tiny house joy

traditional moldings would be nice

Have you seen moldings in tiny or small houses?

Moldings add vertical interest between walls and ceilings of all types. They also eliminate monotony from similar materials and colors. Most importantly, they offer a subtle, finishing touch.

See the traditional white crown molding installed in this welcoming entry area. The tiny cottage is based on Whidbey plans from Tumbleweed Houses. (At Home Arkansas)

See the traditional white crown molding installed in this welcoming entry area. The tiny cottage is based on Whidbey plans from Tumbleweed Houses. (At Home Arkansas)

One rustic treatment caught our eye because it’s not a true molding. Instead, barn wood is installed like a formal picture frame around the ceiling — and creates a smart transitional impact.

Brownback wood comes from the protected, unexposed back of reclaimed barn siding. Milled pieces get used to define the ceiling here. (JC Woodworking, Houzz)

Brownback wood comes from the protected, unexposed back of reclaimed barn siding. Milled pieces get used to define the ceiling here. (JC Woodworking, Houzz)

Whether you envision a modern home, cabin, cottage, bungalow or other style, there are many molding options. Start looking up for your downsizing inspirations, even in larger places. As a reference, below are some classic shapes.

Architectural styles call for different plane, concave, convex and complex molding shapes. In tiny houses, moldings are possible on a smaller scale. (Classicist)

Architectural styles call for different plane, concave, convex and complex molding shapes. In tiny houses, moldings are possible on a smaller scale. (Classicist)

More information: Molding prices vary depending on whether you pre-purchase or make them from scratch, plus installation costs. To see some of the steps, check out Fine Homebuilding or DIY Network.

a little southern style

Where have you been all my life, lovely little Southern house? It turns out that Southern Living sells smaller plans, designed exclusively by local architects. Design changes are possible for a fee.

Let’s take a look, from smallest to largest houses.

"Fontanel Bunkie" has an open plan, along with a bathroom, tiny kitchen and attic storage. It features 317 sq. ft. and an 18 ft. width. (Our Town Plans, Peachtree City, GA)

“Fontanel Bunkie” has an open plan, along with a bathroom, tiny kitchen and attic storage. It features 317 sq. ft. and an 18 ft. width. (Our Town Plans, Peachtree City, GA)

"Garden Cottage" sports separate living and bedrooms, a small bathroom and galley kitchen. The 540 sq. ft. size excludes its porch. (Architects Group 3 Design, Hilton Head, SC)

“Garden Cottage” sports separate living and bedrooms, a small bathroom and galley kitchen. The 540 sq. ft. size excludes its porch. (Architects Group 3 Design, Hilton Head, SC)

"Grayson Trail" is a open cottage that has a bedroom and plus loft. At 808 sq. ft., it seems like a just enough, right space. (Architect William H. Phillips, Dauphin Island, AL)

“Grayson Trail” is a open cottage that has a bedroom plus loft. At 808 sq. ft., it seems like a just enough, right space. (Architect William H. Phillips, Dauphin Island, AL)

"210 Gentilly Road" is a classic New Orleans shot-gun house with 934 sq. ft. We found this one through a Southern Living architect. (Our Town Plans, Peachtree City, GA)

“210 Gentilly Road” is a classic New Orleans shot-gun house with 934 sq. ft. We found this one through a Southern Living architect. (Our Town Plans, Peachtree City, GA)

"Topwater Lodge" has country and southern influences, such as dual porches. Featuring three levels and 1,042 sq. ft., this home fits a family. (Architects Caldwell/Cline, Marietta, GA)

“Topwater Lodge” has country and southern influences like dual porches. Featuring three levels and 1,042 sq. ft., the home fits a family. (Architects Caldwell/Cline, Marietta, GA)

name these three buildings

These three buildings pay tribute to houses, though it’s hard to tell their exact functions. After taking a look, identify whether you see an apartment building, hotel or standalone house. (Answers at bottom.)

Holland — Apartments or Hotel?

