Relaxshacks.com

A Cordwood, Timber-Framed, Yurt from Natural Builder Marcos Grossman

2012-02-23T16:46:00.000-08:00

I'm a sucker for cordwood structures, and this one struck me as rather cool- from a guy, apparently, who is very well versed in the world/field of natural building- cob, adobe, etc. I also really dig the "leaning walls" in this tiny little house/out building (a seasonal one as evidenced by all the screening). Oh yeah, its timber framed too- and seemingly makes use of a recycled door and some salvaged windows (bonus points for Mr. Grossman there!). -Derek "Deek" Diedricksen

Cantilevered Cabin- A tiny shack bolted to the side of a city building.....

2012-02-23T07:26:00.000-08:00

LOVE this one! It was installed by the San Franciscan art group "Manifest Destiny" to bring awareness to urban homelessness.

The cabin, 10 feet tall, 6 feet long and 7 feet deep. It was mainly built from wood that was recycled from a 100 year old barn. A small solar panel is the power source for its interior illumination at night. Custom steel 'L' brackets, alongside concrete anchor bolts were used to secure this building to the side of another city building, three stories above a restaurant. This building will remain on display until the end of October (although I don't know why they just don't leave it up for the sake or tourism...) -Derek "Deek" Diedricksen

Treehugger.com also has a good piece on this.....

Tumbleweed in Seattle! A four person (tiny house addict) QnA panel....

2012-02-22T17:01:00.000-08:00

First off, you might have seen this, or heard of the event already, but the Tumbleweed Tiny House Company's workshop this coming weekend in Seattle, will have a special added Q n' A session with Jay Shafer, Dee Williams, Pepper Clark, and myself. It's gonna be real fun(!), the workshop is packed already, and I can't wait to see Seattle in general. I'm also bringing out Christopher Smith from "Tiny: The Movie" to shoot a few tiny house tour videos, and how-tos, while I'm out on the west coast. A container house, a 68 square foot, transforming guest house, an ultra-micro, and modern, Seattle apartment, and more....Christopher's work is GREAT, and after meeting him and Merete Mueller when they interviewed me for their film, I found him to be a talented, and instantly likeable guy. Check him out a www.tiny-themovie.com

As for Tumbleweed- I'm hosting workshops here and there for them....if you're in the area, check 'em out!

MIAMI, FL- April 14-15th... http://www.tumbleweedhouses.com/workshops/miami/

BOSTON, MA- May 19-20th... http://www.tumbleweedhouses.com/workshops/boston/

ALSO- and its FREE (and I'll mention it closer to the date)....

-Derek "Deek" Diedricksen

TIRE'd of seeing old tires laying around? Another recycling use....

2012-02-21T12:54:00.000-08:00

From the Sanford n' Son School of Landscaping?? We talked about a slew of ideas for reusing tires when it comes to tiny house construction and design, but here's one more, in a photo that was too fun and colorful to pass up....I'm not sure if there's some internal framing (I would think so) or if the tires are merely bolted together in some fashion. This "conversation" all started with an email from a reader after he saw some of my ideas in my book "Humble Homes, Simple Shacks"- from using tires as a small cabin's base, to filling them with concrete and pre-set bolts to use as walkway supports (for building/access on swampy (more affordable) land).

Here's a link to the other post with a TON of ideas. TEN OTHER USES FOR OLD TIRES

I'm actually now off to pick up a CASE of old (never used) bicycle inner tubes (closely related enough) from VELO BICYCLES in Canton, MA (Thank You) for an upcoming project for my "Tiny Yellow House" show. My father-in-law, Paul Bendix, also just mentioned today that he has access to over 1000 brand new marching drumsticks (his gun club was using them for firewood otherwise)- so I'll be scheming some use for those down the road. -Derek "Deek" Diedricksen

A Return To Crooked Shack- A Rickety, Old, Rotten, Roadside Shed

2012-02-20T18:47:00.000-08:00

     I drive by this little shed a few times a week, and actually did a post on photos of it way back on the old version of the blog (the cabin in snow at that time). Here's a new look at it. Its just about ready to fall down, but still holding on, somehow.
     I'm a sucker for old sheds, silos, and especially abandoned desert gas stations. "Rotten Ruins: The Neglected Sheds Of America"- now THAT would be a book I'd check out- bizarre, but somehow interesting (at least to me).
     Anyhow, its not a tiny house or true cabin, per se, but houses are merely souped up sheds and shacks- and some of those are even quite livable. -Derek "Deek" Diedricksen

The Three Dollar Hammock- space efficient seating/sleeping for your tiny home or cabin

2012-02-19T06:24:00.001-08:00

HAMMOCKS: Space (AND wallet) efficient- but not a perfect solution....

