By: Shirley J. Loomis
There is a lot of hub-bub today about tiny houses. I can only tell one story, about one tiny house, and the one woman who built it, me. Gentlemen I hope you will find it worth the read, but ladies this one is really meant for you.
Here’s a little about me. Maybe some of you can relate. I’ve always loved cute, little, snuggly, and cozy; always hated excess and waste; always thought my surroundings should be functional but also aesthetically appealing and comfortable. I really like my “stuff.” After all, isn’t that partly why all these decades I’ve been getting up and going to claim my right to a paycheck at the end of the week?
I’m a mom. From early on I was a single mom to two wonderful daughters. I’m one of the oldest in my family, a family largely dominated by women, but with our fair share of men, many of whom work in the trades or at the least are very handy. I’m a sister, auntie, grandmother, and a whole host of other things. In short, like many of you, I wear a lot of hats, and often all in the same day, sometimes before the morning coffee cup has been emptied.
Growing up in the country I learned early on to take stock of what was around me and find ways to get it to fit my needs. Therein lies the birth of creative thinking and the useful application of resources.
So how does all of this add up to building a tiny house you may ask?
The year my younger daughter graduated from high school I lost the house. Having raised two children by myself in one of the most expensive parts of the country I suppose that’s not all that surprising, especially to many of you who may read this and who are trying to find a way to survive your mortgage payments. I spent the summer camping, working, and trying to come up with a game plan to get back on my feet and reclaim my life.
During this time I tripped across a picture of the Tumbleweed Tiny House book. It reminded me that I had heard of this “Tiny House” concept years before so I started to dig. I found more books. I found more plans. I found more people. I found more pictures. And I kept on digging. The plan began to take shape.
Autumn came and it was time to go inside. This is New England, after all! For six years I lived in a room I rented, regrouped financially, and started to stockpile resources. Each week there was one purchase that was in line with my goal of putting a roof over my head that was a place truly worthy of being called home. Maybe it was a tool. Maybe it was a book. On a good week I might go a little nuts and actually get both!
By the time I was ready to build I had found some inexpensive land, owned a small pickup truck, had a library comprised of every worthwhile read relative to my topic, secured a trailer found on Craigslist, and I had enough tools to rival what would be found in some men’s workshops.
Here is where it got a little chauvinistically amusing. Remember those tradesmen I told you about? Yeah, about them, my family believes in do it right the first time so I asked for their input on things I thought I should know about before beginning this endeavor. The only one I heard from was my brother. Ladies I’m sure you can relate to my subsequent indignation. Having concluded that I did better in school than most of them I decided that if they could manage then so could I. Commence building!
My math is atrocious, not bad. It is terrible! Don’t let that stop you. It didn’t stop me. I took my known constraints and built around them. It had to be less than eight feet in width and fewer than thirteen and a half feet in height. I needed an entry way and I needed windows that would allow for ventilation but also egress should for any reason something other than the door ever be required. There had to be utilitarian infrastructure, and that infrastructure had to support appliances relevant to my comfort. Knowing some land was very remote I wanted to be able to use alternative energy and have an off grid lifestyle. I also wanted to plug into the water and electric if I was parked in the backyard of a friend.
The build took longer than planned because just as I was about to begin working I got laid off from the company that had been my employer for almost ten years. What should have taken me about six months took almost exactly two years due to the reduction in income. Along the way I met some great people. Doing something unique in a quiet little neighborhood makes people curious. Many older people stopped to chat as they walked their dogs. Younger people stopped as they pushed their baby strollers. Passersby slowed their cars and rolled down their windows for a few moments of conversation. Everyone wanted a quick little peek inside this curious little structure that was somehow becoming an integral part of their neighborhood.
Ladies this next part is especially for you, your daughters, and your granddaughters. Many of the young women who stopped by were young single mothers, lacking in resources, support, and confidence. They were of the societal mentality that is dependent upon someone else providing the means by which they survive, a means that may be necessary but one that is not earned. Somehow they saw me and my situation as different from their own. The only things that are variable are willingness, effort, commitment, and the timeline. Other than that the application is the same. Get a plan. Stick to the plan. Make revisions where necessary. Be patient. You will make mistakes. Fix them. Measure twice and cut once. Pick up the hammer and get started.
