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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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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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

A Tiny Home to write home about!

I started a new job in January 2015 and haven't found the time to post anything since then.   However, I am making time now because I have found my "I want" tiny home.  As an interior designer I like to design my own spaces, however, I found someone else's design that I have to applaud.  This couple has taken into account headroom, natural light, the need for privacy when inside and the cute aspect. Why have a tiny home if it isn't cute!  It has a functioning kitchen, room for 2 recliners, a wood stove and an awesome bathroom.

I would sell my house and both cars and invest in a vehicle that could tow this THOW (tiny home on wheels) in a heart beat.  I just have to convince my husband - he is a writer and has "hundred's" of books for research purpose.  I tell him all the time that if he dies first I am getting one even if I have to park it in a relative's backyard and do day care for the privilege.  He just laughs.  I am not giving up my quest to have one though.

So, let me share this intriging home with you:  http://tinyhousetalk.com/expanding-tiny-house-with-slide-outs-that-will-amaze-you/

Expect to see me retiring in one of these real soon!

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Linda is a licensed Texas REALTOR and works with the Rob Law Team/Keller Williams Realty in Amarillo Texas.  806-457-4853 | 7304 SW 34th, Suite 1 - Amarillo, TX 79121

The Sunshine Tiny Homes - Sunrise Model

I am thrilled with the response that I had to my first model: Noon Sun.  I now have the second model to unveil: Sunrise.



It is built on a 8'-6" wide by 24' long trailer base. However, this model is designed to be built over the top of the wheels.  That provides the structure with additional width inside and leaves space to install holding tanks for fresh water, grey water, and black water.

This model has a raised kitchen; three feet higher than the great room and bathroom.  It also has a custom unit that slides under, or pulls out from under the kitchen; giving the great room flexibility with either a love seat or a queen size bed. Under the bed are five storage drawers, four accessed from the side, and one from the foot of the bed.  The 3-steps from the great room up to the kitchen also contain drawers for storage.

The kitchen contains a 2-bowl sink, 24" LP Range that has an oven.  Upper and lower cabinet storage, 2-Drawer Refrigerator & Freezer, and a flex space that can be used for a small desk area.  In the bathroom (for the shower), and kitchen (at the sink) there are LP On-Demand water heaters.  This small home is heated with LP through a Marine style fireplace/heater.  A dedicated 30 gal LP tank is plumbed to the water heaters and stove, and a separate dedicated 30 gal LP tank is plumbed to the fireplace/stove.

The 3/4 bathroom has a shelf over the toilet that holds the small but cute vessel sink.; also over the toilet is a mirrored medicine cabinet.  Two handicapped bars (by the toilet and shower) and an obscure, bullet resistant (for the rocks when towing) single hung window for ventilation complete this bathroom.

This design is flexible enough that it could be put on a 30' trailer and it would provide even more great room space so you would not have to move chairs/tables when the bed was pulled out.

If you live close to Amarillo/Canyon Texas and know of someone who might be interested in giving me a bid to build my tiny home designs, please let me know:
findinghomeforaqueen@gmail.com

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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

Announcing: The Sunshine Tiny Homes!

I have not posted anything for just over a month.  It isn't because I have lost interest in the "Tiny House" movement, it is because I decided to design a series of my own tiny homes.  I needed to put my Bachelor of Science degree in Interior Design to some use.

My tiny home company has been named "Sunshine Tiny Homes" and the first home is the "Noon-Sun" model.  It is built on a trailer that is 8'-6" wide by 28' long.  This is the maximum dimensions allowed to still be able to pull it yourself without a special permit or license.  The height, 13'-6" tall, and for the same reasons.

It has a hinged deck, a metal skin, wood framed, a main multi-function loft, and a storage loft.  It is initially being designed with a wall bed/table unit on the main floor so that mature adults, or those with physical limitations can still enjoy the "Tiny Home" experience, but not have to climb any ladders to access their beds.

I have been looking at and studying about the tiny house movement for several years now, so you may have seen some of the features in this model.  It took a lot of comparing to decide on a standard flush toilet and LP water heater and range.  I wanted to go with an electric on-demand water heater system, but that would require  240 volts to run it and that would mean being limited in the places you might want to explore on a cross country trip.  

I have had all walks of people in my life add their input to this project, and I want to thank you all - you know who you are.  
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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

Molecule Tiny Homes Tour

When I read the title of this blog in another article, I thought it was going to be about tiny homes that were even smaller than normal, "Molecule".  However I discovered that it was actually a tiny home builder's name; Molecule Tiny Homes.

Since more and more people are interested in living tiny, but don't want to climb a ladder, I found the home discussed in the link below, very do-able.  I would not want to live in a home quite this small on a full time basis, especially with another person, but if you are single it could be made to work.

Again, this home is using all typically unused space for additional storage; under the staircase being the one that most intrigues me. (Why don't builder's do that in traditional 2-story homes?)

This home was built with a solar panel installed on the roof of the home, but accessible by way of the main loft and through the opening skylight.  It has a tub (small), a composting toilet, and the tiniest bathroom sink I have ever seen.

Waring's Induction Range

It doesn't have a permanently installed range or cooktop, but as I have seen in other tiny home environments, the Waring Commercial Induction Range 120V, 1800W, or equivalent, will give you instant cooking without taking up the installed appliance space. You could even have a wall oven installed under the counter top, or utilize a counter top oven like Kitchen Aid's 12-Inch convection bake

KitchenAid's Countertop Oven

countertop oven.

Take a few minutes to view the video where Jason Dietz, the owner/builder of Molecule Tiny Homes provides additional information about this particular home, and how he builds in general.

http://tinyhousetalk.com/molecule-tiny-homes-tour/


Check back often as I post nuggets of information as often as I find them.  Sometimes that is daily, other times just weekly.

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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

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

Tiny Living: Living without sacrifice

Many of you groan when thinking about such a drastic downsizing move as living in a tiny house and minimal; by choice.  You may think it is an undo-able sacrifice. Oh, yeah, one more complaint I have heard from others: tiny living must be ugly and and have no style or bling. Wrong, wrong, wrong.

I have watched HGTV for decades.  There used to be a program focused entirely on designing for small spaces.  I loved it because the designers always made the small space beautiful as well as functional.  

I found a new tiny home built on a 28' trailer providing 221 sq.ft. of living space plus two lofts that add another 128 sq. ft.  It is modern and sleek and has a full sized range in the kitchen, plenty of light and stairs to the sleeping loft.

This is a great space, but like any travel trailer/tiny home, it needs a good sized truck to haul it around. 

Let me know if you think this tiny home is appealing and functional.

For more information: 
http://tinyhouseblog.com/yourstory/living-without-sacrifice-solutions-top-5-tiny-house-limitations/

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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