Location Location Location

I officially have a work space!!! 

My Dad (along with my step mom) just got the keys to his beautiful 20 acres of wooded hillside. It comes along with his very own 2500 sf shop. (The shop is actually bigger that the house!) I have already "reserved" a spot in it where I am going to build. This way I will have a covered area where I will be sheltered from the elements (mostly) and close to all his awesome tools and know-how. He is going to be one my main sources of construction knowledge on this venture, and I am so lucky I have him in my corner for this project.



The view is beautiful and I look forward to many days of gazing out over the river valley.  I went over today and we just say outside for a while because it was just so peaceful and tranquil. We talked about trees, improvement projects and the tiny house. It was nice.

Now I know there is one question that is bugging you.

"Hey Kelly, why is the garage only 8 ft tall? You won't be able to get your house out once it is built to its 13.5 ft total height!!! What are you thinking?!?!?!"

Well, that is a very good question. And my dad and I debated on getting a 14 ft RV garage door for the shop..... but we decided since it would only be once, we would just disassemble the door area when we are ready to move it outside. Simple, problem solved. I don't have to go halves on a new garage door, and I get to build my tiny house under a roof:)


Anyways, just wanted to share my future work space, you will probably see many pics of this space in the future. This just makes me one step closer to starting my project.

Tiny the Movie

Hey everybody, just a short post about a documentary I just watched called Tiny: A Story About Living Small. I watched it on Netflix, but I believe that it is also available on DVD and iTunes as well. It was so fun to watch their journey while building his tiny house. Also, there were great interviews from people already living in their own.

I highly recommend this film to anybody curious about the tiny house idea/movement. Also to anybody who likes documentaries or construction. It is heartfelt and wonderfully put together. It makes me want to film some of my process, just to have it and look back on. These photos are from the movie.

Daily Rambles: Wall Construction

What will my roof/wall/floor composition look like? How thick will they be? How do I find these questions out? 

I have been doing a lot of research about construction lately. Watching YouTube videos, reading construction forums and pouring over books. I have learned a TON so far, but I still have a long way to go. One of my major questions/concerns are the way I am going to construct the roof, walls, and floor. Also, how do they connect to each other and the trailer. How do I balance the right amount of material/insulation with having enough interior space? All these questions (and many more) drive me to continue researching construction. This is going to be my full time house, I want to be warm, dray and safe.

While reading about all these things, I like to draw little sketches as I go. It kind of lets me visualize what I have been reading about, as well as rough out the questions I still have. These questions/sketches are always changing. I thought I would share some of them so far.

I also sketch a CRAP TON of floor plan type sketches. I am constantly playing with the floor plans, trying to optimize space and functionality. I will post some pics later on. 

^ This is today's sketch. I was thinking about roof pitch, overhangs, and the exterior wall construction. I think slowly my drawings are starting to look more technical. (score!) Well they would look better if I actually used a ruler.... 

Here are some more from today

^ Then of course the sketches always lead back to some kind of detailed interior design element... My brain gets way to premature. Times like this I wish someone would just build the frame for me and I will do the rest, but that would defeat the purpose of building it all from scratch. 

Anyways, back to researching. Have a great 4th of July weekend! :) 

New TV Show: Tiny House Nation

I am so excited about this new TV show Tiny House Nation. It is going to be (as far as I can tell) interesting, and AWESOME! 

Here is a blurb from their website: 

"In “Tiny House Nation,” renovation experts and hosts, John Weisbarth and Zack Giffin, travel across America to show off ingenious small spaces and the inventive people who live in them, as well as help new families design and construct their own mini-dream home in a space no larger than 300 square feet. From a micro-apartment in New York City to a caboose car turned home in Montana to a micro-sized mobile home for road tripping – this is a series that celebrates the exploding movement of tiny homes. From pricey to budget friendly, “Tiny House Nation” is not a typical design show, but one that proves size doesn’t always matter – it’s creativity that counts."

So this show is produces by the fyi network. I am not sure what channel this will show up on, but I am pretty sure I don't get it haha. I have until July 9th (series premiere date) to figure something out. Any suggestions? 

Here is a link to the trailer/sneak peek video. 