This process is not gender or age dependent.
For more info on this process, please go to http://coppertinwoodandwill.wordpress.com/.
Click here to see completed photos and interior pictures.
Here is where I started.
Well done Shirley, be very proud of yourself, I am very much like you, I moved in to a campervan, because I couldn’t afford the rent. I think we become happier when we simplify our lives.
Would love to see pics of the inside.
xx
Thank you. Pics of the inside can be seen if you click on the link that takes you to my blog (end of the article).
Just clicked on the link, the inside is lovely, such a cozy home, is that a woodburner, I have one
in my campervan, keeps me very toasty.
Not a wood burner Eileen. I have it rigged for electric or propane. What appears to be a wood burner is actually a little electric fireplace. 🙂
Wonderful job…what an empowerment story you have!
At 50, I lived on a 32′ boat and it was one of the best experiences I’ve had. We really need so little space, so few things and I found that when I got rid of the excess, it was so freeing. I understand you completely in your love of tiny spaces and being self-reliant especially when times hit us unaware. Thanks for your story. It made my morning.
Thanks for sharing this. I’m not sure I could shrink down as tiny as you did but I’ve definitely been thinking about some of the tiny houses I’ve seen nestled in the harbors up in the Pacific Northwest!
You seem nice enough in your writing. You asked for help and didn’t get it? I just don’t understand some people. I hate to think it is a particular fault with my gender, but who knows? Anyhow, good job. You got ‘er done!
Wonderful story. I am starting over too. I bought five acres first, now collecting materials for a cabin. Amazes me that most people are either repelled or fascinated and wishing to do same. Not much middle ground! Awesome women like you keep me inspired when I am tired. I love the tiny houses built by men but there is that cultural mantra that women “can’t.” Lucky me, my dad taught me better… and his voice counts more than the endless barrage.
You’ve done a fabulous job!! Kudos!!!!!!
What a great read! What a great story! I had an earlier post “Cowboy Cottage” on this blog and this weekend, I moved into my tiny house too! You are my inspiration that I can do some of the many projects that lay ahead of me, myself! Thanks for the encouragement through your story and I hope your pursue writing as part of your future; you certainly can connect through the computer screen!
You’re an absolute delight! You’re one of the finest examples I’ve read where less equals more – and you’re making it work. There’s no doubt you’ve finally created a new chapter in life that’s going to bring you more containment than ever. You sure worked hard enough at it. The best things in life always comes with the hardest work and hard choices – but you’ve pulled it off:)
Good job and great journey. I particularly relate to the stories of people who do this because of necessity to put a roof over their heads and make it happen instead of taking on “societal mentality that is dependent upon someone else providing the means by which they survive, a means that may be necessary but one that is not earned.” It is also a common story about family not being there to help out even when the help would be with the skills they use everyday.
Thanks for sharing your uplifting story
Where did you find your land??! I’m 67, is that too old? This has been in the back of my mind for years…….I’m thinking of converting my storage shed and adding on as time and money allow. BUT, where do I put it? I can’t comprehend how to look for land and keep a job at the same time. I want to go out of state, even if it’s just over the border but I’d need the time to travel and look, there’s the problem for me. Helen
There’s the Internet that you to look for property on in the area that you would like to go to. Then if you find something, make an appointment and go see that after work.
Well 67 better not be too old! I’m about to turn 69 and plan to move from Philadelphia area back to Texas my home state next summer. I have a daughter in Austin and a son in Houston and plan to keep working as long as I can. I don’t want to get stuck in one place, so I’m planning a tiny house on wheels like Shirley. That way I can go where my job or my life leads me.
Hi Jennifer, You don’t have to leave your work to find land ! There are many other ways :
You can use the services of a Real estate agent , a (bird dog someone who will find just what you need for a small fee. Or you can hunt for property yourself on the internet .
What I would suggest is that you make a list of exactly what you want
such as type and size of parcel (do you want land on a remote mountain top ?
