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Expanding Tiny House with Slide-Outs


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I’m honored and thrilled to show you Jerry & Rene Larson’s expanding 222 sq. ft. tiny house on wheels. It’s 24′ long and 8’6″ wide with two functional slide-outs to expand your space inside. This tiny home is 12′ high at the roof’s peak and has a chimney with an additional 6-8″ height.

Jerry & Rene designed and built this amazing tiny house themselves during their spare time over the course of a little over a year. Rene wants to move into it, but Jerry thinks they should sell it! So if you’re seriously interested in this one-of-a-kind gem of a tiny home, you might have a chance to buy it from them. Update: I just spoke with Jerry on the phone, and he and his wife are currently living in it. 🙂 For now please enjoy and re-share below. Thank you!

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222 Sq. Ft. Tiny House with Slide-Outs

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Images © Jerry and Rene Larson

The two slide outs are manually operated. If you have two people on the outside and one on the inside to push, pull and align it’s very easy to do because they just roll in and out on top of the floor on castors. They’re also mounted on sliding steel rails which are housed into the floor frame.

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This tiny home was built to be remote and off grid ready even though you can plug it into utilities just like an RV if you wanted to.

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The walls are framed with 2×3 studs and 3×4 headers and beams instead of 2×4’s and 4×4’s. This was done to decrease the weight as well as to gain 2″ of width inside the house. Cool, right?

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The exterior walls are sheeted with 1/2″ CDX plywood and the inside walls are paneled with 1/2″ birch plywood. In the photo below you can see the bathroom fan cover (top) and the water tank fill sprout/street water connection (just above the rear hatch).

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This tiny home is insulated with spray foam made from Soy. It was then cured for about 48 hours. This adds 30% to the structural integrity of the house and gets it an R value of R18 in the walls, R41 in the ceiling, and R38 in the floor. This type of insulation expands into every nook and cranny to really seal up the entire structure.

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When you open the rear hatch (see above) you can see the basement area where two 95 gallon tanks are housed. One is for fresh water and the other is for grey water. This area is also insulated and can even be heated if necessary. Very thoughtful work here, right? This is also where the propane water heater and 12 volt water pump is housed. Alright! Let’s go inside..

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The interior walls are pre-finished birch plywood that Jerry and Rene primed, textured and painted. Instead of going with an upstairs sleeping loft, they chose this wall bed system that looks like a cabinet behind the table.

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The flooring is laminate which made it easier to fit and roll the slide-outs inside. The wood that you see on the wall behind the table is cottonwood from eastern Oregon. Normally this wood is white and plain, but in Jerry’s words, “if it grows in harsh climate it can develop character.”

Jerry and Rene Tiny House

The smaller slide-out functions as a closet. Copper water pipes were used for a hanging rod and three wine boxes are being used as a drawer chest. At the bottom of the green cabinet, the little black panel you see there is a propane detecter. This tiny home also has a CO detector, smoke detector, and fire extinguisher in case of emergencies. And if you look closely there’s a small space under the bed wall that’s actually a long narrow drawer! Jerry couldn’t leave the space wasted so he created that to be used for ammo or fishing rod storage. Isn’t that awesome?!

Jerry and Rene Tiny House 2

If you look closely at the photo below you’ll notice a black panel box above the green cabinet. This is the electric converter because the house is wired with 12 volt and 110 volt power and this is the distribution center (kind of like a breaker box in a normal home or apartment). All 29 lights are 12 volt plus the ceiling fan, bathroom fan, range hood, television and the various 12 volt plugs throughout the house.

Jerry and Rene Slide Out Tiny House 3

I’m telling you… This house just keeps getting better and better, doesn’t it? Jerry even thought to create an escape hatch! He says, “At our age we figured it would be easier to drop out the bottom than climb out any window in this place as they’re quite small and high.” See below. 🙂

Jerry and Rene Tiny House Escape Hatch

The other slide out houses the double electric recliners. This is where they decided to spoil themselves a bit! They went with electric because the manual ones didn’t offer any foot rest adjustments (they would only lock all the way up or down).

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The downfall is that the chairs are 110 volt electric so they require street power or generator power to operate. Optionally you can use another seating option or even create a built-in couch with storage. I think I’d opt to keep the recliners, how about you?

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In the image above you might notice 4 spikes coming out of the four corners of the slide outs. These are what hold the slide-outs in place. It’s not high tech but it works very effectively and you can even hang your hat or coat on them too. Alright! Let’s pull out the bed!

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Once you fold the table up and fold the chairs down on the floor you’re ready to pull your bed down. All you need is a little wall art, right?

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Let’s check out the kitchen!

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It has a 9 cubic foot refrigerator with a freezer that can operate on propane or 110 volt electric. It’s hard to notice, but there are two black grills under the stairs which help keep the basement area heated. Jerry also adds, “The little wood stove will be the primary heat source in the winter however you can see a small brass fitting at the bottom of the refrigerator cabinet where we’ll have a auxiliary propane heater. I’ll be cutting a DVD/stereo system into the upper refrigerator cabinet but haven’t decided on one yet.”

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The little passage door you’re looking at here which takes you three steps up leads you to the beautiful bathroom which you’ll get to see in a few moments.

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When you put the table up and put the chairs away in the closet there’s enough open space inside the tiny house to do yoga, do an at home work out, or even dance! This is all thanks, in part, to the slide outs.

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The Morso cast iron wood stove you see below is made in Denmark. It’s designed to heat up 800 sq. ft. of space so it’ll be easy for it to keep the house warm.

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“For the heat shield behind the stove I used galvanized sheet metal then unleashed the artist in me to burn some character into them with muriatic acid followed by a little salt and vinegar and a coat of paste wax to stabilize the oxidation,” says Jerry.

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Left over roof metal was used as a backsplash in the kitchen behind the propane range. The large drawer you see next to it is where you can keep wood for the stove. During the summer you can probably use it as a clothes hamper. The kitchen countertops are laminate with black walnut edging and backsplash.

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The cabinets are all custom built using 3/4″ birch plywood to help keep the weight down and strength up. There is 45″ of space from the edge of the counter top to the other end of it. It’s designed so that two people can work in the kitchen if you wanted to.

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The little rod for the paper towel holder was purposefully left a little longer so you can use it as a grab bar when you step up to the bathroom.

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Below you can see how every possible nook and cranny was utilized by Jerry and Rene when they designed and built this beautiful tiny home. This is the toe kick storage space below the cabinets which is often wasted in most homes and apartments.

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Jerry chose not to put drawer guides for these to keep the drawers stable during transit and so you can easily pull them out and place them on the counter to fill, empty, and organize the drawers. I love it!

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Alright! Let’s take those three steps up to the bathroom. Use the towel rack hand rail if you have to!

Jerry and Rene Slide Out Tiny House Bathroom

Right now there’s an Airhead composting toilet installed but Jerry thoughtfully mounted it over a conventional toilet flange with a water valve nearby in case you’d want a flush toilet with sewer hookup.

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The finished floor space in the bathroom measures 47″ x 89″ which feels pretty big for a tiny house.

“As you can see, I went a little wild with a wire brush attached to an electric grinder on our galvanized metal shower walls. Gave it that original one of a kind artsy look and then I coated it with paste wax to keep it from rusting and easy to clean. The water just beads right off,” says Jerry.

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The shower is 48″x32″. This is larger than some showers in normal homes! Jerry’s wife, Rene, found the beautiful hammered sink which looks absolutely beautiful.

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There she is ready to tow down the road! The slide-outs are in and it’s ready to go.

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Let’s take a look inside the storage shed, shall we? This is also the house’s mechanical room. In fact, the generator you see in there was used to build the entire house!

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Jerry says the Honda EU3000is generator is a great machine because it runs as much as 20 hours on 3.4 gallons of gas and it runs very quiet for a generator. It’ll even charge the batteries each morning and evening when they need 110 volt power. There’s still room in the shed to add more batteries and an inverter for solar equipment.

