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Post by the Scribe on Apr 4, 2016 3:34:40 GMT -5
Did you ever just want to get rid of all of your crap and simplify your life and live simply? This is a very interesting subject to me as I contemplate building one on my property. Amazing individual stories of creativity. Seems to me if you do it as a guest house you may get away with it in the city limits or just find a lot in the nearby mountains and commune with nature.About Tiny Houses
The “tiny house” movement can be traced back at least as far as Henry David Thoreau, and the publication of his book, Walden.
“I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately,” Thoreau wrote, “to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.”
Today’s tiny house movement is less concerned with leaving society to find solitary contemplation. But Thoreau’s ideal of simplifying life, considering which comforts and possessions can be done without in order to live a life that is “more deliberate” rings true for many Tiny House owners. Though they live on a smaller scale, most tiny house owners still commute to jobs every day. Some even have families.
Some are attracted to the mobile lifestyle, since most Tiny Houses are built on trailer beds and can easily be towed to a new location. Many thers like the idea of having a home, but without the mortgage payments and upkeep of a traditional house. Whatever the original motivation, the folks who make up this movement have come up with some inspiring designs and innovations for living comfortably and creatively in small spaces.
There is currently no set definition of what constitutes as a tiny house, however a residential structure under 500 square feet (46 m2) is generally accepted to be a tiny home. In the United States the average size of new single family homes grew from 1,780 square feet (165 m2) in 1978 to 2,479 square feet (230.3 m2) in 2007, and to 2,662 square feet (247.3 m2) in 2013, despite a decrease in the size of the average family. Reasons for this include increased material wealth and prestige. The small house movement is a return to houses of less than 1,000 square feet (93 m2). Frequently the distinction is made between small (between 400 square feet (37 m2) and 1,000 square feet (93 m2)), and tiny houses (less than 400 square feet (37 m2)), with some as small as 80 square feet (7.4 m2).Sarah Susanka has been credited with starting the recent countermovement toward smaller houses when she published The Not So Big House (1997).Earlier pioneers include Lloyd Kahn, author of Shelter (1973) and Lester Walker, author of ″Tiny Houses″ (1987). Henry David Thoreau, and the publication of his book "Walden" is also quoted as early inspiration. Tiny houses on wheels were popularized by Jay Shafer who designed and lived in a 96 sq ft house and later went on to offer the first plans for tiny houses on wheels, initially founding Tumbleweed Tiny House Company, and then Four Lights Tiny House Company (September 6, 2012). In 2002, he co-founded, along with Greg Johnson, Shay Salomon and Nigel Valdez the Small House Society.[9] Salomon and Valdez subsequently published their guide to the modern Small House Movemnent, ″Little House on a Small Planet″ (2006) and Johnson published his memoir, "Put Your Life on a Diet" (2008) In 2005, after Hurricane Katrina, Marianne Cusato developed Katrina Cottages, that start at 308 square feet (28.6 m2) as an alternative to FEMA trailers. Though these were created to provide a pleasant solution to a disaster zone, Cusato received wider interest in her design from developers of resorts, for example. With the financial crisis of 2007–08, the small house movement attracted more attention as it offers housing that is more affordable and ecologically friendly. Overall, however, it represents a very small part of real estate transactions. Thus only 1% of home buyers acquire houses of 1,000 square feet (93 m2) or less.Small houses are also used as accessory dwelling units (or ADUs), to serve as additional on-property housing for aging relatives or returning children, as a home office, or as a guest house. Typical costs are about $20,000 to $50,000 as of 2012. In Oakland, California, Gregory Kloehn builds small houses out of found materials, for an estimated cost of $40. Small and tiny houses have received increasing media coverage including a serial television show, Tiny House Nation, in 2014 and Tiny House Hunters. The possibility of building one's own home has fueled the movement, particularly for tiny houses on wheels. Tiny houses on wheels are often compared to RVs. However, tiny houses are built to last as long as traditional homes, they use traditional building techniques and materials, and they are aesthetically similar to larger homes. Some companies have put into motion plans to create tiny home developments. This increase in popularity of tiny houses, and particularly the rapid increase in the number of both amateur and professional builders, has led to concerns regarding safety among tiny house professionals. In 2013, an Alliance of tiny house builders was formed to promote ethical business practices and offer guidelines for construction of tiny houses on wheels. This effort was carried on in 2015 by the American Tiny House Association. In 2015, the nonprofit American Tiny House Association was formed to promote the tiny house as a viable, formally acceptable dwelling option and to work with local government agencies to discuss zoning and coding regulations that can reduce the obstacles to tiny living. One of the biggest obstacles to growth of the tiny house movement is the difficulty in finding a place to live in one.