Think Outside the Box
By Nikki Alvin-Smith
A private retreat in your yard or garden can offer a great relief from everyday stresses. After a busy morning working horses the opportunity to sit down in the shade away from the pesky flies or out of the wind and poor weather, without removing your boots, and catch up on your emails while sipping a cold beverage away from the hubbub of the barn can refresh you for the afternoon activities.
Think outside the box! Think about the modern day outdoor living options in the form of a ‘he shed, she shed’. You can custom design the shed to your own delights, add counters, epoxy flooring for easy clean, soft or hard furnishings, heat or air conditioning.
A shed can provide a great gathering space for your clients, away from your home. It can offer shade and safety for your pets and young children to play away from horses hooves.
We spoke with Jonathan Zook of Stoltzfus Structures to find out what options there are available. Stoltzfus Structures offer in factory build and then deliver to your property and the set up/site prep needed is minimal.
“At Stoltzfus we have been building for over 41 years. Our Amish craftsmanship delivers a 
high standard and you can customize the design however you please. We can match the style of your home or barn, paint or stain, siding to match your existing buildings. We deliver nationwide. “
The trend toward use of a shed for an additional outdoor living space continues to grow and the team at Stoltzfus Structures has designed sheds for a myriad of uses.
“Our sheds can be built to any size or you can buy one straight from stock. People buy them for offices, sunrooms, man caves, she sheds and a whole bunch of fun uses. At 
Stoltzfus we can provide you with a customized shed with insulation, residential standard windows, screens and electric. We can build almost anything you want. “
While the idea of an additional living space may appeal, you may like some help affording just what you want. Stoltzfus Structures also offers financing through a 3rd party. You can literally have your new office or retreat built to your specifications and delivered and ready for use within hours of delivery. That’s pretty sweet.
As I toured the Stoltzfus Structures facility (with which I was most impressed), the sheds on the lot were truly amazing. Take a look at the photos here to give you some ideas of 
how you can develop a truly awesome space right in your backyard with minimal fuss and expense.
Of course Stoltzfus Structures do more than just build sheds. They also build other things us horsey folks can use such as judges booths & concession stands for events, gazebos for the arena. Plus other outdoor structures like pavilions, cabanas and pergolas.
On a recent clinic visit where I was teaching eight rides a day, the owner asked if I’d like to visit her ‘Café.’
“Sure,” I said, hoping for something to replenish my energy in the food department and a cold beverage after a tiring day. Off we went around the back of the indoor and there laid out on a lovely stretch of lawn by a creek was her ‘Café.’ It was replete with wine cooler, fridge, counter and sink. Plates of delectable ‘bites’ appeared from the fridge, a cool beverage was poured and we sat in complete comfort on 
the plump cushioned couches in our boots and breeches and discussed the day. She hopped on her laptop, printed out the waivers and ride order for the next day and directions to my hotel. The space was decorated with show ribbons, photos of horses and she had a big chalkboard to post her reminders.
“This is just the best thing ever,’ she said of her ‘she shed.’ Students know to 
leave me in peace, it is hidden away so visitors don’t find it and I am steps away from the barn in case I am needed. They just text me. It keeps everyone out of my house which pleases Jim [her husband], and is the perfect spot to recharge and take a breather or make a private phone call. And it appeared as if by magic. One minute it was on the truck, next minute it was set on the ground and the delivery guy checked the windows and doors all worked smoothly and we were done. They even had furniture.”
So if you need a retreat, or an additional space to work inside, think outside the box, and give the professionals at Stoltzfus Structures a call at (610) 595-4726
