Issue 60 – June 27, 2010
Tiny House Living is a regular newsletter on tiny houses, simple living, and sustainable architecture that comes out pretty much every Sunday. For more tiny house news and information you can also follow us on at our Tiny House Design Facebook Page, Twitter and by Subscribing by Email.
Catskills Gingerbread House
I received several tips from readers about this amazing little catskills gingerbread house this past week. I also saw it posted on many other blogs further illustrating how positively this little house resonated with people.
The story originated in the New York Times. The house measures 9′ by 14′ and is a renovated hunting cabin in the Catskills. The rustic and elegant victorian finish grabs the attention immediately but it’s the frugal $3,000 cost of the renovation that really makes this project stand out from the rest. Special thanks to Wiley, Kristen, and EJ for each sending me a tip about this great little house this past week.
The Flying Tortoise
I’ve been following Keith Levy’s blog for some time now. Keith lives in New Zealand and writes about all the clever folks and tiny homes he finds while living the life of a land gypsy. After living on boats for many years he made the transition to living on land nine years ago but chose to continue to stay flexible and portable. The Flying Tortoise, the bus pictured below, is his full-time home.
I first learned about Keith Levy through a post on Lloyd Kahn’s blog, which is also an excellent place to find stories of alternative handmade homes.
The Flying Tortoise
Ken Isaacs Microhouse – Revisited
Alec, a student in Glasgow, Scotland, has built a replica of Ken Isaacs Microhouse. Starting in September he plans to begin living in it for one year. He’ll be recording his learnings on his blog at unv20.blogspot.com.
Ken Isaacs, the author of How to build your own Living Structures, was an early contemporary innovator in tiny living spaces. Below is a video of Isaacs walking through some of his early work including the original Microhouse.
Whittled Down – On the Road
Libby and Tristan have officially left Santa Fe and are now living on the road in their tiny covered wagon. They had a little car trouble (bad battery) on their way south but made it to their first stop, Truth or Consequences, New Mexico. While there they will make some adjustments and refinements to make life on the road more comfortable.
Village in Colombia
One of my regular readers, Dav, often spots great stories in the forum of Adventure Rider, a website dedicated to motorcycle. This time the story is of a Canadian rider passing through Colombia who meets some incredible people living very much in harmony with their natural environment.
It’s always inspiring and humbling to be reminded that those living most simply are also often living most sustainably. It really makes me question the definitions of advanced and primitive. I mean if we’re all so smart and advanced why haven’t we learned to live sustainably? But I digress…
The part of the story I’m linking you to here is focused on how the thatched roofs are constructed by the people in this particular village. But I suspect you could end up spending a lot of time exploring the photos and stories on the many pages of this one single forum thread. Thanks again for the great tip Dav!
Canopy & Stars
If you are planning a holiday in the UK and prefer a simpler lifestyle, you might want to check out the vacation rentals Canopy & Stars offers. There are quite a wide variety of tiny spaces available like shepherd huts, domes, and tents. I first spotted this on Shedworking.
Twelve by Twelve – William Powers
I’ve not read the book yet, but Twelve by Twelve looks like a winner. From the reviews it looks like a moden Walden, with some answers to contemporary questions and problems. Twelve by Twelve is available at Amazon. There’s also a short overview video on the author’s website.
Lamboo Studio Project
The true sustainability of bamboo is sometimes questioned by environmentalists, but the design of this little house is so incredible I had to share it with you. It’s purpose seems to be to illustrate how the Lamboo brand product can be used to create sustainable buildings. Lamboo is architectural and structural bamboo.
Simple Living Resources
Tiny House and Simple Living Websites:
- Tiny House Blog
- Tiny House Design
- Tiny House TV
- Shedworking
- Shedblog
- Rammed Earth
- Natural Homes
- Tiny House Journal
- Small House Society
- Small Living Journal
- Coming Unmoored
- Rowdy Kittens
- This Tiny House
- The Tiny Life (Map) (Forum)
- Constructing a simpler life
- Gypsy Rose Tiny House
- Green Hamlet
- Small House Style
- Building With Awareness
- Shelter Publications
- Living Large in our Little House
- UrbanRancher
- Laptop and a Rifle
- (Dan’s) Tiny House Project
Tiny House Builders, Plans, and Kits
- Tiny House Design
- Sonoma Shanty
- Sheldon Designs
- Tumbleweed Tiny House Company
- Tortoise Shell Homes
- Little House on the Trailer
- I Stock House Plans
- CountryPlans.com
Please feel free to send me suggestions for these growing lists.