HOLLAND - Smile at the fanciful building facade, located 10 minutes from Amsterdam's city core. (Dezeen)

HOLLAND – Smile at the fanciful building facade, located 10 minutes from Amsterdam’s city core. (Dezeen)

HOLLAND - Like a mirage, this building rises with hundreds of houses. The picture comes from its 2010 construction. (Dezeen)

HOLLAND – Like a mirage, this building rises with hundreds of house facades. The picture comes from its 2010 construction. (Dezeen)

Cambridge, MA — Apartments or House?

CAMBRIDGE, MA - This modern structure provides privacy yet surprisingly open and light interiors. Is it one or three units? (Archdaily)

CAMBRIDGE, MA – This modern structure provides privacy yet surprisingly open and light interiors. Is it one or three units? (Archdaily)

CAMBRIDGE, MA - This plywood-clad structure includes three slightly rotated and assembled modules. (Archdaily)

CAMBRIDGE, MA – This plywood-clad structure includes three slightly rotated and assembled modules. (Archdaily)

New York City — Apartments or Hotel?

NYC - On the right is a rendering of an approved building in four subtle colors. Can you tell its future use? (nArchitects)

NYC – On the right is a rendering of an approved building, in four subtle colors. Can you tell its future use? (nArchitects)

NYC - During construction, each living space will be assembled by crane. They look like modern tiny homes! (nArchitects)

NYC – During construction, each living space will be assembled by crane. They look like modern tiny homes! (nArchitects)

Answers: (1) Successful Inntel hotel in Holland; (2) Standalone “X-S” house in Cambridge, MA; and (3) Future modular apartment building in New York City.

Teeny decor for your tiny house

It’s natural to admire teeny decor, which some tiny housers proudly display or even use. With a little thought, miniatures become icons…or talismans.

Modern furniture — Consider well-known pieces in a tiny modern house. Chairs by Eames, van der Rohe and Rietveld are affordable if you downsize to 1:12 or 1:24 replicas. See what’s for sale here.

Charles and Ray Eames designed this American chair (1956) to be stylish and comfortable. Why not display one in a modern tiny house? (KSpence)

Charles and Ray Eames designed this American chair (1956) to be stylish and comfortable. Why not display one in a modern tiny house? (KSpence)

Bauhausers Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Lilly Reich first created the familiar Barcelona Chair (1929) for Spanish royalty! (KSpence)

Bauhausers Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Lilly Reich first created the familiar Barcelona Chair (1929) for Spanish royalty! (KSpence)

Gerrit Rietveld designed this angular colored chair (1923) which honors and echoes fellow Dutchman Piet Modrian's paintings. (KSpence)

Gerrit Rietveld designed this angular, colored chair (1923) which honors and echoes fellow Dutchman Piet Modrian’s paintings. (KSpence)

Porch swing — Custom built by a tiny houser located in Oakland, CA, one teeny porch swing creates a perfect welcome. Check out the house images, including custom furniture for people.

When a carpenter builds a tiny home, the porch swing becomes fine art. Look at the joinery! (Oakland Tiny House)

When a carpenter builds a tiny home, the porch swing becomes fine art. Look at the joinery! (Oakland Tiny House)

The custom made bench, storage, desk, chair and shelving make this tiny house special. (Oakland Tiny House)

The custom made bench, storage, desk, chair and shelving make this tiny house special. (Oakland Tiny House)

This old-fashioned tiny house sits on verdant hillside. It's a secondary unit on a city lot. (Oakland Tiny House)

This old-fashioned tiny house sits on a verdant hillside. It’s a secondary unit on a “city” lot. (Oakland Tiny House)

Armoire — A couple from Rhode Island fit an armoire inside their tiny house, on a shelf! Let’s take a sweet photo tour of the home, which should be ready for a cold winter soon.

