We have been planting all kinds of pretty flowers the past couple of weeks and creating new garden areas. Putting pea gravel in and building a charming little shed for puttering and potting – along with a wee spot for daydream inspiration.
Remember that project I have been sharing snippets of and lots of inspiration photos for? We partnered with The Home Depot to create a greenhouse garden /shed/patio area that English and French countryside dreams are made of. We have been digging holes, moving dirt, planting plants & building walls for a proper English garden potting shed- and even making that dutch door with a vintage door- all for this little spot in the garden. We ordered online for pickup & were able to rent any tools we needed and then got to work. Are you ready for the reveal? I can hardly wait to share how this space has come together! Let’s take a look at the BEFORE first. 🙂
The BEFORE
It wasn’t necessarily what you would call pretty, folks. It was an area above the greenhouse towards the back side of our property before the forest area where we kind of left it natural and doing what it does- without any improvement.
You can see the edge of the greenhouse garden fence in the corner there- to give you an idea of where this is- and a few of those peony plants that we picked up at The Home Depot a few weeks ago lining up to create an idea of where the path will go. As you can see- it is bare and natural with lots of blackberries growing in up by the tree line. Beyond those trees – there is a small apple orchard and meadow area before more trees start filling in again.
The AFTER
I wanted something that felt right out of the English countryside. Full of cottage style, romantic blooms. With pea gravel crunching underfoot and a storybook little building to putter in.
A few dozen foxgloves, 3 types of sage and salvia, 3 types of peonies and lilacs and more created a pathway lined in beautiful blooms.
One side has several types of foxgloves in abundance- Foxgloves are one of my favorites in the garden with their tall spikes and delicate flowers. If you are thinking of planting them-don’t miss my 8 things to know about Foxgloves post – they are considered poisonous so plant with care.
I love to plant them in abundance and they are also beautiful in cut flower arrangements. On the other side of the pathway- a whole lot of peonies, sages and more foxgloves.
The Potting Shed
At the top of the path- a charming little place to putter and play.
I am Obsessed with how this little shed turned out. From the cedar shingles, vintage windows and door and all the little details- it is such a sweet little spot in the yard and fills in that bare area so perfectly.
Something I loved about this project was that it was So Easy to pick up everything we needed to build this shed with Home Depot Curbside Pickup. We used the Home Depot project calculator to figure out what we needed and how much- and then placed the order online. Home Depot text us when they were all ready for pick up- we parked in the Curbside Pickup area and they brought everything right out to the truck. Plus- for those tools we didn’t have on hand- we could rent them to make the job easier.
While there, I wandered through the garden center and found these incredible plants to create this garden- but I also ordered online. I found a lot of favorite ready to plant Vigoro plants & specialty garden roses like All Dressed Up – and they were shipped right to the house. They haven’t bloomed yet- but I will share when they do.
Building The Potting Shed
I will do a separate post all about how we built this potting shed- including the details on using vintage windows and the vintage door as well as the cedar shingles.
Fun fact: I shingled the entire shed in about a day- I used these cedar shingles from Home Depot and a nail gun and that was about it. Shingling is one of those fun things for me to do- it is creative and pretty detail oriented instead of just busy work.
My son Cullan and husband also built a deck on the front of the shed. Here you can see them working on the deck in the background while I was working on planting all.those.foxgloves.
On the side of the shed- we added a small dining area for a garden table and chairs-
complete with my always on repeat favorite- twinkle lights. These are smaller LED string lights that really dressed up this space.
We also brought in things like ivy ‘wall’ and other pretty plants to fill in underneath the peonies and foxgloves and added some picket fence areas to fence off some of the garden from the other areas.
Here is a quick video overview – but stay tuned for a formal garden walk through to show how much it has grown in and the inside of the potting shed soon. It has literally changed so much since I took these photos in April.
I AM OBSESSED.
