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Friday, September 6, 2013

Hymn for Peace in Sanskrit

Hymn for Peace in Sanskrit

New post on Laura Bruno's Blog


Sanskrit Hymn for Peace

by laurabruno

Mantras are incredibly powerful. Never underestimate the power of sound and vibration to change the world and change your inner state. I've called Congress and voiced my vote for peace, but now, and always, I vote with my vibration, intention, and words. I pray. Please join me here, or in whatever ways most resonate for you.

"This video is a Hindu prayer and wish to universal love, peace, prosperity and harmony for everyone irrespective of religion and location."

Om Om Om
Sarvesham Svastir Bhavatu
Sarvesham Shantir Bhavatu
Sarvesham Poornam Bhavatu
Sarvesham Mangalam Bhavatu
Om, Shanti, Shanti, Shanti

The mantra means:
"May well-being, peace, wholeness and tranquility, hapiness and prosperity be achieved by all".

Sing it for peace of all sensitive beings, for calmness and harmony"

Video: Xaver Walser
Music: Regula Curti & Roland Frey
Video-Cip Editing: Benjamin Degrese

Buy the song here :

http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/chil

laurabruno | September 6, 2013 at 1:43 pm | Tags: Mantra, Peace, Sarvesham Svastir Bhavatu | Categories: Uncategorized | URL: http://wp.me/pjNJT-1DQ

It’s Pizza Kale Chip Time Again

It's Pizza Kale Chip Time Again

Posted September 5, 2013 by laurabruno in Uncategorized. Tagged: , , , . 4 Comments

All five of my kale plants are huge and ready for harvest!

All five of my kale plants are huge and ready for harvest!

Time for some dehydrating yum:

Kale chips ready to dehydrate

Pizza Kale Chips

Equivalent of two large kale bunches, torn into bite sized pieces

Dressing:

1 cup raw cashews
Large fistful of fresh Italian herbs (I used basil, parsley, oregano and sage.)
Five fennel seeds
Juice from one lemon
5-7 soaked sun-dried tomatoes plus leftover soak water equal to 3/4 cup of liquid
One garlic clove plus optional garlic skapes (I had some from the garden. You can use more garlic or powder to taste.)
2 tablespoons Parma Chipotle Cayenne (or nutritional yeast plus chipotle and cayenne to taste)
Celtic Sea salt to taste

1. Blend dressing ingredients.
2. Massage into torn kale (with your hands until kale gets softer and a little broken down).
3. Spread evenly on mesh dehydrator trays with the Teflex sheets on them to start.
4. Dehydrate at 105 degrees for 4-6 hours on Teflex.
5. Remove Teflex.
6. Dehydrate another 1 to 2 hours until completely dry and crispy.
7. Cool, then store in plastic bags or glass jars.

I use an Excalibur Dehydrator. If you have a different type, then your timing may vary. Just remember to keep the temperature below 112 degrees and to check on them every few hours to make sure they dry completely. If you don't dry them all the way, you will need to eat them in a couple days, or they could mold. If you dry them and vacuum pack them, they could last for months.

Bon Appétit!


Tiny Houses – Taking On the Matrix of Consumerism

Tiny Houses – Taking On the Matrix of Consumerism

February 21, 2013 | By | 19 Replies

Alex Pietrowski, Staff Writer
Waking Times

Imagine changing your life in such a way that you drastically reduce your debt, rid yourself of clutter and make a statement against consumerism!

Super-size Me

Over the last six decades, industry and emerging culture have over-inflated the American dream. What started as a vision of modest comfort has grown into a culture of super-sizing everything from food, to cars, to houses. In the 1950's, the average home size was just under 1000 square feet. The US National Association of Home Builders reports that by 2005, an average new home in the US measured 2414 square feet, dropping to 2100 square feet by 2009.

As a result of super-sizing the American dream, cities have sprawled into suburbs, where it seems almost impossible to live without at least 1, if not 2, cars, where home owners don't really own their homes but are trapped by high mortgage payments, filling their homes with stuff they can't really afford or don't need, and working longer hours to pay for it all. Has this become American culture?

Luxury or Prison?

What is your definition of a luxury home?

