Paleo Porn

Steamy Paleo Recipes

  • 
  • Start Here
    • New Here?
    • The History of Paleo Porn
    • Join the Paleo Porn Family
    • Meet Marla
    • Is It Paleo?
      • Is Quinoa Paleo?
      • Are Chia Seeds Paleo?
      • Are Pickles Paleo?
      • Is Sunflower Oil Paleo?
      • Is Cocoa Powder Paleo?
      • All Is It Paleo? Answers
    • Paleo-Friendly Restaurants
      • 100% Paleo
        • Picnik Austin (Austin, TX)
        • mmm…COFFEE! (Denver, CO)
      • Austin, TX
      • Chicago, IL
      • Denver, CO
      • Miami, FL
      • Nashville, TN
      • New York, NY
      • San Francisco, CA
    • Resources
    • Paleo Personal Care
    • How to Start a Food Blog
  • Recipes
    • Popular
      • Granola Bars
      • Baked Cauliflower Casserole
      • Cauliflower Garlic Mash
      • Pork Chops and Apples
      • Breakfast Casserole
      • Meatza
      • Bison Bacon Meatloaf
      • Ground Beef Stir Fry
      • Paleo Tortillas
    • All Recipes
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
    • Dessert
  • Starr Fitness
  • Shop
    • Pigskin Paleo: Game Day Recipes
    • Paleo Porn T-Shirts
  • Coaching
  • 
Featured by As seen on

Paleo Porn

  • Start Here
  • Recipes
  • Starr Fitness
  • Our Cookbook
  • Resources
  • How to Start a Food Blog
  • Is It Paleo?
  • Paleo Restaurants
  • Cooking Coaching: Learn how to cook with real food

That’s What She Shed – My Art and Meditation Studio

You may be familiar with the term 'man cave' but have you heard of the 'she shed'? This article explains how I converted our shed into a meditation space. by Marla Starr on August 19, 2016

That's What She Shed
Marla Starr
Marla Starr is the founder of Paleo Porn, co-author of Pigskin Paleo and Owner of Starr Fitness. Marla is a Certified Personal Trainer, 200HR Certified Yoga Instructor, a Certified Barre & SUP/SUP Yoga Instructor offering Personal Training & Small Group Fitness classes both in person and virtually. In addition to all of the above she is also the Executive Producer of Minimalism. Please enjoy all the recipes in the Paleo Porn recipe archives!

I have been working to heal my adrenal exhaustion since the later half of 2015 and all through 2016. One of the most recent activities I have introduced into my life, in January, has been a regular meditation and yoga practice. Yin yoga to be more specific has been absolutely amazing for me. I have never in my life been more calm than after leaving yin yoga.

One night in May I couldn’t sleep.

In an effort to do something, I was mindlessly scrolling through Pinterest when I came across this idea of a She Shed. I became so engrossed in the idea. I could visualize it easily becoming a reality. I finally fell asleep after pinning a bunch of different articles and the next morning I started putting my thoughts into motion.

My intentions were to create a calming space, outside of my home (hence the shed) where I could retreat to in order to paint, relax, breath, meditate and complete any other art-like activities I felt inclined to do.

So let me tell you about my new meditation and art studio, which is now fully finished. I’ve been affectionately calling it “That’s What She Shed“.

Pretty excited about the current project I'm working on. Code name: That's What She Shed #construction #homeimprovement #thatswhatsheshed #art #mindfulness

A photo posted by Marla Sarris (@marlasarris) on May 25, 2016 at 2:27pm PDT

The Before Photos

Since we’re minimalists, we never really had a ton of stuff in our shed. Some tools, a gas grill, some furniture we keep for holiday use only and leftover construction material from household projects. Mostly that sort of thing.

That's What She Shed - Before Photo

The first thing I did was sell the grill. It was gone within 24 hours, thanks to Craigslist.

