Shanty in the Woods
I’ve had blog problems the last few days and have been unable to post. I have it working again so want to share Jeff’s story about his shanty in North Carolina.
About 4 years ago we bought a piece of property on the banks of the New River in the mountains of North Carolina.
After months of tent camping in what we later found out to be one of the few temperate rain forest in North America, we thought a better structure would be in our best interest.
We were doing real well tucked backed in the woods minding our own business when we noticed a nice little official looking note taped to the door. Well unfortunately, it wasn’t “Welcome Wagon” or a nice neighbor, but the county calling attention to the fact that we had built a structure in their flood plain without their knowledge and without a permit.
Well after some conversation we thought it would be in our best interest to move the building out of the floodplain. I had a neighbor bring a forklift after I laid block and pick it up and set it down in its new home. I had a sneaking suspicion that eventually the county would find it so I intentionally built it less than 70 sq ft as that is what the code defines a habitable room, I thought it might work in my favor. I do think it helped! It is 64 sq ft by the outside dimensions of 8 by 8,
It is solar and insulated and with a flat screen TV, a toilet, and a queen size bed, it has been our home practically every weekend for the past 3 1/2 years while we build a larger house by ourselves. It stays warm with body heat (two adults and a 70lb dog) in winters that can see 40+ inches of snow. It has been absolutely great! It forces you to get out and stay active.
View more photographs of Jeff’s shanty below.
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Lillian on 21 Jul 2008 at 7:58 pm #
This is by far the cutesy tiny house! I wonder how the layout is inside. Please share. Thanks
Kent on 21 Jul 2008 at 8:41 pm #
Hi Lillian,
Jeff didn’t have any inside photos but I will see if he can get some.
Kent
Solitary Dancer on 22 Jul 2008 at 2:00 am #
This is wonderful. I love this!
I follow your blog and can’t wait until I can dump my HOA governed house and follow my dreams in a Tiny House.
Good Stuff!
Speed on 22 Jul 2008 at 3:00 am #
What does “It is solar” mean?
Rosemary on 22 Jul 2008 at 8:18 am #
This is the greatest tiny house ever! Actually it is a tiny cottage. I want one! Please promise that you will work on getting photos of the inside. Sounds perfect…can’t wait to see them.
http://contentinacottage.blogspot.com/
Speedmaster on 22 Jul 2008 at 9:02 am #
Fantastic, I love the look!
Digital Rabbit on 22 Jul 2008 at 9:11 am #
It would be quite interesting to see the layout of the house.. Also wondering why it is so far off from the ground ?
Part of this ‘flood plains’ or does it have a ‘basement’ for sleeping purposes ?
Now only if I can buy some land ….
Kent on 22 Jul 2008 at 9:24 am #
Hi Everyone,
I’ll see if I can get Jeff to answer some of your questions on layout, solar and photos.
Kent
Destin on 22 Jul 2008 at 9:42 am #
How much did it cost to build roughly?
The wife and i want to build a small structure like yours on our land in canada.
Place is lovely!
Cheers
Destin
trumpetlily on 22 Jul 2008 at 12:53 pm #
wow…i love this place and really can’t wait to see the interior!
RowdyKittens on 22 Jul 2008 at 1:43 pm #
Ohhh my, that is the cutest little cottage! I love it! Thanks for posting this information.
Mark on 22 Jul 2008 at 3:59 pm #
Nice, but get rid of the TV.
Tami Henson on 24 Jul 2008 at 4:46 am #
Jeff and Kathys shanty is absouletly adorable and life down at the river is wonderful. I can’t wait to come spend a day again real soon! I want to bring Lucy so she can run and play too!
A little too small for our family « Wendy Cooper’s Weblog on 24 Jul 2008 at 7:20 pm #
[...] July 24, 2008 by Wendy Cooper Here is a cute little 64 sq foot house that seems a little two small for a couple of a dog to call home. [...]
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joe on 30 Jul 2008 at 5:55 am #
Doesnt look like like a shanty, looks really nice.
Diana on 30 Sep 2008 at 3:40 am #
More pictures please?
I would love an interior shot, I suspect it looks like a cozy bedroom.
Kent on 30 Sep 2008 at 5:56 am #
I have requested more pictures, but still have not received any. I will post pictures as soon as I have some to post.