[22] Zoning regulations typically specify minimum square footage for new construction on a foundation, and for tiny houses on wheels, parking on one's own land may be prohibited by local regulations against "camping." In addition, RV parks do not always welcome tiny houses. DIYers may be turned away, as many RV parks require RVs be manufactured by a member of the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association "(RVIA)". Tiny houses on wheels are considered RVs and not suitable for permanent residence, according to the RVIA. From RV Business, "The RVIA will continue to shy away from allowing members who produce products that are referred to as 'tiny houses' or 'tiny homes'. (However, the RVIA does allow “tiny home” builders to join as long as their units are built to park model RV standards.)" In 2014, the first "tiny house friendly town" was declared in Spur, Texas, however it was later clarified that a tiny house may not be on wheels but must be secured to a foundation. The financial crisis of 2007–08, fueled the growth of the small house movement. For thousands who lost their homes due to foreclosure or unemployment, tiny houses became an attractive option. With their low cost and relative ease of construction, tiny houses are being adopted as shelter for the homeless in Eugene, OR, Olympia, WA, Ithaca, NY and other cities. Communities of tiny houses can offer residents a transition towards self-sufficiency. Smaller homes are less expensive than larger ones in terms of taxes and building, heating, maintenance, and repair costs. In addition to costing less, small houses may encourage a less cluttered and simpler lifestyle and reduce ecological impacts for their residents. The typical size of a small home seldom exceeds 500 square feet (46 m2).[30] The typical tiny house on wheels is usually less than 8 ft by 20 ft, with livable space totalling 120 square feet or less, for ease of towing and to exempt it from the need for a building permit. Small houses may emphasize design over size, utilize dual purpose features and multi-functional furniture, and incorporate technological advances of space saving equipment and appliances. Vertical space optimization is also a common feature of small houses and apartments. As small houses may be attractive as second homes or retirement houses, 2 out of five people are over 50, their increased utilization may lead to development of more land. People interested in building a small home can encounter institutional “discrimination” when building codes require minimum size well above the size of a small home. Also, neighbors may be hostile because they fear negative impacts on their property values. There has also been opposition based on this fact, due to concerns about increased taxes.[
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Post by the Scribe on Apr 4, 2016 3:36:23 GMT -5
Here is a great story of one woman's path to building her tiny house.
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Post by the Scribe on Apr 4, 2016 3:47:41 GMT -5
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Post by Dianna on Apr 4, 2016 15:10:28 GMT -5
Some of those houses are really cute.. I wish we could do it but we or I have too much stuff lol. I think the main problem is that many people can't afford to live in a normal size house anymore.. especially if you live in so calif or parts of northern calif..where even if you make a decent living it's a struggle... We are looking at a house out here in seaside that has a cute cottage in the back (like Linda's. the one shown) if we decide. I think we would rent the little house out. That tree house looks really cool.. Brian could live there easily or a little house boat on the river.. Not I. lol
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Post by 70smusicfan on Apr 4, 2016 15:25:40 GMT -5
I think the tiny home may be a solution to clutter. Having been born in Oak Park, I have become familiar with the Prairie School design pioneered by Frank Lloyd Wright, particularly as it relates to residential construction. While the guy was a jerk and his designs had lots of building problems (roof leaks due to strange roof angles and cantilevered roofs, insistence of a hearth in the center of the building, etc.), he did champion the idea of a home WITHOUT significant storage to avoid clutter.
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Post by tiny on Apr 5, 2016 5:40:52 GMT -5
nice layout but I think I like the more square houses better which means they aren't on wheels. this is a nice wheel house though.
check out this earth tiny house... a hobbit house
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Post by Dianna on Apr 5, 2016 17:43:16 GMT -5
I would love to have this in my yard. it's adorable. I'd even live inside of it.
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Post by sliderocker on Apr 5, 2016 20:55:37 GMT -5
I'd love to have something like that magical hobbit-like eco cave house, although like that gentleman in Australia, it'd probably have to be so far away from cities and their rules and regulations, so one could live in relative peace.
I'd also like to have electricity so I could have a tv, stereo and computer as well as a washer and dryer. It's a mistake to try and shut yourself off from the rest of civilization. Another thing is you don't want to be so far away from emergency assistance if it's needed. If you need medical assistance, paramedics might not be able to reach you in time. Likewise, if a fire breaks out, you may have to fend for yourself. Many fire departments now in the US won't venture outside the city limits unless you pay them a monthly fee or pay for the cost of putting out a fire, even though you are paying them through various taxes. Still, I wouldn't mind living in some of those other small houses either. But, I'm the kind of guy who would like something built that reflected my tastes and it bothers me when I see so many homes that all look the same.