Maybe this armoire seems too small, though it's a cute way to store jewelry in a tiny house. (Another Tiny House Story)

Maybe this armoire seems too small, though it’s a cute way to store jewelry in a tiny house. (Another Tiny House Story)

Sating nestled between shelves and a large window has become a favorite place to lounge. (Another Tiny House Story)

Seating nestled between shelves and a large window has become a favorite place to lounge. (Another Tiny House Story)

Called "The Pod" this off-grid tiny house is getting built by a couple who hold day jobs. (Another Tiny House Story)

Called “The Pod,” this off-grid tiny house is getting built by a couple who hold day jobs. (Another Tiny House Story)

find 10 gaffs in this kitchen

Do you get tired of perfectly staged pictures of homes? Even if you live in a pristine manner, there will be some signs of human life. Let’s lovingly call them gaffs.

Check out this Rocio Romero modern home exterior, followed by the owners’ kitchen picture. Your challenge is to record 10 gaffs and compare them with our results.

This Arizona home is clad in a rust-colored metal. Its deck is accessed from the bedroom and great room. (Rocio Romero)

This Arizona home is clad in a rust-colored metal. Its deck is accessed from the bedroom and great room. (Rocio Romero)

Michael and Aaron's kitchen is lovely, especially with the blue counters and white spaces. They live here! (Rocio Romero)

Michael and Aaron’s kitchen is lovely, especially with the blue counters and white spaces. They live here! (Rocio Romero)

Where are the kitchen gaffs?

  1. Pot Cover – There’s a pot on the burner, with a top that clearly fits another sized-pot. We have been guilt of this crime before, you?
  2. Plants – Notice the plants over the cabinets and to the left of the sink. As not exactly perfect specimens, they resemble ones in many homes.
  3. Towel – The towel hanging from the oven has been, gasp, used. It’s located correctly but is dingy and lacks a color pop.
  4. Knife – Here’s an empty knife block save one ready to use. Either remove the block or find volunteers willing to share the block.
  5. Water container – Why would a shoot include a plastic vessel, shown next to the counter plant? It’s the Arizona desert, after all.
  6. Window ajar – A little window sheds light on the kitchen counter. From what we see, it’s half-open and revealing some kind of fencing outside.
  7. Books – Check out the books inserted in the closed part of the window. Maybe those could lodge somewhere else for now.
  8. Candle set – The candle holder sits unused and sans candles, above the cabinets. Place it on the island with some candles for the shoot.
  9. Banana – We love the single over-ripe banana, sitting lonely in a larger bowl on the kitchen island. It’s crying out for fruity friends.
  10. Island – The blue colored counter and island are glorious. Why not use the empty island as a food display for snacks or more?

If we missed anything, then please comment below or reach us at tinyhousejoy1-at-gmail-dot.com.

Want a bigger little place

Let’s say a tiny or small house fits in your world view, except you crave a larger footprint. More office, sleeping, hobby or hang-out room might be nice.

Here are a few companies offering kits or prefabs, which handle materials (both) and construction (prefabs) for you.

Prefabs: assembled on your land

Check out these Kanga modern prefabs, ranging from 280 to 800 sq. ft. (Kanga Systems)

Check out these Kanga modern prefabs, ranging from 280 to 800 sq. ft. (Kanga Systems)

Kanga cottage prefabs, with porch/entry options, range from 280 to 640 sq. ft. (Kanga Systems)

Kanga cottage prefabs, with porch/entry options, range from 280 to 640 sq. ft. (Kanga Systems)

This Greenbuild cabin, measuring 810 sq. ft., is the smallest prefab from Resolution 4 Architecture. (re4a.com)

This Greenbuild cabin, measuring 801 sq. ft., is the smallest prefab from Resolution 4 Architecture. (re4a.com)

With a streamlined and hip feel, the Greenbuild cabin offers plenty of square footage to add your touches. (re4a.com)

With a streamlined and hip feel, the Greenbuild cabin offers plenty of square footage to add your touches. (re4a.com)

Kits: materials delivered to your land

This LVM modern home, shown with grey cladding, offers 693 sq. ft. Its kit may be ordered via the architect. (Rocio Romero)

This LVM modern home, shown with dark cladding, offers 693 sq. ft. Its kit may be ordered via the architect. (Rocio Romero)

In the LVM, there's a main floor bedroom and great room. The place calls for mid-modern decor. (Rocio Romero)