More To Come
I will be sharing much more about each of these areas and how we designed them- from the method to my madness with the garden plantings to the potting shed design start to finish-and how we got that new deck to look perfectly weathered & worn- all coming your way in the next couple weeks. Plus- we have a few more things we are working on here and since this was photographed about 3 weeks ago we have wrapped up the plantings next to the potting shed and everything has grown so much with the sunshine. I will update that too.
What do you think of how this new area turned out? I love how pretty it feels and can hardly wait for the garden roses and other summer plants to grow in too.
Happy Monday all!
*Disclosure- I worked with The Home Depot on this post to design, build and install a pretty potting shed & patio area- but all opinions and designs are my own.
It looks Awesome!!!! Great work!!!
I loved this, but NO video!
LOVE THIS!!
Hearing about the process maKes it come alivE. I found you shortly after i ordered my new greenhouse which seems to be the same as Yours except for your wiNdows on either side of your door. Did you do a similar post to chronicle your greenhouse journey? I have all summer to plan since tHings are sooooo behind.
Thank you!🍃🌷
Hi there!! We added those windows to the greenhouse- so it is probably the same one. I did do a post on the greenhouse-( I have actually done a few) but this is the reveal https://www.frenchcountrycottage.net/2017/07/a-quiet-inspired-spot-french-country.html
Gorgeous!
Thank you!
Beautiful! ❤️
Thank you!
Oh my goodness. This is beautiful. I need a shed like that. Can’t wait for the details.
The flowers are all amazing too!!
Thank you Annie!
i am in love with this space!!! Please do a looong garden tour with details!!!
Will do! Thank you Kelly!
Simply beautiful!
Thank you Peggy!
What a DIFFERENCE IN BEFORE AND AFTER! iT IS STUNNING!! aND i’M AS GREEN AS THE FOLIAGE WITH ENVY!!!
tHANKS FOR SHARING – IT GIVES JOY JUST TO LOOK AT IT.
Aww thank you Helen. An area of the property that was ready for something for sure.
BEAUTIFUL! So inspiring. I want to plant peonies and foxgloves ASAP Thank you for sharing this.
I have been obsessed with them for years- but even more so right now too.
where the peonies from the Home Depot too?
Yes! They are from Home Depot!
Gorgeous! Many happy hours will be spent there over the years. It’s wonderful!
It is so beautiful. I may have missed it but how long did the transformation take? Love English cottage style. PeoNies & foxglove are a FAVOURITE. Saw a glimpse of a CHANDELIER in the potting shed.💓
My heart is Filled with pitTer patter EXCITEMENT! What a gorgeous Garden! I love the flowers. Those peonies are 😊. No salvia or Lavender? I love how the white Bistro set is surRounded by all of the flowers. She shed relaxation
Yes- there are salvia and lavender tucked in there as well. 🙂
Great job and i adore your flower choices ! I never knew that you could grow peonies and likacs in Your region. So lucky !!!
~ Stephanie
How lovely! Such an inspiration for us all.
This is just GORGEOUS! Can’t Wait to see (and read) more.
I love foxgloves. I was sur to see your chickens in the area pecking around. Are you conc they will eAt your foxGloves? I had a chic eat a snapdragoN and she passed. I was so upset to think i was responsible. Just an fyi…. love it all.
Hi Sophie! I appreciate your note and I am so sorry about your chicken and the snapdragon. 🙁 Yes, foxgloves are poisonous to animals – so we don’t let the chickens, goats or pups roam freely in this area. It is fenced all around- but we do let them walk along the path to get to the grass on the other side of the fence- but only when we are with them. They don’t seem too interested in anything other than the grass as they walk through thankfully but will absolutely keep any eye on them closely.
Can you say where you got the pretty white table and chairs or are they vintage? Thank you.
That is one I bought from Jc Penney about 20 years ago- so not quite vintage yet.
Beautiful!
How do you contain the pea gravel to the area you want to use.T?
Absolutely beautiful! pS add window boxes.it will finish the look.I have them on my shed and they add so much charm!
We definitely thought about it as we have window boxes on the house. Didn’t get to before photographing these- so may add them.
