A stylist and her carpenter husband collaborated to create this sustainable and soulful garden shed at their suburban homestead in Brisbane.
Photography Mark Zeidler, ZedControl / Words Casey Hutton
The custom made arbor by Magnolia Group QLD and gate from Billy Goat Barn Doors adds a friendly farmhouse welcome.
Tasha Kimlin’s 2x3m shed is “a space for lazy days spent in the garden”. She and her husband Byron (of Magnolia Group QLD) designed and built it for raising seedlings, seed saving and flower drying, and for storing the equipment they need for their extensive flower and vegetable gardens.
But, she says, the shed has become more than a work zone. “It is my refuge from the demands of the world… where I can nurture myself, not just the gardens.”
The shed’s restorative qualities echo the story of its construction. “Sustainability and thoughtful use of materials were a huge consideration when planning and designing the area,” Tasha explains. “It was important to us to incorporate as many reclaimed, free and recycled materials as possible while still creating a beautiful space with quality finishes.”
Hose and reel from Garden Glory
“It is my refuge from the demands of the world…where I can nurture myself, not just the gardens.”
The couple’s property has been in Byron’s family for 99 years. Tasha, Byron and their children have lovingly created the self-sufficient garden space (which also includes the chicken coop in this feature) complete with off-grid solar and custom-made steel water tanks.
Many of the shed’s features were bought secondhand, intercepted on their way to the tip, repurposed or found in demolition yards – including its timbers, windows, doors, European pavers, vintage cement tub, and curated pieces including vintage sieves, galvanised bins, trays, tools and timber crates.
Tasha’s Burgon & Ball tools hang on the wall, while cherished artisanal pieces displayed alongside them are given equal importance. “These pieces remind me of the things that fill me with joy and the places I have been,” muses Tasha. “They are what makes this space more than just a potting shed.”
Customised door mat from Shut The Front Door Mats.
Tasha researched extensively when designing a coop for her “feathered ladies” – nine hens, two ducks and two ducklings – which was then built by her husband Byron. “It is spacious, predator proof and easy to keep clean, and has great airflow for the hot Queensland summers,” says Tasha.
They opted for a deep-litter method on the floor – a thick layer of bedding that essentially creates a clean and safe compost heap for the garden and a better environment for the birds. “There’s a shaded porch area and the ducks have their own luxurious pink bath for daily swims,” says Tasha. The bath is plumbed so it can be filled from the backyard tanks and the nutrient-rich dirty water is pumped back into the home’s garden beds.
A barn door reclaimed from a demolition yard and painted in fairy-floss pink (with a matching vintage children’s laundry trolley for nesting) adds a delightful pop of colour.
Thinking of keeping poultry? Check your council’s guidelines first, says Tasha, and be prepared to invest the time and money necessary. You’ll be rewarded with organic eggs, excellent fertiliser and natural bug control. “They make great pets, take care of the kitchen scraps, give the children responsibilities and are great for your mental health,” says Tasha. “Life is better with chickens!” Follow Tasha’s instagram account for more garden and shed inspiration by clicking here.