In the LVM, there’s a main floor bedroom and great room. The place calls for mid-modern decor. (Rocio Romero)

This Greek Revival style, popular in the 1700s, measures 560 sq.ft. with an 800 sq. ft. porch. (Pennywise)

This Greek Revival style, popular in the 1700s, measures 560 sq.ft. with an 800 sq. ft. porch. (Pennywise)

Kits for these old-school, 1700s styles may be ordered via the architect's manufacturing partner. (Pennywise)

Kits for these old-school, 1700s styles may be ordered via the architect’s manufacturing partner. (Pennywise)

can’t argue about stuff

“Too much stuff” is a rallying cry among so many Americans, regardless of where they live. It’s easy to get knowing responses when complaining about and dealing with stuff.

Joshua Becker, who writes Becoming Minimalist, advocates for the least amount of things as achievable and ideal. His quote about stuff, below, almost sounds like a commonly-held belief to us.

Stuff - Becoming Minimalist

Sarah Susanka, architect and supporter of The Not So Big Life, comments on our impulsive need to collect things: “If we don’t let ourselves slow down and stop accumulating for a while, we will never see what is hidden below.”

Many folks (we are guilty) opt for the quick fix of external storage. Out of sight, out of mind, right? We’re not sure whether it counts when you store things and just feel better.

"I think that it's time for a confession," says cookbook author Julie Hasson. "Well I am crazy for dishes." She would have to part with her store-sized stash, in a small place.

“I think that it’s time for a confession,” says cookbook author Julie Hasson. “Well I am crazy for dishes.” She would have to part with her store-sized stash, in a small place.

Time for a little stress

Stuff becomes sensitive when when changes are afoot like job relocations, other moves, family additions, empty nests, elderly parents arrangements and more. The stress occurs whether changes happen quickly or are long-planned.

When watching people move into smaller places, you’ll see emotions running high. It takes time to pare down, give away, sell, donate or throw out stuff. Unless you are a certified hoarder, it’s possible to make progress.

This sofa bench functions for day and night-time use. It's ready for overnight guests, including storage filled with all bedding. Specific storage is essential in a tiny house. (Sol Haus)

This sofa bench functions for day and night-time use. It’s ready for overnight guests, including storage filled with all bedding. Specific storage is essential in a tiny house. (Sol Haus)

Design for display and storage

As people relocate to small or tiny homes, storage become core critical. One THJ reader opined that “designers of tiny houses and recreational vehicles do a much better job at designing storage and kitchen spaces” than apartment designers. Let’s add boat designers to the list.

Presumably there’s a place for everything, whether design creates order or people who live smaller are drawn to orderly living. Tumbleweed’s lead designer, Meg Stephens, explains “when designed well, tiny dwellers gain a sense of ‘fitting’ in their downsized surroundings.”

We do know that whatever size place you choose, you will need to take steps to get rid of stuff AND to focus on what display/storage works — as a bibliophile, gourmet cook, artist, skier or your unique self.

yes, to automated washer-dryer

This past week, we conducted a poll with Tiny House Joy readers which asked, “In a tiny house, how would you wash clothes?”

You want a home machine. Some 43% of respondents chose an automated washer/dryer combo. Another 13% sought a regular washer, and 11% picked a standard or spinner dryer. Only 18% preferred any manual, off-grid options.

While living in tiny house, over half of you want to fit a machine. Some plan to head elsewhere to use machines. And a few stalwarts would do hand-washing and air drying. (Tiny House Joy poll, 2014)

While living in a tiny house, over half of you want to fit a machine. Some plan to head elsewhere to use machines. And a few stalwarts would do hand-washing and air drying. (Tiny House Joy poll, 2014)

So here’s to our love of washing and drying machines, even if the drying cycle takes longer with the ventless models. The good news is these combo machines already get installed, as seen in these examples below — and they run fine with (lots of) electricity.

