Sherwin-William's 2017 Color of the Year

Poised Taupe.  You heard me right, an old standby neutral that is new all over again.  Sherwin-Williams says this is why: This timeless neutral is modern, classic and a beautiful balance of warm and cool.

It appears as though we can stop trying to find workable combinations with the old neutral - gray - and switch gears to find the punch of color that will work well with Taupe.

If hot jewel colors are what turn you on, you might want to see what else would look good on you, or in your home if staying abreast of the "trendy look" is what you are shooting for.  

Below is a link to Sherwin-Williams' website so you can find out more on the chosen colors for 2017.


2017 Color of the Year


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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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Tiny Home with NO loft

For many reasons, some people just don't want a loft in their tiny home living.  Those with physical limitations (young or old) who just cannot maneuver a ladder or small stair case, OR, just don't want to.  

Think about going up and down a ladder every time you needed to use the bathroom in the middle of the

night - for a Boomer like me, that is just an accident waiting to happen.





Because of this I have been focusing on creating plans that are functional for long term use that DO NOT have lofts.  

This one has a 2 step raised platform for the queen size bed.  Under the platform is built in storage, a pull out 2 rise step, and a twin size day bed. 

The kitchen has an apartment size stove with oven, microwave, and apartment size refrigerator/freezer.

The bathroom has a roll-in shower for handicap accessibility and a toilet and sink with plenty of light.  This design has the space to put a stacking washer/dryer if you give up the full-size sofa for a love seat. 

The taller and slanted ceiling gives more vertical volume that provides the home with a more spacious feel.

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https://www.pinterest.com/lmquiggle/architecture-sunshine-tiny-homes-by-linda-quiggle/

Aging in Place in your Tiny Home

To tiny-home or not to tiny-home, that is the question.  

I have had the opportunity to discuss the pros and cons of living in a tiny-home with hundreds of people during the last ten years, and among the more mature adults the statement is always, “I’m not climbing a ladder to get to my bed”.  

The older you get the more you realize that universal design and being able to age in place are at the top of the priority list when making a choice of a home; tiny-home or not.  

Because I now find myself in that older group, but still have the dream of living tiny on purpose, (and did I mention I have a BS Interior Design degree) I have made it my goal this year to design a line of tiny-size to park-size homes that will meet the physical and emotional needs of Baby Boomers and the generation that follows.

As a designer I begin with questions like -

·  Will the owner be a couple or a single adult?

·  Do they need separate sleeping areas or can they sleep together?

·  Do they need space for walking aids?

·  Do they need additional outlets in the bedroom, bathroom and living area for medical reasons?

·  Do they need a tub or a shower for bathing?

·  What hobbies need to be taken into consideration?

·  Do the owners love to cook or is a microwave all they use?

·  Do they have medications that require refrigeration?

·  Do they participate in juicing or eating fresh, creating the need for a larger refrigerator?

·  Can they navigate one step, but not a ladder or staircase?

·  Do they have a pet?

·  Will they be traveling with their tiny-home?

·  Will they be permanently parked on private land or backyard?

·  Will they be permanently parked in a private park?

You have to ask the same type of questions as when building a traditional home, and many more due to the limited amount space in a tiny-home. 

It all boils down to, what the owner is willing to live without, and what they deem as esential for quality of life.

If you are interested in building a tiny home of your own, but need help with the design and layout, I am here to assist: Linda Quiggle - designsforaqueen@gmail.com .
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Tiny House - What does that mean in 2016?

Tiny Houses have become such a big thing in our culture over the last decade that there are now specific labels to define what kind of tiny house you might be talking about. Here is a small lesson - 


 "Micro" can include anything from a pimped out "Tear Drop" trailer to a shed, a treehouse, or van camping. It is really "micro" in size, but still meant to at least sleep and eat in.



"Tiny" includes a couple of distinctions, those on wheels and those on a permanent foundation.

  

• "T.H.O.W. is a tiny house on wheels.  These can be structures built with traditional building materials, or they can be house-trucks, buses, or any other driveable or towable device that has had a conversion and are meant to be lived in.