I find the idea of a design show featured specifically for spaces under 300 sf to be fantastic. It moves away from the modern trend of maximizing the space your budget can produce, to something more sustainable and along the lines of what I am doing. Hopefully I can pick up some design tips from their process and get inspired from some of the finished houses. It would be awesome if they did a tiny house on wheels, but thay are not going to focus on a specific genre of house (which will keep the show fresh and interesting). 

It is nice to see the Tiny House Movement/ Culture to get some more screen time. I hope it will be good! I will post an update after a few episodes with my review. That is.... if I am able to watch it! 

Craigslist Shopping

Hi all! I though I would share some thing I have bought on Craigslist so far. Having my project construction so far out has allowed me some time to shop for materials on CL. I have become addicted to going onto the materials category daily... even hourly (when I am board). So far I have scored some deals I want to share:)

CL Score #1

100 sf of Hickory hardwood flooring. 

I bought 100 square feet of Hickory tongue and groove flooring from a nice guy in Portland. He had just done a remodel and had extra laying around. I bought it for 1$ a sf. So 100$ total. This will be enough floor to cover my loft (hopefully).  I have fallen in love with how natural Hickory looks, and i will be looking for more for the main floor! 

CL Score #2

Under mount stainless steal kitchen sink. 

I have been looking at under mount kitchen sinks for a while now. I like how sleek they look and seamlessly sits under the counter. However, they seem to run a couple hundred bucks for the size I wanted (something between 24 and 20 inches wide) and that was a price I was VERY hesitant at. But my luck struck when my dad sent me a link for this sink and it was 25$. Score! I bought it that weekend and I love my future sink already.

Looks like the original price for this sink was 342$, then went on clearance for 100$. Lucky me getting it for 25$ :)

 

CL Score #3

11 Milgard Windows

I bought this lot of Windows from a contractor who went in another direction for a project. So he had 11 brand new beautiful windows that he had to sell fast. *In comes Kelly* I managed to talk him down a couple hundred on the price and asked him to deliver (since I don not have a truck) so I think my negotiation skills are improving! Yay! 

I will not be able to use all these windows in my Tiny House, so selling some will get me money back in the long run. I paid 1300 for the 11 windows. I can now start planning the walls/framing around the windows, and plan for the ones I still have to acquire. 

It was my first big purchase for the tiny house and I feel like this was the step where I really committed to the project. Sure, I have been telling friends and family about it for a while, but this seemed like a real big step for me:)

(In the pic is all the windows I bought. I will have a picture later where you can actually see all the windows. Oh and that is my dog Annie as well:) 

OK, now back to craigslist hunting! 

Tiny House Heating: Part 2

Option #2- Wood:

I have to admit, the idea of having a tiny wood stove in my tiny house has me squirming in delight. I have spent a ton of time looking into this option. There is something about having a "true" fireplace that just can't be beat. The smell, the sound of cracking wood. The Idea sounds romantic. 

Some advantages in choosing a wood stove may include: scrap wood could heat the house. You can cook on top of it, and boil water. 

However, some possible drawbacks I can see are wood storage space, clearance requirements, and operation learning curve. How much wood would I have to stockpile? How hard is it to clean a wood stove? How hard is it to operate one? What types of wood would I burn? 

The Hobbit 

This little beauty has wormed its way into my heart already. The large glass front, cast iron body and economical design makes this one of my favorite wood stoves that I have seen. It comes in different colors and looks easy to operate. 

The owner of Salamander Stoves (John Salamander) has a series of YouTube videos, where he explains various aspects of this stove. How to unpack, take care of, light, feed, and so on. I really enjoyed watching in action. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC99pRoyEAU90rNuIBtU4bwQ

Unfortunately it is made in the UK, so ordering and shipping might be a bit of an issue. But I see them occasionally on Ebay locally. 

Cost: £475.00  so about $805, plus shipping I would imagine.
Dimensions: 465mm x 302mm x 272
Heat output: 4Kw (wow)

More info: http://www.salamanderstoves.com/docs/64/the_hobbit_stove/

The Sardine

As you might be able to tell by the name, this tiny stove is another marine gem. I love how small it is, plus you can get an optional glass insert on the front. It boasts a great cook surface as well. The company offers porcelain finishes on their stoves, but it costs an extra $850 and can take a very long time.

