Small & Tiny

Home Homes Small & Tiny

A Family Of Four Fits Comfortably In This Tiny Cabin

Emerging from a snow covered mountainside in Trollheimen Meldal, Norway is 118 SF of one Norwegian families home away from home. This ski cabin may be small in stature, but it is big in function, nostolgia and old-world charm. The goal was simple: built a low-maintenance structure that used only the modest footprint it needed to provide areas for sleeping, cooking, eating and grooming.

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The cabin features sleeping areas for Bendik Manum and Annelise Bjerkanand and their two kids, has no electricity or running water. Low-maintenance is right!

The use of local materials such as low-travel pine for the interior and exterior finishes add to the cabin’s sense of place, and fit in with the family’s vision of crafting a design that embraces its place.

norwegian-cabin-3 Inside the cabin you’ll find all the comforts of a traditional ski cabin, featuring exposed wood beams, insulated windows and a wood fire stove for low-energy heating.norwegian-cabin-5 Overhead lofts double as hanging space for clothing and tools. In a space of this size, double duty functionality is essential.norwegian-cabin-7 Storage madness! This family doesn’t need much, but they have ample space for that which they do.norwegian-cabin-8 This wood fire stove is about as old-school as it gets. norwegian-cabin-9 The space is simple, yet charming and elegant. The use of a single finish material gives the space a desired uniformity.norwegian-cabin-2photos c/o: Pasi Aalto

Keep Your Man Cave – I’ll Daydream In My “She Shed”

For years we’ve heard about “man caves” and seen them in all their glory, the wooden walls adorned with pennants from their favorite sports teams and poster of pin-up girls, big screen television in one corner and a fridge stocked with Coors Light next to the leather sofa. But what about the women in their life? Surely they must have an equivalent type of space to find solace right?

They do, and we call them “she sheds”, a phenomenon which has undoubtedly existed in one form or another for centuries. Unlike their male counterparts, women tend to have a bit more decorating sense, and infuse their personal space with a unique style that’s purposeful. Today we share some of our favorite she-sheds with you, and perhaps you’ll draw inspiration from these to create your own backyard haven.

#1. It’s always ladies night in this retro diner. Milkshakes and Marghertas anyone?

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Anne and Ian Bate via dailymail.co.uk

#2. Your man won’t be caught dead stepping inside this garden oasis!

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Via Cottage Gardening

#3. A fitting spot to do a bit of writing perhaps, summoning the soul of Virgina Woolf.

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Via Wooden House

#4. A scarlet bohemian style place to enjoy a cup of tea perhaps, or hang out with your reading circle.

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Cuprinol via dailymail.co.uk

#5. A potting paradise for the garderner

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Via Heather Bullard

#6. My quiet spot, surrounded by nature and fresh air…

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Ann and Brian Bailey via Goodreadsdailymail.co.uk

#7. I’ll just be in my yoga studio, you know, drinking wine…

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Cuprinol via dailymail.co.uk

#8. The she shed is where the heart is!

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Jamie and Gemma Dix via dailymail.co.uk

#9. Because you need the right inspiration for your potting studio.

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Via Wooden House

#10. Put a palm tree in here and have a staycation.

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Via Coastal Home

#11. And to think men put lawnmowers and tools in here – this seems like a much better use of the space!

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Via House to Home

#12. Even your plants need a bit of inspiration.

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Via Better Homes and Gardens

#13. A shabby chic Victorian styled escape to romanticize the day away

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Via tinyhouseblog

#14. While he’s watching the “big game” with the guys I’ll be in my Victorian manor with my ladies enjoying a peaceful spot of tea.

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#15. The perfect setting for a secret ladies-only dinner club.

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via pinterest.com

#16. Don’t even try to park your lawnmower in here!

class-andIf you could have your own she-shed what would you use it for? Let us know in the comments below!

I could see plenty of excuses to retreat to my own personal space like this. All I’d need is an electric wire fence around the perimeter to ensure total privacy from the kids and husband, am I right?

 

Organic Inspired Nautilus Seashell Home Is Something To Behold

Ever wonder what would happen if Arial of The Little Mermaid became an architect? Neither have I, but I imagine she might design a house that looks something like that. In reality, this wasn’t designed by a mermaid but rather by Javier Senosiain from Arquitectura Organica, a Mexican firm that specializes in unique creations like the one you see below.

While it looks quite extraordinary from the outside, when you step inside the home you instantly notice the barrage of bright colors spilling through the custom stained glass window. It’s simply gorgeous. The whimsical layout was designed to bridge the gap between architecture and nature, hence the shell shape. Inside the home you’ll find lots of curved edges and plants sprouting between organically shaped seating areas. Every room in this home brings some magical aura with it. Overall, it represents one of the most unique homes we’ve ever seen. What do you think?