I recently posted (not here yet, but on my youtube channel ( www.youtube.com/relaxshacksdotcom ) a video on an 8' by 8' by 8' cabin I built and designed for a show on The History Channel. Soon after, one of the viewer comments was "So many people worldwide sleep in them, and they take up so little space, so why didn't you include a hammock?"

Well, I actually did plan on it, but didn't have the time- AND I had an intro section of the clip from my basement where I was also yammering from a hammock ("The Three Dollar Hammock" from my new book- below). I later thought the intro made the snippet too long, so I axed it altogether, BUT... I do have a short video on the way that is on building these ultra-simple, hammocks.

As for them as sleep units....

The Pros

-Cheap

-Lightweight

-Stowable

-fun/swinging

The Cons

-They can be back killers after awhile

-Not so fun for those who get motion sick

-Tough to get in/out for some (shorter people, the elderly)

But still, even just as temporary seating in a your tiny house or cabin, or even for storage (when hung high near the ceiling (for pillows, stuffed animals, even books) hammocks certainly are something to consider!

The Lil' Blue House in Plymouth, MA (and the giant white dude...)

2012-02-15T17:40:00.000-08:00

Why do I suddenly have the theme song from "The Smurfs" in my head??

I passed this on the way to look at a VW Bus in Plymouth, MA that a guy was selling, and couldn't resist stopping to take a few quick photos (in the lot of some church-related public building). It was locked, so I couldn't snap a shot of the inside, but it had a mini staircase and all, leading to a second play floor. From afar, the scale of it is pretty decent, and at a quick glance could ALMOST fake someone out if it didn't have so many objects of size reference nearby. Its certainly a tiny house, not liveable, but I thought you might get a kick out of it. -Derek "Deek" Diedricksen

My new tiny housing, shack, fort, shelter, cottage book...

A VERY simple, boxy, cabin (dang affordable too!)- "The Cub"

2012-02-15T08:21:00.000-08:00

Here's another one- Sketch #48 of "Sixty Shack Sketches in Sixty Days". Its a very simple, easy-to-build, and very affordable (the whole point) cabin I've been messing with called "The Cub", which I'd like to build at some point. More or less its a tiny vacation camp/house/hut that can be built off site and prefabricated in pieces, much like "The Wolfe's Den Treehouse" (see video below). This one is NOT in the new "Humble Homes, Simple Shacks", but there are several similar ideas in that book.....its from the out of print mini-book of mine called "Quick Camps And Leg Cramps" (which we WILL have more of, with a new color cover, at some point).

The cabin is a mere 8' by 8'- but 12' tall, allowing for a generous little sleep loft, accessed by a ladder, or a built in shelving/ladder combination. The plan also allows for a simple 4' by 4' wet bath/bathroom to be added off the back, or side. With the 5' by 8' sleeping loft (5' of head room) this cabin is 104 Square Feet.

-Derek "Deek" Diedricksen

Film Actor John Malcovich's Treehouse/Willow Huts....

2012-02-14T07:23:00.000-08:00

For a guy who always seems so stoic and menacing in movies (although I like him alot as an actor), I never would have thought that John Malcovich would have a kiddish side- as is evident by this spread of willow-woven treehuts/treehouses that he owns on his property in France. More sculptural, than functional, they still are pretty unique looking. They were built and designed by artist/land sculptor Clare Wilks- and are featured in a VERY cool book called "Treehouses" by Paula Henderson and Adam Mornement"- one of the better treehouse books I own. There's a link below, and I'll post a review on it at some point.

Here's a few treehouse/tiny house/shelter/cabin sketches too. The first one is in my new "Humble Homes, Simple Shacks" book...

-Derek "Deek" Diedricksen

Treehouse Eye Candy (A Tiny Escape Hut In A Farmer's Field)

2012-02-13T21:26:00.000-08:00

Well, the TREE is actually the coolest part....

The color/leaves in this one have to be doctored in photoshop- the foliage is just too amazing looking! Regardless, talk about a great spot to get out of the sun, and hideout, while reading a book. Its the only photo I can find of this particular treefort/treehouse, and unfortunately its hard to make out just exactly how the structure looks and is set up.

That said, I have many more new sketches and concepts on the way- naturally some tiny homes in trees as well- a la some of the ones in "Humble Homes, Simple Shacks". I'll also have a new video up tomorrow or the next day- a short snippet on "The All Eights" cabin that I built and assembled in Brooklyn, NY back in October. I'm also slowly compiling all the new cabin sketches from the "Sixty Shack Sketches In Sixty Days" series, and making a slide show out of those for youtube as well; This way you can check them all out in one quick sitting. -Derek "Deek" Diedricksen

Holy funky, weird, wild, neighbor-angering, hippied out, shed/tiny house!

