When Stuart’s younger brother in Brisbane built a SheShed cabin to use as his home office, Stuart was skeptical at first. “You’re going to work in a shed??” he asked. But once he saw the finished product - a spacious, stylish, and private workspace - he was sold. “It was fantastic. So much more room than I expected… maybe just what I needed.”
With a three-bedroom house, two kids, and guests frequently relegated to the couch, Stuart and his wife decided it was time for a comfortable spare room that could double as a workspace. Their backyard offered the space, and SheShed offered the perfect solution.
Ordering the SheShed was “easy as,” and Stuart appreciated the responsive support team, who were always just a call or email away. As for building the cabin? Let’s just say the Queensland summer delivered a few surprises. “We built over the Christmas holidays, and it was hard work with all the storms and rain,” Stuart recalls. “If you can, I’d recommend building during the cooler, dry season!”
Even so, with help from mates and some clever planning, the cabin came together beautifully. Stuart raised his SheShed on treated pine sleepers to deal with the sloped yard and overland water flow - ensuring better ventilation and waterproofing. A practical step and west-facing planter bed completed the setup, offering both a shady buffer from the sun and a barrier against invading lawn growth.
While the interior design is bright and functional - white walls throughout, with a sunny splash of 'Florida' yellow at the entry - the exterior is what really catches the eye. Painted in a vibrant 'South Pacific' blue (Taubmans), the cabin is a colourful standout in the backyard. “It reminded me of a refurbished Kombi van I saw recently,” Stuart laughs. “And also, my favourite beer - Balter XPA.” The bold colour reflects the Gold Coast’s laid-back coastal lifestyle while keeping the mood light and cheerful.
Inside, the cabin now comfortably hosts overnight guests and serves as Stuart’s office a few days a week, fully equipped with internet, lighting, power, and air conditioning. “Considering what a comfortable and private workspace it provides, I couldn’t imagine going back to working at the kitchen table.”
Anyone who visits immediately wants to know more about the cabin - it’s not just a practical upgrade; it’s a conversation starter and a smart use of space that fits beautifully into the Gold Coast lifestyle. Stuart’s advice to anyone considering their own SheShed? “If you have the space to throw one in… just do it.” He recommends building in the cooler months if you can and encourages having fun with your design choices - bold colours, practical tweaks, and personal flair all make a difference in creating a space that works for you.
Stuart also wanted to send a huge shoutout to two mates who helped bring his SheShed vision to life: “Big thanks to my two great mates - Andrew the sparky and Mick the builder!! You don’t need a builder to knock it up… but the help certainly doesn’t hurt. Andrew the sparky is the best—will work for free beer and a surfboard!”
Explore the range of SheShed cabins on our and start imagining the possibilities for your own space.
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