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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In my quest for small furnishings and appliances I came across the Fagor Portable Induction Burner. Based in Spain and founded in 1954, Fagor is renowned for its product quality, performance and innovation. The company is the fifth-largest appliance manufacturer in Europe and the number-one induction cooktop producer in the European market.

Here are the specifics:

Precise, efficient, fast, reliable—a favorite of professional chefs, an induction burner is considered the best cooking surface available. Easy-touch controls with six temperature settings. Features timer and control pad lock. Wipe clean. 1300 watts. 14″ x 12″ x 2¾”.

• Efficient: Uses 90% of energy produced.
• Fast: Quick heating response: as precise as gas, with 50% less cooking time.
• Precise: Melt chocolate or butter without a double boiler.
• Safe: Surface stays cool to the touch with no flames or smoke. Features automatic safety shut-off.
• Easy to clean: Spills wipe up easily because they don’t get cooked onto the glass.
• Elegant: Stainless-steel rim and high-quality, heat-resistant glass with elegant touch controls.

The cooking surface surrounding the pot stays cool to the touch since only the pot gets heated. Considered one the most eco-friendly products for its energy-efficiency, it also cooks faster than gas or electric cooktops, reducing 50% of the cooking time. Heating and temperature adjustments are immediate, allowing you to go from a simmer to a rolling boil in a few seconds.

The flat smooth surface of the Portable Induction cooktop is made of high quality heat resistant glass making spills easy to clean.

This versatile indoor/outdoor cooktop is great for entertaining; use it as a stylish, elegant centerpiece on the table, for outdoor parties and in the kitchen as an extra cooking zone. Use it for your boat, camper, dorm or studio apartment or tiny house or cabin!

The best price I have found for the Fagor Portable Induction Burner is at Amazon.

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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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