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Above is the house wrap that was used and here’s what Jerry has to say about it, “Its a little spendy but its the Gortex of the house wrap world. I was going to have my daughter make me a raincoat out of it but I didn’t have enough left.”

Below is a close up shot of the basement area where you can see the tanks, drains, water heater and the water pump. 🙂

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Images © Jerry and Rene Larson

Design/Build Inspiration

Before they designed and built it they looked at several tiny house blogs for months to find their own likes and dislikes and basically learn from others mistakes, right?

Life Long Construction Experience

And if like me, you’re wondering how they did so well with their first tiny house, it’s because Jerry has been in the cabinet and construction business his entire life.

To build it they rented two covered RV storage spots side by side to keep the project protected from the elements. When I talked to Jerry on the phone he told me, “this is the most fun I’ve ever had building something.”

Jerry and Rene did all of the work themselves on their spare time throughout the course of a year. The only thing they hired out was the plumbing and electrical work.

Construction/Material Costs

The tiny house is located near Portland, Oregon. They spent about $41,000 in high quality materials to build it while they labored away at it themselves on their spare time for over a year. That part, in my opinion, is priceless, isn’t it?

The rounded metal roof and the insulation, for example, were very expensive. In fact, the blown foam insulation adds about 30% to the structural integrity of the house because it tightens it up, makes it quieter, cooler or warmer, and it keeps away the bugs too.

Want to Buy This Tiny House? Or Hire Jerry to Build Yours?

If you’re interested in buying this tiny house the asking price with everything that you see included is $70,000 USD. Jerry is also open to making himself available to help you build your dream tiny house on wheels. If you’re seriously interested, he can be reached at eaststonecreek at gmail dot com or call him at 360-nine2one-200three.

Our big thanks to Jerry and Rene Larson for sharing their incredible tiny home with us!

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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!
{ 146 comments… add one }
  • Jim
    July 2, 2015, 2:10 pm

    Very curious what make/model of fridge that is??!

    • Bertie
      October 10, 2015, 2:08 pm

      This is a standard rv refrigerator-one I have in my tiny bome on wheels is made by Dometic. Easily obtained thru local rv dealers

  • Tom Tokar
    July 2, 2015, 2:19 pm

    The ingenuity and talent some folks have amazes me!

  • Christie
    July 2, 2015, 2:31 pm

    So awesome! It is making me change my mind about the possibility of slide outs.

  • Karen R
    July 2, 2015, 2:31 pm

    Lots of good ideas, but the green is a personal choice a lot of us would change. I also am one of the few who does NOT like recliners. I really like the innovative slides and the wall space provided by the high windows.

    Obviously, a lot of skill, thought, and quality in this home.

    • July 2, 2015, 3:20 pm

      I am with you Karen R. I love virtually EVERYTHING about this house, . . . except the green. I even LOVE the recliners 😀

  • July 2, 2015, 2:41 pm

    This is gorgeous! I love the pop-out homes; that little bit of extra room makes all the difference in the world in this size house. The cabinetry, bathroom and kitchen are all such high quality that living here would feel like luxury living. The basement and storage area are brilliant, as well. Very nice!

  • Ruth Vallejos
    July 2, 2015, 3:21 pm

    Bravo! Really well thought out, and nicely done. I really love the look of the kitchen, as well as the layout. Looking past the aesthetics (i.e. it’s not easy being green), the pop outs just add so much to the design and feeling of home. I’d love to see a video of the pop out popping out and retracting.

    • Susan
      August 21, 2015, 10:00 am

      I think the green is a bit overwhelming too….but seeing where they are from, I understsnd why I think. They are Ducks fans! My sister would love this because of that…lol. nice job and lovely work.

  • Rae
    July 2, 2015, 3:31 pm

    I love the concept of this tiny home. Very good ingenuity with the slide outs, heated basement, and garage.. I was wondering if Jerry and Rene would be interested in selling the plans? This is one of the best layouts I’ve seen. Great job!

  • Nila Ridings
    July 2, 2015, 3:37 pm

    Very impressive!!! Truly a work of art and obviously done by a skilled carpenter.

    The bed with the table on the underneath side is an idea I’ve always thought would work well in a tiny house. It was nice to see it actually in use.

    I would love to see one of these made with bead board white cabinets and bright colors on the walls. I think it would be charming. Although, I can certainly appreciate the colors in this one. They remind me of Big Cedar Lodge.

    I love the reclining chairs in the slide out. And that slide out closet could easily have a cutting table that folds down for cutting quilt fabric. And the fold down table would be a perfect place to sew.

    This tiny house has it all! I love it!

    • Sharee
      July 10, 2015, 1:38 am

      Ditto. But I even like the green.

  • Robin
    July 2, 2015, 3:43 pm

    This is an extraordinary Tiny House. I love it all. I will be making one soon and will borrow some of these ideas! I would put in a couch with storage instead of lounge chairs. The insulation idea is stellar. Where do you get that from? It would be interesting to see footage of them pulling out the sides and pushing them back in. This is one of the best designs ever!

  • Ln
    July 2, 2015, 3:47 pm

    Was the bathroom raised up higher to allow for the basement area to be constructed? Genius idea to keep everything from freezing in the winter in frigid climates. Never be penny wise and pound foolish when it comes to choosing the correct type of insulation, windows and doors for your climate!

  • Emily c.
    July 2, 2015, 4:22 pm

    Love all the innovative ideas that went into this litter house! I really love the hide away table and the murphy bed. As a person who is not in love with the idea of climbing a ladder or tiny stairs to go to bed this is really for me. The only changes I would make is to paint it cottage colors and add some ginger bread and solar panels.

  • Ed
    July 2, 2015, 4:32 pm

    Awesome! Very nice. Quality quality
    and more QUALITY! In other words
    Excellent ! Thanks Ed

  • Richard
    July 2, 2015, 5:00 pm

    The best constructed tiny house I’ve seen! Bravo!

  • Mary
    July 2, 2015, 5:04 pm

    Wow, that is amazing. If my town would allow me to put this on my spare lot, I would sell my house and take that on to move into. I need to sell my 635 square foot lake home and garage first and I listed it on your site but got strange spam emails and not many real people. It is all renovated and has nothing to be done. I just want to down size when my son graduates in 2 years because I am a single mom. I would go for a solar option on the tiny house too and put more wood inside that is natural looking. I love log homes. A second bed in the loft above the Murphy bed would be a great addition for when he is home from college.

    • Polly Culberson
      August 30, 2015, 9:14 pm

      Mary, I would love to see pictures of your 635 sq.ft. small home, as I’m interested in seeing all these tiny homes, but would like a bit more space than 300 sq. ft. Where is your little home?

    • Dick
      June 23, 2017, 5:48 pm

      Mary, have you thought about this: put a TH on your spare lot as an auxiliary dwelling unit (assuming your town allows those), and then renting, not selling, the larger home? Many areas allow ADUs to be placed on existing lots as long as there’s a main house and someone’s living in it.

      I realize this is two years after your comment, but I also imagine your son has just graduated and you’re ready to make some changes now. And as Polly says below, please post some pics of your small house. We’d love to see them.

      • Dick
        September 14, 2017, 6:25 pm

        To add to my comment of three months ago:
        1. Do the Larsons still live in this home? I love it, including–and especially–the recliners.
        2. Something I’ve wondered about woodstoves in THOWs: the article says this stove is rated for 800 sf, and the house is about half that. So I wonder, can a woodstove cause you to be “hotted out” of your home? I had a friend with a Heatilator fireplace in his family room, and even in the middle of a southwest Missouri winter, that room got way too hot!

  • Annette
    July 2, 2015, 5:20 pm

    It’s funny to read all the comments about the color. I love the green cabinets and find the entire scheme very cheerful.

    But more interesting is the lack of a loft – the murphy bed is a great solution. The whole thing appears to be super-delux.

    Does anyone know whether this caboose-style rounded profile has towing advantages over the more conventional cottage-type tiny houses?

