It’s in Plattsburgh, NY and if you have been wanting to stay in a tiny house for a few nights–you can take your next vacation in this one!
If your spouse or significant other is hesitant this can be a way for you to give it a real shot.
The owner, Les, built the home himself back in 2009 and he uses it as a rental on his property on Lake Champlain.
There’s a private beach where visitors can kayak, canoe, rowboat or paddle boat.
He built this in a unique way compared to most other tiny houses on trailers out there because he left the sides on the utility trailer intact.
Les designed it this way because he believes it’s stronger this way structurally. I think that’s a good point and I like the way he did it–notice below.
It’s unique because of it’s multifunctional interior design. But also because it was originally an unwanted and abandoned garage.
There are sliding doors that can optionally cover the entire house, giving the resident maximum privacy.
Even when it’s all closed up it’s designed so that natural light still comes in because of the porch and glass sliding doors. You’ll have to see it to get it.
It’s 430-485 square feet depending on if you include the patio area and the upstairs bedroom.
Inside there’s a large custom made piece of wooden furniture, designed by the architect, that provides nearly all of the functionality for the home.
The large box inside serves as a…
Closet
Storage space
Sofa bed
Bedroom
Bathroom
Desk
Without that unique piece, it would be nearly impossible to fit all of these features in the home while maintaining the openness that it has right now.
Meet Steve and Wendy, who are designing and building their own tiny house to live in permanently.
About a year ago they began to adjust their lives so that they could achieve some of the things that they have always wanted to do in life.
This Tiny House Means this Family’s Dreams
After years of raising a family and the accumulation of all of the materials associated with American life, they realized that they wanted to take another path.
Their stuff was getting in the way of things that mattered more to them in life, like God, family, friends and extra money.
They will have significantly smaller utility bills and a lot less stuff weighing them down. So let’s take a look at their progress so far! It’s important for me to note that they’re not finished yet.
Trailer Harvested from an RV for their NEW Tiny House
Here is what they started out with… and old trailer that’s going to serve as the trailer for their tiny house on wheels.
In one of the earliest moments tiny houses appeared on mainstream television, HGTV’s Design Star dedicated an entire episode to the tiny house concept—and the results were fascinating.
In Season 6, Episode 9 of Design Star, the three final contestants faced an unexpected challenge: design an entire house. The twist? Each house would be just 99 square feet.
In July 2011 Derek Diedricksen gave me a copy of one of his homemade books so that I can give it away to you guys.
When you’re done reading this post you’ll know exactly what to do to win this copy.
Handmade Copy of Humble Homes, Simple Shacks
Deek’s book has one of the longest titles I’ve ever seen. The full title reads: Humble Homes Simple Shacks Cozy Cottages Ramshackle Retreats Funky Forts and Whatever the Heck Else we Could Squeeze in Here!
This homemade edition of the book covers things like…
Basic bridge building
Redneck window construction
Rain barrels
Solar showers
And there’s so much more. All ideas and concepts are accompanied by illustrations from Deek.
How You Can Win this Signed Copy of Humble Homes
All you have to do to enter is the following. The more you do, the better your chances of winning the book.
The Berkshire Botanical Garden features seven unique backyard structures designed and built by local architects, ranging from treehouses to sheds, forts, and micro cabins. Located in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, this outdoor exhibit combines garden beauty with innovative small-space architecture, open for visitors from May through mid-October.
Garden Details
Location: 5 West Stockbridge Road, Stockbridge, MA 01262
Zach Engle built this impressive teardrop trailer featuring a unique convertible roof design—you can open and close it for ventilation. It’s a fantastic example of what’s possible with a DIY teardrop build.
Why Teardrop Trailers?
If you’re not familiar with teardrop trailers, here’s why they’re so popular among tiny living enthusiasts:
Affordable: One of the most budget-friendly RV options
Easy to store: Fits in most garages and driveways
Great on gas: Lightweight design means minimal impact on fuel economy
Simple living: A major upgrade from tent camping without the complexity
Towable by most vehicles: Some weigh as little as 600lbs—even motorcycles can tow certain models
Jeremy Jackson was one of the early pioneers of tiny house travel. After building his own Tumbleweed-style tiny house over the course of a year—mostly by himself—he hit the road to explore America. His story offers valuable insights for anyone considering the mobile tiny house lifestyle.
In this interview, Jeremy shares his motivations, fears, and the realities of those first days on the road with a tiny house in tow.
The Interview: Jeremy’s Tiny House Story
THT: What made you decide to start building a tiny house?
J: I woke up one day feeling frustrated with the world and my own life. My business was dying and I have been suffering from an industrial injury. Everything was crashing down on me.
I started to ponder about what would happen when my mother and siblings would pass because I am the youngest. At the time I was living with my mother. Well that evening I checked my email and stumbled onto the Yahoo! article which featured the tiny house movement and Jay Shafer.
I was instantly hooked from that moment on and I saw a spark of hope. I spent the next few months learning everything that I could on how to build a tiny house until I came up with a plan to build one myself because it made good sense to me.
I decided that if I were going to commit to building my own tiny house, I needed to get to it without allowing myself to over analyze the possible pitfalls. So I jumped in head over heels and started buying materials whenever and wherever I could get them.
So I sold all of my valuables, including the DJ and Karaoke business, and just started even though I am disabled and on a fixed income because I felt that if I were going to survive, I had to take a risk.
THT: So how long did it take you to complete the tiny house?
J: It has taken me the best part of a year to complete it (mostly by myself) but finally, it’s done.
Dee Williams is one of the most recognized names in the tiny house movement, and her Don Vardo designs offer a beautiful alternative to traditional tiny houses. These gypsy-style caravans combine the aesthetic appeal of a tiny house on wheels with the functionality and easy mobility of a small camper.
Whether you’re looking for a writing studio, guest quarters, or a weekend getaway wagon, the vardo style offers something unique.
What is a Vardo?
Vardos are traditional horse-drawn wagons historically used by Romani people. Today, the term refers to small, ornate mobile dwellings that capture that classic caravan aesthetic. They’re a great alternative to:
Traditional travel trailers
Tent camping
Teardrop campers
Standard tiny houses on wheels
About Portland Alternative Dwellings (PAD)
PAD is a tiny house construction company based in Portland, Oregon, founded by Dee Williams and Katy Anderson. Katy is a licensed contractor with over 20 years of experience, while Dee runs Boxcar Woodcraft out of Olympia, Washington.
The organization focuses on building small spaces that are better for the environment, with all structures designed to be constructed on trailers for maximum mobility.