Shed - Paleo Porn - Insulation and DrywallShed - Paleo Porn - Insulation and Drywall

The tools were relocated to the garage and the furniture was moved to the attic. With an empty shed I was able to brainstorm what I wanted That’s What She Shed to look like.

I started with cleaning up the extra wood and nails.

And So The Project Begins

The first thing I did was to purchase, measure, cut and install the insulation and drywall on all four walls.

That was a fun new task to learn and I found it surprisingly much easier to install than I expected.

The hard part came next, when applying the “mud”, waiting for it to dry, reapplying a second and third coat and then sanding it to even everything out to form an actual wall.

That took several days. One day for each coat to allow it to dry with several days spaced out in between because of rain. Another couple days to sand it and once that was complete, I was able to prime the walls to prepare them for paint.

Once the walls were set it looked much more like a room but there were several tasks to think about next. I needed to decide what to do with the ceiling. How to deal with the sloping walls that extended down from the ceiling to the newly installed drywall. And I decided to turn the side walls into shelves so I needed to figure out what material I was going to use to create those ledges…and then how to install that material to create the inset shelves.

Today's tool of choice for project That's What She Shed: miter saw. Cutting wood pieces to use to install the beadboard on the roof. #makingprogress #homeimprovement #thatswhatsheshed #diy

A photo posted by Marla Sarris (@marlasarris) on Jun 9, 2016 at 9:23am PDT

Ceiling Tiles

After a few trips to Home Depot I decided to go with a Cape Cod beach house feel for the ceiling with some pre-primed locking wood tiles.

That's What She Shed Ceiling Tiles - Paleo Porn
Before I could install the ceiling tiles though I needed to measure, cut and install wood 1×2 pieces and attach them to the beams so that I had something to attach to the ceiling tiles.

Instead of installing the same R-13 pink cotton-candy looking insulation behind the ceiling tiles I used a thicker, more sturdy foam based insulation to help to keep the shed warm so I could still use it in the winter months.

My father-in-law helped with an amazing way to easily cut the styrofoam. Don’t do this at home, kids. :) He took the end of a metal coat hanger and held it with a pliers. After heating up the end with a portable torch it then melt the styrofoam insulation like butter. Check out the video below for what that looks like if you’re more of a visual person. :)

Built In Shelving

Once the ceiling tiles were done and I figured out how to remove the front panel of the shed to slide the long blocks of paneling in. I then needed to figure out how to fill the gap between the ceiling and the side wall. By cutting the paneling into smaller pieces and inserting smaller pieces of wood to attach them all the paneling was finished.

Next up was to determine what material I wanted to use for the built in shelving. I found a cheap piece of wood at Home Depot that worked fabulous. After measuring several times I cut the wedges for each post into one whole piece, slipped it in through the front of the shed, dropped it down and attached it with the air hammer.

Making good progress on #ThatsWhatSheShed. The ceiling paneling is fully installed and so are the built in shelves! Painting is also complete, though this picture doesn't show it. I'm literally waiting for paint to dry before I can finish the flooring. ???????? #almostdone #homeimprovement #summerproject #construction #diy

A photo posted by Marla Sarris (@marlasarris) on Jun 21, 2016 at 4:06pm PDT

Final Pieces

After installing the trim near the ceiling to cover the holes where the drywall and the ceiling paneling meet, next up was to measure, cut and install the trim to cover the insulation in front of the cut outs for each post on the built in shelving.

That's What She Shed

Once the trim was installed, I then painted everything with several coats of bright white paint. Once that was dry I applied several clear coats of water-proof sealant over the cement floor. When that dried I installed the painted trim along the floor and finally I was ready for decorating.

That's What She Shed

This entire project took me 2 months from start to finish, working 2-3 days a week for 3-4 hours each day.

Decorating

Initially I wanted a cork flooring for the shed but I was not willing to pay more than the cost of a bottle of sealant, so instead when I went to IKEA and spotted this cork desk, I knew it was meant to be.

That's What She Shed

I picked up a meditation pillow and blanket from World Market for my meditation space.