Ilove it all. i love the choice of your flowers! I as well added a garden and used the gravel! it is work!
thank you for your beautiful post.
You definitely ACHIEVED THE ENGLISH COTTAGE LOOK- IT’S ALL SO LOVELY. mY FOXGLOVE RESEED ALL OVER, BUT SEEM TO LOVE THE GRAVEL PATHS. i DID NOT SEE THE VIDEO – IT DIDN’T APPEAR IN YOUR POST.
Oh shoot- not sure what happened. It looks like it shows up for me when I checked but I will check again in a bit. Thanks for letting me know.
All the wonderful planting you have gotten to do is a blessing. It’s still too cold here to plant anything but hardy perennials. Soon. Just puttering around your yard would be a joy. Beautiful. Great job.
I’d rather have pee gravel any day over poured concrete…more natural and just fills your senses with that earthy feel.
Wow, so much Work, so little time. You are tRuely Amazing. BuT, who is that gorgeous creature hefting those foxgloves? By the way do foxgloves like a more shady spot than sunny.
They say they love part sun – so a shady area would probably be ok. The bottom of this area with the gravel is a bit more sunny than the top area- where most of them are planted. They are in morning sun and some late afternoon sun but mostly dappled. The lower part of the garden where it is sunny most of the day doesn’t have foxgloves planted.
I just bought you first book and my husband absolutely LOVEs it!
I LOVE IT too!!!!
I love your ideas and have the same table for sink in bathroom as you did.
I have been looking at that same greenhouse you put in your yard for years now. I may have to buy that too.
i can’t wait to get the second book you’ve done.
thank you for your inspiration and kindness.
So beautiful and storybook dream.
Oh wow Courtney, it looks amazing, you must have amazing soil, can you just plant witHout amending It?
Love foxgloves. I also love larkspures, they’re shorter & in amazing colors.
Courtney, I have been excitedly awaiting your reveal and, WOW!, it did not disappoint–just gorgeous. I love all the flower selections and the crossbuck door is just the perfect finishing touch. May you all share many fun times in your little piece of Heaven.
Brava! congratulations on a job well done! It is such a charming and beautiful space you have created! I absolutely love it and am inspired by your creativity.
HI courtney,
WoUld yOu mind sHaRing the Total cost of prOject for your sq fT of area ? How many plantS did yoU bUY.
You have one gorgeous place
Many thanks..
Yes- will be sharing more about the project cost and plants.
GORGEOUS gorgeous Courtney!!!!
I thought you wre goiong to reveal the source of the patio furniture. Please do tell where it was sourced from.
It is from JCPenney from about 15-20 years ago now- I don’t have the source or exact one to link to.
I HAVE BEEN READING YOUR POSTS FOR A LONG TIME AND i SO LOOK FORWARD TO THEM.
i DON’T USUALLY COMMENT, But I just wanted to say thank you, thank you for sharing
your home and your beautiful projects with all of us. You inspire me to live
beautifully and I appreciate all you send to us.
Such a Beautiful addition to your propertY! I planted foxglove this week and then found your post! May your flowers bloom and your days be bright!👒🧤👩🏼🌾
What a beautiful Retreat! I can’t help feeling a little envious. OK, A lot of envy! thanks for sharing!
This mirrors my dreams for a garden some day. I am slowly working toward it with first steps of small raised beds for the kitchen and a cutting garden. Thanks for the beautiful inspiration.
So bEautiful! Have you shared the plans? I ThiNk I missed thAt pOst. Where can we Find it? Thanks😀
THis is so inspring! Thank you for sharing the details. Can you please share the size of your potting shed?
Courtney, I just adore how you can take a space and transform it in a very short time to a gorgeous garden area! I love the english countryside cottage look. Your shed is just darling! I have a question regarding those beautiful foxgloves. How long do they bloom and after they are done how does the plant base hold up? Mine tend to dry out and not look so good later in the year even if watered. Do yours get a lot of shade? I just love them, especially in masses so I hope they continue to look good after blooming. Any advice would be appreciated.