    Great job on this tiny house!

  • gale
    July 2, 2015, 5:43 pm

    This one has it all. They did a wonderful job in every nook and cranny. Might change some colors but everyone has color preferences and that’s nothing when you have something this great to start with. Exceptional!

  • Brandi
    July 2, 2015, 5:56 pm

    I want one. LOL This is the most amazing one I’ve seen. I get a kick out of the people that complain about the colors. Just repaint it to your liking. I think that I would also have a little smaller wood stove, so as not to be cooked out when it’s burning. Should a person want to order one, how long do you think it would take to get one like this one done? GREAT JOB!!!!!! LOVE IT!

    I too would love to purchase plans for this one.

  • Bill Burgess
    July 2, 2015, 6:03 pm

    This pretty much makes all other styles of Tiny Home obsolete. Many great Ideas including the escape hatch which is genius for seniors and people who are not very agile. With the two slides(neither of which is as large as could be) the usability of the structure almost doubles and that claustrophobia will be kept at bay nicely. Kudos….This opens a whole range of Ideas and styles.

  • Wendy
    July 2, 2015, 6:04 pm

    For months now I have been looking at tiny house designs with a goal of building my own in the next 2 years. You have incorporated so many innovative ideas, it inspires me to think even further outside the box. I am very curious about the support structure under the slide-outs. Do you have photos or drawings available that detail the steel rails and mechanism? Wonderful design!

  • Beverley Collins
    July 2, 2015, 6:25 pm

    Yes I like the basement in it and the insulation like to known where I can get that I live in Canada and would like to do this to my trailer and winterize it for the cold weather in Canada my trailer is 30ft long and would. To do some work on it but need help thank you Beverley

  • Michaela
    July 2, 2015, 6:35 pm

    How does the grey water system work? Does it have a filter on it to then water the outside? Or where does it hook up?

  • Anne Maguire
    July 2, 2015, 6:40 pm

    So clever. Great ideas and use of space and really pleased to see more slide-outs.

  • cathy hooper
    July 2, 2015, 6:58 pm

    awesome on all levels … i’m floored

  • Sandra Napier
    July 2, 2015, 7:06 pm

    What a wonder of a Tiny Home!! I can’t say enough about how much I love the level of craftsmanship and ingenuity. I hope your still building these when I sell my small home in about 10 years and am ready for my Tiny Home. Love the paper towel holder/hand holder. My folks used door knobs by the stairs to their sunken living room. The bump outs are genius. Thank you for sharing your gifts.

  • Mr. Lonnie
    July 2, 2015, 7:10 pm

    Beauteous! Great ideas and execution! Raises the bar!

  • dea
    July 2, 2015, 7:28 pm

    woohooo! your pullouts must be similar to the ones I designed(based off a friends more complicated electric rv one, lol), just saw yours today…awesome to see what the future has in store (a drawing is a little vague, and I was doubting if I should go for it or not) thank you for the inspiration to move forward with my original design and not change it, much appreciate. now I can have my “space” and enjoy it too! two thumbs way up for your designs and hard work! Kudos

  • July 2, 2015, 7:36 pm

    Well that’s the first tiny home with slideouts I’ve seen that doesn’t look more like an RV than a home. Definitely has good bones! I’d love to hear more about how the slideouts work for future reference in my own tiny house plans.

  • Aaron
    July 2, 2015, 8:27 pm

    I’d love to know more about how the slide outs were constructed and what the inside looks like with them pushed in. I would also love to know if you could build the kitchen in a slideout, although I’m guessing that plumbing would be a problem, so maybe it would be better if I designed my office in a slide out section instead. So many decisions, so many options, so little space and money!

  • Polo
    July 2, 2015, 8:59 pm

    Just what I wanted to see! I’m retiring within the next couple of years and want to build my retirement tiny house along many of the concepts shown here. Kudos to Jerry and Rene for presenting newer options on tiny house living. Bravo!!!

  • Hope Kraft
    July 2, 2015, 9:20 pm

    This is the best design I have even seen. Are plans for sale. I am very interested , since I live in Texas.

  • MsDeloris
    July 2, 2015, 9:40 pm

    Green cabinets and all !
    this one steals the show,
    Class act!!!

  • Jeanne
    July 2, 2015, 9:57 pm

    Just about perfect! I think I’d use a smaller propane stove instead (maybe a wall mounter one), and add a combo washer/dryer where the wood storage is. Love that it doesn’t have a loft – those ladders are difficult as we get older 🙂

  • Donna
    July 3, 2015, 12:37 am

    Love the design!!! But considering how many people commented on the color it seems as if no one gets the significance not the just that particular shade of green but also the particular shade of yellow paired with it. The colors are called John Deere green and John Deere yellow, lol. I logged too many hours on John Deere tractors to ever forget those colors, lol.

  • Rob Mitchell
    July 3, 2015, 12:46 am

    Great use of space very inspirational, hoping one day my tiny house may end up on these pages thanks for so many ideas and information

  • Jaime
    July 3, 2015, 1:21 am

    As I said in another post on this site today, I’m not normally a fan of THoW given the width restrictions – but in this case… wow. Just… wow. This little house is a true work of art. I love the built in storage, I love the fact that it has a bathroom that’s large enough to be comfortable to use, I love the kitchen, and I love the Murphy bed used instead of the loft option so common in these homes. I love the attention to even the smallest of details – from the toe-kick storage to the escape hatch in the bedroom floor.

    The craftsmanship and the thought that went into the design of this home are stunning – obviously a true labor of love, and worth every last penny that it would take to buy this.

    Thank you, Jerry and Renee, for sharing this inspiration.

    • Jerry Larson
      July 3, 2015, 2:15 am

      Wow Jamie, thanks for all the compliments. After seeing all the beautiful THOW’s on this site for the last 2 years we thought we’d better give it give it our best too so someone could do even better. Our inspiration came from all who went before us.

  • Vanyel
    July 3, 2015, 2:11 am

    im so glad you Americans are joining the party. 🙂
    In Australia I’ve seen houses being built with a loft that has the headspace of a proper second floor as the ceiling slides upwards! I’m curious to know how it would handle your snowy winters.

    However my favourite ‘out there’ innovation was the castle house truck in New Zealand in which, the house was a castle and even had space for a tub on the roof with headspace to group their vegetables up there! There are videos on YouTube if you want to see that one.

  • Rue
    July 3, 2015, 2:16 am

    I hereby add my voice to the chorus of “Wow.” Innovative and well-thought-out design, and great fit and finish.

    Usually tiny house = sacrifice and compromise, but that bathroom and kitchen really leave nothing wanting. (okay, except maybe a tub!)

    I really have to wonder why more tiny house builders don’t incorporate slide-outs…the versatility and space gain just offer so many possibilities.

  • Dug
    July 3, 2015, 2:28 am

    You know it just amazes me sometimes folks!!! A truly inspirational build, with many innovative designs and factors, obviously built by a true craftsman (a process that’s rapidly being lost in this next generation, who seem to want everything done for them NOW!) and the trival paint option is the only thing anyone can say about it speaks volumes in my language – may you go on to build many, many more take my advice keep it as “your” style and DONT go down the selling plans route, retain its secrets, as all you will accomplish anyway is too cheapen this stunning build and yourself in the process.
    My hats off to you buddy, I hail to your experience, design and actions

  • Michael
    July 3, 2015, 2:56 am

    Finally slides reached tiny homes and they are built not drawings only.
    We have seen the 32′ gooseneck and now this one.
    Murphy bed made it earlier and in FL a loft isn’t amusing at all.
    Remember physics, hot air is going up, cold air down.
    I like the off grid capability and would add solar panels and probably a wind generator. It seems to me this guys like to cook, their kitchen
    is great as is the bathroom. The windows under the ceiling are great for cross ventilation and provide light without insight.
    the curved roof is nice, too. Much better than the common ones which are really showing that its a shrunken home. I personally would choose a double pitched roof with a lower front end for better aerodynamics when on the road and easy to build.
    Overall, well done!

