She Built This Adorable Cottagecore Tiny House then Fell in Love

Summary

Rebecca’s journey of building a DIY tiny home is a heartwarming story of self-discovery, creativity, and perseverance. From the initial sketching of designs as a teenager to completing her home in 2024, Rebecca’s project blends passion with practicality. The tiny home is designed with unique features like a wood stove, a porcelain farmhouse sink, and custom storage solutions, reflecting Rebecca’s love for aesthetics and sustainability. Through the process, Rebecca shares her personal growth, the support of her family, and her dreams of passing on the home to someone new. It's a tale of building a life, both literally and metaphorically.

Takeaways

• 😀 Rebecca built a DIY tiny home in Maine, drawing inspiration from her childhood dreams and sketches, and with strong support from her family.
• 😀 The tiny home is 24x8.5 feet in size, designed for one or two people, and took about three years to complete from 2022 to 2024.
• 😀 Rebecca's design goals included maximizing flow of movement, natural light, and a blend of colonial Dutch cottage core and Mediterranean styles.
• 😀 The tiny home features practical storage solutions such as under-cushion storage, a coat rack, and shelves for herbs and spices.
• 😀 The home includes a wood stove, which is efficient in Maine's climate, and a propane heater for additional warmth during colder months.
• 😀 A big design feature in the kitchen is a farmhouse sink, locally sourced cedar wood countertops, and a propane oven that Rebecca customized for aesthetics.
• 😀 Rebecca invested in small appliances like a mini fridge and a high-quality cooler, balancing practicality with style in a small space.
• 😀 The bathroom includes a composting toilet and a spacious shower that Rebecca built herself, adjusting dimensions to fit the limited space of the tiny home.
• 😀 Rebecca used recycled materials, such as glass from an old building for a window and natural branches for the railing, embodying the eco-friendly spirit of tiny home living.
• 😀 The home’s loft was designed with a skylight and secret cubby storage, offering both functionality and a comforting space for reflection and rest.
• 😀 The tiny home was completed with love, creativity, and perseverance, and Rebecca hopes it will continue to bless future owners with its charm and thoughtful design.

Q & A

What inspired Rebecca to build her tiny home?

Rebecca's inspiration to build a tiny home stemmed from her childhood fascination with alternative lifestyles, influenced by her parents' values of homesteading, homeschooling, and living freely. She had always dreamed of creating a tiny home, and after seeing a documentary on tiny homes at age 13, she began sketching layouts and envisioning her future space.

How did Rebecca's family support her tiny home project?

Rebecca's family was extremely supportive of her tiny home project. Her parents, in particular, encouraged her to pursue her goals of living independently and breaking away from societal norms. They provided both emotional support and hands-on assistance, such as helping her with construction tasks and lending tools.

What was the most challenging part of building the tiny home?

The most challenging aspect of building the tiny home was learning all the necessary skills on the go, including plumbing, insulation, and carpentry. Rebecca also faced uncertainty about how to proceed with funding and completing each step, but she persevered, learning through trial and error.

Why did Rebecca choose a tiny home over other living options?

Rebecca was drawn to the idea of a tiny home because it aligned with her values of independence and self-sufficiency. Growing up in a family that valued homesteading and non-traditional lifestyles, she felt a deep connection to tiny homes as a way to live simply and sustainably.

How did Rebecca make her tiny home feel spacious despite its small size?

Rebecca's design for the tiny home emphasized open space and flow. She incorporated large windows to let in natural light, used a high ceiling to create the feeling of openness, and focused on storage solutions like hidden compartments and multi-purpose furniture to keep the space uncluttered.

What are some unique features of Rebecca's tiny home?

Unique features of Rebecca's tiny home include the use of a marine wood stove, a porcelain farmhouse sink, locally sourced cedar wood countertops, a handmade window made from recycled materials, and custom-built stairs with a natural branch railing. The bathroom also includes a composting toilet and a handmade shower.

How did Rebecca incorporate her love for aesthetics into the tiny home design?

Rebecca's love for aesthetics is reflected in her thoughtful choices for the tiny home, such as using a porcelain farmhouse sink, spray painting appliances for a personalized look, and adding decorative elements like the 'pie window' for baking. She also paid attention to details like the brick-like wall treatment in the kitchen and the overall colonial Dutch cottage core style.

What lessons did Rebecca learn during the building process?

Rebecca learned numerous lessons during the building process, including the importance of perseverance, the value of asking for help, and the necessity of being resourceful. She also learned that tackling big projects independently can be a profound test of patience, faith, and self-discovery.

What role did the wood stove play in the tiny home?

The wood stove played a crucial role in providing extra heat in Rebecca's tiny home, which was located in Maine. It was chosen for its efficiency, as Rebecca was familiar with wood stoves from her parents' home. It was a key addition alongside a propane heater and helped maintain a cozy environment during colder months.

What was the financial cost of building Rebecca's tiny home?

The total cost of building Rebecca's tiny home was approximately $45,000. This amount covered everything from the trailer to the roof. She balanced quality and budget by making thoughtful decisions on materials and opting for certain DIY solutions, like spray painting appliances to give them a custom look.