Many of us will think of a home with several thousand square feet, vaulted ceilings, plenty of yard space, 2+ car garage, open kitchen, and on, and on. But Jay Shafer, author of The Small House Book and The Tumbleweed DIY Book of Backyard Sheds and Tiny Houses, considers a 96 square foot house on wheels a luxury, while a "McMansion" is more like a debtor's prison.

Consider how much freer you would be without your mortgage payments, without as many maintenance requirements, without the worries associated with cleaning, organizing and decorating as many spaces throughout your home, spaces piled with stuff you're not really using or don't really need. The following video is an interview with Jay Shafer, where he shares his opinions about the freedom that you may gain when downsizing and de-cluttering, ridding yourself of unneeded space and stuff, and reducing your debt obligations.

http://youtu.be/hq9xf0OhaVI

Too Small for Your Safety

If you want to build a small home, you will quickly find out that it is actually illegal to build a home under a certain size in North America. You may also have a hard time securing the needed financing to do so. In the above video, Shafer explains how the building industry and the insurance companies have created building codes and zoning regulations, or what he calls "mandatory consumption laws", which hinder how small and where people can build their homes, as for example limiting certain sizes to trailer parks. The reasoning behind these regulations has been heavily weighed on our safety and well-being, although many codes, such as the minimum square food requirements per room, have little to do with either of these factors.

In many US cities, new homes have to be at least 750 square feet, and this can range up to 1600 square feet in areas where land is more expensive. The International Building Code (which outlines the building codes and regulations for North America, even though the name suggests otherwise) was set up  by the housing industry with the goal of making the worth of a house comparable to the value of the land it is built on, thus justifying set property values.

There are loopholes to working around the building code. Jay Shafer, for example, found how to make tiny houses fall under the trailer umbrella by putting the homes on wheels. Yet, most people would find it challenging to build simple and small. They would need resources to help then understand the codes and regulations and how to work around them. Also, they would need access to adequate funds considering that banks will not loan for new builds smaller than what is allowed by the code.

Outsmarting Consumerism

Our culture and industry have created a world where it is illegal to build and live in tiny homes. Is consumerism being forced on us? Has consumerism created the life you thought you are supposed to live?

Individuals like Jay Shafer are not only making their life simpler, but they are also making a statement against over-consumption, and to Jay, a statement of civil disobedience. Are you ready to create the life YOU want to live?

Visit these innovative companies' website for more information about tiny houses:

http://www.fourlightshouses.com/

http://www.tumbleweedhouses.com/

About the Author

Alex Pietrowski is an artist and writer concerned with preserving good health and the basic freedom to enjoy a healthy lifestyle. He is a staff writer for WakingTimes.com and an avid student of Yoga and life.

Sources:

http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/2443194/

http://www.nahb.org/news_details.aspx?newsID=12244

http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/kbenfield/us_home_size_preferences_final.html

http://www.nahb.org/generic.aspx?genericContentID=145984

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5525283

http://greenaerie.blogspot.com/

This article is offered under Creative Commons license. It's okay to republish it anywhere as long as attribution bio is included and all links remain intact.



Tiny House in a Landscape

by Kent Griswold on February 22nd, 2013. 3 Comments

Chris Culbertson sent me this photo and says: "my girlfriend and I stayed in this tiny cabin which is used as a guesthouse. It is located on a ranch near Telluride, Colorado. It has an awesome sleeping loft, small kitchen, a living room, and has no running water. It was built using reclaimed materials, and although a bit for show, was a very nice design."

Thanks Chris for sharing! If you have a Tiny House in a Landscape photo please send it to TinyHouseBlog@gmail.com

Photo Credit: Chris Culbertson

hdr  cabin




Colin's Coastal Cabin

by Kent Griswold on February 21st, 2013. 130 Comments

Here's a little bit of my tiny house building story and some of the things I learned in the process. I hope this information will help or possibly inspire a few future tiny house builders, in the same way I was greatly supported by all you guys who shared your stories before me. The best things about this project were the support I received from friends and family, and getting to learn so many new things this year.

completed cabin

Before I started I had a little bit of experience building. I'd built a shed or two and some homemade plywood furniture. Until a year ago, the stuff I built was almost totally designed from a functional perspective. But a few months before I started my project I had the good fortune to work on a backyard shed with my friend Steve, who taught me all about using salvaged and old materials.

