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a Jeff Doubet Spanish Style Shed Design Built in Santa Barbara California

Spanish Shed Collection 1

Jeff Doubet shares Spanish shed design ideas, photos and how-to tips for creating a high quality project. See the construction process and materials used in building this beautiful and iconic red tile roof shed. Go behind-the-scenes for a first hand account of how this Spanish shed was designed and built in Santa Barbara, CA.

Before Photo of the Yard Before the Santa Barbara Spanish Shed Was Built
Before Photo Spanish style Shed Location

BEFORE Photo: This is the backyard space where I suggested a Spanish-style accessory structure would ideally be built. It was a nice flat area, and the new shed would be seen from many different vantage points from inside the main house.

a Completed Jeff Doubet Spanish style Shed Design and Build Project in Santa Barbara Ca
a Spanish style Shed in Santa Barbara

AFTER Photo: Several months later, the vision for a charming Spanish-style shed was realized. Here is the completed project after the landscaping was installed.

The History Behind Jeff Doubet Spanish-style Shed Design 1

I never thought a couple of design sketches would end up turning into a built project garnering worldwide attention. But it did!

a Completed Jeff Doubet Spanish style Shed Design and Build Project in Santa Barbara Ca  a Large Spanish Fountain in the Foreground
a Spanish Fountain in Front of a Spanish style Shed

I had proposed the custom shed design to a local Montecito real estate investor/builder. It was a creative moment in time, as I thought of ways to help him maximize profits on his project.

a Completed Jeff Doubet Spanish Shed and Landscape Design and Build Project in Santa Barbara Ca Includes Drought Tolerant Plants Stone Curbing and Flagstone Walkways
Sandstone Curbing and Drought Tolerant Plants with Spanish Shed

He specifically purchased the property as an investment. He planned to redesign the fixer upper home, make those upgrades and then resell the home for a profit. Looking back, it became much more than that. It was an amazing work experience with guys I grew to know, like and trust.

a Spanish Fountain is a Focal Point Within a Drought Tolerant Landscape in Front of a Jeff Doubet Spanish style Shed Design and Build Project in Santa Barbara Ca
Large Spanish Fountain is a Focal Point in Front of Spanish Shed

The main house and lot were relatively modest for the neighborhood it was in. The shed was an idea for increasing the perceived value of a completed project. For the new homeowner, it would provide additional space and the Spanish shed dramatically improved the landscaping, as well.

a Jeff Doubet Spanish style Shed Design Has an Arch Top Entry Door Wood Windows Plaster Coving Detail and Cupola
Spanish Shed with Arch Top Entry Door and Wood Windows

I designed the shed to use the same building techniques and materials I specify on other custom Santa Barbara Spanish-style homes I am involved with. Deeply recessed front door and windows, integral color exterior plaster and an authentic red tile clay roof, etc. For this “flip”, I also specified a relatively affordable Spanish-style wall mount light from Amazon. It is a lantern style light I have recommended in the past, and we installed them on the main house, as well.

PLANNING YOUR SPANISH SHED LAYOUT

When designing and building your own Spanish style shed project, carefully consider where you will locate it. High quality Spanish sheds are expensive to build, so you will want to get the most out of your investment.

Construction Photo of a Jeff Doubet Spanish Shed Being Framed in Santa Barbara Ca  a Landscape Team Begins Installing Sandstone Rock Borders
Stone Masons Installing Sandstone Curbing at Pathways

Think about the shed as a new focal point within your property. For this project, I recommended placement at the back of the property and within earshot of a seasonal creek.

Time-lapse Photos: Construction of Quality Spanish Shed

This Spanish-style shed was built on a post and pier foundation. Wood floor beams were cut and anchored to concrete pad footings. Then, a structural plywood floor was built on top.

a Framing Crew Works on a Jeff Doubet Spanish Shed Design  the Shed is Being Framed in a Project in Santa Barbara Ca
a Spanish Shed is Being Framed with 2 X 4 Walls

*NOTE: Concrete perimeter foundations and concrete slab foundations are next level up improvements for custom Spanish-style sheds. These foundation types are more costly, but are longest lasting. Check with your architect and local building department for your specific project requirements which may include reviewing your local building code, soil type etc. Each foundation type has pros and cons, many which are based on your budget and the intended use of your shed.

a Jeff Doubet Spanish Shed Design is Being Framed in Santa Barbara Ca  a Landscaper Rolls out Decomposed Granite As a Material for Walkways to the New Shed
Rolling out Decomposed Granite Walkway to Spanish Shed

These photos show how the Spanish shed was framed, just like a standard home. Stick framed using 2 x 4 lumber, with king and trim studs are supporting headers above windows and doors. ABOVE: the first stage of weatherproofing a wood window and the arched front door framing.

a Jeff Doubet Spanish Shed Design with Arch Top Entry Door is Being Framed in Santa Barbara Ca  a Sandstone Step is Installed at Front Door
Arch Top Door Framing of a Spanish Shed

ABOVE: This is how an arched opening was framed for the reclaimed wood front door. To deeply recess this door and the side window next to it, additional framing was built inside the shed. This technique provides “depth” to the door and window. Stone masons create a stone threshold and sandstone step by hand chiseling two local sandstone boulders.

a Jeff Doubet Spanish Shed Design is Being Weatherproofed in Prep for a First Coat of Stucco  a Project in Santa Barbara Ca
Spanish Shed Weatherproofing Prior to Stucco

After the framing stage was completed, the exterior plastering crew began weatherproofing in prep for stucco. Here, they use Line Wire and 60 minute building paper. On page 124 – 125 of my 240 page book, I share my original design drawing and additional photos of this custom shed build.