A city , a valley , do you want surface water features pond , creek stream. Do you want cleared land or wooded land ? Is it important for you to be close to a city, or would you prefer a secluded spot. There is a lot of cheap land in Texas, but most of this land is without water so you would either have to drill a costly well ( before you buy land you can sign a contract and make it subject to inspection and there are water suveyers who can do a sount test to locate water for a reasonable fee (maybe $300-600 )without spending $25,000 to drill a well (could turn out to be a very expensive dry hole ) .or plan a large storage tank to collect lots of rain water when it does rain. Generally with a small home on wheels also key information is zoning property taxes and HOA fees if any . Also do you plan to be of grid or hook up to electrical power . Once you decide pretty much what you want . I may be able to help you find what you want . If you don’t want the hassle of finding and buying land
you may be able to rent space in a campsite, or even state park. I live in South Carolina, and here you can rent space with water and electricity, and septic for as low as $15 per day,
and sometimes as low as $9. If you want a trailer base to build the home on You may be able to find a used one for $1000 or less. Don’t assume that your dream is impossible seek and you shall find !
Thanks,
Alex
Very helpful comments – thank you so much, Alex! I’m getting started on my tiny house project soon and am doing it as a woman alone. Very generous of you to post this. Thank you!
Looks great, but could you include pictures or a floor plan? Thank you
A whooooping thumbs up to this little lady! Keep up the great attitude and love of life!
Shirley,
A very good read. Wish I knew more women, or people, like you. This article is as much about Tiny House people and personality type as the abode, and it’s very refreshing. Makes me feel like I’m in very good company when I’m reading the blog.
commendations to you my friend. you totally summed it up: determination, effort, commitment. i laid down a 35+ career in human services and decided to rebuild a vintage teardrop trailer. i barely knew what a hammer was. that led to a crazed addiction to rebuild 3 more. it’s time to move on…would LOVE to learn to build a little house. thank you for the inspiration…who knows where it will lead. you go, girl
Thank you so much for sharing your journey and end product. This made me sigh with longing as my too crowded, falling apart home south of Albuquerque, New Mexico, is more of a burden than a pleasure. When I was a young mother of 7 children, I remember reading a very old poem (author unknown to me) called something like “Old Woman of the Road” wherein a homeless woman stops and gazes at a litle house with firelit windows and expresses longing for just that. I thought then, as now, that, eventually, I also would want only that. Your article reignited that longing.
Old Woman of the Roads
O, to have a little house!
To own the hearth and stool and all!
The heaped up sods against the fire,
The pile of turf against the wall!
To have a clock with weights and chains
And pendulum swinging up and down!
A dresser filled with shining delph,
Speckled and white and blue and brown!
I could be busy all the day
Clearing and sweeping hearth and floor,
And fixing on their shelf again
My white and blue and speckled store!
I could be quiet there at night
Beside the fire and by myself,
Sure of a bed and loth to leave
The ticking clock and the shining delph!
Och! but I’m weary of mist and dark,
And roads where there’s never a house nor bush,
And tired I am of bog and road,
And the crying wind and the lonesome hush!
And I am praying to God on high,
And I am praying Him night and day,
For a little house – a house of my own
Out of the wind’s and the rain’s way.
-Padraic Colum
Good Job!
Love it and Kudos to you. I want to start on mine just no place to build. Love to see inside.
Congratulations on a job well-done! As far as the time it took- my husband has been in construction and when people tell me how long their projects are going to take- I always laugh and tell them to take the time estimate and multiply it by three. Something unexpected ALWAYS comes up- so you actually did pretty good getting it done in two years.
SInce it’s on a trailer- maybe some day when you’re REALLY old, you can simply pull it behind one of your daughters’ homes. That way you could maintain your independence and privacy but still be close enough if you need anything.
I think it’s great and I wish more people had your attitude of “help yourself”. You should contact your local high school and give a lecture to the students there on self-sufficiency.
Dumb me inside pics right there. Fantastic. Wish you could come help me………
Good for you !
It is empowering to have a vision and make it happen.
I have always believed that anyone can do this type of project with enough tenacity patience and vision.