The only real hang ups I have about it is the cost (about 1400 all added up) and the side load. I wonder how this would effect the angle you need to place it in your home. Also wait time to get one looks long, not a quick option by any means. (But looks worth the wait)

Dimentions: 12 x 12 x 11 inches (one of the smallest I have found)
Weight: 35 lbs
Heat output: 7,500 - 18,000

If this is too small for you, they make a slightly larger made called the Little Cod 

More Info: http://www.marinestove.com/sardineinfo.htm

Over all, this matter will take some more thought and research. Ill post later when I have made a decision. 

Tiny House Heating

What heat source will I choose for my tiny house? What are the different types? How do they impact the environment? How much do they cost to run?

I want to heat my tiny house in a way that is not dependent on electricity. It the power goes out, I do not want to have to break out the trusty ol' sleeping bag and blankets. Plus, some of the models I have come across are amazingly cute and perfect for a tiny house! Choosing one will be a challenge. I have put together a list of my current favorites.

I have decided my heat will be either an LP (Propane) or a wood stove. The both have pros and cons, but both are viable option and I'm stuck between these awesome options! Good thing I have a while to decide.

Option #1- Propane: 

I will already have propane hooked up for my stove so routing an additional gas line to the fireplace should be a small matter. The compact profile, and small clearance needed, makes propane an excellent option for a heat source. Things to think about: How much does propane cost? How much propane should I expect to use during the winter? What is the environmental impact of the making of and burning propane? 

The Mini Franklin 

This tiny fireplace looks so inviting and perfect. Its small footprint is great and it produces an impressive 8,000 BTU's. I like this model because it is a traditional look in a tiny package. One perk of the propane heaters I have found is the smaller clearance needed than the wood stoves. Space is a valuable commodity, and this certainly packs a punch for the small amount it takes up. 


Also, this vent does not extend out of the top, so for me, the visual appeal is greater than the next option on the list. 





Some Specs:  

Dimentions: 17"x14.5"x15" , 72 lbs and has 6,677-8,349 BTU/hr. Recommended sf heating is 100-400

Cost: $1299 and availability is limited, you will have to order in advance. 

More Info: http://www.woodstove.com/mini-franklin

Dickinson Newport Fireplace 

I have seen this LP fireplace EVERYWHERE! It seems to be a favorite among the tiny house community. What makes it so popular? I will have to research and see how people are liking it.

This fireplace features an attractive glass front to the unit and is wall mounted so it is very low profile (only 8 inches for the bigger one!). It is from a marine com pane, so it is designed for small spaces and cold/damp environments.

There are 2 models to choose from. The Newport P-9000 and the P-1200. Not much difference in price at $1118.55 and $1278.00 respectively. The 1200 is a couple inches larger and produces up to 1,000 more Btu's.






Some Specs: (P-12000)

Dimentions Width 10", Height 16", Depth 7.25"
Heat Output: 4,000 to 5,500 BTU's


More info: http://www.dickinsonmarine.com/propane.php


P.S. They also have some wicked stoves! Small and compact, plus they look like they could survive a hurricane. A tad spendy, and probably out of my price range. But hey, a girl can dream ;)

P.S.S. Their stoves feature a cutting board that fits over the burners. I may have to incorporate this into my design over the stovetop and maybe the sink. Extra counter space and smoother lines.

Option #2 Wood coming soon in Part 2! 

Why Start a Blog?

There are a number of factors leading me to this decision.

#1 being that there is so little documentation about the process out there! There are a lot of sites that show completed houses and design ideas, and there are a few where you can purchase plans/videos with instruction. Those may be the solution for others, but I was looking for something different to inspire and educate me. I wanted a place to see the process step by step, and learn from their successes and failures. I did eventually find a couple great sites and I still go back to them all the time to add to my design. Off the top of my head, the tiny project is probably my main inspiration to do a blog. I love their house and a lot of my design elements are drawn from theirs. Hopefully my blog/house will inspire others like theirs inspired me

Reason #2 is having a way to document my progress in pictures. I absolutely LOVE before and after photos and seeing tangible evidence of success. I want a place to look back on, during and after the build to keep me motivated and focused. You could argue that a picture album could do the same thing, and it could, to a point. I wanted something a little more in depth, a little more involved.

I'm sure there are more reasons, but nothing I can verbalize right now at the moment. I'll probably address/update later with a more comprehensive post.