  • kristina nadreau
    July 3, 2015, 5:19 am

    beautifully execution of a well thought out design.

  • Jerry & Rene Larson
    July 3, 2015, 12:07 pm

    Wow, I can’t believe all the complimentary comments about our little house you have all left here. I’d like to reply to each one individually but now there’s too many so I’ll do it this way and hope you all see it.
    Thank you for taking the time to look at our project and liking what you saw. Alex has raised quite a ruckus for us now.
    Anyway, I see the main point of contention here with our house is the green cabinets but I make no apologies, it just happened that way. We’ve been accused of being Oregon Duck fans and now John Deere tractor buffs so it will be fun to see what else comes up. We went into this project with fun and adventure in mind and that’s what its been. After all, who in the world would think of vandalizing his own shower with an electric grinder if he didn’t have big time fun in mind.
    You wouldn’t and for sure shouldn’t pay even 50 cents for the plans I drew for this house, they’re a mess and every time I changed them, I had to change them again so I just went on the fly and made everything fit and work as best I could. Sorry, but I have no plans for sale.
    As for the slide-outs, they’re manual and by that I mean muscle powered. My wife and I could easily operate them in and out until she brought that couch home and now we need 2 people on the outside to safely move them but I think I’ll enjoy the recliners very much. You need to think of the slide-outs as a smaller box sliding into a larger box. When slid in for travel, they’re supported on the floor by 6 castors. As they’re pushed out, the weight transfers to the steel rails that are housed in the floor frame of the main house and connected under the front bottom of the slide-outs. Pretty simple but it works. All that’s left is to pound in the 4 spikes on the inside once in place and put the outside trim pieces back on. This house really isn’t designed to move around but once or twice a year but maybe some whiz kid could figure out a way to apply electric, hydraulic or pneumatic assistance to these slide-outs so it would be more convenient to move about like an RV.
    I would also like to address the price of this house which seems a little high so let me explain. The house could be sold for $62K if I left out the Generator, Composting Toilet, Electric Recliners, TV and RV queen size mattress. The generator is unnecessary if you have street power. The composting toilet is unnecessary if you have a sewer hook up and an ivory throne to set in its place. The recliners are extravagant. The TV is unnecessary and the mattress should be new.
    I believe I’ve covered the High points for now and Thank You again for your interest.
    Jerry

    • darlene mills
      September 5, 2015, 12:21 pm

      I cannot get through on your email listed here. Please email at your earliest convenience so i can talk to you about rent to own or purchase. I want to use a tiny home to stay in florida with my family this winter. Tx.

    • SABRINA WARREN
      September 18, 2020, 7:15 pm

      Hi, if ever you see this comment, this is so close to the design I’d envisioned, complete with slideouts. Are the slideouts supported in any way on the outside? I couldn’t figure that out, or just held up by the 4 steel pins?

  • Linda H
    July 3, 2015, 12:25 pm

    I have been getting the daily newsletter for months and months and THIS is the first Tiny House I have commented on. I could care less about the colors, although I LIKE the green. But, it is the quality of workmanship and materials and the thought that went into using every available space that really got my attention. How can you SELL your “BABY”???? This is truly the most wonderful Tiny House I have ever seen. Thank you so much. Keep up the good work for those of us out here who would never be able to build our own!

  • Jim in NC
    July 3, 2015, 3:38 pm

    The tiny house ante has just been upped big time!

  • Joan
    July 3, 2015, 4:41 pm

    Love the total design! Very glad to see someone designing slides-outs in a tiny house. Love the Vardo roof. I’ve been in the planning stage for a while, and researching the mechanics of Vardo roofs. Congratulations on an excellent build!

  • michael
    July 3, 2015, 9:18 pm

    I like this design the best of any I have seen.
    Excellent planning and attention to detail.
    Afraid I’d have to say I don’t care for the green paint, but that is a very minor detail. Probably woud be folks who wouldn’t like my color choice either.
    I would add a loft and a 1/2 bath, but everything else is great just like it sits. Curious; can the recliners recline when the bed is down?

  • Richard in Louisville, Kentucky
    July 3, 2015, 9:46 pm

    I love the idea about the slide-outs. Like others, I would like to have more information on how the rollers & hardware are installed. ADDITIONALLY, I’m wondering how the slide-outs are sealed to keep wind, water, bugs, etc. outside where they belong. I applaud and admire your creativity!

  • Linda Q
    July 4, 2015, 10:03 am

    I designed a tiny home similar to this only with a shed roof. I didn’t add the pop outs because I didn’t understand the mechanics of the design. I love your colors and the step up for the bathroom. Would love the opportunity to build and live in a tiny home, but my husband isn’t receptive to downsizing that small. Great job!

  • Nancy
    July 4, 2015, 11:24 am

    This is the most perfect of all tiny homes-they put a lot of thought into every detail-wished I had the money for this one for sure!

  • John the Baptist the 2nd
    July 4, 2015, 11:40 am

    Kudos for you both Jerry and Renee. Especially liked your comment about your inspiration coming from those who went before you and your doing your best so that those following you could possibly do even better. Wonderful delight of an attitude!

  • Lavina Miller
    July 4, 2015, 11:58 am

    I liked the tiny house with the slides, but I didn’t see a place for a washer and dryer unit.
    Lavina M from Newfoundland, Canada

  • Debra VS
    July 4, 2015, 12:06 pm

    Love this tiny house. Truly a work of art which is as useful as it is beautiful. The Murphy bed and high windows wouldn’t work for me, but it would be perfect for most people. I especially love the closet. Thank you for putting in a rail for long dresses – that would be a necessity for me – and I love the escape hatch!

  • LouAnn G
    July 4, 2015, 12:55 pm

    Magnificent!!! Brilliant use of space. I would be VERY willing to purchase study plans. There are several changes I would like to experiment with but you should be paid for your hard work! Separate detailed construction plans for the slide outs would be well worth it also. PLEASE consider putting plans on the market! I am sure you would add to your success (not to mention $) by selling study plans, blueprints etc. You are truly a master of your craft. I live in southeast Wisconsin so it would not be practical to have you build one for me, nor could I afford it, (although I would love that) but I could afford the study plans and possibly the construction plans for your slide out design. Love it. Thank you for sharing!

  • Barb Gallagher
    July 4, 2015, 1:06 pm

    Love this house!!! Too bad I’m not quite ready to downsize yet, still getting my smallish house ready to sell…otherwise I’d be all over this. I’m saving your info. Maybe in a couple of years.

  • Comet
    July 4, 2015, 1:26 pm

    Love this except for a few minor points—don’t love the recliners (not a recliner person–had to spend 6 weeks in one after surgery–never sit in one again if I can help it!) But I have my eye on some gorgeous and COMFORTABLE leather chairs from Orvis (should I win the lottery! at 2000$ each–yeah) I am also not “getting” the hop up to the bathroom=–==they say they left the hanger for the paper towels as a grab point–but–the door APPEARS to open from the OTHER side? I am not a fan of doors where you have to step UP for the handle and then step BACKWARDS to pull the door open–and then lean far over to grab the door to pull it closed again—a restaurant we go to has something like this and I make sure to use the regular one in the gas station across the street when we go there! Maybe that’s just ME and my “issues” tho!

    The green and yellow==yes these are the colors of John Deere–which we are surrounded by here in Cow Town! Some barns are even painted like this–there are a LOT of collectors of this stuff and they can be a bit–obsessed–with the Green N Yeller!

    We are mentally planning our retirement choices now and one is to re-hab an older RV–some good ideas here for that project. We also are not huge fans of the squeezly couches and dining tables found in most RV’s so we have talked about getting two nice cushy chairs and an actual table or fold up table and folding chairs—would give you more moving around room. Some good ideas out there for “Murphy” tables etc.