I am currently living on my 24 foot boat featured on this blog
” Nimble Nomad project” and love it.
Hopefully your story will inspire others to do the same.
Regards
Capt. Mike
You are amazing! Thank you for sharing your home!
Thanks for sharing your total experience. So glad you completed your home. It is lovely. Love the pictures.
Love what you did, and your spirit and spunk. You go girl! I built a tiny travel trailer, and will do a tiny house, too. I’m traveling and playing music on the west coast. Blessings to you.
Shirley you did a wonderful job. I hope other woman will see what you have done and say to themselves, I can do that too.
I learned early in life there was no such thing as a free ride thanks to Dad. He wanted his daughter to be able to take care of herself, that included making and fixing things. I’m very glad he did.
Here I am a short hop to 60 I look at my hands that have many scars from working, building and making things. And not one of these scars is from a paper cut from working in an office pushing papers around. No I was on the loader moving dirt or cow feed around or many other jobs that needed to be done.
To the other woman out there learn how to build things, get your own tools so you can fix or make the things you need or want to have. Myself I have my woodworking tools and my metalworking tools, I enjoy working with both.
You never know where you will find your passion in life… There is something very gratifying about building something with your own hands at the end of the day. At the end of the day Shirley can call it home.. way to go girl!
Blessings all Kristine
We hear so much about “young single mothers”. My questions:
1. They never heard about birth control?
2. Abstinence?
3. Where the hell are the FATHERS of those children? Why aren’t they contributing to the well-being of those children? Seriously, the laws in this country regarding deadbeat dads are archaic and extremely sexist. The law ought to be: you help make a baby, you support it until it’s grown, NO EXCEPTIONS. Why was this woman going it alone? Why did she lose her house? Was she getting support from the father?
I’d be a lot more sympathetic towards all those “young, single mothers” if they weren’t a drag on the taxpayer and had a lick of sense.
Over half the folks in this country cannot support themselves. Having sex and babies is normal, everything owned by a few psychopaths is not. I’d have more sympathy with your viewpoint if you had a better appreciation for normal human behavior even in the face of psychopaths controlling the country.
“Everything owned by a few psychopaths”? Are you talking about the rich? The fabled “1%”? Get a clue, babe. The rich are not the problem. The rich build companies, provide jobs and benefits, invest in new technologies and products and services…they are not the problem. Nitwits not taking responsibility for themselves, THAT’S the problem. Having sex and babies is perhaps normal, but it’s also DAMN STUPID if you have them without being able to provide for them. Get it now? Psychopaths are not controlling the country. That’s sheer paranoid idiocy. Here’s some common-sense advice: You want a house, save up for it or get a good loan for it and make damn sure you can keep up with the payments. You want babies, make sure the father is involved, at least financially, or better yet, get married, save up as much as you can and THEN have babies. It’s called facing reality and learning to deal with it. The rich owe you nothing. It’s up to you to live your life so that you can fend for yourself and not expect a handout from anyone.
Two words: Bristol Palin.
Such generalities. Maybe some of those young single mothers erred and have since become productive strong women. I think the whole point of this story is being missed by you…taking life at its low point and moving/pushing/sweating/working it to a higher place. Instead of being one of those women condemning other women in broad stroke generalities, how about getting out there and extending a helping hand up, if you’ve got it so together that you have time to sit on a lofty perch and condemn? I’m not sure what in this made you go off, but you can turn it into being a positive force with a bit of determination to be the light instead of the darkness, there is plenty of that in the world already.
I say huge kudos to this woman, her example and her inspiration. To those who took a wrong detour, or who life brought into a place feeling hopeless, take note! Step by step, there’s a way through and this story is a wonderful example of how to go
Women can do this if they put their mind to it! I had a ten year plan and am building my house now in the pole barn. It was meant for a 14′ mobile home. That fell through, so I drew up plans and had them engineered. Instead of a 14′, I’m using a 16′ area. Hope to have it closed in by fall. I found the property online 12 yrs ago, we have been living on it for 11 yrs. My husband is a long hauler so the building work is all my doing. We have a 16 yrs old son that helps me raise the walls. I’m in my 50’s also! We are off grid!