2012-02-13T13:55:00.000-08:00

The world's wildest/ugliest shed/tiny house???

I wish I could find photos of the interior of this one- I think its a kids fort, but what an out-there guest house/shed this one would make! Its just CRAZY! I'd dub it the "Little Shed Dormitory"- "L.S.D."- lol.... very cool/unique though! I love it!

Shot is from Flickr user tastybit via Creative Commons

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check out my new book- $11.53- OUT NOW....

Cool lil' Vardo/Caravan For Sale in "Joisey"..... (Three Cool Gypsy Wagons)

2012-02-12T06:06:00.000-08:00

For any looking for an ultra-tiny "house"/cabin on wheels....
I thought this one simply looked fun because of the paint job (you'll NEVER be missed on the highway- actually you might be the cause of rubberneck-pile-ups!). What I like most about this is something I've sketched into a few past designs for a trailer-type homes I'd someday like to build; This vardo/caravan has made use of the tongue of the trailer as a front entrance deck. I don't know why more people don't do this- it makes good sense, and adds minimal weight to the overall structure. Its "dang" simple to build too...
This one's over on Tinyhouselistings.com $6000 is the asking price (located in New Jersey)

Here's the info from the sales listing.....

This is my 2nd little gypsy caravan Ive built for camping. Its made out of MDO Epoxy encased plywood with solid foam insulation in the walls. The interior height is 54″, outside width is 6″4″, interior width of 5’11″, and 10 feet long. The box on the back is designed to be the galley area, the 5000 btu air conditioner is built in, but could be removed.
The bed is full sized futon (54″) with a memmory foam topper. It can be closed up to couch sized, or pulled out for a full sized bed. The propane heater keeps it comfy warm in 16′ temps with it barely on above a pilot light. Easily removed for the summer time. The front deck is red cedar. Its solidly constructed with a heavy gauge rubber roof thats rated for 20 years! It is equipped with a 12 volt deep cycle battery and also wired for ac power.
Easily sleeps 2 adults, with floor space for children. There is storage space under the bed for clothes etc.
I took it on a 500 mile shake down cruise and it tows nice and straight behind my truck. Tow weight as equipped was 1650lbs.
(bedding not included)

If you like gypsy wagons, caravans, and vardos, two of my favorites come from...
HORNBY ISLAND CARAVANS
(Michelle Wilson and Co.) and
GEORGE CRAWFORD of PALEOTOOLS

Both of these builders are photographically featured in my new "Humble Homes, Simple Shacks" book- which has been #1 on Amazon in the carpentry section for almost 4 weeks running! Thank you! You can order it below....$11.53.....

George Crawford's Gypsy Wagon....

Michelle Wilson and Co's Wagon (Hornby Island Caravans)

Shipshape Cabins- A UK tiny hut/cabin builder, with a nautical twist....

2012-02-10T21:17:00.000-08:00

Here's a unique take on cabin shape- well, based off fishing huts of old, but a more modern version. Tiny, simple, good looking, and pretty affordable.... Shipshape Cabins is the company- check them out a campinghuts.com. I love those round front windows.....add a few more windows, dormer-style, for natural light, or more of a view, and it might make for a great beach or lake hut too...

I saw this over on Alex Johnson's site Shedworking.co.uk- and Alex has a brand new book out that looks pretty damn cool- its called "Bookshelf"- and its a coffee-table style book, apparently, on wild and unique bookshelves and storage. If I get a chance to check a copy out I'll certainly post a full review. Looks like it might be a fun one!

Here's a look at the cover, and a link to this book, and my new book, below....
-Derek "Deek" Diedricksen

Just about this time last year..... my small house in the snow

2012-02-10T08:39:00.000-08:00

What the heck is happening this winter? Last year we were NAILED with snow, and this year, almost no snow, its still only early February, and the trees are already starting to bud!? I was outside in a T-SHIRT(!) the other day. Its just crazy....
Below is what things looked like last year, at almost the same exact time of the season.

These are photos that DID NOT make it into the color photo section of the new "Humble Homes, Simple Shacks" book- we have SOOOOOOO many photos leftover (and new ones) for the next book already. -Derek "Deek" Diedricksen

My small (not tiny) house- four of us and one huge dog....

A trio of micro-cabins/shelters in my backyard. There's actually FIVE of them now- SIX if you count the stacked and disassembled "All Eights" Cabin (the one we built for The History Channel) in Brooklyn, NY).

The Hickshaw in the snow- 2011

My neighbor's small house- 2 bedrooms, and a standing attic (which someday they could potentially make use of).

File under: Tiny Cabins, Small Homes/Houses, Shacks, Forts, Shelters, Micro-Architecture, Kids Forts....

THREE weird/wild tiny house/small cabin concepts...

