A week ago today, I was interviewed by George Packard, a professional videographer in New Hampshire and his wife Joan. They came to my house and we spent a couple hours talking about tiny houses and the issues involved in this trend. George recently interviewed tiny house builder Tim Guiles about his tiny house projects and shared this video with me.
Tim Guiles says: I believe that living in a small home can be fun, comfortable, and a great way to promote peace in the world. Small homes use less resources to build; they are easy to maintain; and they are very affordable!
George is currently working on completing several more videos on tiny houses, one with Jay Shafer and one with Stephen Marshall of Little House on the Trailer. He also interviewed Mike Litchfield author of a new book called “In-laws, Outlaws, and Granny Flats: Your Guide to Turning One House into Two Homes”
Be sure to subscribe to George’s YouTube Channel to catch those upcoming videos when they are published. George also blogs at CuriouslyLocal.com and will be revamping his site soon.
You can view more pictures and find out more details about the tiny houses featured in the video at YesWeeCabins.com.
Such an inviting and cozy home! I really like the small, four-burner stove. I could never give up cooking, even in a small house.
Hi
You made an interesting statement in the video, you said “Every time I come out here…” That is not the statement of someone describing coming home to the place they live in, but rather language that would suggest some place they visit. So my question is, would you like to clarify? Do you live in that house full time?
Hi Russ, this is Kate, Tim’s partner. Tim’s reference to coming “out here” has mostly to do with where we have placed the cabin, which is about a ten minute walk from where, for at least half the time here in Vermont, we have to park our cars. The walk involves a small valley path which crosses over a stream and the house is out in a beautiful field which is hard to grasp in the wintry video. That being said, we haven’t been living full time in the cabin this past winter (but have lived in it up to this winter since the fall of 2009) because we are both EMT’s and need to be able to respond in a timely way but we are looking to remedy that for next winter. Additionally, Tim has owned a house on that property which he is currently planning on selling but which houses his piano and my knitting studio. I love living in the tiny house and sometimes have had to pry myself out of its cozy protective walls but also know that having another space for those other interests brings me a useful balance. Tim is planning on building a 30′ x 50′ “community center” meant to eventually be a shared public space where we (and, hopefully someday, others) can come to as a performance, creative, eating, light living space. Anyway, that was a long answer but thanks for your interest!
I think that is really nice. Perhaps a little ‘skirt’ around the bottom will give it a more ‘permanent’ feel to it?
why pink?
Why not? 😉
I’m with Anne; LOVE that pink!
I like. The addition of high shelves for storage and the windows (love!) open up the (nominally larger) space. On a foundation (and not pink) this would be one of my favorite designs in wood so far seen on Kent’s site. Seriously well done.
I LOVE this house! It is by FAR my favorite style of the tiny houses! And what a cool guy, excellent narration! 🙂
I totally agree w Bethany. This is my fav..oh btw pink is my fav color! Can I buy one? Seriously.
Shay
Very impressive! I think I need just a little more space, are ya interested??(maybe more than a little for now)love you both xxxooo
How did I miss this when it was originally posted – EXCELLENT video. I think his narration and thoughts on life, time, and fuel were fascinating. I LOVE that he acknowledges that different houses fit different people and that Jay’s tumbleweed was “too small” for him.
I’m disappointed with Kate’s response above, noting that they don’t live in the house full time. This seems to be a common theme among tiny house owners – there is always some reason they are not suitable all the time. What is the remedy for that?? In my not so expert opinion, I think maybe small houses, even very small houses, might be more adaptable to full-time, all-the-time living, than a true tiny house. or not. just a thought.
I own an 1800 sq ft home that is about 1700 sq feet too big. I’d love to downsize into a tiny house but a big problem for me is where to park it. Undeveloped land these days is becoming competative with, if not outrunning, developed property pricing. I’d like to see “tiny house parks” because to rent in a regular RV park can cost 1K/mo (without hookups). Hopefully, someday some way people who are buying land will buy enough to be able to share it with others and start their own community hives of tiny housing all over the country. I’ve seen two photographs of rows of tiny houses side-by-side all lined up together and they look fabulous! (One is the Puget Sound colony and the other is a photo in this issue of Tiny House Blog newsletter.) I have started putting money aside for my tiny house. I’m waiting for the regular housing market to come back up so I can sell this place off. My mother lives in a cottage that is 400 sq feet and she loves it (I’ve tried to get her to switch but so far no luck!) When it comes time to build, I’m certainly going to have another look at Tim’s Wee Cabins because this pink one is totally wonderful!
Hi Kent,
This is Louise from Ottawa, Canada. Remember me? We met at Jenine’s open house a couple of years ago: I flew to California to attend Jenine’s open house after seeing your post.
I always feel inspired when I read your Tiny House Blog. I’ve been refining my own tiny-house-floor-plan over the years and now, I’m ready to turn my dream into reality.
My search for a builder has led me to your March 23rd, 2011 “Tim’s Yes Wee Cabins” post. I’ve tried to find Tim at but there is no website associated with that URL.
Please, if you have Tim’s email address, I would very much appreciate your sending it to me or your forwarding my email address to him.
It’s always a pleasure to receive a new issue of the Tiny House Blog! I’d love to see “Louise’s Tiny House” featured here one day. 🙂
Keep up the good work, Ken!
Louise
Probably the most natural video I have seen on small homes. Great points on why the comfort of life do not require massive unused space. Like myself, finding a comfort zone is what they do. I feel best at 200 Sq.Ft. per person but then I am an old full figured tugboat captain.
@ Barb: Kate was being honest. the builder is not, and now lives in a 3500 square foot house. he talks the talk, but he’s not so good with the walk. rather hypocritical, don’t you think?
Tim,
Great concept and an even better home. I will be retiring in 18 months and downsizing is the way to go. I have been carrying to many things for far too long. I will be a single guy with a medium to large sized dog, preferrably in upstate NY. What would I need to make this happen. It would be my intention to live in the house full time. Generator, well, location and solar panels. Thanks for your time and effort.
Hi Tim,
Do you make a model of your home as just the shell that someone less physically can finish? I loved watching the video and have shared it with many others. Keep up the good work it’s catching on.
Wow!!!! This is such a lovely home to live in. When we saw the tiny house documentary, my husband and i was very thrilled. This is the kind of house we were dreaming of. Thank you for sharing. We can not wait to build our own someday.