On my first trip to the salvage yard I had no idea how much things should cost, or even the difference between redwood and fir. A few weeks later, the idea of taking a little extra time to find beautiful materials and design things a bit more uniquely was starting to make sense to me. Turns out interesting and older materials (usually cheaper, and almost always more time consuming to get) really impact the feeling of the house.

wool and floor

In order to get from the little experience I had to being comfortable building this thing, I relied on a few key online resources, including Dee Williams "Go House Go", "The Tiny House Construction Guide" and a great video from Tumbleweed showing the building process.

At first I was hesitant to pay for those e-books, but I quickly came to my senses and realized the cost would more than pay for itself by saving me time and money spent making big mistakes.

I designed the house myself, using Google Sketchup (which I had learned earlier that year for a couple other personal projects.) Of all the computer programs I've learned over the years, Sketchup has the best instructional videos I've seen, so I would definitely recommend it to non computer experts – a few days of practice and I think anyone could design their own house with it!

four walls

A few notes on the design of my house:

  • I did a rough design based on the property I was planning to move to first. This was before I had the windows or any other materials. Then, after a month of searching to locate windows and doors that were roughly the correct size, I did a final design with those measurements.
  • I chose the shed-style roof because I'm really tall and wanted to maximize loft-space. And I definitely wanted a couple of windows in the loft, so I could gaze out while lying in bed.
  • It's on a standard 8×18′ "car-hauler" trailer. The manufacturer was willing to add some welded on "wings" so I could make my house wider, in exchange for not including some of the extra metal (d-rings, etc.) that usually come with such a trailer.

front half sided

A few notes on materials and systems:

  • Insulation in the floor, walls, and ceiling is wool from Oregon Shepherd, which I read about from Tammy Stroebel's project built by Dee. It was time-consuming to install, but otherwise a total pleasure to work with.
  • Downstairs floor is reclaimed 1 1/2″ tongue and groove fir, upstairs floor is 3/4″ fir – both from a great salvage yard in Windsor, CA.
  • Exterior is two batches of T+G redwood. One had been sitting unused in a friend's landlord's barn for 30 years, the other from a salvage yard in Petaluma.
  • Interior wainscoting is that same 30 year-old redwood, with tongues and grooved ripped off.
  • Ceiling, and much of the kitchen cabinet, is reclaimed fir from a house on the Russian River that was pulled apart by a carpenter friend. I re-sawed it in half, from 3/4″ thick down to about 5/16″, thus making a lighter ceiling and giving me twice the material. I used the same technique for the redwood hallway walls and closets.
  • White walls are 1/4″ plywood from Home Depot. I went this route thinking that plywood would be lighter and stronger than drywall, and would add more visual light and less all-wood-monotony to the room. So far so good.
  • Water heater is 10 gallon RV tank-style heater. My research seemed to say this was going to be more efficient than tankless. It's still hard to believe that's true…I might go tankless next time. But this does work well and I can take piping hot 10 minute showers.
  • Fridge is high-efficiency Novakool, powered by AC or DC. (currently running on DC)
  • Wood stove is "The Hobbit", by Salamander Stoves of the UK. It's an amazing stove, and from my research was cheaper (and more attractive) than similar small US-made stoves. Can't recommend The Hobbit highly enough.
  • Water system includes two parallel supply lines: One for "city" water, if I'm hooked up to a friend's hose, and one for "gravity" water, with an RV water pump to boost the pressure in case the incoming water doesn't have enough. (Which is the case at my current semi-rural location.)
  • Electricity is 100% solar, coming from two 225 panels and six Trojan
  • T-105 batteries. House has AC and DC lighting. (Water heater, fridge, and RV water pump are also DC.)
  • LED tape lighting around the upper part of the walls is super-efficient and can't be beat for creating a comfortable ambience.

house on the road

The schedule of my project was roughly:

2011:

  • September 2011 – research and design
  • October 2011 – gathering materials (especially lumber, windows and doors, and the trailer)
  • November 2011 – January 2012: building the outside and getting waterproof
  • February 2012 – March: researching plumbing and electrical
  • April 2012 – plumbing, electrical
  • May – June 2012 – interior

front of cabin

I did most of the building myself – but early on I decided that while my pride wanted to be able to say "I did it all myself," that was actually a recipe for loneliness. So I begged and traded for as much help as possible, and was blessed to know incredibly skilled people who sped up my learning curve immensely. In order to feel any degree of confidence that my house wouldn't fall apart, my contractor friend's advice made all the difference. Tony sacrificed his back-health to get the four walls up, and freely offered consultations on everything from solar to framing to, well, everything. I would have imploded or gotten totally stuck on the electric and the plumbing, without help from Jim and MichaelBruce and Duncan shared tons of amazing cabinetry and furniture-making wisdom, as well as the use of some pretty deluxe tools. I had a great time working with both of my parents, who each stepped in and helped me with many crucial aspects of the project. And four amazing angels shared with me their beautiful property on which to build my house, and gave me a room to stay in until my house was liveable.

woodstove

I've tried to keep this story brief, highlighting practical information for future tiny-house builders, but I did a ton of research (thank you tiny house community!) and I'm happy to share more about anything. Ask any questions you like in the comments section below if you're building or thinking about building your own tiny house.

loft

upper cabinet

couch

toilet


How to boost your Pineal Gland Function

Top 8 Supplements to Boost Your Pineal Gland Function

September 5, 2013 | By | Reply

Flickr-cacao-brockamerAnna Hunt, Staff Writer
Waking Times

The pineal gland, an endocrine gland located in the brain, is said to be the seat of the soul. Also referred to as the Third Eye, this small gland is believed to be involved in reaching higher levels of consciousness, acting as a gateway to dimensions beyond our brain-created reality. To learn more about the pineal gland, see: What is the Pineal Gland?

For the people that seek to fully activate their spiritual potential and tap into the power of the pineal gland, one must begin by strengthening its function though detoxification and proper nutrition. Researchers are finding that in many people, due to our poor diet with pesticide and chemical-laden foods and environmental toxins such as fluoride in our water, the pineal gland and our entire bodies are becoming exposed to many more toxins and nano-organisms than ever before. These form calcium shells around themselves for protection from our immune systems which has resulted in calcification of the pineal gland, a build-up of calcium phosphate crystals in various parts of the human body. Many of us have a pineal gland that is already completely calcified. This does not fare well when we try to tap into the esoteric capabilities of this gland through yoga practice, meditation, using plant medicines such as ayahuasca, and so forth. The process of detoxification is an essential place to start if we want to exploit our full spiritual capabilities.

Below is a list, in no particular order, of 8 supplements that will boost your pineal gland function, help in its decalcification, and support you on your journey of personal and spiritual cultivation. Some of the supplements offer similar results, so it is up to you to decide which combination of supplements will work best for you.

1. Melatonin

The pineal gland already produces the hormone melatonin, which affects the body's circadian rhythms of waking and sleeping. Melatonin is also associated with relaxation and visualization, and people often take melatonin supplements as a sleep aid or to help overcome jet-lag due to travel. When purchasing melatonin supplements, make sure the products are plant-based and not animal tested. It is suggested that you always start with the smallest dosage possible and do not use any melatonin supplement for longer than three months.

Recommended products:

NOW Foods Melatonin 5mg Vcaps

Natrol Liquid Melatonin

2. Oregano Oil and Neem Extract

Both oregano oil and neem extract help in the purification process, helping to remove existing calcification within the pineal gland, in addition to purifying the body's systems, especially the endocrine system. Neem has been used in this way in India for thousands of years. In the western world, oregano oil is also becoming a holistic way of fortifying the immune support system. In the longer term, both of these supplements will act as a natural antibiotic against new calcium shells created by nanobacteria.

Recommended products:

Joy of the Mountains Oregano Oil (100% Certified Organic)

Wild Oregano Oil, Super Strength, 100% Organic

Neem Aura Neem Leaf Extract

Theraneem Organix Supercritical Extract of Neem Leaf Softgel Capsules

Resources:

The Cure Is in the Cupboard: How to Use Wild Oregano for Better Health

3. Raw Cacao

Raw, organic chocolate in its purest form can help detoxify the pineal gland because of cacao's high antioxidant content. Cacao will also help stimulate the third eye.

Recommended products:

Alive and Aware Certified Organic Raw Cacao Nibs

Navitas Naturals Cacao Powder, Organic

Earth Circle Organics Verified Raw Balinese Cacao Powder

4. Chlorophyll-rich Superfoods

Supplements like spirulina, chlorella, wheatgrass and blue-green algae are examples of chlorophyll-rich superfoods that offer similar benefits to eating leafy greens but with much more nutrition packed into a small serving. These supplements assist in the decalcification of the pineal gland due to their strong detoxification properties.

