Tiny Yellow House #3

Yesterday, I went to San Francisco with Steve from Tumbleweed to the Web 2.0 Expo and when I returned Deek had notified me about the latest jam band  episode of Tiny Yellow House. So you get to hear from Deek two days in a row. Derek Diedricksen and guitarist Bill/William Bracken, … Read more

Deek’s Veggie Oil Heater

Hey Kent,

First off, thank you for this opportunity as guest article-author on your blog, and and additional thanks to yourself, and the others out there (Janzen, Kahn, Stiles, Pino, etc) who have been very helpful and supportive of what I’m doing (in regards to my 100% independent tiny housing book, and video/tv show).

As for the “Tiny Yellow House” series on youtube, the vegetable oil space heater (woodstove alternative) that was briefly shown in Episode #2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmR3kx660gw is something that I understand you (as well as I) have gotten a ton of email questions on.

All in all, since its rather difficult to just blurt out every constructive detail of the heater, I’ve sent you a hand sketched diagram of it instead, that was drawn as part of my follow-up to the book “Humble Homes, Simple Shacks…” which I’m still working on as we speak…er…as I type. The sketch, albeit busy and detail laden, should help give people the general idea I came up with, and I’m sure there ultimately will be twenty better ways to build this thing. All in all, while using a multi-wick system (more flames = more heat), this veggie-oil heater gives off a rather decent amount of heat that should be adequate for well-sealed tiny cabins, or should at least prolong your season or stay in a cabin, depending on your climate, naturally.

Read more

Little House on the Prairie

I introduced you to Paul McMullin from Ennis, Montana in a previous post and told you I would be sharing more of his work. Here is another little cabin he built and I will let him describe it to you.

I call this one the “Little House on the Prairie.” I built this because my mental health was deteriorating as I was sitting behind my desk late winter doing my usual business stuff for that time of year. I had to get outside and produce something regardless of the weather.

This is what I built. A 14 X 16 inside with a 4 x 14 foot deck. Not knowing how it might be used I left the inside as if you were in the belly of the whale, studs, rafters, and sheeting. I live in a small town of about 1000 so I know most people and most stopped by to see what Paul’s up to. The place was completed, a for sale sign was attached and my mind was back in order.

If you would like to contact Paul you can email him at paulmcmullin@hotmail.com.

Read more