2012-02-09T09:12:00.000-08:00

Here's another BRAND NEW one that was added into the expanded version of my book "Humble Homes, Simple Shacks" (the first sketch), AND TWO MORE, as part of "Sixty Shack Sketches In Sixty Days"- which I'll eventually chronicle in a slide show at some point. These are sketches #45, #46, and #47....we're getting there.....carpal tunnel here I come!
Also, Steven Harrell over at tinyhouselistings.com will have a prize package of my new book, and some other things (one of the few remaining copies of "Quick Camps and Leg Cramps" to give away soon....stay tuned....

"A New Angle"- one of the new micro-designs (one of several) in the new version of "Humble Homes"

Star-Wars inspired I'm sure, I briefly showed this one on the blog quite a ways back....I still would LOVE to build something like this someday.

This is a tangent continuation of a recent post on Curt Lyons who built a kid version of one of my cabins from my book. Here's the same exact concept, but showing that you can very simply enlarge the idea and make it much more so an adult cabin- a very affordable, easy to build one too!

-Derek "Deek" Diedricksen

MANY MORE IDEAS and SKETCHES COMING SOON!

House Built from Tires Part Two- (and TEN other recycled uses for them)

2012-02-09T06:52:00.000-08:00

WHAT ABOUT OTHER USES FOR OLD TIRES?

In Anytown, USA (or worldwide) you'll find more free tires than you'll know what to do with. Just ask any autobody or tire place- they'll be THRILLED to give them to you as they have to PAY for their disposal in most cases.
Yes, most have seen the famous "Earthships" in Taos, New Mexico that Michael Reynolds has developed and messed with for decades (a smaller version is in the first two shots below), but what about OTHER USES FOR OLD TIRES??? ("Garbage Warrior", The Earthship Documentary is great if you haven't seen it before- I linked it below).
Anyway, check some of these ideas out, and if YOU have any, please add them to the comments below!

WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
THE SUPPLY IS ALMOST ENDLESS- AND FREE!

Again, one of my ideas for small shelters, tiny homes, and structures in general, is to use tires as a floating pad of sorts, as a support platform (when placed at corners or strategically underneath). Once compressed under the weight of the cabin, these won't shift much, if at all. Another idea involved concrete-filled, pre-bolt-inserted tires as attachment points for swamp-land walkways. I even briefly talk about stacked-tire stairways....a link for the NEW "Humble Homes, Simple Shacks" is right below.... only $11.53 with free shipping in some cases. Thanks!

-Derek "Deek" Diedricksen

A Garden Shed/Office/Cabin made from OLD TIRES!

2012-02-08T07:32:00.000-08:00

Ugly as sin- but pretty clever n' cool..... I don't think this will be giving Michael Reynolds and his Earthships a run for their money, but its a really great little concept.

First, thanks to Alex Johnson over at www.SHEDWORKING.co.uk for a really cool review/write-up on my book "Humble Homes, Simple Shacks"- it was also recently in the NY Times, and the Wall Street Journal! Insane.... Here's Alex's review/article...his site is just GREAT too... http://www.shedworking.co.uk/2012/02/humble-homes-simple-shacks-cozy.html

And... This 10' by 26' garden shed/workspace is loaded(!) with recycled materials- from its split tire siding, to the incorporation of salvaged lumber, and even its windows, which were repurposed from an old garage. Why not? I was working on a post about uses for old tires, as there are just so many of them out there, and stumbled on some photos of this. I couldn't resist! In the meantime, if YOU have some interesting ideas for reusing old tires, please share below.

Example: One idea from "Humble Homes, Simple Shacks" is a footbridge (for swampy and marshy locales). where the bases of the plank walks are made from concrete-filled, bolt-inserted, tires. Stack them to the height you need, roll them into place, and bolt the planks as you go along.....

We had another example or two in the OLD version of the book, and a sketch that didn't make the cut for the expanded version. I want to release a damn cheap (or free for awhile) pdf of the "lost sketches" from the book, and will work on that when I find time....(anyone know any good pdf/book creation sites?)

Thanks in support for today's post goes to the crew over at www.COZYHOMEPLANS.com

-Derek "Deek" Diedricksen

A spin on the "Little Blue Bump Shelter/Cabin" from Curt Lyons

2012-02-07T05:33:00.000-08:00

A ways back, at last years Relaxshacks.com tiny house/shelter workshop here in Massachusetts we started work on two prototype structures, one which I later finished, painted, and self-filmed a video of (below). This little prototype for an ultra-simple cabin (which could be built as a much larger version) was something I dubbed "The Little Blue Bump". I no longer own this cabin- sold it to build another concept from my "Humble Homes" book- but its surprised me in how many people took a shinin' to the idea and approach. Its a cabin closely related to another I built (photos are in the new book) called "The GottaGiddaWay"- which, in an NY Times interview, while on the spot, I originally named "The Hundred Dollar Homeless Hut".

