Something with integrity

PENNSYLVANIA — “I wanted to build something that had integrity to it.”

That’s what David D., an executive in the fashion industry in New York City, thought to himself when it came time to build again on his five-acre home in rural Pennsylvania.

David’s home, which he built in 2007 with his brother-in-law, features floor-to-ceiling glass walls, steel and black cedar, a striking modern contrast to the farms and fields of his rustic Pennsylvania landscape.

When David realized he needed more space for garden tools and equipment, he was drawn to Modern-Shed’s sleek aesthetic.

“I knew it wasn’t going to be a Dutch Colonial prefab that you can get at Home Depot,” he says. “That was important to me. With Modern-Shed, it was an easy choice. I knew I wanted something that would look appropriate for my property.”

David had been using his two-car garage as a space to store his riding mower, push mower and other tools needed to upkeep his sprawling grounds.

“For the first couple of years, I owned one car. I couldn’t continue to store the riding mower in the garage,” he says. “It was kind of preventing me from getting a second car.”

David also wanted a project that he could be affordable and easy to put together.

“I didn’t want to spend a ton of money and bring in an architect or hire a contractor,” he says. “I really wanted to do it myself. I was looking for a project that I could literally do with my own hands.”

David found Modern-Shed by searching for pre-fab sheds and houses on Google, and within six months, he started building his Modern-Shed garden studio.

At first, he felt a little intimidated by the 6,000 pounds of crates that arrived at the end of his 700-foot driveway.

“The first time you do something is when you learn,” David says. “It was challenging. (Modern-Shed dealer) Craig LaDuke was very helpful along the way. I don’t think everyone builds their own sheds. I did it on the weekends, in my spare time. The whole process was a lot of work and I really enjoyed it.”

Anytime David had a question he needed answered, there was a number to call, he says.

“I was the amateur building this, so I think a professional contractor would have been boom, boom, boom,” he says. “I learned a lot. I would say if you didn’t have experience in construction, make sure you had someone who did. It was a little more advanced than I expected.”

Look at all of the literature and consider all of your options, David advises.

“Talk to the representatives,” he says. “Craig could not have been a better guy.”

The 14’ by 14’ dark grey Modern-Shed has weathered beautifully in the two years since David built it, and he hopes to someday turn it into a guest home or office.

“My brother-in-law was impressed with how well it has maintained,” he says. “It looks like the day we built it.”