    Good to know about that Honda generator—we have a different home one and boy is it LOUD. Too big to take on the road tho!

    • Sandi B
      July 6, 2015, 8:23 pm

      Comet, I do believe if you look closely at the pictures showing the door open you will see that it is a pocket door and does not swing out into the room. Thereby making the handle grab useful for those who need it to steady themselves.

      • Rene Larson
        July 17, 2015, 11:46 pm

        Hi Sandi B,
        The door into the bathroom is a regular passage door. It swings in towards the shower door. Jerry has put a door stop to protect the shower door from the possiblity of getting hit by the passage door knob.
        Thanks, Rene

  • Valery Lytle
    July 4, 2015, 2:22 pm

    I’ve just begun my research for a Tiny House these last few months, and I love your design, especially the slide-outs. I used to think I would get an RV to travel in, but this is so much homier! If you continue with planning and building TH’s I will contact you about plans, and custom building – I hope you consider a 5th wheel style…? Your fan in Central Virginia

  • Wenonah
    July 4, 2015, 4:39 pm

    WOW! I am amazed at your ingenuity, as well as your talent. I am 59 and will be retiring in five or six years. This would be absolutely perfect. I have never commented on a post before, however, this one demanded one. Do you know what this weighs? Good job!

  • Jerry & Rene Larson
    July 4, 2015, 6:54 pm

    Hi Everyone,
    Thank you for all for all the nice compliments. It’s nice to see our little house has met with your approval. I feel I need to clear the air on a couple of subjects though.
    You wouldn’t and shouldn’t pay even 50 cents for the plan I drew for this house. Every time I changed it, I had to change it again so I winged it and got everything to fit and work. What’s left of the plan is a mess or in my head and irretrievable. Sorry, I have no plans for sale.
    As for the slide-outs, I have no detailed drawings or photos at this time but I’ll see if I can explain. Think of a small box sliding into a hole in the side of a larger box. When the small box is all the way in, its resting on 6 castor wheels on the floor of the big box. As the little box is pushed or pulled out of the big box, the weight transfers to the steel rails which are attached under and to the front of the little box. The other end of the rails slide in and out from under the subfloor of the big box and housed in the floor frame of the big box. Mine are manual and work fine with muscle power but someone smarter than I could put electric, pneumatic or hydraulic assist to them for push button convenience.
    I’ll now tackle the main point of contention, the green cabinets. We went into this project with fun and adventure in mind so what better place to practice nonconformity than in a tiny house? Its been fun reading the comments about the “the green cabinet”. We’ve been accused of being Oregon Duck fans and now John Deere tractor buffs but we have no great love for either. The “green” just happened, thought it would be bold, cheery and fun and so far it has been. How about the guy who vandalized our shower with an electric grinder, that guy had nothing but BIG time fun on his mind. Our whole tiny house experience has been fun and the only reason I’d consider selling our little house is so we could build another one. I still have more ideas.

    • Jim
      July 4, 2015, 10:07 pm

      Spectacular house! Your use of materials and space is phenomenal and I want to thank you for that. I have one question, which is probably simple to answer, but I cant. What are those two vent looking things next to the roll out closet?
      Again, I am working on tweaking this a little but I dont really see how anyone can use the space any better.
      Thanks again
      Jim

      • Rene Larson
        July 12, 2015, 12:33 pm

        Jim the two vents on the outside of the house one above the other are the vents for the refrigerator. The other vent on that side of the house is for the hot water heater. It’s good to ask questions that’s how were learn!
        Thanks,
        Rene

    • lovely home
      July 21, 2015, 6:04 pm

      Hi, Jim. Lovely house.

      I understand, from your comments, that you don’t have drawn plans for the slide-outs, it’s all “in your head.”

      By my count, in these comments alone, there are 4 people who would buy the house plans, four people who would “be interested” in how you did the slide-outs, and one who “would definitely buy” plans for the slide out. I’m guessing, without knowing, that the people who would buy the plans would buy the slide out plans without more as well. That makes five who would buy the slide out plans, plus me. And four more who are “interested” and might buy. At, say, $50, that’s a $300 incentive. For maybe a week’s worth of time, and permanent residual income.

      My suggestion to you is, maybe you should consider sitting down and getting it out of your head. The tiny house community is full of DIY people, and DIY people don’t buy finished product. And those DIY people are telling you, if you would get the slide-out plans on paper (ok, on electrons), they would PAY YOU MONEY for them. I know I would.

      If you weren’t willing to do a ton of work, you could draw it out as study plans, and still sell them for maybe $19.99. For the full plans, sell a license, for one build only, additional builds pay an additional (but maybe lesser) fee.

      You know the world today treasures information. But if it’s “in your head” it only has value to you. If it’s on paper, you can sell it to others, who will happily pay you for the value you have created for *them.* And the advantage to this kind of work is, you create it once (invest the labor up front) and sell it many many many times, with no further work required except checking your bank account on occasion.

      And here’s the thing. The people who would buy those plans *are not* the same ones who will buy your finished homes. So you aren’t cannibalizing your [possible] market in any way.

      Just a suggestion. Love the house, the thought put into it is obvious in every detail. I’ve thought of slide outs before, but electronic ones are just too big of a PITA, and expensive, so I’m thinking your manual ones would do the trick for me. But the trap door is brilliant.

      PS: you wouldn’t even have to set up a website. Just upload it to Amazon, and they’ll do all the work (including advertising) for 40%.

  • Beth
    July 4, 2015, 11:51 pm

    LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this tiny home. 1st I love that it is 24′, second love the slide outs, been waiting for that for several years now. I have stayed in a travel trailer with slide outs and without slide out and they really can make a difference. Do the slide outs have anything to hold them up on the outside? I am sure a crank or electric hydraulic mechanism can be built into them in the next one built with them. I will be for sure saving this one to the files. I appreciate the large amount of counter space and storage in the kitchen and a useable size fridge, stove and sink, a sprayer would be a good addition. The green color is not my style, but, that is an easy fix, no big deal. As a “fluffy” short woman, I would need a bit more space in the shower, but, I love the sink in the bathroom, again a usable sink, not some all fashion no function sink. Such a well built house. I love it.

  • July 5, 2015, 12:31 am

    WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW

    After seeing these slide-outs I’m thinking: “how come no one did this before?” These will surely become more popular.

    The exquisite design choices are a testament of tiny house living: reduce non-essentials to focus in what’s more important to you. In this case, twin luxury recliner seats!

  • allen
    July 6, 2015, 5:57 pm

    what I would like to see is how the slide outs are constructed and insulated.

  • Ashley
    July 6, 2015, 8:01 pm

    Great job Jerry and Rene! What a cute little house! But I would expect nothing less from you two!

  • Sandi B
    July 6, 2015, 8:33 pm

    I love the concepts and design of this unit. I like the green kitchen — it is a great shade of green. You guys did a terrific job on all details and it is good to see the use of slides. I have a hydraulic super slide on my trailer that I am starting to build on, which is exactly in the middle of my trailer. I plan on making the slide the kitchen and putting the the bathroom/closet to the front and the living room to the back. Though I may reverse those two. Anyway — such a great job you should be very proud of your build.

    • Beth
      September 14, 2015, 12:03 am

      Sandi B. How did you get a trailer with the hydraulic slides mechanism already in the trailer, did you buy an old r/v trailer and gut it? I would recommend putting the living room in the slide and make the kitchen stationary. It would be more difficult to make the kitchen in the slide with the plumbing, gas line, etc. I have staying in a r/v with a slide and the living room(such as it was) and the dining area was the part that slid out. If you didn’t buy an old r/v trailer with slide out mechanism, where did you get your trailer?

