The Pretty Little Things Studio

By Christina Nellemann

Lori Marie is an artist/craftista who works out of a tiny house in her backyard in Oakland. She fills it with her crafting supplies, sewing machine and computer, her French bulldog Matilda, and lots of color. Her pretty little studio has a tiny deck and even a tiny garden. She said the prior owners of her house built the studio over an old foundation and fireplace, which no longer works.

“My favorite time of year is when the roses are in bloom on the hillside and the hummigbirds are buzzing around the passion flower vine,” she said. It really feels like a wonderland and is the perfect little place to bring all of my ideas to life.”

Artists’ retreats have been around as far back as Thoreau’s cabin on Walden Pond. The common theme of each seems to be a tiny space, usually one room, just for writing, poetry, painting and other creative skills.

Pollan's Writing Cabin

Pollan's Writing Cabin

Michael Pollan’s desire for his own getaway was so strong that he spent two years building his tiny writer’s cabin and wrote about his triumphs and frustrations in his book, A Place of My Own.

Kristina Lindbergh, the granddaughter of Charles and Anne Morrow Lindbergh also had a 12-ft. by 12-ft. writer’s retreat built for her by her brother and sister-in-law. The tiny cabin has space for writing, a few shelves for books and a sleeping loft. You can see her tiny cabin in the book, The Cabin: Inspiration for the Classic American Getaway

One of the nice things about a tiny artist retreat is that it can be built in a backyard or close enough to a house to take advantage of the convenience, but still feel like an escape from the big house world.

Ideas for Great Backyard Cottages

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Here are a few answers to our last post on the Martin House-To-Go. I am featuring some new pictures of the Sportsman in this post. Again these are a first view thanks to Dan in Southern California who has been talking very seriously with Julie of Martin House-To-Go and getting these pictures and information for me to share with you.

A ladder is used to access the loft. Two singles or a queen size bed will fit very easily in the loft. The downstairs room also offers a sleeping area, as you can see two cots will fit in the room, although very closely.

Julie is using a European sink and burner that is very attractive as well as functional. This picture details the kitchen and shows off the cedar cabinet.

The bathroom consists of a sink, composting toilet and shower. Very attractively done and good use of the space.

The floor plan gives you the full picture. This model is 10 x 20 so in many states such as California, will require a permit to move it down the road. If you purchase one be sure and check this detail out before attempting to move it about in your state.

I’ll keep you posted as I learn more and be sure and check the Martin House-To-Go website as I am sure she will be updating it in the near future. This is one more choice for that mobile tiny house.

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One of the most popular posts in this blog is the Martin House-To-Go post. Dan from Southern California has been talking with Martin House-To-Go about their houses and they have given him a private preview of a house that is not even on their website yet. From what Dan understands, it is available for purchase. Here are the highlights.

$37,900 complete (everything below is included in price)

• Super sized version 10′ wide by 20′ long
• Pre-wired for cable and internet
• Under counter fridge
• 11 windows
• Pedestal sink in bathroom with full shower and electric composting toilet standard
• On-demand tankless hot water heater
• GE 2 burner electric stove top
• Microwave
• Cedar kitchen counter
• Custom bamboo wood floors
• Remote-controlled air conditioning standard ( very very cool ) - no pun intended -
• Built in window seat with underneath storage

Dan says the kitchen is a lot better than their previous model - it’s HUGE and he likes the cedar - they said it has some sort of high cost expensive sealer on it.  He thinks the cedar kitchen counter gives it a nice touch of a “woodsy cabin” feel.

Dan’s wife thought window box for flowers adds a nice touch to the house as well.

Overall, I think they managed to put a lot of ‘charm and cozy home appeal’ into this one.  When you compare this new one to the one on their website, I think this one is a world apart better.

Quoting Dan’s wife, ” Yes, I could live in that ” or have a guest stay in it.

They also showed Dan photos of the “Sportsman Model” below…. for campers, hunters, nature lovers …

It looks pretty cool set up with cots and camping equipment.  You could definitely see yourself taking it out hitched up to your truck for a weekend camping trip.  It sure beats a tent any day of the week.  Considering all the stuff you hear going on at campgrounds, I like the idea of locking my front door at night while camping.

I think Martin House-To-Go adding the front porch gave it a nice touch too.

Thank you Dan for sharing these photos and thoughts with us.

Entrance

Kitchen/Living Room

Kitchen

Bathroom

Sportsman

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