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A French-Inspired Garden and Home by Judith Stringham

French Garden Shed Elements

Wednesday, April 30, 2014

What makes a garden shed a 
French style 
garden shed? 
Especially since it is not in France? 



French design elements... 
How do you achieve them? 

Step back, look at the overall design. 


The hip roofline is the strongest French design element. 



The pitch and symmetry of the roof 
are classical elements in a French roof. 

Another strong element that creates a French look 
is the symmetry in the building, not just the roof. 
The building is a square. 
The doors are centered. 
The deck step is centered. 



French doors are the next strongest 
French design in the garden shed. 

While the roof, doors, and overall shape 
establish the French design, 
details 
create even more French flair.

Levered door handles, 
instead of round doorknobs 
so usual in American buildings, 
add an authentic French touch. 



The deck step is eyebrow shaped, not a half-round, 
which adds to the French look. 
Eyebrow shaped windows are used much 
more often than half-round windows in 
vintage buildings in France. 

Variegated blue roof shingles, the pale blue walls, and 
the French bleu door on the deck 
are classical French colors. 
French bleu... well known as a color... 
is closer to red than to green on the color wheel. 



French gardens are much more structured and symmetrical than English gardens.  

The large pot with a French scroll design 
contains a dwarf yaupon being trained into a 
ball shape. 

Two triple-ball topiaries in matching clay pots 
standing on either side of the French doors  
are strong French garden design elements, 
both in shape and symmetrical position.  

For a look at more French-inspired topiaries,
see French Country Style Deck.


In the garden is an old wooden and scrolled-iron park bench, 
truly reminiscent of Parisian parks. 

Another matching Vintage Park Bench sits in
the shade of a pear tree in the back yard.



One more look at the French garden shed 
seen in the background of 
an "obedient plant" 
growing in a pot on the house deck. 

See Botanic Bleu Beginnings to read about 
how the French garden shed began. 
❦
~~~~~~~~~~
Please join me at these inspiring sites...
SUNDAY
Share It One More Time @ One More Time Events

MONDAY
Amaze Me Mondays @ Dwellings, the Heart of Your Home

TUESDAY
Be Inspired Friday @ Common Ground
Anything Blue Friday @ The Dedicated House
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15 comments:

  1. Lin from A {tiny} Cottage In The WoodsApril 30, 2014 at 7:57 AM

    It's gorgeous, Judith! I'm ooooing and ahhhhing over every image.

    Slowly, I hope to have our cottage take on more French details like yours. So glad we found one another in blogland!

    xo,
    Lin

    ReplyDelete
  2. Maria ElenaApril 30, 2014 at 8:10 AM

    Just gorgeous shed! I would love a space like that in my back yard. Beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  3. UnknownApril 30, 2014 at 10:37 AM

    Sigh..............that's all - just me sighing from across the miles.
    Perfection.
    XOXO

    ReplyDelete
  4. MariApril 30, 2014 at 10:41 AM

    What a beautiful shed, and french in design oh my even better...

    Smiles~
    Mari

    ReplyDelete
  5. Simply Suzannes at HomeMay 2, 2014 at 9:27 AM

    Suzanne of Simply Suzannes at Home

    Dear Judith, Thank you so much for coming by!
    I'm so in love with your French garden shed. It looks more like a French cottage! It's beautiful!
    LOVE the topiaries, blue paint, roof line . . . all of it!
    Looking forward to seeing more of your transformations.
    Have a wonderful weekend,
    Suzanne

    ReplyDelete
  6. Marie-Interior FrugalistaMay 2, 2014 at 11:08 AM

    Wow Judith, your garden shed is stunning - I love everything about it. The roof line, the French doors, the pretty blue door leaning against it, the topiaries. So glad I saw your link at the Fabulously Creative Friday party and now I'm a new follower!
    Marie @ The Interior Frugalista

    ReplyDelete
  7. Lois ArnoldMay 2, 2014 at 6:05 PM

    Love it, Judith! We haven't had a garden shed since we left Iowa. That one probably shouted more 70's than any other design. LOL I did use it as a back drop for quilt photos though as it was dark brown cedar siding matching the house. Other than that, it was pretty utilitarian rather than beautiful as yours is!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Fishtail CottageMay 2, 2014 at 6:30 PM

    love!!! would love to have you share over here at Fishtail Cottage's garden party???? so inspiring for me! xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  9. Fishtail CottageMay 3, 2014 at 11:16 AM

    thank you for joining in the garden party! Love your garden house...i'm sure the rest of the party goers will enjoy seeing it too! xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  10. ℳartina @ Northern NestingMay 3, 2014 at 12:18 PM

    GORGEOUS shed!!

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  11. PondsideMay 3, 2014 at 12:37 PM

    Elegant, but not intimidating - you've created something quite lovely.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Marty@A Stroll Thru LifeMay 6, 2014 at 12:18 PM

    Love your shed and the topiaries are amazing. Thanks tons for linking to Inspire Me.

    ReplyDelete
  13. The Style SistersMay 7, 2014 at 5:50 PM

    I love your shed and all the French details! I want to see inside too! The blue door and topiaries just make it. Thanks for linking up to Centerpiece Wednesday and sharing with us.

    ReplyDelete
  14. The Charm of HomeMay 7, 2014 at 10:05 PM

    It is so pretty! More to enjoy in the back yard!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Di@Cottage-WishesMay 8, 2014 at 6:28 AM

    Beautiful garden shed, that is on my wish list! Di@Cottage-Wishes

    ReplyDelete

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Judith

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