Dee Williams built her tiny house on wheels in 2004, so long ago that she had to track down Jay Shafer in person just to figure out how to build one. It was before the tiny house movement as we now know it – there were no blogs, videos or ebooks back then. Dee has lived full time in that little house in Olympia, Washington for over ten years, although last year she added a second, even tinier house to the mix: an eight-foot-long Don Vardo design with no loft. This second house has become her home-away-from-home in Portland, Oregon when she visits friends or teaches tiny house workshops.
The full story of how Dee came to build her first little house more than ten years ago is a long and rich one. Her memoir, The Big Tiny, came out last year and arrives in bookstores in paperback on April 22nd, 2015, and there’s no better way to hear the story than from Dee herself.
When I visited her simple little house in Olympia last year, most of our conversation focused on how the house has changed her life and perspective. For Dee, one of the biggest changes was that despite building the house to be “self-contained,” it actually taught her to be interdependent with others – to lean on her friends more and let herself be leaned upon.
Dee Williams’ Life in Two Tiny Homes
Dee’s new tiny house went book touring with her through California and Oregon. Photo by Dee Williams.
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Tilde Potoms is sharing this 8×12 tiny house design with us as part of our 2015 8×12 tiny house design contest.
In this design there is a foldout table under the bed which was inspired by this toggle bed.
Almost all the storage is in the floor which is pretty cool, right? Please enjoy the tiny house design below.
Update: New photos added (thanks Tilde!)
Tilde Potoms’ 8×12 Tiny House Design
Images © Tilde Potoms
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This 240 sq. ft. mountain hideout is a tiny house design guest post by Robert Olson
Building a secluded off grid cabin is a dream I share with many others. One of these days its gonna happen. Until that time comes, I enjoy sharing ideas.
Below is a 12 x 20 rough draft plan I put together. I call this plan the Mountain Hideout due to its intended remote location.
240 Sq. Ft. Mountain Hideout with 96 Sq. Ft. Loft
Image © Robert Olson
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Lee Ashmore is sharing her 8×12 tiny house design with us as part of our 2015 tiny house design competition with Deek of RelaxShacks.com.
This tiny house design features a murphy bed (so you don’t have to go up and down a ladder to go to sleep).
It also features tables that flip up and down to save space w hen not in use. Plus radiant heated floors, rooftop solar panels, built in sofa storage, and more. Click the image to see it in full size so you can read Lee’s writing. 🙂
Lee Ashmore’s 8×12 Tiny House Design
Images © Lee Ashmore
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This is Scott’s 8×12 ZenDen tiny house design that he’s sharing with us as part of our 2015 8×12 tiny house design contest with Derek Diedricksen of RelaxShacks.com.
Here is my submission for the 8×12 tiny house plans.
Have to admit this is a very small space but I think it could work if it was done with fold out bed and with a drop down table.
This tiny home is nicknamed the ZenDen and features a murphy bed, fireplace, kitchen, bathroom, and more.
Scott’s 8×12 ZenDen Tiny House Design
Images © Scott
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Darrell Jones is sharing his 8×12 tiny house design in 3D video with us as part of our 2015 tiny house design competition with Deek of RelaxShacks.com.
It’s a pretty simple design that you can build on a utility trailer. When you walk in you’ve got your seating area to the right and kitchen to the left.
There’s also a sleeping loft above that’s accessible by ladder. Finally the bathroom is all the way in the back underneath the sleeping loft.
DJ’s 8×12 Tiny House Design
Images © Darrell Jones
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Dennis Main shares his 8×12 tiny home office design concept with you as part of our 8×12 tiny house design contest with Deek of RelaxShacks.com.
Hi. I’m Dennis Main, micro house enthusiast since I first read Ken Isaac’s Living Structures book in the ’70’s.
I’ve attached a scan of my entry – but like everything else I do, some explanations goes with it.
– I did as much as I could come up with to make it a micro that one person could live in long term.
– The structure is plywood over 2×4. The interior partitions are 3/4 plywood, to save some space. There’s a covered patio on two sides. Here in California, you can enjoy a patio almost year round.
Dennis Main’s 8×12 Tiny House Design
Image © Dennis Main
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Craig shares his 8×12 tiny home office design concept with you as part of our 8×12 tiny house design contest with Deek of RelaxShacks.com.
It’s a pretty simple 8×12 tiny house design on a trailer with an upstairs sleeping loft that you can access by ladder.
Inside there’s also a kitchenette and even a toilet. There’s also space for a comfortable chair. Additionally a separate chair and desk. Please enjoy below. Thank you.
Craig’s 8×12 Tiny Home Office Design
Images © Geoffrey Craig Williams
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Christopher Sanfordbeck is sharing his 8×12 tiny house design with us as part of our 2015 8×12 tiny house design contest. I’ll let him explain his design with you.
The paper on the left hand side shows the roof/elevations, as well as the loft plan. As you can see, there are three dormers on the roof. On the right hand side is the interior design. You will notice that there are several asterisks. Noted below are their meanings.
The sink: the sink is sunk into the counter top, and when not in use, a board fits into place over it for extra counter space
The window in front of the desk: Instead of blinds, the window in front of the desk can be covered by a wooden blind which has either a bulletin board or a whiteboard on it.
The cot: This is interesting as it pulls down from the ceiling on a pulley system. It can then be ‘stored’ on the ceiling while not in use, and pulled down easily when guests come or if you want an afternoon nap.
Sofa: Underneath the sofa are two pull-out drawers on wheels which double as extra storage and as ottoman. On the left hand side, underneath the armrest, it is also hollowed out and acts as a place to stow boots and shoes.
Christopher Sanfordbeck’s 8×12 Tiny House Design
Images © Christopher Sanfordbeck
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