  • Liza
    July 7, 2015, 8:11 am

    Absolutely love it! I can see myself living there with my little dog very easily. It’s a shame I don’t have any money but it’s a concept that I’m trying to strive for. Great job looks fantastic best of luck! Liza Jane

  • Rich
    July 10, 2015, 12:44 am

    Great Job! I was a builder /contractor for 30 years. I too am a step and fetch thinker. I do design as I go. Sometimes it goes slowly because of this as I think through each step with its possibilities and problems. I am sure that even doing that…there is always change and better ideas. I would be the one drawing the plans after it was built. I say all the above to acknowledge the approach and process as workable. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and Pix of this magnificent THOW. Go Ducks!! 😉

  • Jim
    July 10, 2015, 2:58 pm

    If you could give a little description of the slide out’s construction, it would be appreciated by many. Thanks for the wonderful ideas!!

  • Kristina
    July 12, 2015, 3:17 am

    This is an absolutely stunning home. I have been working on a design for over year for my own tiny home I want to build and have considered slideouts. However my question isn’t how the slideouts work. Your little box, big box description clarified that, but I want to know how the slide out roofs work. How are they water tight, how are they insualted, how do they function in conjunction with the slide out box? Also, what creates the interior seal where the fully extended slide out meets the exterior wall?

  • Luke
    July 12, 2015, 5:50 pm

    almost everything about this house is perfect. personally i would prefer a solar power system somewhere and have a simple nonpowered recliners or sofa. Other than that, I think the slideouts are awesome. I definitely would love this over a RV/5th Wheel/Camper anyday. Especially not having a loft!

  • Dee
    July 13, 2015, 6:15 pm

    Love how the Larsons think. Beautiful home.
    Thanks for posting many different ideas for me to ponder while we build a tiny house.

    Thanks Dee

  • Jim
    July 13, 2015, 11:05 pm

    Thank you for being so helpful. You have inspired me to do this, build one of these homes and I want to thank for that.
    One other question. What kind of hot water heater did you use? A tankless one and if so, is it underneath with the rest of the water infrastructure?
    Thanks again

  • Kathy Kincaide
    July 14, 2015, 11:13 am

    Hi Renee and Jim,
    This Tiny Home may be my favorite. I am a woman with some physical disadvantages however,I always have the courage to do anything. I work out in the water all the time. I’m wondering what the cost would be to have it transported to NW,AR -~and if my husband would agree. Is this one still for sale if I can get on the same page as me,it’s less than a vacation we were planning on going to Southern France. I’m willing to give that up. Thinking of what a Magnificent Tiny House the two of you created! Really Special.
    I’ll continue to watch Tiny House page at all the houses but once again this home is amazing,also could it be moved by a Ford Truck? Thanks again,Sincerely,Kathy Kincaide

    • Jerry Larson
      July 15, 2015, 9:26 pm

      Hi Kathy,
      Please send me an e-mail at [email protected] and include your ph# so we can discuss.
      Thank you,
      Jerry

  • Jim Wall
    July 16, 2015, 10:56 am

    Jerry,
    Please disregard the question about the the hot water heater. I do have one question. I cant seem to be able to see how your folding legs come down on your Murphy bed? How do you hold up the foot end of the bed when it folds down?
    Jim

    • Jerry Larson
      July 16, 2015, 6:41 pm

      Hi Jim,
      Google “Murphy Bed Hardware”. I bought the hardware and plans online. There are several sources but its the same hardware kit.
      Jerry

  • Jim Wall
    July 16, 2015, 11:16 pm

    Jerry,
    I noticed on the slide out where the recliners is is there are two notches in the bottom trim piece on the wall that has the windows. I see that that board is also a 2 by 4. I am guessing that you notched that 2 by 4 to pick up the floor joists. Is that correct or is that some sort of bracket?
    Thanks
    Your design is by far the best I have seen. I am glad you talked about using 2 by 3’s instead of 2 by 4’s. A couple of inches is huge in the mini house world I am learning!!!
    Thanks to you both for creating such a work of art. I also wish I could create cabinets like you can, but alas I will be relying on Home Depot/Lowes!
    Jim

    • Jerry Larson
      July 17, 2015, 11:00 pm

      I think what you’re seeing on the outside of the large slideout are 2 black handles used to help push, pull or lift the slideout when moving it in and out.

      • mike westbury
        April 28, 2018, 8:14 pm

        I live in New Zealand , and about to build a tiny house ,
        Can u send me some more detail on how u made the push out system please
        I like the idea of simple manual push out, and ur floor ends up same as in side level right ,
        How do u get the weather seal , roof wall etc ?
        Look forward to ur reply
        Cheers
        Mike

  • Calvin
    July 17, 2015, 6:29 pm

    ABSOLUTELY AMAZING
    Finally, someone who has incorporated a Murphy bed in these THOW. I love the slide outs and it really increases the square footage and love the size of the bathroom and larger appliances overall. I would remove the wood stove and just put an electric fireplace under the television as I live in the south so our winters aren’t as brutal here as in other places. I would also think that with the spray foam insulation, it wouldn’t take much to keep the place warm. What I would need is an air conditioner installed for sure. 🙂 With the removal of the wood stove, there wouldn’t be a need to store wood and I would put a washer/dryer there. I would also have an electric stove instead of gas along with a flat (slightly pitched) roof to mount solar panels that could be adjusted to maximize the sun’s energy. I love the fact that you used every square inch with the drawer under the bed and the toe kick storage under the kitchen cabinets. You are obviously a very crafted, skilled and talented individual. You did a fantastic job!

  • Jim Wall
    July 20, 2015, 10:00 pm

    Thanks for being so patient with me. I am getting everything together to build one virtually identical. I have one technical question. Did you side over the side of the trailer? In other words is your trailer 103 inches wide and not 102 inches wide. Is it a problem if you got pulled over if it was 103 and not 102?
    Thanks
    Jim

    • Jerry Larson
      July 21, 2015, 3:01 am

      My floor and house frame are 95″ wide plus 1″ for 1/2″ sheeting on both sides equals 96″ plus 3″ for 2×6 cedar roof facia board on each side equals 8′ 3″ leaving 1 1/2″ on each side for roof overhang and equaling 102″. The siding, door and window trim are all within the 102″

  • virginia stanley
    July 26, 2015, 11:29 am

    This is very nice and is quite innovative. The slideouts are the first I have seen used, No loft is a good idea. The MURPHy bed is great.
    My problem is the cost. 41K for materials plus uncounted hours of labor.
    Does that cost for the Soy insulation justify the expense? Is 30% stronger even needed.? The slideouts are held in by spikes? WHy is that? GORe TEx house wrap? Is that a priority?
    AS for selling plans I assume these TT are built to some code?
    I just dont see the purpose or rationale in spending this amount of money. Its totally against the TTH philosophy. Simplify,reduce and live your life. Without a mortgage on something you cant sell when u get tired of your composting toilet. Electric Barcaloungers? Only in AMERica. Is it a trailer or a house?.
    Hate to seem negative and it is very nice ,but every mantra brings out the $$$ instincts in the end I guess. Did they ever use it or live in lt?

    • Gwyn
      November 29, 2015, 7:39 pm

      Perhaps your thinking about or interpretation of this article is a bit different than mine. It sure is my understanding after reading this that this house is meant for living in year round not just using as a vacation trailer. In fact I think I remember seeing that this particular TH is designed to be moved maybe twice a year, if that and not for living on the road. Hence the beefed up insulation, weather protection and wood stove for winter living. For me the heavy duty insulating, structure sealing and quality build are well worth the added expense when talking about my year round home and from what I read some of the added expense items are choices and could easily be eliminated to bring the cost down (generator, TV, recliners…). In fact the builder/designers attention to readying the house for other preferences or options (solar, toilet, heat…) upfront to lower or eliminate later cost is forethought and detail I find admirable. All that considered 41,000 in materials doesn’t seem extravagant or high to me for my home, nor does it conflict with the simplify and reduce philosophy from my perspective. But I may be the one missing information or your point too so if that’s the case my apologies. I was just very surprised to see your negativity about so much of it and the way you chose to state that.