That's What She Shed

With a couple plant holders I was able to pot some succulents and create a couple different decorative plants. I already had a couple painting easels and once I moved my other art supplies from the house in, I was all set!

That's What She Shed

With a fancy bright blue and green soft bristle broom I can shoo the spiders away.

That's What She Shed

I have been using it as a writing space, a painting studio and a meditation space since it’s been finished.

That's What She Shed

What Remains?

I would like to extend the internet from our house to reach the shed so I can do all my work from there but that will take a little research to see how I can extend our wifi.

That's What She Shed

I would also like to change out the lighting fixtures and create a mason jar chandelier.

That's What She Shed

The walls are purposely white so it feels like I’m in a little beach house but I have plans to do some line art on the walls. If it doesn’t work out I can always paint right over whatever doesn’t work and start again. :)

That's What She Shed

Empowering Through Production

One thing I feel I have been sorely lacking has been a feeling of accomplishment. After completing this project all on my own, from start to finish, I not only feel accomplished but empowered to keep moving forward.

That's What She Shed

It was a lot of fun because I’ve always love demolition, building and construction but I haven’t had an outlet for those activities in a really long time.

That's What She Shed

All The Senses

I also moved my diffuser out to That’s What She Shed to use my essential oils while I’m working.

That's What She Shed

Final Touches

When I was putting the finishing touches on That’s What She Shed one of our neighbors was carrying the white bench to the curb that can be seen in the very first image above. It was absolutely perfect timing and a perfect fit for my outdoor patio.

That's What She Shed

In the future I’d like to build out a proper patio and install glass French doors along with an August lock so all I need to carry is my phone to enter but those are future goals down the line. Right now it’s perfect how it is and I’m so happy I now have a space to call my own.

That's What She Shed

Our Supportive Family


Bringing you three new paleo recipes each week is no small investment of time and money, but we love it. If you also love Paleo Porn please consider a recurring monthly donation. For less than a single origin pour over you can help us continue to keep Paleo Porn 100% free.

Monthly Donation

$3 / month
$7 / month

Start Now

One-Time Donation

You can also become a one-time supporter with a single donation:

Give Now

About the Author Marla Starr

Marla Starr is the founder of Paleo Porn, co-author of Pigskin Paleo and Owner of Starr Fitness. Marla is a Certified Personal Trainer, 200HR Certified Yoga Instructor, a Certified Barre & SUP/SUP Yoga Instructor offering Personal Training & Small Group Fitness classes both in person and virtually. In addition to all of the above she is also the Executive Producer of Minimalism. Please enjoy all the recipes in the Paleo Porn recipe archives!

Week of Zen
My Meditation Course

Week of Zen is a guided meditation course that can easily be implemented into your everyday life practice. No experience necessary.

Are you ready to feel calm, creative, connected, and conscious? Begin your Week of Zen today at https://weekofzen.com/

Our Documentary
Minimalism: A Documentary About The Important Things is NOW streaming on Netflix! You can watch Minimalism on iTunes, Amazon, Google Play, Vimeo & DVD. Details Here
/PaleoPorn 20K+
@PaleoPorn 4K+
@PaleoPorn 1K+
/PaleoPornTV
Paleo MX: Authentic Mexican Recipes
Authentic Mexican Recipes!

Our next cookbook, Paleo MX: Authentic Mexican Recipes is coming this Summer!

Tell Me More!

Paleo Burger Bar

Gluten-free, grain-free American-style fast food and diner staples

Tell Me More!

Paleo Porn Family

Join over 18,000 in The Family!

Family Members have early access to everything Paleo Porn and get one weekly email. But never fear, spam's not paleo!

  • Start Here
  • Paleo Recipes
  • Paleo Food List
  • Starr Fitness
  • Our Cookbook
  • Paleo Restaurants
  • Resources
  • About
  • Disclosure
SPYR
Copyright © 2023 SPYR
Paleo Porn® is a registered trademark of SPYR Media, LLC
Paleo Porn is powered by Bluehost