I might have one of the nicest sheds there is, certainly the nicest in my little town.

It was built for me by Gardensheds.com, a one-woman web-based business that contracts with an Amish carpentry outfit to build the sheds and another central-Pennsylvanian guy to deliver them.

My shed has cypress siding, a copper roof, and real hand-forged strap hinges. It’s extremely nice in my opinion. I designed the shed and provided a sketch to Nellie, the Gardenshed’s proprietor. Her carpenter interpreted the sketch faithfully. I needed something exactly 7′ x 11′ to fit on the terrace I had built. It has worked out very well. I think it cost about $7,000. A lot for a shed, but not that bad given how nice it looks in my back yard.