If you could point to a single structure that ignited the modern tiny house movement, this would be a strong contender. Jay Shafer’s original Tumbleweed tiny house — built between 1997 and 1999 — was a radical experiment: could a person live comfortably and with dignity in just 89 square feet?
The answer, as Shafer proved by living in the house himself, was yes. That proof of concept didn’t just change his life. It launched a company (Tumbleweed Tiny House Company), inspired a generation of builders, and helped create the cultural framework we now call the tiny house movement.
In this video tour, Derek “Deek” Diedricksen — author of Humble Homes, Simple Shacks, host of HGTV’s Tiny Yellow House, and one of the tiny house community’s most recognizable voices — walks through the original Tumbleweed and gives us an inside look at where it all began.
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
Derek and Dustin Diedricksen built this tiny cabin retreat in Northern Vermont as a weekend escape from Boston. Purchased in 2000, the property has been developed incrementally using mostly hand tools without power equipment. The cabin provides a quiet getaway for family and friends to enjoy nature, play music, and disconnect from city life.
The Boxy Lady is a portable micro cabin created by Derek “Deek” Diedricksen of RelaxShacks. Designed as both a trade show display booth and functional single sleeper, this compact structure travels to events promoting simple living, recycled construction, and tiny house concepts.
Derek “Deek” Diedricksen of Tiny Yellow House and RelaxShax built this micro cabin called the “Box Lady” using 35% salvaged materials for just $178. The design serves multiple purposes including emergency shelter, flea market displays, camping, and storage.
Design Details
Builder: Derek Diedricksen (Tiny Yellow House / RelaxShax)
The Roly West Cabin in Maine demonstrates what owner-builders could accomplish in the early 1960s with modest budgets. This 20 x 40 foot waterfront cabin was built by its owner on land purchased for just $2,500, with the cabin itself constructed for another $2,500. The property features a porch facing the water and a recently added work shed.
In this episode of Tiny Yellow House, Derek Diedricksen and his brother explore a lake in Maine while scouting potential tiny island properties. The video captures the adventure of searching for small, affordable land parcels that could support a minimal cabin or retreat.
Photo Courtesy of Derek Diedricksen via YouTube
