Storage Savvy

It all began in Alicia Christopher’s own backyard. An avid gardener, she found herself time and time again starting an outdoor project only to have forgotten some of her supplies in the house or garage. She needed a storage unit in the garden that could hold all of her tools, but nothing she found quite caught her eye.

“I said to myself, ‘I know I can make something cuter than that!’” says Alicia, and just one year later, she’s proved herself right.

Alicia builds charming miniature “cottages” that provide stylish storage solutions for homeowners looking to conveniently stow anything outside, from gardening supplies to grilling gadgets to swimming pool accessories and towels.

Every bit as useful as they are adorable, these pint-sized houses function as outdoor décor, too. After Alicia constructs each one using exterior-grade half-inch-thick plywood, she double seals it, making it waterproof and weatherproof to withstand the harsh Missouri elements. They are then painted with top-quality house paint, which has a 25-year warranty, and, finally, sent to an artist who adds the finishing touches — daintily painted flowers, birds, beach scenes and more.

RESOURCES: 
Garden Girls, Alicia, 314-409-4326, www.gardengirlsstl.com