Tiny House Update: Week 25

This weekend was a bit of a step backwards. My dad originally installed a Tarkett snap-together laminate flooring for the house. After installing it my parents were disappointed with how it went together and looked. After a few weeks of trying to warm up to it, my dad finally decided to rip it out and start again. After buying Pergo brand laminate, we went to work replacing the floor on Sunday. It was the first day after daylight savings time ended and I think everyone was tired and a bit frustrated, so we really didn’t get too far.

Pergo hickory laminate floor

Installing the floor

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Madeline

Posted on

October 27, 2014

Posted under

Tiny Houses

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Tiny House Update: Week 24

I promised my mom I would make the cabinets and counters for the house, but then I got distracted. Before I even got started planning my dad started building. I’m glad he did because I’m sure the cabinets will turn out much nicer now. We were originally going for stark simplicity, but my dad loves a challenge and has been designing and fitting drawers, shelves and doors. Today we got 3 drawers put in. It was pretty challenging and took most of the day’s work. In the end they fit well and move smoothly. They look rough now because they’re just set in the shell of the counter, but soon we’ll finish the rest of the cabinetry and put faces and pulls on the drawers. We were also able to cut all of the pieces for the other set of counters, on the opposite wall.

The work is going a lot slower now as the days get shorter, but every week it looks a little less like a box full of lumber and supplies and a little more like an actual house.

Jason an my dad discussing drawer measurements

Today’s accomplishments

Every week it looks less like a box full of lumber and tools and more like a (tiny) house

Posted by

Madeline

Posted on

October 17, 2014

Posted under

DIY, Tiny Houses

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How I Spent my Summer Vacation

Last year Jason and I had a chance to stay at Caravan, a tiny house hotel in Portland, OR. For about the cost of a conventional hotel we were able to rent a 120 sq ft. house built on a trailer bed. The little house had all the amenities you’d expect and all the charm you could ask for. Shortly after our stay there we became obsessed with tiny houses. As soon as we got back we told my parents about our stay and they too became tiny house fanatics. My dad has always loved building with wood, having built the deck, the fence and many other things around my parents’ house. My mom had always dreamed of having a cabin in the woods. They both loved the idea of building something small and cost effective. So they ordered plans and bought a trailer and in the dead of winter started planning.

Jason and I volunteered to help on the weekends and I must admit I was a bit overwhelmed by the prospect of building a house. Throughout the process we’ve met many challenges and gotten a chance to use our problem solving skills. Still, none of the challenges we met were too big to solve with a little time and research. I dubbed myself the “project worrier” as I scrutinized everything and watched it fall into place despite my ability to worry and over analyze. Now it’s October and we’d hoped to have it finished but have still made remarkable progress. We hope to bring it to the place where we’ll park it in the spring. We still have floor to lay down, cabinets to build and appliances to install. Until then I’ll be counting down the days and crossing my fingers for the arduous trek through mountains to rest this sweet little cabin its spot in the woods.