Recommended products:

Ultimate Superfoods Raw Chlorella/Spirulina Tablets

NuSci Organic Spirulina Powder

Mercola Organic Broken Cell Wall Chlorella

Swanson Greenfoods  100% Certified Organic Chlorella Powder

Klamath Blue Green Algae Capsules

Rejuvenate Forever Organic Wheatgrass Growing Kit

Resources:

The Green Foods Bible: Everything You Need to Know about Barley Grass, Wheatgrass, Kamut, Chlorella, Spirulina and More

The Wheatgrass Book: How to Grow and Use Wheatgrass to Maximize Your Health and Vitality

5. Raw Apple Cider Vinegar

A natural detoxifier, raw apple cider vinegar helps decalcify the pineal gland due to its malic acid properties. Malic acid is an organic compound that gives fruits their sour taste. When taken as a supplement, it supports the digestive system and helps the body detoxify. Apple cider vinegar has many health benefits, many of which are listed here. Ensure that the brand you buy is raw and packaged in a glass container.

Recommended products:

Bragg Apple Cidar Vinegar, Organic Raw Unflavored

Resources:

The Healing Powers of Vinegar: A Complete Guide to Nature's Most Remarkable Remedy

6. Iodine

Many of us have been exposed to sodium fluoride due to fluoridation of our water systems, and this has also resulted in the calcification of the pineal gland. Iodine, naturally occurring in plants such as seaweed, effectively improves the removal of sodium fluoride via urine. Unfortunately, the Western diet has left us deficient of this vital mineral while our bodies need it most. To avoid calcium deficiency when taking iodine supplements, a diet incorporating many organic foods such as kale, broccoli, almonds, oranges, flax seed, sesame seeds, dill, thyme and other dried herbs is recommended. It is suggested that a non-GMO lecithin supplement is also taken to compliment iodine intake.

Recommended products:

Detoxadine: High-Quality Daily Iodine Supplement from Global Healing

Now Foods Kelp capsules with Natural Iodine

Annie Chun's Seaweed Snacks, Roasted Wasabi

Now Foods Sunflower Lecithin

7. Organic Blue Ice Skate Fish Oil and Activator X (Vitamin K1/K2)

If you'd like to take a natural supplement to decalcify your pineal gland, organic blue ice skate fish oil may be one of the most powerful options out there. This oil contains Activator X – a detoxifier discovered by Weston Price that combines Vitamins K1 and K2 – which allows for the body to remove calcium from various locations throughout the body, such as the pineal gland and the arteries. Instead of eliminating the excess calcium, as iodine does, Activator X places it in areas where calcium is most needed, such as bones and teeth. It has been reported to reverse damage done by calcification which results in diseases such as atherosclerosis and osteoporosis. It also helps reverse tooth decay. It is suggested that Activator X supplements are be taken with Vitamin A and D3.

Recommended products:

Green Pastures Fermented Skate Liver Oil Capsules

Green Pastures X-Factor Gold High-vitamin Butter Oil

Blue Ice Royal Butter Oil / Fermented Cod Liver Oil Blend – Capsules

Resource:

Vitamin K2 and the Calcium Paradox: How a Little-Known Vitamin Could Save Your Life

8. Boron/Borax

Another good supplement that can be used to remove fluoride from the human body is the mineral Boron. It is naturally present in beets, which can be eaten raw, steamed, cooked as well as in a powder supplement. It is also present in other foods, such as dried plums. Borax is an inexpensive source of boron that can be bought in most grocery stores.

Recommended products:

TwinLab – Tri-Boron Capsules

Liquid Ionic Minerals Boron

Frontier Natural Products Organic Beet Powder

Made In Nature Organic Plums, Pitted, Dried and Unsulfured

What Else Can Help Boost Your Pineal Gland Function?

In addition to the supplements listed above, there are many foods that help decalcify and improve the function of the pineal gland, while detoxifying other parts of the body. These include: cilantro, tamarind, Goji berries, watermelon, bananas, honey, coconut oil, hemp seeds, seaweed, Noni Juice, garlic, Chaga mushroom, raw lemon juice. Pineal gland decalcification can also be gained by eating more alkaline foods. See a list of such foods here: Alkaline Foods to Help Decalcify the Pineal Gland.

