Shanty in the Woods

I’ve had blog problems the last few days and have been unable to post. I have it working again so want to share Jeff’s story about his shanty in North Carolina.

About 4 years ago we bought a piece of property on the banks of the New River in the mountains of North Carolina.

After months of tent camping in what we later found out to be one of the few temperate rain forest in North America, we thought a better structure would be in our best interest.

shanty-front

We were doing real well tucked backed in the woods minding our own business when we noticed a nice little official looking note taped to the door. Well unfortunately, it wasn’t “Welcome Wagon” or a nice neighbor, but the county calling attention to the fact that we had built a structure in their flood plain without their knowledge and without a permit.

Well after some conversation we thought it would be in our best interest to move the building out of the floodplain.  I had a neighbor bring a forklift after I laid block and pick it up and set it down in its new home. I had a sneaking suspicion that eventually the county would find it so I intentionally built it less than 70 sq ft as that is what the code defines a habitable room, I thought it might work in my favor.  I do think it helped! It is 64 sq ft by the outside dimensions of 8 by 8,

It is solar and insulated and with a flat screen TV, a toilet, and a queen size bed, it has been our home practically every weekend for the past 3 1/2 years while we build a larger house by ourselves.  It stays warm with body heat (two adults and a 70lb dog) in winters that can see 40+ inches of snow.  It has been absolutely great! It forces you to get out and stay active.

View more photographs of Jeff’s shanty below.

shanty-back

shanty-side

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38 thoughts on “Shanty in the Woods”

  1. It would be quite interesting to see the layout of the house.. Also wondering why it is so far off from the ground ?

    Part of this ‘flood plains’ or does it have a ‘basement’ for sleeping purposes ?

    Now only if I can buy some land ….

    Reply
  2. How much did it cost to build roughly?

    The wife and i want to build a small structure like yours on our land in canada.

    Place is lovely!

    Cheers

    Destin

    Reply
  3. Jeff and Kathys shanty is absouletly adorable and life down at the river is wonderful. I can’t wait to come spend a day again real soon! I want to bring Lucy so she can run and play too!

    Reply
  4. My dictionary says a shanty is a “small, crudely built shack.” This ain’t that!

    It looks like we may as well give up on the interior shots.

    In case we ever do get answers, I’d like to know what the little door on the back is for. The dog?

    Maybe the skylight is the “solar?”

    Reply
    • Hi Benjamin, No I was never able to get interior shots from the owner, he said it was to tight for pictures. I agree it hardly looks like a shanty but that is what they chose to call it. The little door is for their dog. Sorry I don’t have more information but I can only pass on what I can from the owners. Kent

      Reply
  5. Echoing all the others who want a floor plan. We are considering remodeling an 8×8 existing shed on the acreage we just bought while we build our real ‘tiny home’ (just less tiny than the shed). But trying to figure out how to lay out 8×8 feet is really challenging for a grownup + kid.

    A queen bed is 5×7 feet (just the mattress, on one of those metal frames with nothing sticking out) and that doesn’t leave much. Trying to figure out whether our hide-a-bed sofa would work, with maybe a couple of folding chairs & table that we hang up at the end of the day.

    Reply
  6. I love this little house and may want to put a similar version on my land outside of Lynchburg, Va. Like others, I would like plans, list of materials, cost of construction estimate, etc. Any help this way?

    Bob

    Reply

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