The Potting Shed

To some it might be coined the "basement." Except basements conjure images of moldy shag carpet, Absent windows, cobwebs, and decoration collection reservoirs. 

My basement, the one that used to be the original kitchen to the 1811 Pennsylvania Georgian home we bought almost 15 years ago, it's the most honest and genuine piece of real history the home still holds dear.

It is cool, quiet, and cozy. It has lived many lives, been forgotten for most of the last hundred years and now is the place that inspires the Tasha Tudor designer I grew up reading, dreaming and reveling into becoming. 

The floor is poured concrete. Exceptional for collecting water run off when all the outdoor seasonally sunning plants are brought inside to over winter. 

The ceilings are the original beams that hold up the living room, library and den above. The wiring and veins of the house are on display. I love the raw real feel of this room. 

No drafts thanks to insulated storm windows offering foot wide ledges for the cats to perch upon.

Two old rough workbenches keep the containers and pots at easy access. They are weathered and flank industrial to primitive.

When you have natural accent pieces used only for seasonal decorating the potting shed offers year around enjoyment and endless display opportunities. I use the huge pine cones as much in the non-snowing months as I do in the evergreen months. When they are this spectacular who wants to hide them in a closed box?

Apple crate keep tubers from over crowding, and an 8 foot long 4 paneled bench keeps the commercial potting gear hidden.

Litter boxes and dog proof cat feeding station are kept with fresh flowers all year long. Why shouldn't their table be formal too?

An old large barn door on short beams keeps the snow bird plants off the floor and under the grow lights. It also serves as a plentiful work surface for flower arranging in Summer.

We placed an old milk glass light over the old soapstone double sink. A deep sink helps clean big terracotta pots and very dirty hands.

The dahlias are cut and arranged every weekend. Nothing beats glamour like dinner plate blooms to brighten an old fortress.

The potting shed opens to the small back yard. The house is built on a bank overlooking a large pond.

I hope these inspire you to carve out a hidden piece of your home that needs a new life and a creative purpose.

As always, thanks to my pups Frippie, Storm and Charlie for modeling.

Please visit my other blog Diary Of A Real-Life Veterinarian. kmdvm.blogspot.com