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Post by guest on Apr 6, 2016 2:05:57 GMT -5
Maybe you should buy an old paramedic/ambulance and turn it into a tiny house so that you could cover all of your bases.
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Post by the Scribe on Apr 6, 2016 2:55:25 GMT -5
Leave it to the French to come up with something stylish yet practical:
Hmmmm. Portland seems like a nice place to be:
how nice is this?
I like the fixed houses better. I have always been a homebody. If I want to travel I can use my mind's imagination.
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Post by sliderocker on Apr 6, 2016 11:06:47 GMT -5
Maybe you should buy an old paramedic/ambulance and turn it into a tiny house so that you could cover all of your bases. Not a bad idea but there would be an added expense in the form of a paramedic, if one wasn't trained as a paramedic, which I'm not. And it wouldn't help if you're the one in need of assistance and incapacitated. But, an old paramedic ambulance would make for a great storm or bomb shelter to go along with a tiny house.
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Post by sliderocker on Apr 6, 2016 11:12:33 GMT -5
Leave it to the French to come up with something stylish yet practical: Hmmmm. Portland seems like a nice place to be: how nice is this? I like the fixed houses better. I have always been a homebody. If I want to travel I can use my mind's imagination. Some great looking houses, to be sure. I'm also a homebody so I wouldn't care much for a house on wheels. I don't mind traveling but houses on wheels or RVs require quite a bit of gas to get around. They don't get much in the way of mileage. Btw, the small house that started off this thread, was that Linda's small house that's in the back of her bigger house in San Francisco? As I recall, she stays in the smaller house now because of her Parkinson's while her daughter Mary stays in the bigger house.
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Post by Dianna on Apr 6, 2016 11:25:19 GMT -5
When I was little my dad built me a really cute playhouse in the backyard complete with functioning windows, it looked similar to some of those in the videos.. I grew out of it and my parents gave it away to my grandmother to use as a hot house.. then she passed and my dad got it back to use for plants. then my brother got a hold of it and may or may not have used it to grow his pot plants in lol. my little playhouse sure got around. wonder what happened to it.
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Post by Dianna on Apr 6, 2016 11:48:50 GMT -5
How about some before and after furniture for the new digs'
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Post by sliderocker on Apr 6, 2016 15:53:53 GMT -5
When I was little my dad built me a really cute playhouse in the backyard complete with functioning windows, it looked similar to some of those in the videos.. I grew out of it and my parents gave it away to my grandmother to use as a hot house.. then she passed and my dad got it back to use for plants. then my brother got a hold of it and may or may not have used it to grow his pot plants in lol. my little playhouse sure got around. wonder what happened to it. I didn't have a playhouse when I was a kid but my best friend at the time did and it was a nice little getaway in his backyard. Had a small table and some chairs and we'd hang out in that little house. I think he had to share it with his sister but still, it was just the two of them. I had quite the imagination but he had the bigger one as he was also quite the entrepreneur. Offered tours of a two block strip of woods for a quarter but had no takers and ran afoul of the teacher for some reason. Never understood that as it had nothing to do with school. He also started a trucking line when he was 11. I was vice president of that company and my salary was $100,000. Not bad for a 11 year old kid! Pity however, it and the money was all make believe. Those were the days.
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Post by sliderocker on Apr 6, 2016 15:56:08 GMT -5
How about some before and after furniture for the new digs' Like the chair on the left although I'd hold onto the Dr. Seuss chair as a possible financial investment. I could see some big bucks for that one someday, if it's not already worth some big bucks!
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Post by Dianna on Apr 6, 2016 22:12:39 GMT -5
Like the chair on the left although I'd hold onto the Dr. Seuss chair as a possible financial investment. I could see some big bucks for that one someday, if it's not already worth some big bucks! the shoes alone would having me laughing always.
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Post by sliderocker on Apr 7, 2016 4:53:03 GMT -5
Like the chair on the left although I'd hold onto the Dr. Seuss chair as a possible financial investment. I could see some big bucks for that one someday, if it's not already worth some big bucks! the shoes alone would having me laughing always. Oh yeah, and in the magical world of Seuss, I could see that chair and shoes having a 'presence' and being properly offended by anyone who should happen to sit in it. Said the chair to the little child: "Do you mind, I'm sitting here!" Frightened, the little child jumps up and runs away, as does the chair in the opposite direction!
