Back to the beginning

I have hired an architect and have learnt that as much as I love my 3D model and my idea for small space living, I am not an architect. So back to the drawing board with the Ginger Shack plan.

The deck is out and a 10 X 10 concrete slab is in

The fireplace is out and a vented propane fireplace is in

The idea of not going over 14 feet is out and I am likely building a 18 foot tower and will be able to stretch out in any space I find myself in

My magical kitchen/stair area is out and I am awaiting to see the new option

The closet on the main floor is out

Here is to being flexible and to lucking out and finding a brilliant co-designer!!

Posted by Live Small Think Big

Folk artist. Lifelong cyclist. Plant based. Zero Waste. Environmentalist. Lover.

Persistence and Patience ….

Paid off!! I have landed my architect and could not have imagined one better!

He not only hit on my basic requirements; knowledgeable, interested in small space living, located in Canada, one I could afford, he is also politically and socially aware, a believer that moving towards renewable energy is the solution and loves cats (really loves them).

This bio on LinkedIn … Sole practitioner doing architectural design of various scales, as well as architectural renderings. No project too small or too weird.

This is one of his designs. I think we are going to have a good time building the Ginger Shack together.

My friend put me on to elance.com and I am so grateful he did!

I am over the moon. Thank you, thank you, thank you Universe and John!!

Posted by Live Small Think Big

Folk artist. Lifelong cyclist. Plant based. Zero Waste. Environmentalist. Lover.

Time to get 3D!

First there was the tape on the floor. I had to physically be in the space to have any idea of how to design the space. Once I felt like I had a grasp on the design I transferred everything over to grid paper and worked out the dimensions.

Final step – a 3D model!

As strange as this may sound this was the first time I realized how incredibly small my space is going to be. Once all the walls became real and had to attach to each other there was a ridiculously large closet on the main floor and an insanely big wood burning stove. I have taken a foot off the closest and have moved from the Grand Cook Stove to a much smaller wood burning stove.

View from the top … and space for Tigger!

Next step – will it stand the test of an architect/carpenter’s input…..

Posted by Live Small Think Big

Folk artist. Lifelong cyclist. Plant based. Zero Waste. Environmentalist. Lover.

Burning down the house!

Heat. This is the biggest question right now.

Wood burning stoves are romantic and gorgeous but they also throw a lot of heat! The stove that I posted a while ago would basically melt my space once it was up and running at full capacity.

I looked propane heaters but the standard ones sold in Canada are for garages and well ventilated spaces. My homes it going to be well insulated and sealed to combat heat loss so this type of heat make me a little leery. There are also Catalytic Heaters found in RVs, but they are not CSA approved and infrared heaters are not allowed in living/sleeping spaces due to safety issues.

Thankfully I stumbled on the website LivingLightly and their post on Small Wood Stoves.

Looks like the Hobbit Small Cast Iron Stove is what I have been waiting for!

For more information on Small Wood Stoves click here.

Posted by Live Small Think Big

Folk artist. Lifelong cyclist. Plant based. Zero Waste. Environmentalist. Lover.

Reaching out

The layout is done and the tape has come off the floor. Next step, creating the blueprint to build off of.

From the beginning of this process I have never wanted to be the Building Foreman but I had to be the Architect! I love organizing space and making it work for me so this part of the journey had to be mine and mine alone. Originally I had a friend on board who was going to take over the construction side of things once I had the floor plan in place but life happened and that has changed. Thankfully there are hundreds of Tiny Home people out there so now I am on the search for my BluePrint person!

I have emailed these two guys …. so here’s hoping

Tiny Home Customs

Rocky Mountain Tiny Houses

Posted by Live Small Think Big

Folk artist. Lifelong cyclist. Plant based. Zero Waste. Environmentalist. Lover.

4 walls completed. 1 step closer.

First there was the tape on the floor. I needed to sit in my space to be able to come up with the floor plan. This helped a lot and I think I will be able to move about with a fair amount of grace in my 130 square feet.

The second step was to figure out what the actual measurements were going to be. I now have my rough outline completed, Thank You! grid paper.

The first page is the wall to your right once you have walk through the front door after that you are turning in a clockwise circle.

Welcome to The Ginger Shack

3D model coming next …

Posted by Live Small Think Big

Folk artist. Lifelong cyclist. Plant based. Zero Waste. Environmentalist. Lover.

Meet the Arizona Corn Princesses

Those girls just got a make over!

This is one of very few pieces I am taking up North to my little home.

Most of the art coming with me I have picked up in my travels and is often from various Indigenous cultures. Feels suiting.

Posted by Live Small Think Big

Folk artist. Lifelong cyclist. Plant based. Zero Waste. Environmentalist. Lover.

Thanks Stanley

I grew up in a ‘normal’ home in the 80s. We had a lot of things that plugged in. Fridge, stove, lights, washer, dryer, microwave, Atari, television, VCR, hair dryer, lawn mower…the list goes on and it completely made sense.

When I left at 20 and spent a decade living with roommates, we too had ‘normal’ apartments. Fridge, stove, lights, microwave, stereo , television, VCR, phone among a few other things.

When I started living alone in my 30s, I prided myself on how few things I had that plugged in. I would say “take out the fridge, stove and lights and I have 5 things that plug in. Alarm clock, computer, stereo, phone and hand mixer.” I instantly liked going lean when I was left to my own space.

Next year I enter my 40s and I have decided to take my relationship with energy one step further. I am going to start the process of shrinking my reliance on the current energy board. I really don’t want to go off the grid. I just want the grid to shift. I love the little bit of convince and beauty that I live in right now but I believe it could be more intelligent.

The packing list so far – electric tooth brush, hand mixer, computer, cameras, phone and music docker.

Posted by Live Small Think Big

Folk artist. Lifelong cyclist. Plant based. Zero Waste. Environmentalist. Lover.

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