Honestly, nothing is more flattering and makes me happier than to have someone send me photos, video, or an email about a project they took on that was inspired by one in my book, or in one of my videos....

Here's a recent one...
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Hey Deek,
I have attached some photos of a playhouse I made for my daughter based on your hundred dollar homeless hut. I found the base in a giant mulch pile, it must have been part of a plywood shipping box for something big. I just had to flip the boards attached from horizontal to vertical for strength. It is around 6' by almost 4'. My daughter wanted a hobbit door, so I used faux board and batten and glued it to the cut out of the entrance. I thought you might appreciate seeing the finished product.

Curt Lyons, Fort Collins, CO

-Derek "Deek" Diedricksen

An Interview with The Wooden Wonders Crew (Homemade Tiny Hobbit Houses)

2012-02-05T20:51:00.000-08:00

I can't find any true interviews with the Wooden Wonders folks (criminally so), aside from some shorter newspaper pieces, so I thought this might make for an interesting tiny house topic/interview....I guess, the "first" longer interview with 'em. I can guarantee you'll be hearing more from these people down the road- good folks, with a good idea. I also plan on heading out to shoot a tour of their models at some point for "Tiny Yellow House" on youtube (www.youtube.com/relaxshacksDOTcom) -Deek

And yup. we have a domed, ferro-cement, secret-passage, hobbit-cave design in the new version of my book "Humble Homes, Simple Shacks"- order it wayyy below...

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When I first caught a glimpse of the Wooden Wonders "Hobbit Houses" (built right in the Bangor, Maine area), I thought to myself "Wow, fun looking AND functional" (or as I like to say "FUNKtional"). It always surprises me that the two don't seem to co-exist more often in the world of tiny houses. Granted, there ARE many adventurous, colorful, daring, and aesthetically appealing homes and models out there, from the just-plain-gorgeous Zyl vardos, to the elegant class of the Shafer Tumbleweeds, but with a mix of simplicity, and childhood whimsy, while still fitting in useability, these "hobbit holes" from Wooden Wonders score big points on my personal radar. Let's face it, I'm also a sucker for sculptural and artistic dwellings, so I couldn't resist a chance to exchange words with Melissa Pillsbury over at the WWHQ....

www.wooden-wonders.com to check their prices....

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DEEK: Alright, I can assume there's a strong influence from J.R.R. Tolkien's work, but what drew you to build and dabble/enter the shedworking/hut business? And what about some of your other inspirations, or your quick backstory?
MELISSA: Rocy had been doing traditional carpentry for over 15 years and he was ready for a change. He was not only bored with the work, but we also have a young family (two sons: Richard, 3 and Maxximus, 1), so we wanted to build a home-based business rather than a job-site based business. He's a really creative guy and a big fan of fantasy, so it was a natural fit for him to apply his mastery of carpentry to more creative and whimsical structures. Hobbit Holes are just one of many fantastical structure concepts brewing in Rocy's mind, but once we built the Hobbit Hole prototype, the idea started to gain traction and we've built the product line from there.

DEEK: Now, the very first "Hobbit Hole" you built- how long ago was this, and has the design changed much over time for you? What different models do you offer too?

MELISSA: We brought the "original" Hobbit Hole to the 2009 Common Ground Country Fair, which is a big three day "country fair" that takes place right in our home town of Unity, Maine every September. It was a playhouse Hobbit Hole model and we also brought a play-castle/tower prototype. Our booth was absolutely swarmed with children all weekend, so it was clear that both products were a hit with the kids. But we noticed an important distinction in the reactions of the adults between the two products. They barely gave the castle a second glance, but they were very interested in the Hobbit Hole and stood there trying to come up with other uses for one. This told us two things. First, we knew we had a winner with the Hobbit Hole concept. Second, we knew we had better come up with more variations on the theme because our potential market for them went far beyond parents and grandparents in the market for a playhouse. Thus our Hobbit Hole product line was born.
We're always improving and refining the designs, and developing new ones. Some new concepts make it to the end, and others flop. Last winter we developed a line of doghouses, but we weren't happy with the finished product, so we dropped it.
We currently have five distinct product lines, each of which come in multiple sizes and with many customizable options: playhouses, chicken coops, sheds, cottages and saunas. We also have a Hobbit Hole kit product line in development, which is particularly exciting because it will really broaden our reach. The products in our current lines are delivered fully built and finished. While this allows us to have a highly customizable product, it also means there's a limit to how far we can sell them before the cost of delivery becomes prohibitively expensive. The kit options we're working on will give folks outside New England an opportunity to purchase a reasonably priced Wooden Wonders Hobbit Hole.

