Interior design

Sweet painted the shack’s walls a soft lemon yellow, and filled the space with family treasures, favorite photos, and natural objects. “In order to feel relaxed and inspired, I need an environment that soothes all my senses,” she explains. “Here I’m surrounded with things that bring me joy.”

White ceiling and trim, along with floorboards painted pale green, help brighten the interior. Sweet uses a plastic laminate countertop for reviewing plans (homedepot.com).

As the sounds of birds chirping and a fountain burbling come in from outside, more party guests wander into her little oasis and plop down on the big sea-grass sofa. This shack, it appears, truly has become a chick magnet. “When my girlfriends come over,” says Sweet, “we invariably end up here with a glass of wine.”