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Single Mom’s Modern Nostalgia Retirement Tiny Home!


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This is Michelle “MJ” Boyle. She’s a mother of two who recently built her own tiny home on wheels to retire in (sort of). Michelle plans on building more tiny homes so that she can rent them out for income.

Her THOW has what she calls a “modern nostalgia” style. In fact, Michelle spent two years collecting and refurbishing appliances from the mid 1940’s and early 1950’s for her kitchen. How awesome is that?

Anyway, I’m able to put together this post and share it with you thanks to the incredible Dylan Magaster on YouTube so be sure to subscribe to his videos (they’re amazing)!

Mother of Two’s “Modern Nostalgic” Tiny Home

Video Tour w/ Single Mother who Built her own Tiny Home!

Resources

Related: Michelle’s Tiny Home on Wheels (TOUR)

This post contains affiliate links.

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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!
{ 22 comments… add one }
  • Lisa D. Lucas
    October 12, 2017, 4:28 pm

    I Love It! Love the fact you did it yourself, too (with help, of course). Very helpful info and ideas, too. There are so many bits and pieces to the building process, even (or especially) tiny building. Best of luck!

  • Jane K.
    October 12, 2017, 5:42 pm

    LOVE your place!! And AMEN to having a real living room!

    Just a thought: I’ve seen where a few tiny house dwellers have put an afghan on a hanging ladder step, with a berry garland (for example) spread across the afghan. It makes the ladder and home look so much homier!

    Gob bless,

    Jane

  • Jane K.
    October 12, 2017, 5:44 pm

    I mean “God” bless!

    Jane

  • Kathi Edge
    October 13, 2017, 7:41 am

    Awesome home, awesome video. I was so impressed with your attitude and way you went about taking care of yourself considering your back story, Kudos to you MJ! I also think you did a fantastic job building and decorating your tiny home, much more practical than some I have seen and I too agree with having a real living room area. Can’t wait to see what you do next. Thanks for sharing.

  • Donna
    October 13, 2017, 9:33 am

    Love your home! Also your sense of humor!

  • Patricia
    October 13, 2017, 9:53 am

    I really thought you created a great space. Love all that you did. Love it more that a woman did it for all of us.
    I’m still holding on at 73 to my cottage out back but I don’t know if I can continue renting my little home out later down the road. Its how I live and it’s 22×23 but I’m an out door woman and all OK in Florida.Women you to can learn how to keep all you have just think. Keep on viewing Tiny House a world of information.

  • Meg
    October 13, 2017, 10:25 am

    This place is fantastic! It’s wonderful to see real living room furniture and that is the best kitchen…love the older appliances. The stairs are a great use of space (and we all underestimate the size of our ass!) and it’s wonderful to see a closet and stackable washer/dryer. Very well done!

  • Dyane
    October 13, 2017, 12:59 pm

    Love your home!! Do you get cold winters where you are? I could really see myself living in a Tiny Home just like yours. Very cozy and “homey”. It has everything that I want in a home. I love your sense of humor!

  • Anthonie
    October 14, 2017, 6:33 pm

    Outstanding! Just flat out wonderful. Thank you so much for sharing:)

  • Leigh Jackson
    October 14, 2017, 11:15 pm

    I recently saw this video and I thought her build was beautiful. Her idea to use real furniture was one I had a few years ago and since then have seen a lot of other people use the same idea. It feels more like home.

  • Nerida
    October 15, 2017, 9:45 am

    I have come across you a couple of times but faded away from the tiny house movement for a wee while. Mainly because like you I literally have no money but survival and then only barely. The idea of scrounging a trailer that may not actually be roadworthy was a stumbling block. But now i have my eye on some timber that seems to be going to waste so my thought have turned back to THsOWs and I am so glad I got to see this finished and furnished home and really get your story. What a fabulous creation and the way you did it is inspiring. I hope your children are proud of you.

    And I absolutely agree 1000%, fabric wrapped foam on a plywood box does not = a couch.

    Thank you for so generously showing us your home.

  • Christie Heiser
    October 21, 2017, 9:57 am

    What did you find works well for Women , weight wise for cordless tools

  • susan
    October 21, 2017, 10:09 am

    Great job. Michelle. I would like mine with a bed on the 1st floor, please.

  • Betty
    February 7, 2018, 8:00 pm

    Good for you. I could live here, only with a downstairs bedroom. (2 knee replacements)😢 Proud of you.😆

  • Ivlia Blackburn
    February 8, 2018, 3:59 am

    At last, a tiny home on wheels as opposed to a tiny house on wheels. Real furniture makes the difference and this includes both looks and comfort. I saw another one yesterday from Tiny Homes Scotland which also had real furniture including a proper table with 6 dining chairs. Things like this are what makes a home, a bench with a mattress on top doesn’t.

  • Marsha Cowan
    February 8, 2018, 10:10 am

    It’s the perfect retirement home. Lovely and warm.

  • Dick
    February 13, 2018, 8:18 pm

    Oh Cahow, where are you? I’d love to read your comments on this home.

    As for my comments…WOW! It does indeed feel like a home. As everyone else has said, *real* furniture! And I especially like the antique buffet (sideboard?) she uses for her TV. I have my father’s dresser and lawyer’s bookcase (no, he wasn’t a lawyer, but did have the bookcase) and I’d hate to go tiny and lose those two pieces; MJ’s house shows how it can be done.

  • Marian Toews
    November 7, 2018, 4:18 pm

    This is a wonderful house! I love your attitude too. All the very best to you.

  • Kathy
    November 9, 2018, 2:21 pm

    MJ, I have total respect for you pulling this great home together by yourself! It IS really a HOME. While I get sucked in by the slick modern finished on many THOWs, I know in my heart I would be happier with refurbished 50’s appliances, antique doors, and that lovely antique sideboard under your (admittedly) narrow stairs, lol. Great planning on getting a washer and dryer AND such a roomy closet in 24 feet! All in all, I love your home and your moxie (we old people know what that means), and your attitude! Congratulations! PS please put me on your list to rent one of your future tiny homes!!

  • Michael L
    May 10, 2020, 9:58 pm

    Too bad we can’t access the video.

  • Kathy Handyside
    May 11, 2020, 2:01 am

    What I could see from the pictures, it’s beautiful, but when I tried to watch the video, a notice came up saying that the video was blocked because of copyright issues.

    • Natalie C. McKee
      May 11, 2020, 1:16 pm

      Oh rats… must be a problem on the producers end. That’s a bummer!

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