  • Jason Hatt
    August 2, 2015, 8:25 pm

    This is an awesome house! Bright colors super fun. We are in the prices of building or tiny home now and are very interested in the shower. Above it states that the shower is galvanized steel with wax coating. Our questions are have you used it a lot? Do you have to reapply the wax coating after a while? Is there somewhere you would recommend researching this topic?

    Thank you!

    • Jerry Larson
      August 4, 2015, 10:18 pm

      I haven’t ever done this before but I know that I’ll need to reapply the paste wax periodically when the water stops beading and running off. Same as when you wax your car, just reapply more wax. As for how often, depends on usage and how hard your water is and I don’t know where to research this subject.
      Jerry

  • jason
    August 4, 2015, 9:08 am

    why all the complaints over green cabinets? it’s paint, people. it’s easy to change compared to the entire construction process. stop complaining.

    the mechanical space for generator, propane, etc, is one of the best i’ve seen. this is an oft overlooked detail. well done, especially with the room for an inverter pre-planned. I would also like to see room for a washer/dryer, but energy concerns may have to be balanced here.

    the one greater concern I have is the heat shield behind the stove. if covered in paste wax I’d be concerned that this would cook off during operation, which would not be pleasant in such a small space. And if it’s wood behind it, while there’s less heat impingement, it’s still a potential fire risk. Cement board behind that would greatly reduce risks. As one person suggested, removing the stove and wood need could translate into washer/dryer space, but this is a personal choice. Sailboat heater would make up for the loss of the stove, especially with the sprayed foam insulation.

    a few small issues given the breadth of detail put into this home. well done.

    as to the submitted idea of electric stove with a solar panel… you may be surprised at the costs in space, weight, and cash to do that effectively. propane is ideal.

    Virginia – your philosophy is not shared by those who built this house. Build your own happily your way, and leave these guys out of it. They didn’t build it to make you happy, and many of your questions have already been answered.

  • Catherine
    August 5, 2015, 5:39 pm

    WOW!!! to the house. (Love those clerestory windows)
    And WOW to all the posts!!! This has to be a record Alex!

  • Steve/ Florida
    August 13, 2015, 4:09 am

    Incredible!!!!! This is a very exciting build and I would love to hear about living in it after a few weeks.. Have you changed anything or will you? How about your foundation/trailer? Capacity? How have you sealed it from wet travel? Are the roof overs that cover the slide outs similar to an awning? Did you have the metal roof rolled or were you able to find it already done?
    I love everything you’ve both done with this beautiful tiny home. Colors are great!! Some few things I would change, but of course we all have our own needs. My biggest need is making sure 2 handicapped people will have everything needed..
    So many things that make this the best build I have seen. Yes, the convertible truck is also cool, but I need ease of use and comfort without a lot of climbing.. And the escape hatch is a FANTASTIC IDEA!!!!! I’m wondering if that came from a sense of need or you slipped out that way a few times while building the slides and thought it a great idea?? Either way, I LOVE IT!!! You both should be very proud!!
    Would love it if you could take some more pics of things like the mechanicals of the slides and how you closed the roof at the walls. I’m sure Alex would add them. Hell, maybe even a video!!
    2 Thumbs way up!!
    Steve

  • August 30, 2015, 12:49 pm

    Hello,

    with great interest I read this page. So in Holland (The Netherlands) , each photo is properly viewed. Reason: I’m going to build a house on wheels. Planning is two houses on wheels of which one is going to be a home and the 2nd a workshop-cum-garage. I started small: http://www.mikevdbeek.nl/index.php?pg=bike-minicaravan-rebuilding Anyway, how do I get in touch with the builders of this lovely home? Hope to hear from you. Greetings Mike

  • Martha
    September 2, 2015, 3:23 pm

    Start reading some blogs of folks who live in their RV’s full time, mostly older and retired, I might add. There is always something going wrong with them, whether it’s the fridge, the toilet, the slide-out, the awning. Yes, it adds a generous amount of space, I would expect to have problems with it before long, especially if parked and left in the extended position for a while. I lived in a 34′ 5th wheel with 3 slides for a few years, and the use of space was beautiful and efficient; however, I would never have slide-outs again, and I’ve heard some real horror stories. That said, if you are handy and understand those mechanisms and can do repairs yourself, they would be a wonderful addition to a tiny home.

  • Nanny M
    September 2, 2015, 5:15 pm

    Congratulations Jerry and Rene on your masterpiece! Even the lively green. I was going to recommend living in it while you build your next one and THEN selling, don’t know how you can resist. But I see the world is already clamoring for it. Don’t bother about selling plans if you have better things to do; you probably don’t need the money. Stick to what’s fun for you.
    And Virginia, I think there can be more than one “philosophy” for tiny houses. Maybe you can consider this build a work of art. And art has no rules.

  • Scott
    September 3, 2015, 12:39 pm

    Soy insulation has about R 5.5 value per inch. I really wish the math would be done on these builds before posting numbers that simply do not add up. This house has 2X3 walls yet boasts an R18? That is some funny math right there. If the studs save 2″ on width, that would be a 2.5″ thick stud, with and R13.75. That’s an R13.75 “between” studs, not effective value across the entire wall. At all stud locations, the wall only has about an R2.5. I’m sure the numbers are much more wildly optimistic for the floor and ceiling. I suppose with the gaps and cracks found with three slide outs, a door, multiple windows and a trap door out of the floor that is only framed with 2X4’s, the insulation values don’t really matter a whole lot.

    • Gwyn
      November 29, 2015, 8:24 pm

      I may be wrong but aren’t the other materials used also contribute to the R-value? In which case wouldn’t the house wrap (Goretex of house wrap) in particular likely add to R-value?

  • Jerry Larson
    September 6, 2015, 12:23 pm

    Hi Scott,
    Thanks for sharing your math and analytical skills but what I just found on the internet was that soy based insulation has a varying R-value of 4.4 to 6.5 per inch. For some reason the advertized R-value of the brand I used was 6.9 per inch making a 2.5″ void have an R-value of 17.25 . So, being that I’ve over stated the insulation value found in the insulation itself, I apologize but will add the R-value of 2 thicknesses of 1/2″ plywood at .62 each and .75 for the 3/4″ cedar siding bringing the total to R19.24. Of course doors and windows take away from the R-value of the whole building but this type of insulation seals a building better than convention insulating methods and it’s performing very well.
    You are welcome to come and do a full blown heat loss analysis and R-value test at any time.
    Thanks,
    Jerry

  • Sherrill
    September 14, 2015, 10:48 am

    Awesome! You have truly created a work of art! I would LOVE to live in this home! Would be great to see your next tiny home project to get more ideas for creating my own tiny home space! Thank you for sharing your carpentry skills, hard work, and fun ideas with us!!

  • Billy c
    September 23, 2015, 1:38 pm

    So only plan to 20k to live in some for the rest of your life is why most build one is to no longer spend so why not spend now or other wise you might as well build 3 or 4 maybe 10 or20 years you might not need then but if you it right the first time like I think he did the only complaint I have is why don’t I have the 70k this min to say build me one just like now it looks like I need another 2 years in the bank

  • darlene mills
    September 23, 2015, 5:43 pm

    No need for further emails on this one. Am in direct contact with Jerry who is building one for me. Don’t know how to take myself off distribution. Tx.

  • peggy
    September 23, 2015, 10:46 pm

    Being over 70+ years old, i love the pull down bed!! Also, all the storage space. I now have a 840sq.ft. doublewide and this has more storage. I would like à washer & durer. Would the wood heater be necessary? I would like something more simple. eate

  • Dale
    October 26, 2015, 11:51 am

    What provisions have been constructed to not allow blowing rain/water, from entering areas on top and around the gaskets of the slide outs? Like the manual slides herein – as people I know of who have motor homes with hydraulic slides, are always having issues with them, so manual is always preferred. Also, please advise if the bottom floors of the slide outs have also been spray foamed to eliminate cold floors, when extended and is there an issue with that rubbing the floor when pushed in? Overall, a magnificent design and the Murphy bed/table combo is absolute for multi-function. The arched/bowed roof is also a great feature – so nice and certainly an aesthetic improvement over gable pitched roofs. I also remain interested in buying the plans when ready. Pull out drawers under raised bathroom steps would be the only improvement that I could envision, for linens/towel storage. Would love to see a dryvit/stucco exterior finish. BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Nancy S
    October 27, 2015, 12:50 pm

    I, too love this house. As an older person, I pass by the ones with ladders to climb to the loft although I have seen some nice ones with steps/storage. This has been well thought out. As a DIY person and one who is frugal, I wouldn’t contract someone to build it for me. Therefore, plans would be appreciated. My hope is that one day I will open my email and you will have responded that they are available!

