Washing Machines in Tiny Houses?!?

I ran across an article on wearing clean clothes and washing machines in tiny houses by Andrew M. Odom for the “Tiny House Blog”.   His title caught my attention, “Do Tiny House People Wear Clean Clothes?” 

I just had to open the link and read it. 

They answer, well of course Tiny House People wear clean clothes! The real question is, do you need to take up ¼ of your floor space to have a washer/dryer in your tiny home? 

I have designed a couple of tiny homes with smaller stacking washer & dryers units, as well as all-inclusive machines that wash and dry, and they do take up a sizable footprint even when your tiny home is 8.5’ wide and 28’-30’ long. (On the larger size for tiny homes.)

Andrew notes that before you even consider the footprint size further, it is important to consider the electrical and plumbing requirements involved in having this in-house luxury.  Maybe a weekly trip to a laundromat or using the Wonderwash (The Laundry Alternative, Non-electric Portable Compact Mini Washing Machine) that can be found on Amazon, might be an alternative consideration. ( https://www.amazon.com/Laundry-Alternative-Wonderwash-Non-electric-Portable/dp/B002C8HR9A ) You would still have to line/air dry if your use the Wonderwash or some other hand washing procedure, but NOT having a traditional washing/drying machine would certainly save space for other features and save money on costly electrical and plumbing considerations.

Read more at http://tinyhouseblog.com/tiny-house/do-tiny-house-people-wear-clean-clothes/#5pQxi4TDZJeXhP63.99

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Gypsy Caravan Home

Just in case you think the "Tiny Home" movement is limited to the US, here is an amazing 23' Caravan or Shepherds Hut. What I like (besides the glorious trim and attention to details) is the axle configuration on the trailer that he has built this home on.






















http://tinyhousetalk.com/beautiful-23-green-caravan-tiny-house/




The YouTube video is narrated by the builder who has this unit on the market - any takers?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhfU3iQ2ns4

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Linda Quiggle holds a BS of Interior Design and and MBA in Marketing.  She currently works and lives in Amarillo/Canyon , TX

Also Follow Linda Quiggle on: www.facebook.com/findinghomesforaqueen

Sunshine Tiny Homes - The Sunset Model

Sunset Model

EcoSmart Fire 650SS

This home is the largest of the three I have designed to date:  30' L x 8'-6" W x 13' T. The 13' tall all depends on the specific trailer you purchase to build this house on.  I have designed it to be built over the top of the tires, so what type/size of tires on the trailer will make some difference in the height.  

All three have been built on the shed roof template to be able to give as much internal volume as possible.  That volume and strategically placed windows for daylighting will help in making them feel as spacious as possible.  

I personally don't like a structure covered in wood/wood veneer. I like a more contemporary look, so I have designed the walls to be; from the outside in: lap siding, 5/8" plywood, framing (turning the studs so you have the width of it to nail/screw into; thus making the wall thinner and leaving more interior floor area.), blown in insulation, and 3/8” plywood sheathing.  The 3/8” plywood will get a high grade primer and then a durable paint like Valspar will bring color to the walls and ceiling. 

No exposed beams on the ceiling, I will be using an engineered I-Beam roof system and then covering them in the same 3/8" plywood sheathing. (I spent 20 years in residential construction in various departments, the last being a Purchasing Manager. My construction managers would be so proud of how well I remembered all the info the manufacturer reps instructed us on!)

Nuovoliola 10

This model does not have any raised floors (lofts or kitchen like the last two).  This is truly a model that active adults could feel comfortable in.  This model has a queen size space saving wall bed/sofa and display wall by Resource Furniture.  The bed model is Nuovoliola 10.  It has so many frame color and fabric choices I couldn’t keep track when trying to count them all.

I have used a different manner of heating for this model.  EcoSmart Fire has been manufacturing bioethanol fire appliances for several years now. These appliances allow you to have the ambiance and warmth of a fire without consuming wood or having to have LP or Natural Gas plumbed into your structure.  The particular appliance I have selected for the Sunset fits inside of a base cabinet with just a few modifications. 

All models have the ability to take use of a full-hook up camping park, or they can work off of water from their 30 gallon holding tanks.  Depending on the type of toilet you choose to install in your home: traditional flush, composting, or dry-flush; will depend on how “off the grid” you can be when parked.  

In the near future I will be working up a solar package that will allow you to supplement your power needs with a solar battery.

I am very pleased with this model.  Hope you enjoy viewing it.

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Linda Quiggle is a licensed REALTOR and can be reached at 806-355-9601.  Prudential, Ada REALTORS is an independently owned and operated member of Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential company, an Equal Housing Opportunity.

Follow her on Facebook: www.facebook.com/findinghomesforaqueen

Follow her team on www.homesofamarillo.info

Space Saving Furniture

On this blog I have been discussing the topics of living minimally and living in smaller spaces, Tiny Homes.  I am sure that you are like my husband and think, "She's crazy, how do I make my furniture work in a 200 sq.ft. space?" 

Well, you don't.  

