Nate and Lisa’s Tortoise Shell Home

by Kent Griswold on February 10th, 2012. 27 Comments

Guest post by Lisa

When my husband and I first moved to the country after 20 years of living in the big city, we talked a lot about the different possibilities for housing. We were both sick of apartments. We fantasized about the different natural building techniques like cob and straw bale, but worried about exorbitant land prices here in California.

About five or six years ago we stumbled upon Jay Shafer’s Tumbleweed website and were completely charmed. This was pre-Oprah, before he was so famous. We had a free private consultation with him within the first few weeks after he moved out to California. A couple years later we went to one of his open houses, and recently went to his first showing of his new Craftsman style cottage. We love his work, but his prices were too high for our budget. Building it ourselves seemed too difficult, though I’m sure it is possible for some people.

The tiny house bug had us. We now knew how we could own our own home without land or a mortgage, but we needed a place to put the house. Continue Reading »

For Sale Tortoise Shell Prototype

by Kent Griswold on January 17th, 2012. 22 Comments

Sold!

Bill Kastrinos of Tortoise Shell Home is selling his 8′ x 24′ prototype. Bill is selling a partially completed prototype at a reduced price until January 27. The house though unfinished includes a separate bedroom, living area, kitchen and a bathroom with a built in shower. It is fully insulated and has dual pane windows. It just needs your own special touch to complete it and to make it you own.

Bill is asking an incredibly low price of just $5,800 but you need to jump on it quickly as it is only available through January 27 at this low price. Give Bill a call at 707-486-4320 and let him know you heard about it on the Tiny House blog.

 

Posted January 17th, 2012 by Kent Griswold and filed in Tiny House for Sale
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22 Comments

Tortoise Shell’s Naked Snapper

by Kent Griswold on August 3rd, 2010. 10 Comments

The other day I had the opportunity to check out Bill Kastrinos from Tortoise Shell Homes latest design for the tiny house market. Dubbed the Naked Snapper, this home is a 28 foot long home with an interior width of 7 foot 6 inches. It has an 8 foot bedroom on one end. a 4 foot bathroom on the other end. In the middle is a kitchen living room area that is 15 foot 6 inches in length.

This home would be perfect for two people and the fact that it comes ready for you to complete yourself makes it possible for you to give it the personal finish you choose.

Bill has estimated the cost of the Naked Snapper at $17,000 and the estimated completed price, $35,000. Below the picture are the specs and if you would like more information please contact Bill at info (at) tortoiseshellhome.com or call 707-206-7581. Be sure and let Bill know you learned about it at the Tiny House Blog.

Continue Reading »

Posted August 3rd, 2010 by Kent Griswold and filed in Announcement, Stick Built
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10 Comments

Tortoise Shell Prototype for Sale

by Kent Griswold on March 9th, 2010. 7 Comments

Update: Interior Photos and description added.

Bill Kastrinos of Tortoise Shell Home is selling his 8′ x 24′ prototype. It includes a separate bedroom, living area, kitchen and bathroom with a built in shower. It is not completed on the inside but I’m still waiting for the details on what needs to be finished. So stay tuned for more information.

Bill is asking $20,000 finished, but would let it go for $15,000 unfinished. You can contact Bill by email at info@tortoiseshellhome.com or call 707-206-7581. Be sure and let him know you heard about it on the Tiny House Blog.

The prototype 8×24 is unfinished. The exterior siding will be finished before delivery. The house includes: Continue Reading »

Posted March 9th, 2010 by Kent Griswold and filed in Tiny House for Sale
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7 Comments