california - Part 7

Marc’s California Custom Cabins

Marc Hyman from Santa Barbara, California contacted me a while back about his new business called Custom Cabins. It is so neat to see more and more builders considering small spaces. Marc shared his ideas with me, so I will let him tell you more about Custom Cabins.

After researching the market for the past 3 years, I have come up with a common sense approach to building small, tight, eco cabins.

In a nut shell, I do what most weekend / amateur / average eco dreamers can’t do for themselves. I deliver a properly framed and built shell of a cabin with a sturdy base, watertight walls and roof, and square walls. I avoid doing interiors in order to deliver a very affordable product. The average guy / gal can go to HomeDepot and buy flooring, shelves, wall coverings in order to complete the cabin themselves or with the help of a good handyman (handyperson).

This allows me to deliver an affordable, highly flexible / adaptable space.

Kenwood Guestroom/Cottage for Sale

by Kent Griswold

Todd West of Kenwood California has what he calls the “Kenwood Guestroom/Cottage” up for sale. Here is Todd’s description.

The framing was done with dry sound reclaimed fir. I use two layers of 5/8″ plywood for the sub floor. the exterior and interior walls are also 5/8″ plywood. I textured the interior to look exactly like drywall. the ceiling is drywall. the floor is reclaimed refinished oak. All it needs is a bit of siding and some exterior trim.

The interior ceiling height is 8.5″ at the walls and 9’3″ in the center. The big window is 4’x5′, the dutch door is 36″, and the french doors are 8′ tall x 5′ wide. the interior is painted and trimmed with reclaimed painted redwood 1×4. It is wired for 4 duplex outlets and one porch light. The total height is 10′ 5″. The attached redwood deck is 4′ x 10’3″ it is also reclaimed wood. Over all it is a nice cozy space.

Homemade Homeless Shelter

by Kent Griswold

The New York Times has a video produced by Sean Patrick Farrell about a man in California who is using his ranch as a special homeless shelter and rehab center. The difficulties he has encountered and the laws he has chosen to ignore to make this work. Thanks Jeff for letting me know about this video.

Dan de Vaul has taken in dozens of homeless people by building ramshackle, illegal housing on his ranch in San Luis Obispo, Calif. Some see him as a good Samaritan, but others consider the ranch to be a dangerous eyesore. Watch the “Homemade Homeless Shelter video here.”

Photos from video by Sean Patrick Farrell

Jenine’s Tiny House on a Trailer

by Kent Griswold

I always enjoy finding someone new building a house and especially locally where I can go an observe. I was talking with my neighbor a few houses down who is planning on constructing one himself and he told me that he was helping Jenine Alexander build one in downtown Healdsburg and invited me to come meet her. Jenine has had quite the experiences in her life and I would encourage you to explore her blog and find out more about her travels. Right now though I want her to share her story about the house she is building.

I’m building this enormous tiny house, more accurately, it’s building me. I began with wood from a barn a friend and I took down in Cotati and a 7′ x 16′ utility/ flatbed/ car hauler/ trailer. With each decision, my approach has been to imagine a million other people making the same choice I’m considering.

An Atypical Tree House via Dwell

by Kent Griswold

Ryan alerted me to this 172 square foot tree house which serves as an office and guest room that was featured in Dwell.

This office/guest house is built on an estate in Brentwood, California a suburb of Los Angeles and was designed by Rockefeller Partners Architects, Inc. I’m sure this was an expensive tree house but that information was not given.

The architects took about eight months to design the tree house. Construction of the inhabitable sculpture, with its studio and lounge, took another 18 months.

Cozy Cottage

by Kent Griswold

***Sold*** Lorna emailed me yesterday to tell me that the cottage is still available and that she would like to find someone soon to make this little cottage their home. She has also just reduced the price to $15,999. You can view the cottage at 8283 Valley View Drive in … Read more

Tour of the Epu

by Christina Nellemann

On my last trip to Sebastopol, California. I was able to visit Jay Shafer’s Epu. He has moved it to a new location within town, but still offers open house tours on the first Saturday of each month from 2-4 p.m. My husband, Harry Thomas, a semi-professional photographer took a … Read more