Comments on: Denny’s Cabin in Missouri

By: Larry Henry

Larry Henry — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 13:59:48 +0000

Denny at 57 I am almost too old to do what you do but if I still have my health at 62 (in 4 years) I plan on trying to do the same thing if I can find an acre or two real cheap…perhaps an old mobile home site with septic and well…out in the country…love that “double flat roofed shed” pictured in the middle of this article…
Larry

By: Denny

Denny — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 15:38:05 +0000

will, at the moment we’re not able to take squaters, thanks for your kind words!

mashellyf, thanks for the compliments! my facebook is http://www.facebook.com/geekinthegarden . i can say without reservation that making this move was one of the best decisions of my life and i’ve got no regrets! that said, i’ve always lived with very few possessions so it was pretty easy move for me! i LOVE my new porch!

By: Mashellyf

Mashellyf — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 21:57:42 +0000

Denny, I so enjoyed reading your article and looking at all your pics on Flickr! I envy you and the courage to make the step to living little. It has been my dream for sometime now. I want more then anything to sale my home and possesions, purchase some land and build several tiny houses for my family and each mother in law. But convincing a man is much harder then that! I will continue to follow your story and live out my dream through you. You’ve done an amazing job…there’s not one thing I would have done different, especially love your new porch addition Do you have a Facebook Page?

By: will bart

will bart — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 23:30:37 +0000

Do you have any room for squaters? Have skills to trade. Really nice job on your home.

By: Les Braze

Les Braze — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 14:34:43 +0000

I love it! We are completely with the small space concept! If you are interested in a quick and easy way to have your own tiny house- see our version at http://www.greentreeshelters.com
We have developed a version of a small space that needs no tools, and can be put up in one afternoon. Our LivingSpace can be a studio, a backyard escape, a children s playhouse, a potting shed or an extra bedroom. the walls, floors and ceiling panels are insulated, all surfaces are ready for paint or decorating, please feel free to contact me to learn more about our version of this great way to have your space!

By: Nordica

Nordica — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 19:04:44 +0000

Yay, I’m glad I signed up to the newsletter to remind me to come check out new posts.

Adorable homestead! I have never been to Missouri but your yard and garden looks very lush. As far as the tiny houses you have a really sweet setup. Love the nature prints and the luster of the wood, and your simple little kitchen. I have really come to appreciate a kitchen like that, but with a 2 yo I heart refrigeration..even if it’s just a little dorm fridge. I also am really digging the masonry stacked around the little pot-belly stove…we really, really have been wanting that (we do the water-pot thing now and think a little bit of radiant masonry would be slick)…

Thanks for sharing your sweet bachelor pad/village. I keep going back to the first picture for the lovely pictures on the wall and the sweet little doggie.

By: Denny

Denny — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 17:39:22 +0000

Nettles,

Sorry about the delay in reply. The block is working perfectly. Holds the heat and releases it for 5-7 hours after the fire. I’m burning short, very hot fires with about 5 logs and then coasting from that. When it gets really cold I’ll probably do a fire in the morning and evening, hopefully 5-7 logs each fire though I may have to extend the burn time just a bit on the really cold days.

We have a lake on the west side and I opted to put my 16′ side facing the lake but I do have a window on the south side which is nice. Also just built a solar cat house on the south side.

No pipes to freeze yet. I have a graywater drain from the kitchen sink. No other plumbing yet. Feel free to email me if you have any further questions: geekinthegarden at gmail

By: nettles

nettles — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:48:14 +0000

Denny,
I am thrilled to see the work you have done and the home you have made for yourself and family.
My little space is a 12X16 shed roof, piered, stick built. We just insulated it and put in insulated windows and door. In the mountains of NC I too need heat and have been going round and round re: rocket stove ( I really want to see the fire that warms me, tho), littlest Jotul, Vt Castings or Morso ($$$), little “dirty” stove that I cob or do block arnd for a quicker, more portable masonry heater experience. And here, you’ve started doing just that!
My immediate questions are: How is it working with the block? As you expected? Shorter, hot fires followed by slow cool-down? Is your house oriented to the south? Are you getting plenty of passive heat during warm sunny days?
I would really appreciate hearing how this winter evolves; what it will take for you to stay warm – and for your pipes not to freeze. I will have to move on my choice before too long, but wanted you to know how companioned I felt when I saw the pic of your little stove surrounded by block.
Good work! It all is good work.

By: Denny

Denny — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:35:23 +0000

Thanks all for your kind comments! Liz, great idea on the water. I actually was planning a bit of arrangement of those blocks and your idea fits perfectly into the new arrangement. Will be giving it a try!

By: liz goertz

liz goertz — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:18:17 +0000

I love your place, looks like a little piece of heaven to me.
you might try removing the block that goes over your stove and just putting a large canning pot of water on to heat at night, water is a great heat storage mediom and it might even be warm enough to wash up in in the morning. If it boils it will add a little humidity, for better or worse, wood heat can be very drying.