At Tumbleweed's Boulder workshop, participants toured a brand-new home. You can see the automated washer-dryer unit tucked under the kitchen galley. (Tumbleweed Houses)

At Tumbleweed’s Boulder workshop, participants toured a brand-new home. You can see the automated washer-dryer unit tucked under the kitchen galley. (Tumbleweed Houses)

Take a close look at this Minim house in Upstate NY, to spot the washer-dryer unit under the shelving and before the bathroom. It fits just fine here. (Minim NY)

Take a close look at this Minim house in Upstate NY, to spot the washer-dryer unit under the shelving and before the bathroom. It fits just fine here. (Minim NY)

apartment and tiny house siblings

“A tiny house is sort of the suburban or maybe even rural version of a small apartment,” explained tiny houser Ryan Mitchell, to Salon magazine.

We kind of agree. It’s easy to spot apartment and tiny house family resemblances in open, multifunctional and simple interior layouts.

Apartment Interiors

APARTMENT - With 9'-10" ceilings and Juliet balconies, these 250-370 sq. ft. studio apartments have been designed for a new Manhattan complex that's more affordable. (nArchitects)

APARTMENT – With 9′-10″ ceilings and Juliet balconies, these 250-370 sq. ft. studio apartments have been designed for a new Manhattan complex that’s more affordable. (nArchitects)

APARTMENT - This 425 sq. ft. space is 25 feet high. The kitchen, living room and bathroom are on the main floor, while the sleeping area gets cantilevered above. (Specht Harpman)

APARTMENT – This 425 sq. ft. space is 25 feet high. The kitchen, living room and bathroom are on the main floor, while the sleeping area gets cantilevered above. (Specht Harpman)

APARTMENT - Here's a standard unit, which might benefit from some added color or decor. The storage includes built-in cabinets and shelves, like other tinies. (Atlantic Monthly)

APARTMENT – Here’s a standard unit, which might benefit from some added color or decor. The storage includes built-in cabinets and shelves, like other tinies. (Atlantic Monthly)

Tiny House Interiors

HOUSE - This miniHome is a contemporary, modular pre-fab which get manufactured before arriving on site. Here's a shot of the great room area and galley kitchen. (Altius RSA)

HOUSE – This “miniHome” is a contemporary, modular pre-fab which gets manufactured before arriving on site. Here’s a shot of the great room and galley kitchen. (Altius RSA)

HOUSE - Notice the light and bright interior, looking towards the kitchen area and storage. The owner lives in this house on wheels with her beau, newborn and dog. (Minimotives.com)

HOUSE – Notice the light and bright interior, looking towards the kitchen area and storage. The owner lives in the house on wheels with her beau, newborn and dog. (Minimotives.com)

HOUSE - The Downtown Project, in Las Vegas, plans to rent tinies. They have created a modern look inside this house on wheels. (Sally Wilson photo, Tumbleweed Houses)

HOUSE – The Downtown Project, in Las Vegas, plans to rent tinies. They have created a modern look inside this house on wheels. (Sally Wilson photo, Tumbleweed Houses)

tiny vote: how to clean clothes

How do you clean clothes while living in a tiny house? There’s a surprising spectrum of conventional, powered or manual cleaning options. To quantify preferences, we cordially invite all readers to answer this question below.

Stay tuned for your washing selections. In the the meantime, let’s look at a handful of smaller washers, dryers and combos already used by some tiny housers.

Click and watch how this newer hand-cranked washer and spinner works. (The Laundry Pod)

Click and watch how this newer hand-cranked washer and spinner works. (The Laundry Pod)

The Wonder Wash is a hand-cranked washer that's popular with tiny dwellers. (Laundry Alternatives. Amazon)

The Wonder Wash is a hand-cranked washer that’s popular with tiny dwellers. (Laundry Alternatives)

This tiny electric dryer, called the Nina, receives kudos as a powered spinner. (Laundry Alternatives)

This tiny electric dryer, the Nina, receives kudos as a powered spinner. (Laundry Alternatives)

Among the 110 Volt washer-dryer units, the little Sonya gets good reviews. (Sonya, Amazon)

Among the 110 Volt washer-dryer units, the little Sonya gets very good reviews. (Sonya, Amazon)