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Father and Son Build Modern Tiny House


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This is the story of a a modern tiny house on wheels built by a father and son, Gary and Matt Hartley.

On the outside, you’ll notice a shed-style roof, french doors, and contrasting blue siding.

When you go inside, you’ll find two sleeping lofts, a living area, beautiful kitchen, and a full bathroom.

Please enjoy, read more, and share below!

Father-son team build modern tiny house

IMG_20160517_103551

Images © Matt Hartley

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Images © Matt Hartley

Video Tour and Interview

Learn more at the Modesto Bee.

Our big thanks to Matt for sharing!

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Natalie C. McKee

Natalie C. McKee is a contributor for Tiny House Talk and the Tiny House Newsletter. She's a wife, and mama of three little kids. She and her family are homesteaders with sheep, goats, chickens, ducks and quail on their happy little acre.

Latest posts by Natalie C. McKee (see all)

{ 34 comments… add one }
  • Matt
    June 23, 2016, 9:06 am

    Very nicely done. Open feeling and bright

    • Chuck
      June 23, 2016, 5:18 pm

      The floor plan is the most sensible one I have seen in a tiny house of this nature. Really cool.

  • lorraine
    June 23, 2016, 1:12 pm

    I love this place. I can see myself living in one.

    • Chuck
      June 23, 2016, 5:17 pm

      Me too!!

  • Resa
    June 23, 2016, 1:15 pm

    Very nice design…finally a real closet!

  • Anthony McCarthy
    June 23, 2016, 1:21 pm

    A bit big for my idea of tiny. I’d probably opt to not have the tile, heavy for a trailer. And I’d definitely take it in a warmer color over the blue but it’s pretty good.

  • Kathy
    June 23, 2016, 4:16 pm

    Nicely done!! Thank you for sharing the interior drawing of the layout. Dynamite closet….in fact the bathroom, laundry, dressing and closet space gives this home a boost over many others where real LIVING space appears to be a second thought sorta thing. LOve the seating and dining space too. Living is more than a bench with foam cushions on which to sit, and presumably eat as well. This home is a bit longer than what most would think of as a tiny house, but it’s got what I need!

    • Robbi Sera
      June 26, 2016, 6:48 pm

      Thanks Kathy! We’ll post a full video when we move everything in. You’ll be able to see the entire closet, separate toilet area, couch, etc. We’re just waiting to sell our “traditional” house and then we’ll move in.

  • Kathy
    June 23, 2016, 4:26 pm

    PS — I just watched the video (nice to meet you both!) and was stunnnnnned to see the fridge AND the large freezer under the stairs! Some folks might opt for the other way around, but I have always found that my freezer was generally the space that was most jammed, not the fridge. Nice drawer space as pantry too! really, I cannot find anything I don’t love about the house. More pics of the seating and eating space would be appreciated though! ANd can you ballpark what the cost of this house was, obviously without your labor. YOur finish work is just so spectacular that I am wondering if its price tag would be just out of reach………

  • Kathy
    June 23, 2016, 4:27 pm

    PS — I just watched the video (nice to meet you both!) and was stunnnnnned to see the fridge AND the large freezer under the stairs! Some folks might opt for the other way around, but I have always found that my freezer was generally the space that was most jammed, not the fridge. Nice drawer space as pantry too! really, I cannot find anything I don’t love about the house. More pics of the seating and eating space would be appreciated though! ANd can you ballpark what the cost of this house was, obviously without your labor. You r finish work is just so spectacular that I am wondering if its price tag would be just out of reach………

    • Chuck
      June 23, 2016, 5:16 pm

      Yes! Same thing with my freezer!

  • Chuck
    June 23, 2016, 5:12 pm

    Just a perfectly beautiful little house. The tile work really adds some “bang” and the idea of a good sized frig AND freezer is just awesome.
    I love counter space in the kitchen between the sink and cook top. The windows are perfect too.
    Good work men!!

  • Chuck
    June 23, 2016, 5:15 pm

    What is the thing above the kitchen sink? I’m thinking it is some kind of dish drainer for drying dishes?
    Also, is that the way the floor will look? Or is that the bare flooring before tile or carpet?

    • Robbi Sera
      June 26, 2016, 6:51 pm

      Yes that’s a disk drainer… The floors are finished. No carpet – look for a full video as soon as we move in. Thanks for looking!