More Spanish Shed Construction and Design Advice by Jeff Doubet

BELOW: The custom framing for the Spanish-style cupola is taking place. This special design element was hand-built on site using traditional 2 x 4 lumber and structural plywood.

a Jeff Doubet Spanish Shed Design is Being Weatherproofed in Prep for Stucco  a Custom Build Project in Santa Barbara Ca  a Stack of S tile Clay Roofing Tiles in the Foreground
S tile Clay Roofing Tiles and Spanish Shed Being Weatherproofed

To save roofing costs on the shed and main house, an “S-tile” red clay roof was installed. Here, a stack of S-tile is loaded onto the roof of the house. My Spanish Roofing Collection 2 article is where I share professional tips and tricks for making an S-tile Spanish roof look great.

When money is not as much a concern, I recommend a 2 piece Mission tile roof. Learn more at my post Spanish Roofing: How to Achieve a Santa Barbara Style Roof, here.

More Spanish-style Details Built Into a High Quality Shed

The custom designed Spanish-style cupola receives a first coat of stucco by a talented Artisan.

an Artisan Plasterer Applies a First Coat of Stucco to a Custom Spanish style Cupola Under Construction in Santa Barbara Ca
Applying Stucco to a Spanish style Cupola in Santa Barbara Ca

I purchased a stock cast iron finial and had a welder weld a piece of rebar to the bottom of it. Inside the wood framed cupola, a short piece of 4 x 4 lumber was incorporated. A hole was drilled in the top of the 4 x 4 to support the weight of the finial.

a Jeff Doubet Spanish style Shed Design is Being Built in Santa Barbara Ca and First Coat of Stucco Being Applied
First Coat of Stucco Being Applied to a Spanish Shed

ABOVE: The first (scratch) coat of plaster has been applied to the exterior of the shed. Saw horses in the foreground support the cement coated foam coving that will be installed next.

a Close Up of the First Coat Stucco Process of Building a Spanish style Shed  This is an Arched Top Front Door Section of the Shed
First Coat of Stucco at the Arch Top Door of a Spanish style Shed

This close-up photo shows how 6 inch clay drain pipe was cut in half, and then into 4 inch sections to create the decorative design detail I had sketched for above the wood plank front door.

the Integral Color Finish Coat of Stucco Has Been Applied to a Jeff Doubet Spanish style Shed Design Being Built in Santa Barbara Ca
an Integral Color Coat of Stucco Applied to a Spanish Shed

ABOVE: Learn more about how a cement coated foam eave details. Here, they were adhered to the scratch coat of the plaster. Then, after the brown coat (second coat of plaster), a final coat of integral color plaster was applied (shown above). Now the painters are using paper to protect the new plaster finish. They are sealing and staining of the wood windows and door jamb.

a Spanish style Shed with Arch Top Front Door Wood Windows and a Stucco Cupola on Top
a Completed Spanish style Shed with Red Tile Roof

Here you can better see how the first course of Spanish roofing on the shed was accomplished using two-piece Mission barrel tiles. You can also see how shadow lines in plaster were created at the installed rake tiles on the gable end, above the front door.

More Jeff Doubet Spanish Shed Photo Resources

Here are a few more completed Spanish shed photos with the landscaped garden surrounding it.

Sandstone Curbing Was Hand Chiseled As a Decorative Way to Retain the Mulch in the Planting Beds in Front of a Spanish Style Shed Built in Santa Barbara Ca
Stone Curbing and Flagstone Pathways in Front of a Spanish Shed

Once the shed was completed, a drought tolerant landscape was installed. Oklahoma flagstone was specified for stepping stones and pathways. As an accent detail, local sandstone was hand chiseled to make stone curbing. An attractive way to retain the mulch in the planting beds.

a Completed Jeff Doubet Spanish style Shed Design Was Built in Santa Barbara Ca and Has a Drought Tolerant Landscaping with Large Spanish Fountain
Fountain and Drought Tolerant Landscape in Front of Spanish Shed

Other custom shed resources by Jeff Doubet: I am proud of designing sheds that have been featured on Oprah.com and inside the pages of Santa Barbara Magazine (page 80). You can also see additional Jeff Doubet Spanish-style shed designs, here.

Well friend, this wraps another site visit episode in beautiful Santa Barbara, CA. I hope you enjoyed learning how to infuse more Santa Barbara Style into your own Spanish home design project with a shed. Scroll to explore more helpful links and resources for designing and building your own Spanish-style home and landscape.

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