Gail, I’ve looked into a pole barn as an alternative. How did you do the foundation and floor or supports for the floor? That has me stumped. When I think of pole barn I think of an un-insulated space for equipment or animals, with nothing more than a poured concrete slab at best. But that still doesn’t help me understand what happens at the lower edges of the walls from the websites I’ve investigated.
I came up with a really amazing design using quonset huts, but I don’t know if I can go there aesthetically. I’m not into modern, even if I can enjoy designing it for someone else. I’m looking for a way to achieve cottage charm on a pole barn budget.
Sounds like you got it all together, Gail! Bravo!
Wonderful story. I am starting over too. I bought five acres first, now collecting materials for a cabin. Amazes me that most people are either repelled or fascinated and wishing to do same. Not much middle ground! Awesome women like you keep me inspired when I am tired. I love the tiny houses built by men but there is that cultural mantra that women “can’t.” Lucky me, my dad taught me better… and his voice counts more than the endless barrage.
your story is mine except you have already built your tiny home. and i have always rented. i am in my 50’s, live in new england and raised 2 kids by myself. my educational background is in drafting and interior design, and i have always loved tiny, compact, efficient spaces. had i pursued a career in design it would have been boat or rv interiors. i would love to meet you and see your home if you are willing. i plan on building a variation on the tiny tumbleweed elm 24 overlook. i have been intimidated by the fact that i am a somewhat older woman who has never even built a bookshelf, let alone a house. you inspire me.
Roughly where in New England do you live? I once designed a tiny house that would fit on a party boat (pontoon boat) frame so I totally get where you are coming from! I’m sure with your design and drafting skills your finished Tumbleweed will be gorgeous!
hi shirley,
i live in western rhode island. my email is anugent2@yahoo.com
Thank you so much for sharing your story. I was captivated by your writing. You are gifted in so many ways. Very inspiring indeed. I am sending a copy to my young niece. If you haven’t already, please start a blog. I would read it everyday!
What an inspiring story! Thank you for sharing it. I am so impressed with the home you have created! It’s charming, cozy and seems like perfection to me and to know you did this yourself has got to be so affirming. It’s a reminder that adversity can be a great teacher and also one of the best antidotes to succumbing to inertia and fear.
You should think about writing more or lecturing on your experience. 🙂
I have just spent the past hour + absorbing your blog for your tiny house, and I am obliged to praise your insight and dedication to complete a monumental vision for yourself. I hope that you will inspire many to follow you. The good Lord helps those who help themselves with integrity.
Yes well done! I have been living in my 200 square foot home for a couple of years now.
http://tinyhouseswoon.com/steely-cottage/
Your story and what you have accomplished is a testament to what one can do when faced with a determination that could have easily been derailed by fear and or doubt. The freedom and joy of living in a home that you built yourself and releasing encumbering possessions and crushing debt, feels pretty great!
Best of luck!
Very very nicely done!
Kudos! I wish I could have the ability to do what you have accomplished. However, ill health makes it impossible. I’m proud of . . . never giving up and taking care of yourself. Too bad everyone else doesn’t do the same. You took responsibility for yourself and you are a heroine to me.
What an accomplishment! 🙂
You have a lot to be proud of
Hi. Well done you! Im in the Uk and I think we have smaller houses than you in the US normally anyway but I still have a thing about looking at all these tiny homes and clever little flats. I am a married 50 year old with 3 kids. Two almost grown up. Probably because when I was young and I lived a time both in a caravan and a small house boat, I still privately yearn for my own tiny home again. Maybe one day….. we’ll see. But one thing that did strike me with yours is that the design is all on one level. So many of these tiny homes mean climbing up ladders to bed. Not there yet myself but there must come a time when that gets a bit dangerous if not impossible.
Anyway, its 2014 now so I guess you must be finished now. So hope you are home and happy. It all looks great!!