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Post by Dianna on Apr 7, 2016 16:41:19 GMT -5
That's very good Slide! lol
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Post by the Scribe on Apr 7, 2016 17:11:10 GMT -5
Love the cat theme. I wonder if there is a tiny house in the shape of an old, large shoe?
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Post by Dianna on Apr 7, 2016 17:40:55 GMT -5
Love the cat theme. I wonder if there is a tiny house in the shape of an old, large shoe? Here you go Rob.. Or this one.. Looks real cool at night.. Or how about an upside down house?
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Post by the Scribe on Apr 14, 2016 4:51:41 GMT -5
"Granny Pods" Allow Elderly Family Members to Live In a High-Tech Backyard Cottage
These nursing homes for one can be installed behind a caregiver's home. AARP estimates that about 23 million Americans take care of their elderly parents. But when it comes to finding a place for mom and dad to live during their golden years, nursing homes might not make the most sense from a financial standpoint in the long run—plus, letting an aging parent live alone may cause anxiety and guilt for some families. And while some adult children are willing to welcome grandma or grandpa into their own homes with open arms, others might not have the space. What to do? Allow us to introduce you to the "Granny Pod." Also known as the MEDCottage, the tiny home is essentially a portable hospital room designed by a Blacksburg, VA company, with help from Virginia Tech. Think of it as sort of a guest house with lots of high-tech medical extras. MEDCottages are pre-fabricated and designed to be installed in the backyard behind the main home (zoning laws permitting, of course). Va. launching portable housing for aging relativesBy Fredrick Kunkle Washington Post Staff Writer Thursday, May 6, 2010 SALEM, VA. The Rev. Kenneth Dupin, who leads a small Methodist church here, has a vision: As America grows older, its aging adults could avoid a jarring move to the nursing home by living in small, specially equipped, temporary shelters close to relatives. So he invented the MEDcottage, a portable high-tech dwelling that could be trucked to a family's back yard and used to shelter a loved one in need of special care. Skeptics, however, have a different name for Dupin's product: the granny pod. Protective of zoning laws, some local officials warn that Dupin's dwellings -- which have been authorized by Virginia's state government -- will spring up in subdivisions all over the state, creating not-in-my-back-yard tensions with neighbors and perhaps being misused. Look at how people despise PODS, those ubiquitous big white storage boxes, critics say. Imagine, they add, if you had people living inside. "Is it a good idea to throw people into a storage container and put them in your back yard?" said Fairfax County Supervisor Jeff C. McKay (D-Lee). "This is the granny pod. What's next? The college dropout pod?" Such temporary shelters might work in rural and sparsely developed parts of the state, McKay said, but the impact could be enormous in crowded urban and suburban areas. "This basically sets up an opportunity to do something legally which, prior to this, had been illegal -- which is to set up a second residence on a single-family property. It turns our zoning ordinance upside down," McKay said. The idea, Dupin said, came to him after years of leading humanitarian missions to developing countries, and it was encouraged by a growing sense of his own mortality. But he also said it just might make a lot of money, especially since the nation's elderly population is set to double in just 10 years as more and more baby boomers hit retirement age. Surveys by AARP and others also show that large majorities prefer to live in their own homes or with loved ones rather than in retirement communities. more www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/05/AR2010050503074.html?sid=ST2010050505681
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Post by the Scribe on Dec 3, 2019 2:52:34 GMT -5
This Ultra Modern Tiny House Will Blow Your MindLiving Big In A Tiny House 2.41M subscribers This ultra modern tiny house on wheels is truly something to behold. With it's jet black exterior, super clever design and incredibly high quality of craftsmanship, this tiny home is sure to blow your mind.
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Inside, the home is every bit as practical as it is beautiful. Constructed by couple Matt and Lisa, this tiny house has absolutely everything the young couple needs and many extras on top! As far as tiny home’s go, this one is especially spacious and packed full of clever smalls space design ideas.
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Post by the Scribe on Dec 4, 2019 2:00:38 GMT -5
Insane Futuristic Man Cave - The SkysphereLiving Big In A Tiny House 2.42M subscribers Imagine a home in the clouds with spectacular 360° views which can be completely controlled by voice and your smart phone. The Skysphere is fully solar powered and packed with features you won't believe. Read More: www.livingbiginatinyhouse.com/
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Music: Unleash by Oxford Nash - soundcloud.com/oxford-nash/
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