Michael Devine's Blogger's Retreat, the ultimate shed transformation.

Michael Devine speaking to guests about how his shed project actually came together. To read more about Michael Devine's work click here at The Devine Life.



AND.... all the proceeds from the sale of these sheds of course will benefit the beautiful Berkshire Botanical Garden located in picturesque West Stockbridge, Massachusetts. I left Lenox MA. in 1993 to move to the town of Old Lyme Connecticut but I often go back to visit and in the warmer months of the year I am in Litchfield, CT which is very close to the Berkshires. My oldest son was born at Berkshire Medical Center where his dad was also working at the time.

My own side of the family has roots in the West Stockbridge-Lee area. My grandfather who lived many years ago and died long before I was even born owned marble quarries in those two towns. They produced some of the finest and purest marble in this country which was used in St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York among other places. I can remember as a teenager when the family sold the very last marble quarry owned by them in Massachusetts.

Bottom line is of course I have spent much time at the Berkshire Botanical Garden in the past. When it was suggested that I come up to see Michael Devine's beautiful and luxurious shed he transformed of course I went.
The party was held in the early evening and included a tour by Matt Larkin of all the sheds which totaled five altogether.
The designers were; Michael Devine, "Michael Devine Home"( click here for more information and photos of Michael's beautiful fabrics and home design.) 'A Garden Blogger's Retreat',

Annie Selke, "Pine Cone Hill" 'Swedish Reading Retreat', ( click here for Pine Cone Hill)


Chase Booth, set designer and Domino Magazine, 'An Aerie in the Pinetum,'

and Bories and Shearron , Architects, (click here for more beautiful photos of their work and information about their firm.) 'An 18th Century Privy',
Sarah and Peter Thorne, local artisans, 'A True Blue Berkshire Studio'. On the map above you can see the route we took to see each shed and each one truly was a work of art.

Drinks and hors d'oeuvres were served in several locations throughout the garden paths adding a nice touch to the festivities in the beautiful setting of the garden. All of the flowering trees were in full bloom and the air was so fragrant it was amazing. The evening was very warm and the sun was still low on the horizon making it almost seem like a summer day.
A nice touch was that if the designer was there we could hear the actual design process, their inspiration (which is what I always like to hear about personally) and how they accomplished the work in a relatively short amount of time. I was surprised their was no duplication whatever and each shed was very, very unique from the next one. I thought perhaps the designers had met to tell of their plans at first but that did not happen at all. Five creative minds with five stunning and unusual shed uses and ideas. Great stuff.
Contact the Berkshire Botanical Garden . (Click here for their web page) to purchase one of the sheds for your own home. Bidding I believe has been extended beyond last weekend. Opening bids started Saturday at $5,000. The sheds will be up for viewing at their current location on the grounds of The Berkshire Botanical Garden, West Stockbridge, MA. until Labor Day.


Definitely worth a road trip up from Old Lyme!

The map of the sheds on the grounds.

Michael Devine.

The interior of "A Garden Blogger's Retreat" had a beautiful chandelier hanging in it.

The neighbors.

Annie Selke's shed was very Scandinavian looking.

Beautiful Pine Cone Hill bedding came with the shed. Oh my goodness, I could sleep in here on a summer night with NO problem...maybe a little sleep over, Nah, I would want this luxury all to myself. No for electricity for my movie player and computer. Heaven.

An iron Dachshund in Chase Booth's shed.

The interior of "An Aerie in the Pinetum"

This was my second favorite shed. It was designed by Chase Booth and was utterly charming inside and out.

I actually know someone in my town of Old Lyme, CT. who has a house that would match this shed almost exactly!!! Same color, period details, etc. Someone else bid on this one though.

A port-o-let with a gazing ball? What elegance!

"A True Blue Berkshire Studio"

The party crowd.