diy by Grace Bonney 34

diy tiny house


i couldn’t think of a better way to start the day than with this amazing piece of hard work and carpentry from d*s reader susan herr in burlington, vermont. so many of us dream of having a little room or home to escape to when we need some quiet time, but susan actually found the inspiration to make it happen- with her own two hands! due to the price of land and the impracticality of relocation, susan decided to build her on dream house. she took a weekend “tiny house” building workshop last fall and got the confidence to tackle this project on her own.




from the gravel base to the shingles on top, susan built this entire (beautiful!) getaway on her own. it’s the new shed/garden house/grownup playhouse of her dreams (i love the little window box on the side). furnished with pieces from a local recycling store, susan now has a place where she can escape any time she likes- to read, draw, or just appreciate the hard work she put into this amazing little build. great work, susan!

*i love seeing projects like this, so if you ever have a hand-built structure you’d like to share, i’d love to check it out!

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34 Comments

Pam @ diy Design Fanatic

What a cute shed! I am in the process of designing a shed. I have looked at the kits, but they look cheap and are expensive. I prefer to build one with a little character like the one you featured!

Missy

This is really a cute little house. Almost like a storybook! I love the detail work between the door and roof!

niko

this is amaaaazing! so in love with it! it makes me wish i had a yard more than ever.

Alix

I’d love to see more pix of the interior. Also, is it insulated? Does it have electricity? These are the details I wonder about…

ec

I love this idea! Any info about this “tiny house” workshop?

brad of colorTHEORY

I think it’s great that an adult has their own play house. We should all be so lucky.

I need my own “special place” more than ever.

Susan

The workshop was with Peter King, who does them around northern Vermont. Here’s his website:vermonttinyhouses.com. He’s a real free spirit, and lives in a tiny house in the winter.
My shed isn’t insulated or electrified, but easily could be. I’m leaving that to the next owners, since we may move soon. I know, I know, but the joy was in the building. It cost about $3000 to build, including everything like gravel and permits.

.amanda.

wow! what a confidant woman! Inspires me to do something like this! I too agree, that little window box is the perfect detail! So sweet. Add a little heater or stove and this little guy could be a great escape in cold weather too!

Jen O

What a perfect little house. Congrats on doing what so many of us only dream about! I too am in love with this new ‘little house’ movement. Perhaps someday….

Steph

What an inspiring DIY! My husband and I have thought about building a tiny house on our property. Susan, is your house foundation a concrete slab or pier and beam?

Susan

It’s built on 6 inches of gravel. I dug down six inches and filled the pit with gravel, and then it sits on pressure treated 4×4 skids, so it can be moved if need be. Even with the deep frost we get in Burlington VT, a little heaving shouldn’t be a problem, since there is no sheetrock to crack, and it can always be re-levelled with shims if need be. It’s only 8′x10′.

Elizabeth

You’re Awesome Susan. This is the most beautiful little house ever! This woman has extraordinary taste and talent!

Wendy Kelly

Thanks! We’re obsessed with small lately, and these homes are the ultimate in small. I love knowing you can live well in a small space.

Amber

I am SOOOOOOO jealous!!! Way to go – this tiny house looks amazing. Really makes me want to pick up a hammer and start my own project. Thanks for the inspiration!

Essie

Oh, I totally plan on building me a tiny house when I grow up and have my own big house and a yard; I don’t want to have an office, just an adult playhouse!

Katha

What a beautiful getaway! Can anyone tell me the name of or where I might find one of those bowls seen in the last picture? I have seen bowls like it in other photos and it seems to be an antique or thrift store find. I don’t even know what the design is called to do an online search.

Abbey

If you are interested in tiny houses, check out http://www.tumbleweedhouses.com. This company designs amazing tiny houses (from 65 sq. ft. – 372) with truly ingenious interiors that use every inch of space.

Irene

Oh My God! I love that. What a huge, but lovely project to take on. I am so impressed.

Susan

Just so you know, not such a huge deal. It was up in a couple of weeks, meaning the base, walls, roof, door, windows. Then shingling, painting, details took some time. And I’m over 60, so you can do it too.

Val

I so want to convert the shed in my backyard into something like this, I would just need to add windows and paint. But as of now it is gardening supply storage.

April

We live in a sub-250 sq. ft. house we’re in the process of building. Last weekend we found (bought/salvaged) the perfect yellow pipe to support our salvaged yellow counter and salvaged kitchen sink… so many projects, so little time, but we’re hoping to finish the covered porch, soon, too. Glad to see the tiny house movement getting much-needed press!

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