Straw Bale – Building with Awareness

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Recently I have had the opportunity to review Ted Owens Guidebook and DVD – “Building With Awareness.“ Green designer and filmmaker Ted Owens has spent much of his professional career in the field of energy and resource-efficient design. Award-winning filmmaker and designer Ted Owens guides you through the entire construction … Read more

Tiny House Essentials:
How to Scale Down in Comfort and Style

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Contributed by: Angela-Parker

So you have decided to go smaller. Depending on your age, you have probably shocked your parents or your children (or if you are a true rebel — maybe both generations in one dramatic swoop!)

Now that you have committed yourself to more sustainable living and a more enjoyable existence with less worry, less responsibility and less “stuff” — you want to determine how to scale back comfortably and fit your desired lifestyle into a tiny home.

I have a few tips that may help ease your transition and create a living space that you simply adore!Smaller does not mean less interesting, it usually means just the opposite. You will get more impact with fewer furnishings and your personal style will shine through. Your tiny house should fit your life while keeping you safe, happy, organized and unfettered. It should be designed to tremendously reduce the time, energy and money required to repair, maintain, clean and finance your living quarters so you can spend more of your personal resources enjoying your life.

What is a Tiny Home?

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Build a Small Log Cabin #4

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This is part 4 of a series on building a small log cabin. This is a reprint from a 1983 Popular Mechanics article by Michael Chotiner with illustrations done by Harry Schaare.Enjoy and I hope this helps in your quest for the ultimate tiny log cabin. As we move up … Read more

Build a Small Log Cabin #3

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This is part 3 of a series on building a small log cabin. This is a reprint from a 1983 Popular Mechanics article by Michael Chotiner with illustrations done by Harry Schaare. Enjoy and I hope this helps in your quest for the ultimate tiny log cabin. Many different types … Read more

Build a Small Log Cabin #2

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This is part 2 of a series on building a small log cabin. This is a reprint from a 1983 Popular Mechanics article by Michael Chotiner with illustrations done by Harry Schaare. Enjoy and I hope this helps in your quest for the ultimate tiny log cabin. Many pioneer cabins … Read more

Build a Small Log Cabin #1

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There has been so much interest in tiny and small log cabins that I have found a second article that really fits this area. This is a reprint from a 1983 Popular Mechanics article by Michael Chotiner with illustrations done by Harry Schaare. Enjoy and I hope this helps in … Read more

Financing Your Straw Bale Project

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If you are interested in straw bale construction you will want to know how to finance it. Andrew Morrison of StrawBale.com has written the following article that covers this topic. Enjoy! Financing Your Straw Bale Project One of the most difficult aspects of building with straw bales may be finding … Read more

Straw Bale and Timber Frame

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Straw bale works extremely well with timber frame construction. It is a great infill for tiny houses and small cottages. Andrew Morrison of Jacksonville, Oregon with his company at StrawBale.com has designed the neatest little cottage using these two elements. This peaceful little cottage is perfect for the do-it-yourselfer who … Read more

Tiny Timber Frame Houses

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timber frame structure

Timber frame construction was used by early settlers. It is recognized by its large timbers and intricate joints. The strong structural timbers support the roof without the need for support from the walls. To give lateral support and to help resist the wind, diagonal knee braces are used throughout.There are … Read more

Build Your Own Tiny Log Cabin (Part 3)

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log walls

In this post we will discuss some tips for success and ways to finish your tiny log cabin. Steps to success: Draw your plans Build a scale model Make a materials list Do a cost analysis based on the materials list Redraw the plans to fit your budget Cut your … Read more

Build Your Own Tiny Log Cabin (Part 2)

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In this post we will discuss the tools needed to construct your log cabin also how to create a log catalog of all your logs, seasoning the logs and five basic principals of construction.   1. Tools you will Need Chain sawBlock and tackle (6″ triple block)Hand winch or come-along … Read more