With your new tiny space a new tiny space mentality has to be developed; adjustments in the way you think about space. Once you have made the decision, you have to embrace your new "normal" - the new paradigm you have defined for yourself.  I have lived in small spaces, but have always tried to just make my large furniture pieces fit and it never really did; I always felt claustrophobic about not having enough space to even walk around and no place to practice my hobbies or entertain friends.


A company called Resource Furniture is making it easier for tiny home residents. They have designed a wide spectrum of multi-functioning furniture pieces that take very little room to transform and give you multi-functional rooms that work and look good: sofas/beds, tables/beds, wall units/beds, home office space/beds, chairs that turn into step stools, and chairs that function as book storage. 


They also give you choices for the finishes, fabric, and wood. You can customize until your heart is content with the look.  

Spend the few minutes it takes to watch the video on this YouTube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nljmEUeLbY  .  
When you have looked at the video, give me feed back.

If you want more info, like I did, here is the link to their webpage:  
http://www.resourcefurniture.com/node/606

Thanks to my friend Janis Cannon for turning me on to this product.

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Linda Quiggle is a licensed REALTOR and can be reached at 806-355-9601.  Prudential, Ada REALTORS is an independently owned and operated member of Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential company, an Equal Housing Opportunity.

Follow her on Facebook: www.facebook.com/findinghomesforaqueen

Follow her team on www.homesofamarillo.info  or www.facebook.com/homesofamarillo

Things to consider before building your Tiny Home

I worked in residential construction for over twenty years, and I have a four year degree in interior design, so I am always thinking about a better way to build something.  In case of my current passion, the tiny home, I have had some issues with some designs I have seen, so I have put my mind to answering them; now I can share these thoughts with you.

Things to consider before you build:

1.  Windows; they need to be tempered glass

for safety’s sake.  They will be less likely to 

break while towing it and less dangerous to 

the human element if they do break.

2. Collapsible awnings to cover your 

windows would add additional protection 

while towing, and would add sun protection 

when you are parked.

3.  Over frame the house to protect it from shearing and distortion from wind shear when it 

is towed at highway speeds.  Consider framing and bracing with metal studs.

4.  Flexible materials throughout.  Plywood is more flexible than drywall.  And don’t tile your 

shower walls; they are not flexible at all.

5. Make sure that all your plumbing and electrical pipes and wires are securely strapped to 

joists/studs so they don’t shirt and/or break.

6. Make sure the weight is distributed evenly within the house.  Don’t put all your appliances 

and the bathroom on the same side.  Also consider how much weight will be riding on the 

tongue of the trailer.

7.  You will need to add extra insulation on the front of the house (tongue side) and make 

sure that all gaps in your cladding are sealed.

8. If you plan to tow your tiny house yourself there are some maximum height and width 

requirements that you need to stay within.  No taller than 13.5’ tall and you can still pass 

under power lines, into gas stations, and through toll stations.  It is also recommended that 

you don’t go wider than 8.5’ wide so you don’t run into issues with large tractor trailers.

9. Like any travel trailer, you need to make sure that your trailer is registered and has a 

visible license plate when traveling.

10. Make sure you have an extra trailer tire.  This special size of tire is harder to find, and 

impossible if you are stuck in a sparsely populated area with no services.

11. Research the towing package of a truck before hooking up to make a cross country 

trip.  

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Linda Quiggle is a licensed REALTOR and can be reached at 806-355-9601.  Prudential, Ada REALTORS is an independently owned and operated member of Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential company, an Equal Housing Opportunity.

Follow her on Facebook: www.facebook.com/findinghomesforaqueen

Follow her team on www.homesofamarillo.info

Insuring your Tiny Home

Insuring your tiny home is not something I had actually thought about until I came across this article a few minutes ago. 

Everyone who owns a travel trailer or motor home no doubt has insurance coverage, but what about that tiny home you want to pull across country or put in a park?  

Here is some good news, if you live in California, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Colorado, Arizona and Washington, you can now get coverage for your precious tiny home.  

Click the link for additional information: http://tinyhouseblog.com/announcement/tiny-house-wheels-insurance/

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Linda Quiggle is a licensed REALTOR and can be reached at 806-355-9601.  Prudential, Ada REALTORS is an independently owned and operated member of Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential company, an Equal Housing Opportunity.

Follow her on Facebook: www.facebook.com/findinghomesforaqueen

Follow her team on www.homesofamarillo.info

Micro Tiny Home on Wheels

Okay, this home is definitely NOT intended for full time living. It is very cute and well organized with all the essentials - well maybe not all, there is no toilet or shower facilities.

It is a customized travel trailer that is being used by a man named Frank from NC who is a traveling carpenter.  He tows it from one place to another so he doesn't have to stay in hotels, just like any other travel trailer/motor home enthusiast.  

Myself, I would be pulling it to Corpus Christi, Texas in the winter; Ruidoso, New Mexico in the summer; Arkansas in the fall.

For more information click on the link: http://tinyhousetalk.com/franks-diy-micro-cabin/

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Linda Quiggle is a licensed REALTOR and can be reached at 806-355-9601.  Prudential, Ada REALTORS is an independently owned and operated member of Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential company, an Equal Housing Opportunity.

Follow her on Facebook: www.facebook.com/findinghomesforaqueen

Follow her team on www.homesofamarillo.info