5 Dull Garages Reincarnated As Beautiful Backyard Cottages

If you have a garage that doesn’t get much use, sometimes it makes sense to convert it into an accessory dwelling unit (ADU), which can serve as an extra place to host guests or even a secondary income generator.

The Piedmont

This 300sf cottage sits in the backyard behind the owners primary North Portland residence and serves as a vacation rental unit that earns some extra income.

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Coastal Retreat

Arguably one of the more stylish conversions we’ve seen, this sunny California cottage was designed by Beth Dana Design.

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Michelle De La Vega’s Conversion

This artist wanted to earn a bit of extra income and decided to convert her garage into this industrial-chic dwelling. An artist and metalworker by trade, you can tell she stamped her own style into the construction, which she did herself.

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Photographs by Ira Lippke for New York Times

Maison Garage

Located in Bordeaux, France, this garage underwent the most dramatic transformation on the list. While searching for properties in Bordeaux, the only place within his budget was a dusty garage that his friends thought was a terrible idea – but he purchased it anyway and enlisted help from an architect friend to transform it into a modern bachelor pad that’s oozing with style.

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interior2-600x314Bright & Spacious Cottage

When the owner of this backyard cottage contacted ART Design Build, they devised a plan to convert the seldom used one car garage into a bright and airy little cottage. Judging by the results, that was a great decision, and the execution was flawless, resulting in a stylish space with a folding murphy bed, loft, full kitchen and bathroom.

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Photos by Tsantes Photography

While these designs might get your creative juices flowing, unfortunately it’s not always that easy to get permission to convert your garage into a space like this because of local ordinances. However, assuming you live in an area where you can legally modify your garage in such a way, it seems like a great idea.

Moving Walls Bring A Radical Change To This Small Home

As the downsizing trend expands and more people take to living in tiny or small homes, the need for smart organization and versatility in these spaces becomes more evident. Figuring out ways to make an object work two shifts becomes an important part of the design. PKMN Architecture’s “All I Own House” demonstrates an interesting solution that involves walls that move in order to increase the usability of a small space.

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Yolanda R. Pila inherited her grandmother’s rather small single story home, and reached out to PKMN for some help. The result was a project that “materializes the interior of a house through its inhabitant personal belongings.” – or in layman’s terms, a house that moves as needed.

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The design isn’t very complicated, and involves a single main space with a kitchen and bathroom on either side. The walls now move, and contain certain helpful integrations like a folding murphy bed and a prep table that pops out. There’s also a blackboard Pila can use during meetings when working at home.

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You Won’t Believe What One Woman Turned This Old Garage Into

Take a good look at this garage and think about what you see. Pretty ordinary, run-of-the-mill, single door car hole, right?

00168152 Wrong.

Contained within that beat up, outdated, poorly painted relic of a structure lives one woman’s inspiration, and the potential to become her dream home. What she transformed that garage into is nothing short of incredible. Take a look.
00168162 Meet Michelle de la Vega of Seattle, Washington. Artist, designer, welder and visionary. Michelle put her creative inclinations to extraordinary use when designing and building this 250 square foot sanctuary.00168172 Many home-grown renovations have a tendency to look…well…amateur. Not this abode. The details and finishes were planned with meticulous and professional method, resulting in a clean, well-organized space.00168182 00168192 It may not look like your traditional kitchen, but it’s full of character and charm. The tiny home boasts a full bathroom, living/dining space, and lofted bed area in addition to this modest kitchen. Not bad for 250 SF.00168202 The fireplace is a central feature and adds a touch of rustic flair, accompanied by Michelle’s own art work!0016821200168232 The bathroom is highlighted by a large soaking tub and an abundance of natural light thanks to the appropriately placed skylight above.00168242 00168252Michelle certainly has a knack for finding beauty in discarded items. After transforming a decrepit shell of an old garage into this incredible home, she filled it with up-cycled furniture like this weathered storage locker.

If you’d like to know more about Michelle and her artwork, follow this link: Michelle de la Vega.

This Cabin Is Missing Something All Buildings Have, And It Rocks Because Of It

Who needs doors, right? That’s exactly what Nat Cheshire of Cheshire Architects said when he designed this pair of isolated structures off the coast of New Zealand. The cabins are completely open air and can be entered via a large square opening that steps you down into the main living area. The interiors are simple and clean, utilizing the warmth of native wood to tie the spaces to the adjacent landscape.

There is modesty and serenity in the way the buildings are anchored to the hillside. A quick glance would make them seem as if they were dark boulders jutting up and out of the grassy plains that carpet the surrounding countryside. They become a part of the iconic terrain rather than fight to visually overpower it. This harmony is echoed by the openness that results from having no doors. Protection might be limited, but the visceral experience is not.

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Off-the-Grid Sustainable Masterpiece of New Zealand

The roof hosts a 600-watt solar panel and rainwater collection system, contributing to the home's sustainability.