DEEK: In most cases, what do you find people people purchasing these for? I see a wide range of possibilities, but what do you find most commonly?

MELISSA: It really runs the full range of what we offer. We've developed our products based on what people have told us they want, and we can always do a custom job to fit a customer's needs. Cottages and playhouses are our two most popular products, and the cottages people buy are used for most anything: a seasonal guest room, camp, office, studio... The sauna is our newest product, so we haven't done as many of those. We also just launched the chicken coops last fall, so we haven't done too many of those yet, either, but I think they're going to be popular.

DEEK: Could you give us a brief description on the overview and facets/features of these? Better yet- the building process?

MELISSA: The most notable features, and what makes them "Hobbit Holes" are the curved walls which form the dome shaped face and the round front door. We make each curved rafter by hand by laminating several layers of cedar and bending them on a hydraulic glue press. It's a fairly labor and time consuming process compared to using dimensional framing lumber, but it's also what allows us to build products that really set us apart from anything else that's out there in the marketplace.
The round front doors also come with their challenges. It took us a while to find hinges that met our quality and durability standards and also looked nice. And the bigger the door, the trickier it is to engineer the hinge so you still have a properly functioning front door.

DEEK: I see that one of your models has a spin on the "living roof" approach- somewhat of a green roof meets flower boxes- what's the methodology there to ensure you're not prematurely attracting rot and

leaks to your roof.

MELISSA: We offer planters as an option on our Hobbit Holes as well as full or partial in-ground installation of the structure (making it a "true" Hobbit Hole). As any builder can appreciate, there's quite a bit that goes into making a living roof work. When building a structures with any of these "living roof" applications, the roof is first sheathed in v-match cedar, then over that is a continuous layer of high quality self-adhesive under-roofing (ice & water shield). On top of that is a layer of pressure treated strapping to create a drainage plane and air space, and on top of that there's another layer of ice & water shield for attachment points. On top of that there's a layer of plywood rated for in-ground contact, then multiple layers of landscape fabric The planters are all cedar and the fasteners are all stainless steel. We rate the life expectancy of the planters at 15 to 25 years. To further combat potential moisture problems, we use all cedar framing and the interior finish walls are also cedar. Our Hobbit Holes are no joke :)

DEEK: Wow, more involved, and more layering than I would have expected....Messing with any new designs/variations on the horizon?

MELISSA: We're pretty excited about our upcoming line of Hobbit Hole kits. The designs we're working on will incorporate more of the living roof look that you might typically associate with a Hobbit Hole. They're going to be dang cute and I think it will be an appealing combined carpentry and landscaping project for the DIYers out there (or you can hire someone to do the work for you). Your readers will have to follow us on facebook to find out when we have them ready to sell (facebook.com/HobbitHoles). We're hoping to roll them out sometime in 2012.

DEEK: Any bizarre or custom request stories? purposes....

MELISSA: Well, we've talked to all kinds of people about all kinds of ideas.... By far the nicest structure we've built was a custom two-room cottage that was bigger than any of the standard cottage sizes we offered at the time (that size has since been added to our list of standard size options for Hobbit Hole Cottages). By "tiny house" standards it's definitely big enough to live in (just over 150 sq ft) and the second room in this particular one is a screened porch, but if I were going to live in it, I think I'd opt to use that space for a bathroom...

DEEK: Before I let you go- Your show room up in Unity Maine, can anyone just stop by and poke through these things?

MELISSA: We've got Hobbit Holes on display all over the place in central/midcoast Maine at the moment-- next to Unity Pond Pottery in Unity, in front of Stephen King's Zone Radio stations on Broadway in Bangor, next to the Maine Coast Welcome Center on Rt. 1 in Belfast and at Plants Unlimited on Rt. 1 in Rockport. Folks are definitely encouraged to stop and take a look. We'll even meet you there if you give us a few minutes notice.

People might also want to know that we have some of last year's inventory on sale (www.hobbitholes.etsy.com) and we can offer a 10% discount on any custom orders placed by March 1st. Just tell us Deek sent you! "Like" us on facebook: www.facebook.com/HobbitHoles, bookmark our web page: www.wooden-wonders.com, and come visit!

(The site is certainly worth a look- some really fun, eye-candy, for all you tiny house addicts).

-Derek "Deek" Diedricksen

A tiny guest house shaped like an OCTOPUS!? What the Heck?

