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Dee Williams’ 8-foot and 12-foot Vardo Tiny House, Downloadable Plans, and Book on How to Build Tiny Homes


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Some of you may already know about Dee Williams’ Don Vardo which is meant to be a cute writing studio, guest suite or just a weekend get-away wagon.

These little gypsy-style caravans are a great alternative to travel trailers, tent camping, and teardrop campers.

They’re as aesthetically pleasing as a tiny house on a trailer with the functionality and ease of mobility of a small camper.

Dee Williams’ Portland Alternative Dwellings

PAD is a tiny house construction company that’s based in Portland, Oregon. The organization is dedicated to building small spaces that are better for the environment.

Right now all of their structures are designed to be constructed on trailers so that you can take it with you wherever life takes you. Customers of Portland Alternative Dwellings have been using them for…

  • Backyard office space
  • Guest quarters
  • Writing studios
  • Retreats
  • Camping trailers

Vardo Tiny House on Wheels by Dee Williams

PAD Don Vardo by Dee WilliamsPhoto Credit Portland Alternative Dwellings

Dee Williams and Katy Anderson are the two people behind PAD. Katy is a licensed contractor with more than 20 years of experience and Dee runs a woodworking company called Boxcar Woodcraft out of Olympia Washington. She is most famous for the 84 square foot house that she calls The Little House.

Video tour of her stylish 84-square-foot house

Have you seen her house yet? You can watch a video tour of Dee Williams’ tiny house on a trailer right here. The link will open in a new window.

It has been viewed inside-out by more than 20 million people through the Internet, magazines, television appearances and her own personal tours. Isn’t that crazy?!

The Don Vardo 8′ Gypsy Wagon

This version will work great if you wanted a little writing studio or a way to travel during your weekends. It sits on a 10-foot single axle trailer and there’s enough room for a…

  • Tiny kitchen area
  • Writing desk
  • The couch that converts to a bed

Get your copy of the Don Vardo 8-Foot construction plans.

The New 12′ Vardo

This version is still based on the Don Vardo but it’s made to give you a bit more space and functionality. This one has enough space for…

  • Bathroom
  • Kitchenette
  • Pull-out bed
  • Outside shower

Get your copy of the 12-foot building plans along with illustrations and instructions.

Go House Go! How to Build a Tiny House on Wheels

Go House Go shows you how to build a tiny house on wheels. It’s an eBook that you can download instantly after ordering.

The booklet shows you how to connect a structure onto a trailer which is a question that gets asked a lot around here. In addition, it covers:Go House Go by Dee Williams

  • How to keep the walls from twisting
  • How to keep moisture out
  • List of building materials commonly used
  • How to construct flooring
  • Walls & framing
  • Roofing and rafters
  • Exterior finish

Get your copy of Dee’s Go House Go!

If you decide to order any of Dee’s products through the links on this page you’ll be helping to support Tiny House Talk because of PAD’s referral program we get to earn a small commission on sales generated using our affiliate links (above). Thanks for your support!🙏

PADs Gypsy Style Don Vardo by Dee WilliamsPhoto Credit Portland Alternative Dwellings

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Alex

Alex is a contributor and editor for TinyHouseTalk.com and the always free Tiny House Newsletter. He has a passion for exploring and sharing tiny homes (from yurts and RVs to tiny cabins and cottages) and inspiring simple living stories. We invite you to send in your story and tiny home photos too so we can re-share and inspire others towards a simple life too. Thank you!
{ 16 comments… add one }
  • Jeannie
    October 7, 2011, 6:37 pm

    wow this is CUTE!!!!!

  • October 10, 2011, 10:00 am

    Thanks Jeannie, so happy to hear from you!

  • Jeannie
    October 10, 2011, 3:44 pm

    YW- I wouldn’t mind seeing a longer version of the vardo (?24 ft? 18 ft?)w/ a bed downstairs for all of us old farts who don’t wanna climb a ladder to sleep in a loft…I also like the low roof/ceiling, would save on heat/keep the space very warm…hmm…I do have pics of gypsy lil houses ;0)

  • October 10, 2011, 4:10 pm

    That would be cool. Glad you shared your ideas. Thanks Jeannie!

  • John Mauldin
    November 19, 2011, 9:29 am

    I really like the designs Dee Williams has come up with. The industry needs more people like Dee!

  • March 14, 2012, 3:48 pm

    Jeannie;
    In many states a 10′ wide boat and trailer can be towed during daylight hours with just a wide load sign front and back and a permit which can be had at a reasonable cost. I am thinking this might be a way to build for adequate room for seniors that don’t fancy the ladder climb. I will doodle some plans and see what happens at 10’X 18′-22′. If I find some good ones in my planning I will post them. Doing a triple axle with 10″ wheels and tires would help with height as well.

  • Tom Beaudin
    March 26, 2012, 10:56 pm

    I’m interested in the unique roof on Mr. Vardo’s tiny house. Where do you find such a soft semi-circular roof? That really makes the whole design, that amazing roof. Dying to know!

    Tom B.
    Seattle

  • Syrianna
    October 17, 2012, 1:24 pm

    I would like to buy the 12 foot plans but they are not showing up and neither is the website can anyone help me with this?

  • Bob
    November 17, 2012, 1:13 pm

    !!!!!!!!!

  • Abby Abbott
    December 6, 2012, 9:48 pm

    This is all soooooo awesome, I have been drowning in debt for goin on 8 yrs every since I got home from Afghanistan and lost everything.. I am so glad I found this, it looks like just what I need!!!!!! Thanks to all of you, Abby
    Oh question how did u start with paying 10,000 to build your home when you struggle for groceries every month?

    • Michelle
      April 24, 2014, 9:23 pm

      Hi Abby,

      One of the great things about building a tiny house is that you don’t need to build everything right away. In fact, you can buy a little here and there, or even scavenge a lot of the materials from either Craigslist, dumpsters, home remodelers, flea markets, yard sales, estate sales, etc.

      Homeowners who are remodeling may be happy to just give you things like windows, doors, flooring, cabinets, and fixtures just so they won’t have to incur disposal fees. Ask around. People often have construction “leftovers” stashed away in their basement or shed–things that are too good to throw away, but are taking up space.

      Next time you drive past a yard sale or garage sale, snoop for things that aren’t necessarily on sale; ask if they are willing to part with a dusty door forgotten in the corner, or unused kitchen cabinets. You’d be surprised how little you can get supplies for.

      Offer to help do cleanup work or dismantling work for a remodeler in exchange for some cast-off supplies. Check the paper and Craigslist for notices of homes being demolished then inquire if you can scavenge supplies before the bulldozer gets to it.

      You may need to just start gathering supplies before you get to the actual building process but don’t give up, you’ll get there.

  • Michelle
    April 24, 2014, 9:13 pm

    Not specifically related to only tiny houses, but I’m going to throw out a suggestion: RJ DeCristoforo’s “Housebuilding” book is about as definitive a construction guide as I’ve ever found. Lots of helpful tips on working alone and getting things done when you have no helper. Other good resources are the online RV boards as many of the full-timers do their own maintenance and repair. Especially search out the tips on RV restorations for issues related to trailers.

  • Heidi Celeridad
    May 14, 2018, 8:44 pm

    Am a senior widow who wants to live in a tiny home to help me
    Retire permanently. Am currently on hybrid retirement so i can pay
    My mortgage but cost of maintenance is still keeping me from fully
    Enjoying retirement. I have a vacant lot where i could place my tiny
    House. I need a reliable and honest builder to help me build my dream home. My budget is redicoulously tight. Being a senior.
    Can anybody help me? Thanks Heidi

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