Jeff Hobbs, ex-boat and cabinet-maker, founded his newest venture, Room to Move, in anticipation that the tiny house movement would continue its momentum and to introduce the movement to the people of New Zealand. In this project for his client, Briar Hale, the craftsmanship, attention to detail, and meticulous planning that Jeff puts into his work is showcased flawlessly in the end result of this home. This tiny home was built in the spirit of sustainability, from the solar panels to the salvaged native wood used for construction material. New Zealand should be proud to host these futuristic, sustainable homes!

The roof hosts a 600-watt solar panel and rainwater collection system, contributing to the home’s sustainability.

The roof hosts a 600-watt solar panel and rainwater collection system, contributing to the home's sustainability.

Among other clever space-saving features, this L-shaped sofa conceals a double bed. The wood stove is another sustainable feature responsible for providing the home with hot water.

Among other clever space-saving features, this L-shaped sofa conceals a double bed. The wood stove is another sustainable feature responsible for water-heating.

The kitchen in all of its glory: kauri bench tops, hand-crafted ceramic sink, gas stove, and a 130-liter solar fridge.

The kitchen is fully featured, with kauri bench tops, a hand crafted ceramic sink, gas stove-oven, and a 130 liter solar fridge. All available spaces haven been transformed to offer ample storage.

The cavernous bedroom loft with a skylight for sleepless nights of stargazing.

The cavernous bedroom loft with a skylight for stargazing and access to the various systems on the roof.

The Reason LA Wants To Destroying This Tiny House Community? Deporable!

Elvis Summers, he himself once homeless, decided to take the city of Los Angeles’ homelessness problem into his own hands with the launch of his humanitarian organization My Tiny House Project LA. As quoted from the organization’s website, “We have a simple mission: to give people in the world a safe place to sleep. While this should be a trivial quest in a developed country, without governmental support or social infrastructure that should be empathetic to those suffering, it can be incredibly difficult to create change.”

Elvis Summers poses with his tiny house on wheels he built.
Elvis Summers poses with his tiny house on wheels he built.

Due to the tireless efforts of Mr. Summers and volunteers, My Tiny House Project LA has distributed these colorful homes no bigger than a garden shed to individuals living in homeless encampments.

An example of the tiny homes built by Elvis Summers and the volunteers of My Tiny House Project LA.
An example of the tiny homes built by Elvis Summers and the volunteers of My Tiny House Project LA.

However, the city of Los Angeles Bureau of Sanitation is cracking down and confiscating these homes with the intention to discard them. The Bureau has classified the homes of My Tiny House Project LA as “bulky objects,” which, according to city ordinances, allows for them to be removed without notice.

Damian Dovarganes/AP
Damian Dovarganes/AP

The Bureau of Sanitation offers no alternatives to the occupants of the homes, often taking their few possessions along with the homes. “I don’t refer to these as homes or houses because they’re really not,” said Bureau of Sanitation spokeswoman Elena Stern.

Mr. Summers spoke with the LA Times in this video below in regards to this agonizing situation, in particular the situation Larry Joe Cannon and his wife of 14 years, Julia Briggs Cannon.

For more information about My Tiny House Project LA, or to make a donation to the organization, visit My Tiny House Project LA’s official website or Facebook page:

http://www.mythpla.org/home.html

www.facebook.com/mythpla

Small House Compromise Yields High Return On Freedom

Maybe the idea of a tiny house appeals to you, but the practicality not so much. For small families and empty-nesters who need a bit more space for their things, a small house might fit their needs perfectly. That’s what Lily Copenagle and Jamie Kennel found out as they crafted their “just right” sized home that comes in at 704 sq. feet.

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The couple had a simple mission – to build a small, sustainable home that’s easy to clean, with an open and spacious feel to it. They began with a $190k property, which was quickly razed to allow a clean slate. They proceeded to work with a contractor to get the new home started, and did much of the work themselves.

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By working on the project themselves, the couple saved a decent chunk of money, and kept the overall costs to around $135k, resulting in a total of just over $300k spent. They finished the project in 2012, paid off the mortgage in full, and currently pay just $370/month in utilities and bills.

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Their neighbor remarked, “On weekends, they actually go places and do things. They’re not tied to the projects most of us are tied to. I’m so charmed by the simplicity of it.” The same neighbor also said they probably couldn’t share a closet with their spouse, but we have to imagine that it’s a fair trade off to have the financial security of owning the home, and the flexibility to travel freely.shedsTwo green-roofed sheds in the backyard provide extra storage for the couple’s miscellaneous items and a workspace. The city also awarded them a $9k reimbursement for the green roofs. Below you can see the small shared office space they allocated in the floor plan.

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The laundry setup isn’t exactly normal, but then again, it makes putting laundry away after washing/drying quite easy.

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Photos by Aaron Leitz for The New York Times

 

Despite their ability to afford a much larger home, this couple made a concious decision to live modestly, below their means, and it seems they are reaping the benefits. While some friends, family, and architects questioned their decision, Lily and Jamie have no regrets.