Boston, MA resident and long-time tiny house designer, blogger, author, and youtube host Derek “Deek” Diedricksen, will be the host, designer, AND part of the building crew for an upcoming new HGTV show entitled “Tiny House Builders”. The show will debut as a sneak peak on Sunday, December 14th at 1pm. Deek, whose design work has been featured from The NY Times, to The UK Daily News, will also be featured (his second time), on a tiny house edition of ABC’s “Chronicle HD”, also slated to air soon.
“I think people are going to dig the HGTV episodes, or at least I hope so”, said Diedricksen, “We’re doing things the hard way, and at break-neck speed, and all off-grid too, in just four days- so its just absolutely grueling- but the end product in each episode is something I’m pretty proud of, and the builds and approaches are pretty darn unique. Best yet. I’m doing all this with a team I got to hand pick- all guys local to me. My brother Dustin is on my building crew and plays the occasional part of co-host, I have two long time musician friends and tradesmen in Jim Shippey and “Creature” (from the musical act “Woodland Creatures”), and I brought in this guy Phil Laplante, a New Hampshire resident, who is just as positive and entertaining as they come. He was my back-up carpenter on another string of online episodes I did for HGTV and The DIY Network in 2012. He never got ANY screen time, per contract, and I thought it was insane- the guy’s just great- so I brought him on board. Melissa Teper, aka “DJ Melissa”, from my FM radio dj days at 104.1 WBCN Boston (Deek’s CBS co-host for two years), and this guy we call “Johnny Milwaukee” (Jon Lyman) round out the cast. I told HGTV that I didn’t want any wimps, supermodels, or high-maintenance mirror addicts, and they were cool with it. So if you’re looking for Brad Pitt attempting to wield a hammer with slow-motion hair flips, or Heidi Klum prancing on a beach, sorry, we can’t give you that.
“Tiny House Builders” is a one hour program and the initial episode was filmed in Lunenberg, MA, with, as Deek reports, deep, deep, in the woods. “If they pick up more shows, beyond the pair we’ve delivered so far, I certainly would want to build something in my own town, and my hometown in the Connecticut, so that’s something I would push for. I have a few ideas I want to pitch already, as honestly, if it were up to me, I’d build and shoot everything very locally- less of a commute, I love my town, and I wouldn’t have to be away from my family for long periods of time. We’ll see where the show takes us though, and heck, if it doesn’t take off, I have so much going on with my next book (“Microshelters” via Storey Press- Sept ’15), custom tree house and backyard office builds, and my hands-on design workshops around the US, that I’ll just focus more on those instead. I also want to do more with my painting and art, in fact, I have a few long-brewing ideas for the ailing downtown center of my town and even started up a facebook page to try and spread some of these possible revitalization approaches.
In episode one, as Deek has shared with us, “We’re building a seasonal cabin in the woods for a family, but one that’s part tree house, that straddles a stream, and that has a glass floor, among other things. Episode two will move into a more traditional tiny home in that it is fully insulated, and with all the amenities.
Deek currently has a book out titled “Humble Homes, Simple Shacks” available on amazon.com, and runs he blog www.relaxshacks.com, as well as the youtube channel “RelaxshacksDOTcom“.
Deek will also have a small, intimate, hands-in workshop in his art studio (hands-on), in mid January- a one-day workshop focusing on tree house building, but with tiny house design and discussion worked in. This will be a full day workshop, with another to closely follow. For more information, check out his blog www.relaxshacks.com for upcoming details, which will be posted soon. This workshop will be limited to twelve students.
Oooh if only we could get it in Germany. Hope to see it pirated soon on YouTube, haha.
Awesome! I am so glad that the tiny house movement is getting this kind of attention. My build is moving along. I’m in upstate NY and a lot f people are questioning my decision. But these types of shows can offer people opportunity and see it really isn’t crazy to downsize. I also know a lot of people very interested in my tiny house build and considering options for themselves. Best of luck with the show! I’ll be watching and spreading the word! ~ ??
You guys are too cool. Deek’s drawings take me back to the 70s. I like the polycarbonate end walls idea, more shack than a real residence, but great in a woods setting. I’m building a SIPs tiny on a 20′ Kaufman trailer now. Talk about warm! Also did a 10 x 11 tiny with no electric service with my son a few years ago. We did the whole thing in 3 weeks, hired a carpenter, metal skins and roof. Glad to see Deek’s leadership in this movement. Keep Truckin’!
Am SO happy for you!!! You’ll do a SUPER job, as always!!!
You need some serious editing for grammer.
Really, of all the things he said, that is your takeaway? Please!!
Ditto! Love, love, love you, your show your books, and videos. It was fantastic, the best, greatest , ect…… Ect… Do more!
Im so mad at grammar girl, what a petty person looking to bring down such a great show and people such as Deek and company
I think your comment needs some serious editing.
ONE, what, specifically, were you referring to? Kent’s delivery of the annnouncement, Deek’s quoted statements (as written to/told to Kent) or everything?
And TWO, as a former English-stickler/Grammar-girl, myself (MS came along and kind of spoiled all of that, however), I actually saw VERY LITTLE that needed any correction, beit grammar OR spelling. A few dubious hyphen usages, that was it.
So perhaps your coffee was a tad short on sugar that morning…
I often wonder, when I see comments as short and vague as this one, what EXACTLY was the writer’s beef?
If you have a whole lot to say, say it.
But don’t waste your time or ours with nit-picking snipes lthat really do nothing to, or for, the ‘group discussion’.
Hey Rita, thanks. Isn’t is spelled “grammar” though? lol. Have a good one/take care….
Does anyone know if there’s a way to watch episodes online for all of us without cable? This looks pretty fabulous!
I hope it runs it’s not on the TV guide for the 14th.
Is this going to be similar to the show Tiny House Nation?
SO PLEASED! Watching Deek’s new show “Tiny House Builders” on NOW, noon (12pm CST). Sunday, December 14th (on the HGTV channel, a channel I have considered one of my top 5 favorite/must-haves for over a decade plus!). I had forgotten to bookark/reminder it, actually… just channel surfed in time to catch DEEK’S grinning mug as it opened around 12:02! I thought, I KNOW that face… and sure enough, memory poked at my MS-addled brain, AHA! 😉
SO PROUD of ‘our Deek’…. most of us saw this coming (tv stardom), tho’: Deek’s always been very photogenic, friendly, easy to watch/identify with…. not to mention KNOWLEDGEABLE and CREATIVE!
I’m honored to have known of/followed this ‘kid’ for almost a decade now… since he really WAS a ‘kid’ proudly – but oh so humbly! LOL – showing off his ‘tooning and building sketches….
WooHoo, Deek! 😉
Sure he’ll find a way to share the episodes with US, online in some way, later (those who can’t watch or get HGTV?)….
Just saw the show!! That house was the bomb!! The clear floor to see the river? Total Zen – So glad you guys are doing this show! Dig Relax Shacks as well! More please!
I loved watching the show. I hope they pick it up as a regular series. I hope you do a film on a home done off grid, showing a lot of good sustainability features.
What is the largest Mobil Tiny house you have built?
Due to a disability, I need a mobile tiny home with a bed on the main floor. Any ideas?
I know this is dated way after the last one…but you need to do a tiny house in Texas. Chandler, Texas. We live way in the country, have livestock and my husband is 6″9″, 250 lbs. Up for a challenge?????