checkout {blog}

diy envy: tiny house and no mortgage

12/17/2013

Yesterday I was going to share some beautiful ornaments I've come across over the last couple weeks, but then I got about one hour of sleep because I was up all night with a sick kiddo, so I readjusted my goals for the day. My designation of productivity was avoiding the stomach bug or whatever was at work that night. My daughter is better and as for me, so far so good. So, please look for the ornaments post tomorrow!

I am, however, interested in sharing this extremely DIY project because I am in awe of this architect and her Tiny House (found via My Modern Metropolis). Architectural intern Macy Miller of Boise, Idaho, designed and built a house on a 24-foot flatbed trailer (didn't they have something like this on that one random episode of the NCIS: LA spinoff with the special team?). But in all seriousness, she lives in this small space--small being an understatement, as the entire living space is around 200 square feet.

Miller had always dreamed of designing and building her own space, and living with only what she truly needed and jettisoning everything else. She also wanted to see if she could build her entire house for a year's worth of rent--about $10,000-$12,000--and teach herself about construction in the process. She was able to save enough money and pay for everything in cash, so she has no mortgage. She has been working on the house for two years, and though nearly complete, still has plans to do a bit more work.

As I said, I'm in awe, mostly because I don't think I'm disciplined enough to be able to live in such a small space, though I absolutely would love to able to reduce the amount of stuff I have that isn't meaningful or useful. Maybe if I were single, but somehow I think I'm too sentimental to be able to pare it down to this level. And like anyone who has owned a house in the last several years, in particular, it would be nice to not be beholden to a mortgage payment!

Check out her process and other really interesting images at her own blog. She explains the technical choices she made and the challenges she's faced. The house is really cute, modern, and minimal, as it would have to be, but it doesn't seem claustrophobic or too stark.