  • Sharon
    June 23, 2016, 5:53 pm

    Anytime I see a very sleek, clean interior color palate it’s calming. Very nice. There was so much attention to detail everywhere. The chin up bar is an unexpected bonus:) You gentlemen knocked it out of the park! Beautiful blue ceramic tiles, frig and full freezer took some thinking. The floor is a very nice touch.
    Most of all, the quality father and son time you were able to share tops everything about this build. I’ll bet the house came in second place?
    On a funny note, this is what I thought initially:
    When at first I saw the Father/Son heading, I had visions of a dark, rustic wood interior, makes me wonder about spiders and hidden bugs in Tiny Dark Houses. Then I imagined jackets hung on hooks by the door, grubby boots on the floor, Home Sweet Home or Gone Fishin’ branded signs. And started scratching thinking about a plaid curtain to hide under sink whatever’s. Followed by an interesting ripe aroma…LOL That’s my background complete with wood stove.
    But seriously you both did a fabulous job.
    I can ‘see’ an 8×10 framed, 6/11 start/completed date, House Born certificate and photo of you two in front of the house. Congratulations.

  • Michael
    June 23, 2016, 6:16 pm

    I like it besides the lofts. I don’t know why they build it. The THOW is big enough to put a lift up bed without ladder climbing. The colors are refreshing and great for a hot climate.
    Good job.

    • Robbi Sera
      June 26, 2016, 6:56 pm

      Hi Michael, we decided on lofts because it was just easier than lift up beds. My husband and father-in-law built this and you’ll have to excuse us but this was a father/son project (instead of professional architects). But I do like your idea; we just decided to go with simple designs. Thanks for reading!

  • Large Marge
    June 23, 2016, 10:51 pm

    Thumbs up for triple axles! Finally, capacity! I can tell real live MEN designed this, not a corporate committee…

    • Robbi Sera
      June 26, 2016, 6:58 pm

      Thanks Marge! I’m the “wife” and although I’m not a pack rat, I wanted to be practical about the space needs.

  • Brandi
    June 23, 2016, 11:36 pm

    The video wouldn’t play for me. Would some one take a minute and send me a link that I can maybe play thru youtube???? I wanted to be able to see the stairs and the freezer and fridge. Thank you.

    • Robbi Sera
      September 2, 2016, 8:25 pm

      the YouTube link is listed below (as soon as they approve it for posting)

  • June 24, 2016, 1:25 am

    Beautiful! I thought the bathroom sink was in an interesting location. And I liked the extra cubby built in the wall by the toilet. Good idea.

  • Carol Perry
    June 27, 2016, 5:54 pm

    Gary & Matt, What a great home you have. You guys did a awesome job constructing that tiny house!! Just love your kitchen and the tile in your bathroom is just beautiful!! Thanks for sharing!! It’s just lovely!! Carol???

  • rich
    July 17, 2016, 12:27 am

    Great layout…..did you ever ship it to Hawaii Yet…..

    • Robbi Sera
      July 26, 2016, 12:58 pm

      Not yet….hopefully in a couple of years. We are moving in this week and hope to have a video posted by the end of August – stay tuned!

  • richard
    July 19, 2016, 3:33 pm

    I love the design. wondering what the ballpark was for the price to build it. looks very spacious but with a good amount storage too.

  • kristina nadreau
    July 26, 2016, 12:52 pm

    exceptional plan and execution! This could not be better! Congratulations to the 2 families.

  • Susan Lock
    July 28, 2016, 8:29 pm

    I am glad you are putting plans with some houses. You need to put them with all houses. Also, you need to make the dimensions larger. I have seeing deficit.
    Thank you/

  • Robbi Sera
    September 2, 2016, 8:20 pm

    Hi – here’s the finished product! Follow this link to our YouTube video (or search Hale Akamai Tour by Johann Bolt).
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ml_MOKr6f6o

    We plan on moving to land we just bought in Hawaii in a couple of years. We’ll have to factor in the cost of shipping (maybe 15-20K), solar panels and batteries (10K?), and a water catchment system (5K?). But hopefully it will all work out. Cheers! Robbi

    • Barnie
      January 22, 2017, 5:35 pm

      What a great house! I wish you all the luck in the world. This project makes the top of my favourites list. Thanks for sharing it, you should all be super proud of the outcome.

      • Natalie
        January 23, 2017, 7:16 am

        That they should be!

    • Michael L
      January 22, 2017, 10:04 pm

      Robbi… it’s beautiful. We sold out in MI and bought on the Big Island. You’ll have to let us know how things go with moving the Tiny to HI. Your family may find a new vocation in building tiny houses there!

  • Patty
    January 23, 2017, 2:44 am

    Nice job! I especially like the colors inside and out. Great bathroom!

    • Natalie
      January 23, 2017, 7:11 am

      Yes awesome colors!

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