2012-02-05T12:56:00.000-08:00

Here's a very bizarre one for you tiny house lovers out there- one I had fun schemin' n' sketching- and yes, its part of "SIXTY SHACK SKETCHES IN SIXTY DAYS" (#44). I'm picking up where I left off, as I've been sick for close to a week and just haven't had it in me to get much done. These sketches were a series leading up to the release of the NEW "Humble Homes, Simple Shacks"- which is already out at this point- but, I'm going to complete the full sixty anyway. Again, thanks to anyone who has supported me and this site by ordering a copy of the book- only $11.53 w/a free shipping option. Thanks!

The core of this could very easily be used for a guest house or a tiny home, even at a mere 10' by 10'. It would have a sleep space (a 5' by 7' bunk/loft), a simple kitchenette in one corner, and a small boating-toilet area could be added beneath some of the bunk (only taking up a portion of it), or could be added as a bump-out on the back end of the structure. The shower, at least initially, could be a simple outdoor, propane-heated unit.

This particular design/concept is from a version of "Quick Camps And Leg Cramps"- an old micro-zine/mini-book I had out in a very, very limited quantity a long ways back- we'll eventually get more printed.

Deek's Shed Of Doom! My REALLY messy shed- Downsizing: Phase 1

2012-02-04T10:14:00.000-08:00

First, thanks to all who keep checking out my new book- it was reviewed in the NY TIMES (!) just the other day and is doing REALLY WELL! You can order it below....and don't worry, there's no photos of my shed in it!

Oh the shame....

Deek's SHED OF DOOM- a workshed rehab....(long overdue)


Back to back to back to back projects, and burning the candle at both ends, leads to THIS! "The Horror"!

    Specs: The shed is 10' wide, and 12' long, and about 7' at its tallest....120 square feet, in my town, is the maximum by which one can build a structure without a permit.

      I admit, while I live in small house, I have wayyyyy too much crap. Half of it, in my defense, is related to my work, hobbies, and in-the-works projects (ie- I own ALOT of space wasting drums, as I record music and perform it for a side living) but I still need to cut the fat in many, many ways.
     Another problem I'm faced with is that I'm so frequently building things for myself, clients, Make Magazine, "Tiny Yellow House" videos, and neighbors, and DO NOT have a workshop- none at all. I can't tell you how many times I've worked outside in the snow or rain to make a deadline (and ended up sick). Anyway, with time at a premium, I often find myself in a hurry, as I lose daylight, to run my materials into my storage shed, knowing I'll merely pull them out again the very next morning. So why bother organizing them? Well, for one, over time, certain items, materials, and tools start accumulation in "said shed", and next thing I know, I'm left with the monumental task of cleaning it all up again.

So, to give myself a motivating kick in the ass, I've held back in no way with this photo, to show you how awful my shed has gotten.

THE PLAN:
And its gonna take time...
Rehab this whole self-built outbuilding and transform it into a "ROCK SHED"- a space where I can work, play instruments/jam with friends, shoot vlog episodes for this blog, and STILL store things.....and I'll certainly show you the results, and things I learn, along the way.
     I already have a vision of what I want this place to look like, and if it comes out anything like I've imagined, I'll be very pleased. Time will tell. This project has already begun, and the shed looks entirely different at this point- MUCH LESS STUFF. I've sold some of it on craigslist, donated other items, and left the rest on my curb for others to take (EVERY item except one was picked up by other scavengers- bless 'em, one n' all!).

There have also been many "Wow, I didn't know I owned that!", or "I've been looking for that!" moments....

File Under: Sheds/Shed into a tiny work/guest house, small homes, forts, shacks, shedworking, micro houses

NEW VIDEO TOUR- Jeff Milstein's Bolt Together House/Tiny Cabin (in New Brunswick)

2012-02-02T06:56:00.000-08:00

TODAY IS THE "OFFICIAL" RELEASE DATE OF THE NEW

"HUMBLE HOMES, SIMPLE SHACKS"

First, my book, alongside the new Tiny Houses book from Lloyd Kahn (www.lloydkahn.com) was just featured in the WALL STREET JOURNAL! Thanks for all your support, to those who have picked one up (only $11.29 new! With a free shipping option)- today it reached the #1 Carpentry Book on Amazon.com, and the #1 Building and Construction Book spot again. Lloyd's book has been kicking serious arse too! As it should be..... I guess this whole tiny house message is REALLY catching on worldwide!

Anyway....Thanks to Dustin and Dawn Diedricksen for piecing this video tour together! Its of one of my all-time favorite tiny house designs, something called "The Bolt Together House", which debuted in Family Circle Magazine back in 1972, and also appeared in "Tiny Houses" by Lester Walker (one of my "Top Ten Tiny House Books"- see the banner link above). This plan set went on to sell 25,000 copies- a record for the magazine. This house, on a quarter acre piece of land- waterfront- was $18,000 USD- Dustin, Dawn, and I wanted to go in on it together, but it sold almost instantly when the listing went up. Oh well....yet another amazing place we missed out on (see our "island hopping video" on youtube).