  • Deadrock
    December 2, 2015, 2:35 pm

    You’re a doll and all, Alex, but golly, this must be the 5th time I’ve seen this one in your newsletter! Need some fresh links? I’ll be happy to research ’em for you!

  • KB
    December 8, 2015, 9:07 am

    Couldn’t seem to find a GVW. It would help to know how big a truck is needed to pull this gem!

  • Valerie Adams
    December 21, 2015, 4:11 am

    Love what you did with this tiny house! Could the murphy bed be put in the pump out? Have you decided if you are going to build others?
    Are you selling your plans?

  • January 10, 2016, 3:49 pm

    I’d like to know the GVW of this thing also. Even without an engineering degree, I’d say it’s pretty damn heavy?

    • Jerry Larson
      March 10, 2016, 4:55 pm

      Our tiny house weighs 11,000 lbs. I was shooting for 10,000 but missed by a bit. The trailer has 2 – 7,000 lb. axles so we’re still under weight for the trailer capacity.

  • Mike
    January 14, 2016, 1:25 pm

    Bought trailer & starting my build. Would pay for instructions on how to fabricate your slideouts.

  • Carolyn Tope-Pizzuti
    June 24, 2016, 3:54 am

    This is my dream house!! The level of thought that went into making every inch count is unparalleled. Even the kick boards are storage? Incredible. It’s simply beautiful. I want one, too!

  • tom
    June 25, 2016, 2:03 pm

    Just the huge run of positive comments here are impressive in themselves. I could’t read them all, but wholeheartedly agree. Consider fliping the recliners to the other side so your emergencey excape hatch would also be secret, if need be. (A great touch made better). Also would hang a pull down projection screen. Lastly, good call on the use of 2×3’s & foam (if you didn’t drill them) , though, I personally used oak 2×2’s (and didn’t drill) & foam.

  • Bill Freeland
    September 18, 2016, 1:31 am

    Hi
    Love the pullouts..
    Is the pullouts frame wood or metal .
    do you have any pictures of the support mechanism?
    what size metal tubes did you use?
    How did you seal the outside of the pullouts from weather?
    Thanks
    Bill

  • tori
    October 5, 2016, 5:10 pm

    Are the plans for sale? If so, how much??

  • mary jane halligan
    January 9, 2017, 2:59 pm

    plans for sale? I do not see reply’s to comments?
    especially interested in the slide out’s and how they were built
    mary jane halligan
    253-961-2549

  • Linda
    April 24, 2017, 11:20 pm

    I have seen this several times and it STILL impresses me. Jerry has used every nook and cranny. AND it is beautiful. Very cozy and yet, spacious. Looks like they have thought of everything except, I don’t see a washer/dryer. Would have to sacrifice space somewhere! GREAT job.

    • Natalie C. McKee
      April 25, 2017, 5:29 am

      I know! This home is just fantastic.

  • Patricia
    April 25, 2017, 2:35 pm

    Wow! Do I ever love this home—everything about it, the recliners, the green, although, it would also look good in blue. The only real change we would make would be to put a walk-in tub in the bathroom.

    If we didn’t have our 8 kitties (which I’m glad we do), this would be perfect for the two of us. Great job.

    • Natalie C. McKee
      April 26, 2017, 3:55 pm

      Aww 🙂 Love all those kitties!

  • mary
    April 25, 2017, 7:30 pm

    This may be the most favorite of all the THOW that I have ever looked at!
    The use of common sense throughout just impresses me. Colors and styles can be changed to suit ones taste but the basic well thought out layout of the home is so smart. The closet, the emergency hatch, the bed, the room in the bathroom is “WOW”!!!

    • Natalie C. McKee
      April 26, 2017, 3:51 pm

      Oh wow! So glad you loved it 🙂

  • Lola
    April 27, 2017, 7:00 pm

    I love this one. One of my favorites.

    • Natalie C. McKee
      April 28, 2017, 4:39 pm

      That’s so good to hear 🙂

  • Katie
    July 30, 2017, 6:59 pm

    I am wondering if you can tell me about what hardware they used for the sideouts?

  • Ellen McCann
    August 6, 2017, 9:33 pm

    I have seen this THOW before. I was wondering how much more it may cost to install slideouts as it does expand the living space a bit. Yes I am aware that people in the previous times lived in smaller
    spaces and that the appeal of THOWs is small space which means you spend more time enjoying the Great Outdoors. That being said…there are times when the weather is bad even where I live in Southern California. It happens. Sometimes it is nice to be inside with a fire going. It is nice to watch a movie or read. Nice to have a little bit of space to do so. Their chairs look mighty comfy! The Murphy bed..convenient. Hey, they like to hang up their clothes too! Probably not a fan of stairs or banging their heads in a loft. Lofts are cute. For kids. Many people like myself are not children and are over 5ft. tall. Bending and crawling does not turn us on! Now and again, maybe. On a daily basis? Not so much. A tiny or very small house is something that many people over 50 are interested in. Am always on the lookout for clever design to accommodate the over 50 crowd. It IS a great idea. All that being said I must conclude that the people who own this abode must be closeted kindergarteners with that primary color palette they seem so fond of. Interesting. Not my taste at all but can respect the boldness of going with it.

  • Fred Enzel
    November 14, 2017, 11:33 am

    This home is SIMPLY BRILLIANT from end to end and top to bottom. It is filling my idea book with concepts for my dream THOW. The construction approach of the materials, the basement and the slide outs are incredible. The cabinets are gorgeous….green is my colour.
    What did you use for a trailer? I apologize if you have already answered this question.

    Thank you for sharing this so much.

  • George Mapp Jr
    July 4, 2020, 6:32 pm

    I really like your tiny house, you did a great job with it. I’m currently building mine a would really appreciate information on how to build the slide out. Thanks

  • Zac D
    October 13, 2020, 2:55 am

    Gonna reserve my comments on the colour scheme and overall aesthetic…
    What really interests me is the popouts; does anyone know how the mechanism for these work?

    • James D.
      October 14, 2020, 1:09 am

      It describes it after the first photo…

      “The two slide outs are manually operated. If you have two people on the outside and one on the inside to push, pull and align it’s very easy to do because they just roll in and out on top of the floor on castors. They’re also mounted on sliding steel rails which are housed into the floor frame.”

      • Zac D
        October 16, 2020, 2:27 am

        Thanks, I was actually looking through a few other similar designs at the time which didn’t really explain but missed the description in this one while skimming. Interesting…

  • Julie B
    May 20, 2022, 7:15 am

    I fell in love with the shape. What a tease this story is from 2015. I thought for the price and all the expensive materials that $70,000 was cheap, then saw the year. Now that tiny home would be double that price, sad but true. I wonder how long it took them to sell their home? It is a truly a home built with love. I wonder if they built any for others like the story suggested? What hard work doing all the plans using every single piece of space. I had one problem with it. It took three people to pull out the slide out. One person living in it would have to get nearby help to set it up every time they would want to go to bed. Sliding in didn’t sound bad, just pulling out. I have to give them 5 Stars on Craftsmanship, Construction, Hard Labor, and just Love someone can’t build something as Beautiful as this and not put live into. Hands clapping and hat of f to you both. I hope this finds you both happy and in a home you love as much as you did this. Great Job Bravo

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