About the Author

Anna Hunt is a staff writer for WakingTimes.com and an entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in research and editorial writing. She and her husband run a preparedness e-store outlet at www.offgridoutpost.com, offering GMO-free storable food and emergency kits. Anna is also a certified Hatha yoga instructor at Atenas Yoga. She enjoys raising her children and being a voice for optimal human health and wellness. Read more of her excellent articles here.

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of Waking Times or its staff.

Sources:

http://www.in5d.com/melatonin-supplement-to-open-pineal-gland.html

http://www.wakingtimes.com/2013/05/16/the-spiritual-eye-how-to-decalcify-awaken-your-pineal-gland/

http://www.wakingtimes.com/2013/05/06/consciousness-and-the-direction-of-structure/

http://thirdeyeactivation.com/2012/10/list-of-ways-to-decalcify-the-pineal-gland/

http://decalcifypinealgland.com/how-to-decalcify-the-pineal-gland/

http://freetheanimal.com/2011/11/unifying-nutrition-osteoporosis-and-atherosclerosis-may-be-linked-vitamin-k2.html

http://www.crunchybetty.com/getting-to-the-bottom-of-borax-is-it-safe-or-not

http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-894-BORON.aspx?activeIngredientId=894&activeIngredientName=BORON

This article is offered under Creative Commons license. It's okay to republish it anywhere as long as attribution bio is included and all links remain intact.

Tonita’s Tiny Porch

Tonita's Tiny Porch Makeover

by Kent Griswold on September 6th, 2013. Add a Comment
by Tonita Fernandez

When Slabtown Customs of Arkansas built my 8ft x 24ft $10,000 tiny house, I debated if I should go with a large (for a tiny house) covered front porch or use that space to extend the interior length and square footage. Since I am not a builder and have no intention of building my own covered deck in the future I decided to go with a covered front porch. I am happy with my choice. Have covered deck, will travel.

The interior size measures eight feet wide by eighteen feet long. The porch measures 6 feet long by 8 feet wide. A large tiny house porch gives me several options. I need to be able to change things up and move furniture around as my mood changes. Even in a tiny house I feel it is important to be able to change out furniture and décor. I could not imagine living day in and day out, year in and year out with the same stuff in the same place all the time. I would go stir crazy and be bored to death. Here is my little porch dressed and ready for the long warm days of summer. My prior post shows pictures of the porch in Feb. Yes, I change out my porch depending on the weather, holiday or my mood.

porch

I purchased lace panels from a thrift store for added privacy & a cozy feel

chickens and porch

My porch will seat four people comfortably

lots of room

I sat on my porch reading a book during a thunder storm last evening

roses

Roses tied to an old wooden post welcome guests to my tiny retreat

seating for two

Seating for two on one side of the front door

chair and lace

Comfortable seating for two more people on the other side of the porch

chair and front door

The sun and lace create beautiful wall patterns depending on the time of day

lace and seating

It is so comfy on my porch as a warm summer breeze blows through the lace

wreath

An antique French key adds mystery to my front door

lunchbox

A vintage lunch box works great outside to hold and protect food items

wicker chair

The wicker table was on the side of the road = free, a coat of white paint and she has a new life

chickens and can

Rusty vintage chicken feeders make wonderful planters & an old milk can provides storage and when topped with a tractor seat makes a great place to sit

wicker sofa

My little wicker sofa was a Craig's list find for $25.00

shutters

Adding shutters made a world of difference

tractor seat

A vintage ceiling tin piece sits above the top step to add interest to the porch area

Thanks for visiting my tiny front porch. It is such a fun and comfortable spot to relax, read, entertain, eat meals or just hang out with a girlfriend.

Remember, it is never too late to have a happy childhood.
Now…. go play.

Tonita
http://www.shabbychictinyretreat.blogspot.com/



Tiny House UK Unique Loft Ladder

Posted by on September 3, 2013 // 8 Comments

In a recent post at The Tiny Life, Ryan Mitchell shared some photos from Tiny House UK. I fell instantly in love with the various interior designs of these homes. Most specifically, the placement of the ladder.