A standard "Tiny House" would be any "Tiny" structure built on some type of permanent foundation, and typically no larger than 500 sq. ft.

"Small" is a small structure.  

• Larger than a tiny home and smaller than the traditional small single family residence of 1,000 sq.ft.
• Can include apartments and condos
• Can be cottages
• Can be container homes
• Can be cob design
• Can be dome structures
• And yes, it can even be a Yurt.

Hope you feel better prepared to have a discussion about "tiny homes".  Keep looking.  Keep Learning. Live small on purpose.

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Container Homes have hit the big time!

Container City - London!

Container City II

It is incredible that a large metro center like London, England has embraced such an "outside" the proverbial box method of meeting some of their housing and commercial needs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fa2p_ux8ER0&feature=em-subs_digest-vrecs

BBC Broadcasting Offices

Medical facilities, schools, worship centers, offices, restaurants . . . 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hou5_w60Lew

Hornimans School

What a creative way to Reuse-Repurpose-Recycle a box.






Come on Amarillo, TX - It's time to start offering some affordable living and working solutions.  (Oh yes, and trendy and smart looking too.)

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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

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Tiny Homes have made it to the Big League - Trulia.com

As a realtor I keep tabs on Trulia and Zillow all the time. Imagine my surprise when in my perusal a few weeks ago I came across a Truilia Blog that mentions, yes, my favorite topic, a tiny home.  322 sq. ft. log style home on 9 acres of gorgeous Wyoming real estate, and it's for sale.  

This home was custom built in 2007.  It might be rustic and remote, but the little home sports a full suite of appliances (no dishwasher though), as well as the luxuries of running water and eco-friendly heat and electricity. 

Welcome to the big league tiny homes!

http://www.trulia.com/blog/found-on-trulia-a-teeny-tiny-home-for-sale-in-wyoming/?ecampaign=con_eyecandy&eurl=www.trulia.com%2Fblog%2Ffound-on-trulia-a-teeny-tiny-home-for-sale-in-wyoming%2F

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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

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

Limiting heat loss through your windows

I came across a really retro but great idea for conserving heat loss through the windows of your home.  But first, here is how heat loss can take place: Conduction, Convection, Radiance.  

Conduction is transfer of heat energy by contact; warm interior window glass to cold exterior.

Convection is heat loss caused by moving air.

Radiance is loss of infrared energy using the windows as light energy.

My great new find, the "Window Quilt".  It is what it sounds like.  A good looking quilt or blanket that is hung on the inside of a window to reduce heat transfer through your windows. For those who quilt as a hobby, here is a way to use some of those quilts you have devoted hours to, and wish others could enjoy, but are reluctant to take everyone on a tour to your bedrooms.

There are any number of ways to attractively mount quilts to your window without using duct tape or a staple gun.  Here are four suggestions I would use.

1) Create some tabs of your own, similar the ones in photo one. 

2) Purchase some ring clips. 

3) Use either the tabs or the rings and create a roll up version.  (However, I would not use the tiny attachments as shown in picture three. They would end up tearing the quilt before long.)  

4) The fourth suggestion would take more effort but would look very finished.

PHOTO ONE

PHOTO TWO

PHOTO THREE

PHOTO FOUR

If you are interested in creating some of your own, here is a link to an article that will help you get started.

http://www.countrysidemag.com/86-6/sue_robishaw/

http://www.motherearthnews.com/green-homes/thermal-window-shades-zmaz83ndzale.aspx#axzz3Kr6BsCN6

A SMALL CORRECTION ON RADIANCE FROM MY SON WILLIAM: 
Windows are good conductors of heat, which is fixed by your quilt, but the amount of light they let through is dependent on color.  Visible and UV light from the sun gets through just fine, and this heats up your home.  The interior of your home in turn glows in the infrared, but infrared light does *not* pass through glass.  So windows let light through in only one direction, basically -- visible and UV gets in, infrared doesn't get out.

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Linda Quiggle is a licensed REALTOR and can be reached at 806-220-5312.  Prudential, Ada REALTORS is an independently owned and operated member of Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential company, an Equal Housing Opportunity.

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