be guest-oriented,” she said.
Boyle is considering adding a third shed to create a space that is truly hers, if she can find the room in her yard. “Maybe I’ll create a shed village,” she laughed.
A Morning Sanctuary
Mary Sloper and her husband purchased their Seminary Valley home in the mid-1970s. Over the years they added a pool, a bar, a grilling area and a treehouse for their children. When lightning struck the tree, they replaced the treehouse with a deck and gazebo, before finally deciding to put the shed in that spot about five years ago.
Alexandria Living Magazine
They first saw their chosen she shed at the Dulles Home Expo and then contacted the company — Backyard Shed and Deck in Manassas — to customize it with the doors, windows and color of their choice for $5,900. The shed was delivered in pieces and put together by Amish men in their backyard.
Originally designed to by a typical shed for tools and lawn equipment, Sloper and her husband finished the shed by having drywall, electricity, cable, a ceiling fan, a portable air conditioner and flooring installed. They then added trim, painted and furnished the shed. It is decorated with mementos from their travels to places like Italy, Mexico and Ireland.
Alexandria Living Magazine
Sloper enjoys her morning coffee and newspaper and watches tv in the shed. She occasionally shares it with her grandkids, who use to hang out or to use it as a pool changing room.
Before deciding to install your own she shed, be sure to look up local requirements. If you live in the City of Alexandria visit alexandriava.gov/planning/info/default.aspx?id=89956, or in Fairfax County visit fairfaxcounty.gov/planning-development/zoning/faqs.
If you live in a neighborhood with an HOA, they usually have their own rules and regulations regarding backyard structures.