Check out the ladder nook behind the bathroom in both models. As you can see, the ladder is angled across the back of the house which can allow for more of a slant to help the climb. In this case it also uses that space to access the loft from behind rather than taking up valuable living space with the ladder placement. I love the way this gives a clear line of sight through the tiny house without the distraction of the ladder.

This design also positions the bed differently. Most tiny house lofts are designed so the bed is placed with the head at the back of the house. This design places the bed across the span of the house instead.

Tiny House UK appears to be leading the small house movement across the pond. You can purchase a tiny house fully built or just the shell so you can customize the interior to your own personal taste. When I entered my criteria for a tiny house into the quote generator it returned a range between 14,000 and 16,500 pounds which is approximately $21,000 to $25,000 fully built.

Ladders have long been a debate in the tiny house community. Those on each side of the argument are very vocal about their likes and dislikes of the remaining options. Beyond a ladder you may consider stairs or a single story tiny home. However, if you would like to include a ladder in your build but want to keep it out of the way of the living space a ladder nook like this one might be an excellent choice.

Check out the gallery at Tiny House UK for more inspiration and ideas. If you're in the United Kingdom and have dreamed of your own tiny home they may be an excellent resource for a small house build or plans.

What do you think of the ladder design in these homes?

Tiny House UK is a parter of The Tiny House Builders Directory and has been featured on Tiny House Swoon as well.


Laura is a contributing writer for Tiny House Listings and she walks the walk. She lives in a 120 square foot cabin in Asheville, NC that she and her partner Matt built themselves. You can learn more about Laura and Matt at their website 120squarefeet.com.

Want to get great tiny-house related stories like this sent directly to your inbox? You'll also get new tiny houses posted for sale as well, absolutely free. Click here to join us.



Tips for Transitioning to a Tiny House

by Kent Griswold on February 13th, 2013. 44 Comments

by Jane Roarski

There are plenty of advantages to living in small spaces: fewer possessions, reduced impact on the earth, and lower living expenses are just a few of them. More people are choosing to live more simply, and for some that means using the bare minimum of living space.

While living in limited square footage poses many challenges, a growing number of people are proving that minimizing essentials, combined with some innovative custom remodeling, is enough to meet the task of tiny house living.

Whether your small living space is 1000 square feet or 100 square feet, these ideas can help cushion the transition from a bigger home.

Less is more. If you're making the effort to live in a smaller space, you've probably realized that tiny house living leads to liberation from unnecessary stuff. Moving to a tiny space means letting go of non-essentials. In return, you'll be rewarded with more time and money, as a smaller home takes a lot less of both to maintain.

storage closet under loft

Storage closets and a kitchen find room under a sleeping loft. Photo credit: Koch Architects.

Love the loft life. Bedrooms can take up a lot of space, but sleeping doesn't have to. The sleeping quarters in a smaller home are often the same size as the bed itself. With a loft design, the bedroom can be located directly above another room, even though most tiny houses are single level. And when placed on a custom platform, a loft bed can rest on top of essential storage.

two bedrooms

Two bedrooms can take less space than one. Photo credit: Sullivan Building and Design Group.

Build up instead of out. In a tiny home you'll need to utilize every inch of wall space, and that means stacking items to the ceiling and integrating plenty of shelving. Recessed shelving offers a way to store items on shelves that take up exterior wall space rather than open space from the limited room inside.

storage space front entry

Storage space fits above the front entry in a 117 square-foot home. Photo credit: Evan and Gabby Coulsen.

Think smaller. You may want many of the same amenities you enjoyed in a larger home, so the trick to fitting them in a tiny one is to make each item smaller. Your new space may require a two-burner stove, a combination washer-dryer, and a half-sized fridge. And every item added to the home should include some kind of built-in storage.

90 square foot kitchen

This 90 square-foot kitchen found room for a full-sized fridge and a half-sized dishwasher. Photo credit: Justrich Design.

Create outdoor living spaces. While tiny houses have limited space within, many of them have some exterior living space options. Whether it's an apartment balcony or a deck that's twice the size of the home itself, the outdoors can provide the openness, solitude, and even privacy that sometimes the inside of a tiny home can't afford.

outdoor living space

An outdoor room can double the living space in a tiny house. Photo credit: Lezlee Cheek.
Your Garden will not green-grow
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