Backyard buildings, cottages, potting sheds, play houses and the like have always held great appeal for me.

Maybe a small brick structure to house the croquet set. 😀

Some years ago I worked for a home builder who participated in an annual event held for a charitable cause, where 5-6 home builders would volunteer their services to build “play houses” for auction.  The builders were so creative and often these houses would auction for several thousand dollars.  Below is an example…you can see why they were popular, there was no detail left undone.

I suspect Project Playhouse planted the seed but  I’m not even particular about whether its a decked out playhouse or a chicken coop (which our city doesn’t allow, they allow the coop, not the chickens).  I just love the idea of a structure in the backyard where I could sit and read, store a few small garden tools and Olivia and I could play tea party.

As I’m sure you are aware, chicken coops have hit the mainstream.  Williams Sonoma even offers one.

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This coop rivals some homes I’ve seen…maybe my fair city would allow this one.

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There isn’t any room in our back yard for a structure, not really.  This is Southern California, many yards are the size of a postage stamp.  But since I’ve always liked the idea, I’ve done what I usually do…set up a folder and saved images I find on the internet and blog sites.  It’s like tearing pages from a magazine, only less clutter.

Wouldn’t you love a place where you could sleep in the backyard, in cool comfort during warm summer nights, yet feel like you are surrounded by nature?

There are coyotes in our area that are not shy about jumping fences, but with doors on my backyard retreat I think I’d be safe.

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This cottage structure looks like it may have been built finding salvaged items…I love the idea of building a little garden shed using old windows, hinges and doors.

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Our Austin son build a structure in the ample backyard of their first home.  He used to work from home so this offered the quiet of an off-site office with the convenience of close proximity to the main house.  I don’t have a picture of the structure but this (below) reminds me of it…

Now, if I lived on a lake or some other body of water, this would be the “backyard” structure I’d be longing for…

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This simple structure is probably more my speed…doesn’t it look cute?

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…or even something as small and simple as this…

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I’d probably only need enough room for a chair and a box of Olivia’s toys where we could pretend to cook and enjoy a snack.

When there is room for more, this is what I lean towards…my fellow garden enthusiasts will agree, wouldn’t this be wonderful?

{Photo by: Joseph De Sciose via Southern Living}

The truth is, it isn’t so much the structure as it is who happens to reside (pretends to reside, in this case) there…

Do you have a playhouse, garden shed, backyard cottage?  

I’m joining in the fun at Art @ Home with my post…it makes me happy so it should qualify as My Happy List.