Many more videos on the way....
-"The Horror Hut" ( a writer's retreat) for Make Magazine's version of "Tiny Yellow House"
- A d.i.y. hammock short video
-My micro A-frame (where we just might install a Dickinson Boat/Marine/Cabin Stove- those things are incredible!)- we'll see.....
-My "cloffice" (micro closet-office).
-and a few videos in Seattle- which'll kill my wallet, but which should look GREAT!

We're ALWAYS looking for sponsors (if you'd like you ad/logo in the intro of these videos)- so if interested kidcedar at gmail dot com. Thanks!-Derek "Deek" Diedricksen

A new FUNKY, art-piece ladder from Cima (for your tiny house, or cabin loft?)

2012-02-01T07:01:00.000-08:00

I really like the look of this one, and if built a little more symmetrically, and offered in different colors, when not in use, you might be able to hang it on a wall and get away with it looking like some bizarre, modern art piece. I don't know what weight its rated for, but if colorful and new-wave is what you're into, I thought you might be interested......more coming later (non-ladder related- lol).

I saw this one on Core77.com

The NEW version of "Humble Homes, Simple Shacks" (just in the WALL STREET JOURNAL), yup, also has quite a few ladder and homemade staircase ideas for your tiny cabin/house, small cottage, or micro-shelter.

-Derek "Deek" Diedricksen

Classy n' Stained-"Glassy"- a reclaimed-materials, designer, tiny dwelling (oxymoronic!?)

2012-01-31T18:45:00.000-08:00

Check out this gorgeous shot of a treehouse or "Trabin" (tree-cabin, there I go makin' up words again!) in the woods, adorned with quite a bit of stained glass. Even used, stained glass is damn expensive, so if you ever come across any for FREE, DO NOT pass it up.
Now THIS place is my idea of a cool, cozy, and unique dwelling, or tiny-cabin, getaway!

The treehouse was built in three days, with a team of carpenters, under the lead of set designer and art director James Hatt, for a magazine spread at the time.

Also, I'll post a link tomorrow, but my book was in THE WALL STREET JOURNAL (crazy!) just yesterday....the new edition of "Humble Homes, Simple Shacks" seems to be doin' pretty well- thanks all! You can order it here below, if interested....$11.29- NEW (with a free shipping option) -Derek "Deek" Diedricksen

Sage Radachowsky's Turtle-Domed Camping Truck, and "Humble Homes" on GardenFork Radio...

2012-01-30T19:33:00.000-08:00

Hey- first off, I did a very fun podcast interview with Eric Rochow of GardenFork.tv (a great back-to-basics site), and you can listen to it here....Eric also gave a very nice review of my new book "Humble Homes, Simple Shacks"(which you can order below)- http://www.gardenfork.tv/build-a-tiny-house-with-deek-diedricksen-gf-radio

That said, I made another trip back out to Sage Radachowsky's place near Boston a few days back to take some more photos, hang a little, and interview him in regards to a tiny, mobile, single sleeper he built, dubbed "The Occubago", which was so often seen in the Boston area news in Occupy Boston's Dewey Square camp- so at some point we'll have video on that....once I find the time! I have quite a few backlogged videos now, and its tough to find the time, and funds, editors (in other cases), and the proper equipment, to complete these. I'll "get 'er done" somehow...I keep flirting with the idea of doing a kickstarter campaign to finish these and shoot several other ones I'd like to do (Seattle, NY, Maine, etc), but I'm not sure how I feel about it yet.

Above is Sage in his Gypsy Wagon/Tiny House On Wheels, one of many shots I took, and while I didn't intend to photograph his truck, on my way out and up his driveway, I snapped these pics. What's cool about his little "inverted, boat-looking, roof/cap" is that with its addition of a tiny sleep compartment, or shelf, in the summer (or in more temporate climates) this would make for a great little camping vehicle. You could just drop some mosquito netting, and you're G.T.G. ("Good to go"- sorry, its a stupid, made-up, saying I use all the time).

This truck would also be GREAT for tailgating- just set up the bed as you would a deck- table, chairs, a grill (if you had a means to open the roof), and you've got yourself a porch on wheels, WITH a nap spot.

Or, if you need to crash where sleeping in your truck isn't so legal, you're really perched out of site up in the eaves of this little turtle-backed rig, so chances are no one would ever see you (or be able to steal gear from the back of your truck! Imagine the scare you'd give 'em!).

There's actually a design/concept in "Humble Homes, Simple Shacks" that has the same premise- hidden sleeping quarters. Its called "The Thwart Fort"- a picnic gazebo, in which the filled in roof, plays home to a tiny, clandestine, sleeping or living spot. -Derek "Deek" Diedricksen