(By the way agree so much with the comment about all the stuff a person can leave behind for others to sort out. My own Mother died as a bit of a recluse in a house ‘full’ of Stuff……)
All the best for your future. Aly
You truly are an inspiration. In this day & age when folks (both genders) throw up their hands and claim they “just can’t do it!”, you did and, in the process, made the rest of us females proud! Congrats & Enjoy – you earned it!
Wonderful, inspiring story.You are a modern pioneer and shining example to the millions of Americans faced with the unfolding realization that,even with a recovering economy, things will not return to pre-recession conditions. Things have tipped too far in favor of the affluent segment of our society to equalize any time soon – nor should it! The good news is that it doesn’t need to. What these greedy bankers and energy merchants don’t understand is the quality of life that can come from a simpler, more nature-sensitive lifestyle, something that is hard to imagine from a luxury apartment on the 40th floor of some Manhattan skyscraper. Which is a good thing too – perhaps they wont notice the quiet revolution that is taking place far below because of the new pioneers (Bioneers?) like you.
Thank you for the encouragement and inspiration!
I just love your refreshing outlook on this tiny house or Simplier lifestyle shift thats taking place. Thanks for your insight!
Fantastic job! I do wonder, though, about tiny houses on trailers. What’s to stop someone from hitching up your home and driving off into the sunset with it? (Not that they’d get far!) Is there some sort of lock on the wheels?
Congratulations on your wonderful accomplishment. I have to ask, where are you in New England ? I’m in New Hampshire and would love to find a
tiny house community somewhere.. tnx – Em
Fabulous read and an inspiration to us all (especially women, and I am just oing to turn 53!). I’ve been wanting a iny home for ever and with the economey as it is, and my huge 25’X25′ cabin would be great to rent out during summers while I gypsy it along in my teardrop trailer, this is the boost I need!Thanks!
Hi, lovely work I envy your energy.
I would love to see the interior of your home and the work you completed in it .
Interior photo no. 3 showes you have a non vented LP gas hot water heater.
We have one at work inside a 50×50 shop and when it is in use we have a 1ox12 open garage door.
I see a problem using this inside a tiny house due to the small amount of air volume you have inside to begin with.
Non-vented gas apliances used inside a home will not meet a building code anywhere.
You need to realize that the products of combustion are inside of your tiny house, when this type of water heater is in use.
When you shower inside of your tiny home the water heater’s chimney is vented to the inside mixing the products of combustion with the air you breathe.
Carbonmonixide is an oderless tastless gas. ” A silent Killer”
I have written a two part article on Tiny homes and indoor air quality on this site before.
Before I get flamed from this post ask yourself just how much of a dose of an ooderless posion can you or your family take?
I love what you have accomplished with your lovely home, but I want is for you to be safe, inside of your home.
There are a couple of “tweaks” I’ve yet to make. That’s one of them but thanks for taking the time to ask about it. I have seen three other tiny houses that have used exactly the same set up as I have here but I tend to have overbuilt in some ways so before I’m done with my tweaks I’m sure this will be no different. Thanks very much for that thought!
Fantastic story – that you so much for sharing! As a single girl, this has helped me to be more confident in my ability to realise my dream and build my own tiny home
I loved this post and your lovely house. In fact, I have to admit it made me a little bit teary. I feel like most people–I hate to say it, but I mean male people–assume I won’t be able to build a house and a lot of times I’m tempted to believe them. Thanks for your inspiring story!
Thanks all who took the time to comment here. I did read through all of them and notice that many of you have had very interesting “tiny” lifestyles already. Kudos to those of you who have already built your own tiny homes and thanks to those of you who gave me suggestions, encouragement, and “thumbs up” for what may be additional avenues somewhere down the road. I don’t want to clog up Kent’s blog so please know that I truly appreciate the time each and every one of you took to read my story, check out my blog, and leave me a note. Blessings to all and best of luck on your own unique projects! May they bring you as much as mine has brought me.
Wow! I cannot tell you how much MY story sounds like this ladys story… All i am missing (in planning stages of) the Tiny House. Coming Soon… Wow! Congrats on the great work spiritually & physically & i am following your blog adventures over on wordpress 😀
What an inspiring story and a lovely home! I am proud of your determination and skill. God Bless You!