Kent Griswold

Cavco Off-Grid Lodge

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Last year Cavco introduced their first off-grid park model and I published a post on it. For 2010 Cavco is introducing a new park model called the Off-Grid Lodge and it was recently placed in the KOA campground in Herkimer, N.Y.

The 400-square foot unit has solar panels on its roof, which are capable of producing 2 kilowatts of power. The unit also has a prototype backup propane generator, bamboo flooring, LED lighting, recycled axels and tires, recycled lumber composite decking, rinnai on-demand water heating, energy efficient heating and air-conditioning.

The unit has also been equipped with a complete assortment of eco-friendly cleaning and bathroom products, including coreless toilet paper that leaves no cardboard core at the end of the roll. Even the unit’s Amish-style furniture has been manufactured from recycled milk jugs and recycled hickory wood.

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Wonder Cottage or Granny Pod?

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One of the Tiny House Blog readers Ginmar spotted this article in the Washington Post and I thought I would show it to you. 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 … Read more

Derek’s Tiny House for Sale

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***Sold*** Derek contacted me the other day, about his house that is on sale at craigslist and wanted me to share some more pictures with you and let you know that it is for sale. The house is located in Sebastopol, California.

Here is a review of some the features of Derek’s home:

The siding, trim, windows, and door were custom made from recycled Cedar. Inside, the floors are made from salvaged Douglas Fir and the paneling is salvaged from old-growth redwood fencing.

The home uses a Dickinson Marine fireplace for heat, has a stainless steel refrigerator. It includes a fold-down eating table for two, a walk-in closet and bathroom with toilet, sink and shower, and of course a sleeping loft.

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Protostoga Interior

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On the last update of the Protostoga there were many requests for interior photographs. Ann recently sent me some so I wanted to do another update.

Ann says: The interior of ProtoStoga is difficult to photograph because the space is so small. The floor area is 4’10”x7’6”. At the ledge it is it’s widest 6’4”x8’3”. I hope the photos I included this time will give a better idea of what the space feels like. The one through the front door is a photoshop collage and does not quite line up correctly but it still gives a pretty good idea.

We had our first guest this weekend. It was really exciting! We set up the interior as a bedroom with a full-sized bed across the space. There was enough room left over for a bags and stuff. She made a little video and when she sends me a copy I will share it with you…

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Tumbleweed Loring Plans on Sale

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Tumbleweed Tiny House Company has another set of their plans on sale for the month of May. Designed as a very small bungalow, the Loring comes with several options to suit your needs. You can choose between a sleeping loft upstairs, or a cathedral ceiling. Tumbleweed also has a larger … Read more

Tiny Yellow House #3

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Yesterday, I went to San Francisco with Steve from Tumbleweed to the Web 2.0 Expo and when I returned Deek had notified me about the latest jam band  episode of Tiny Yellow House. So you get to hear from Deek two days in a row. Derek Diedricksen and guitarist Bill/William Bracken, … Read more

Deek’s Veggie Oil Heater

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Hey Kent,

First off, thank you for this opportunity as guest article-author on your blog, and and additional thanks to yourself, and the others out there (Janzen, Kahn, Stiles, Pino, etc) who have been very helpful and supportive of what I’m doing (in regards to my 100% independent tiny housing book, and video/tv show).

As for the “Tiny Yellow House” series on youtube, the vegetable oil space heater (woodstove alternative) that was briefly shown in Episode #2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmR3kx660gw is something that I understand you (as well as I) have gotten a ton of email questions on.

All in all, since its rather difficult to just blurt out every constructive detail of the heater, I’ve sent you a hand sketched diagram of it instead, that was drawn as part of my follow-up to the book “Humble Homes, Simple Shacks…” which I’m still working on as we speak…er…as I type. The sketch, albeit busy and detail laden, should help give people the general idea I came up with, and I’m sure there ultimately will be twenty better ways to build this thing. All in all, while using a multi-wick system (more flames = more heat), this veggie-oil heater gives off a rather decent amount of heat that should be adequate for well-sealed tiny cabins, or should at least prolong your season or stay in a cabin, depending on your climate, naturally.

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Little House on the Prairie

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I introduced you to Paul McMullin from Ennis, Montana in a previous post and told you I would be sharing more of his work. Here is another little cabin he built and I will let him describe it to you.

I call this one the “Little House on the Prairie.” I built this because my mental health was deteriorating as I was sitting behind my desk late winter doing my usual business stuff for that time of year. I had to get outside and produce something regardless of the weather.

This is what I built. A 14 X 16 inside with a 4 x 14 foot deck. Not knowing how it might be used I left the inside as if you were in the belly of the whale, studs, rafters, and sheeting. I live in a small town of about 1000 so I know most people and most stopped by to see what Paul’s up to. The place was completed, a for sale sign was attached and my mind was back in order.

If you would like to contact Paul you can email him at paulmcmullin@hotmail.com.

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Jay Shafer in National Spotlight

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Jeremy Hay from the Press Democrat in Santa Rosa, California says: Graton resident Jay Shafer, a pioneer of the small-house movement who until recently called a 96-square foot house on wheels his home, will be featured by Parade magazine this Sunday. Graton resident Jay Shafer appears on the cover of … Read more

Jalopy Cabins Update

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Lyle Congdon just sent me an update on what is going on with Jalopy Cabins now that Spring is here.

It has been a long winter here in Colorado! I hope your winter wasn’t too bad. We are ready for spring and to tackle some cabins full force!

We decided not to do the railroad car cabin idea this time around since it was proving difficult to find one and we really want to work with materials that just happen to come to us.

There is a ski resort area about 30 mins. from where we live and the owner called us to see if we wanted logs that they had cut down or had fallen down in the slopes. Of course we did! The hand peeled round logs are more work but really worth it!

We will hopefully have the roof on in the next couple weeks but I’m attaching some in progress pictures so you can have a preview!

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24 Rooms 344 Square Feet

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I covered this Box of Tricks back in January of 2009 but it has been getting a lot of attention lately and a movie has been put together on YouTube so I thought I would share this briefly again. There is a recent article in Man Overboard about this and … Read more

Yurt Holiday Portugal

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Hannah McDonnell contacted me about her Yurt Holiday business located in Portugal.

Come and stay in our romantic Mongolian style yurt, nestled in the mountains of central Portugal, about one hour inland from the ancient university town of Coimbra. Its self-contained and fully furnished, set in our smallholding of terraced land, which we manage organically. Olives, vines and fruit trees surround the yurt; our own spring provides the water; and energy is solar powered. Whether you’re looking for a lazy rural retreat, or an active holiday in the hills, there’s no better way to get back to nature without foregoing any creature comforts.

So if you are traveling in Europe and want to explore what it would be like to live in a yurt, spend a couple of nights at this great holiday location.

  • The yurt sleeps two with enough space to add two children’s beds if required alternatively we have a very spacious bell tent for hire which comfortably sleeps two, perfect for older children.
  • There’s plenty of space to hang your clothes, rugs on the floor and a chaise longue for relaxing.

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