I’m Ella, a 23 year old musician and artist just out of college and I’m in the process of building my very own Tumbleweed Fencl. I’ve been in love with tiny houses from the moment it came to my attention they existed in 2010, and I’ve been saving my money ever since. Finally, last September, I bought a trailer and my step-dad and I began the grand construction!

I have never built a thing in my life, but with my Dad’s endless tools, know-how, and lectures I’ve taken in so much and the two of us have muddled our way through. It’s amazing what you can learn when you’re passionate!

Photo Credits: Ella Jenkins

We have just gotten the roof on and are now working on putting up cedar siding. I hope to be done around May and find somewhere beautiful to set myself down. This way I can pursue what I love without the worry of financially debilitating rent.

Yellow is my happy colour, so I have named my wee house Little Yellow, or Buidhe Bheag in Scottish Gaelic (I studied traditional harp music and the Gaelic language in Scotland for 4 years). Feel free to stop by my blog where I am tracking my progress: http://littleyellowdoor.wordpress.com/

Photo Credits: Ella Jenkins

Tumbleweed is also having a Holiday Sale and in my opinion the best deal is the workshops. Tumbleweeed is giving 40% off of the usual price and that is a bargain in my humble opinion. Click here to go to the Workshop page and than click on the workshop you would like to attend, the discout is given on that page.

Tumbleweed is also offering 40% off of certain books and plans and if you click on the graphics below you will be taken to the sales page for that item. The sale ends November 30 so if you have been waiting to buy one of these items, now is the time to do it.

Since then it has been a crafting shop and guest house on the new owners property in Boston. It is in excellent condition and you can get the complete details at Tiny House Listings. This is your chance to own a piece of history.

Calling all tiny house fans!

Would you like the opportunity to stay overnight in a tiny house before plunging into building your own?

My Story

Indulgent Restraint was born of my fascination with tiny houses and a desire to live in one. A few years ago while living in New England, I fell in love with the Lusby design by Jay Shafer of the Tumbleweed Tiny House Company. I wanted to nestle the tiny house in a Thoreau-like setting, among tall pines near a pond. My kids were grown and I was ready to downsize. So I put our big house on the market, bought land, purchased the tiny house plans and hired a professional home builder to start work on the Lusby. But it was 2008 and the start of the housing crisis. The big house wasn’t selling, so I couldn’t hang on to the lake front land; my plans would have to change.

After some twists and turns, I sold the lot, rented out my big house, and moved myself, two dogs, three cats and tiny house to California. I lived in the tiny house on rented farm land in the delta along the Sacramento River. It was a wonderful adventure!

But I really wanted to be closer to San Francisco and have enough room to host guests. So when my big house in New Hampshire finally found a buyer, I was able to make another move. I bought a 96 year old, two bedroom house in Vallejo and brought the tiny house to its backyard. I’d love to open it up for other tiny house fans!

http://www.indiegogo.com/Worlds-Tiniest-Hotel

To view more photos go here: http://indulgentrestraint.com/

There is a lot of secrecy as to what the designers will actually be doing but I am hoping that they will be asked to design a complete house that includes a bathroom and kitchen and a sleeping area. Can you image what we can learn from HGTV and these expert designers?

The show airs for the first time on Labor Day, Monday September 5, 2010 at 9/8c and again on September 6 at 12 am. If you miss the live broadcast the show will also be posted on Hulu on September 9th.

If you’d like to take part in a chat on Twitter during the show the folks at Tumbleweed will be hosting via hashtag #DSTumbleweed.

If you’re new to the idea of downsizing, please take some time to look around the Tiny House Blog and you will learn what it is all about.

The drawback is for those with slow internet connections as you will not be able to watch it. Simply click on the graphic below and it will take you to the Tumbleweed sales page, there you will learn how to build a backyard cottage Tumbleweed Style. Okay here goes, it’s not perfect so be kind to me

G’day,

My name is Chris and I live on the Gold Coast of Australia.

My fiancée and I are attempting to build an XS Tumbleweed and it seems that if we can get it done, it may be the only one that actually exists in Australia. I have scoured the internet and asked every one I know in the building industry if they have ever heard of a Tumbleweed on a trailer here in Australia. I have not found one single instance.

My reason for seeking such people out is that so far we have encountered several roadblocks. If we cannot get around or minimize these it may not be feasible or perhaps even legal to build a Tumbleweed. I was hoping that if we could find someone who has built a Tumbleweed, that way at least we know whether or not we are heading for a dead end, and perhaps we could seek further advice on specific issues.

If you have any information regarding building a Tumbleweed in Australia anything you could tell me might be useful and would be appreciated.

Regards Chris and Natalie

Please respond in the comment section if you have built a Tumbleweed or if you know of one built in Australia. Thank you for your help!

The Box Bungalows are 7 foot by 14 foot in size, around 98 square feet. They are designed to be built on skids and will be available in a kit form so that anyone can easily assemble a bungalow in your back yard or on your property. Stay tuned as more pictures of the construction of the Box Bungalows will be forth coming. P.S. — Tumbleweed Tiny House Company is looking for dealers on the east coast. Click Here.

I have seen these plans and have seriously considered building an XS House. Maybe one of these days. For now if you have been thinking about getting the XS House plans, now is the time to do it. You can purchase the plans here for $99.

Be sure and Register Now and take advantage of this special offer. I have been to one of his workshops and highly recommend them if you are thinking of building a tiny house someday.

Building Workshops

On Saturday, Jay Shafer will explain how to build a tiny house. The language will be clear and easy for everyone to understand. He will start at the foundation with a look at different types of permanent footings and a detailed description of how to build on wheels. Explanations of how to frame, sheath, insulate and finish will follow. Particular attention will be paid to the best way one can easily guard against the condensation that small spaces are prone to. The merits of different trailers, heaters, kitchen equipment, windows and building materials will be assessed. There will be plenty of time for Q&A.

Design Workshops

On Sunday, you will be taught how to design a small home that meets your personal needs and those of your family. You will have a chance to talk with Jay Shafer, national expert on small living, about the best ways to meet your domestic needs without waste. You will be presented with seven principals along with several strategies for good design before you are asked to develop plans for your own little home. The class is open to beginners, professional architects and anyone curious about how a tiny house is created at the drafting table.

Click here to Register Now