Hello, Jon – I believe I met you at a Jay Shafer workshop in Sebastopol awhile ago. We didn't chat then, but I do recall hearing you say that you were living in a tiny house, and then yesterday I was looking at the growing number of Tiny House Listings and happened to click on your location on the map, and from there to your blog. I love the design and aesthetic of your tiny house. I have a lot of questions about the materials and the build of your house. Should I ask the questions via your blog or would you prefer an emailed list of questions? I am hoping to build a tiny house in about a year and have visited several tiny houses in CA and am reading tons of info on the Web. Or have you ever hosted or considered hosting an open house?
I have hosted a few tours and answered lots of questions both on the tour and via email or telephone. I’m currently looking to relocate to Sonoma county (I prefer Marin, however, there is really nothing available there). I’m also considering Napa. I can answer your questions via email or telephone, or if you have the time to physically visit, we can arrange that also.
I don't want to impose on your privacy, but if you host an open house sometime I'd like to see your TH in person. A few questions: 1. Did you build your TH yourself, with assistance, or did you hire a builder? 2. Are the blue interior walls sheetrock or plywood? 3. What's the diameter of your lazy susan in the kitchen? 4. What is the brand of your tankless water heater? Are you happy with its performance? 5. The storage steps to the loft...who built them? Same builder as your other cabinets? (Very nice craftsmanship). Storage space beneath the loft too I assume? 6. How did you find your current parking space in Rio Vista? I too would prefer to have my TH in Marin County, but I suspect they are unlikely to ever allow it. Out around Pt. Reyes Station would be ideal—sigh. 7. What material did you use for your kitchen countertop? 8. Are the backsplash tiles ceramic or glass? 9. Was it expensive to build the motorized tonsu stairs? How deep are the drawers? 10. What is the size of your shower, build material? 11. Brand of composting toilet? Satisfied with its performance? 12. Your trailer is 8' x 28'. It doesn't look that long in the photos. Does that length include the tongue? Actual footprint of the TH?
1. I did most of the work, however, I had and expert electrician, plumber, and cabinetmaker assist or provide oversight on my work. I also had several amazing friend assist me. 2. The blue walls are 1/8 inch maple veneer. Sheet rock would have added unnecessary weight, and does not travel well. I muddied the veneer, lightly sanded to eliminate some of the grain, and then painted 3. The lazy susan diameter is 18 inches 4. It's a Bosch 330 PN LP; within 30 seconds I have hot water 5. Yes, the cabinet maker assisted in building the steps, which are actually pull out drawers. Each is approximately 36 inches in length, 20 inches wide, and eight inches deep.The two doors to the right open to a space that is 5 feet wide, five feet deep and 32 inches high. 6. I searched online for RV parks for every county in the Bay area, and then visited those I thought might work. Most were dumps with dilapidated motor homes and RVs. This one is very clean and rarely used. It is also a marina with over 200 boats. 7. White corian slab, one large piece, and a separate smaller piece between the stove and the refrigerator. Not as heavy as granite, and more durable. 8. Backsplash is clear glass brickettes. 9. See number 5 above 10. Standard shower size of 30"x30" using a prefab fiberglass insert that I picked from Lowes 11. Separatta from Sweden; works perfectly. No odors, easy to clean 12. The tongue is four feet in length and houses a container in which the fuse box, propane tank and 25 gallon water are stored.The home sits on the remaining 24 x 8 1/2 trailer. Since it is SIP construction, I lose six inches of interior space for each wall. So, the pre-build space is 23 x 7 1/2 or 172 square feet. Taking out counters, appliances, etc reduces it to about 145 square feet. Feels more spacious because I maintain a minimalist design ethic and do not have clutter.
I appreciate your detailed responses very much, Jon. A few more questions (sorry)...
1. The wood trim in your TH…is it stained fir? And the cabinetry? 2. Farmhouse sink: material, dimensions, brand? 3. Refrigerator – brand?, propane or electric? 4. Oven/range – brand? size? propane or electric? 5. Type of insulation in your walls, floor, ceiling? 6. Is there a pocket door for your bathroom? 7. Mattress type? 8. Is all of your interior lighting LED?
Additional answers: 1. It's called long grain douglas fir. It's used everywhere except on the floor (reclaimed bamboo). No staining just linseed oil. 2 White ceramic 20'x20"x10" from Lowes 3. Danby electric approximately 5'x24"x24" 4. Summit propane 36"x24"x"24" 5. Insulation for walls and ceiling are sprayed foam within SIP. Floor is sprayed foam with 1/2' insulation barrier at base which is covered by sealed barrier 6. Just a standard 20" door; i'm replacing it with a folding door to provide more room. 7. All organic latex queen size mattress 8. Every light is LED; very efficient and very little heat.
Hi Jon, I read your and Deborah's exchanges with interest. I've lived in very small spaces in the past but currently am in an almost 900 SF home and want the visceral experience of tiny again, to see if it's really for me. I live in Martinez and have family in Walnut Grove, so travel to the Delta regularly and am interested in a tour if you're still open to offering those. Mainly I'm looking to experience THs in person. Also curious how you find the Delta. Like Deborah I don't want to impose, so if you have any time to chat and/or are open to a quick visit please let me know. Thank you! Melissa
Jon, thank you that's very generous. What about the weekend of 2/20-21? Either day, whatever works for you. If that works and you'd like to send me the particulars my email is mpadgett77@earthlink.net. I'm not sure what my gmail address is, so that's best. Thanks again! Melissa
Oops that weekend isn't good after all. I just saw a workshop on building a container home I'd like to attend that weekend. I'll get back in touch and thanks again for your tour offer.
Hello, Jon – I believe I met you at a Jay Shafer workshop in Sebastopol awhile ago. We didn't chat then, but I do recall hearing you say that you were living in a tiny house, and then yesterday I was looking at the growing number of Tiny House Listings and happened to click on your location on the map, and from there to your blog.
ReplyDeleteI love the design and aesthetic of your tiny house. I have a lot of questions about the materials and the build of your house. Should I ask the questions via your blog or would you prefer an emailed list of questions? I am hoping to build a tiny house in about a year and have visited several tiny houses in CA and am reading tons of info on the Web. Or have you ever hosted or considered hosting an open house?
Hi Deborah,
ReplyDeleteI have hosted a few tours and answered lots of questions both on the tour and via email or telephone. I’m currently looking to relocate to Sonoma county (I prefer Marin, however, there is really nothing available there). I’m also considering Napa. I can answer your questions via email or telephone, or if you have the time to physically visit, we can arrange that also.
Let me know,
Jon Michael Ahrens
I don't want to impose on your privacy, but if you host an open house sometime I'd like to see your TH in person. A few questions:
ReplyDelete1. Did you build your TH yourself, with assistance, or did you hire a builder?
2. Are the blue interior walls sheetrock or plywood?
3. What's the diameter of your lazy susan in the kitchen?
4. What is the brand of your tankless water heater? Are you happy with its performance?
5. The storage steps to the loft...who built them? Same builder as your other cabinets? (Very nice craftsmanship). Storage space beneath the loft too I assume?
6. How did you find your current parking space in Rio Vista? I too would prefer to have my TH in Marin County, but I suspect they are unlikely to ever allow it. Out around Pt. Reyes Station would be ideal—sigh.
7. What material did you use for your kitchen countertop?
8. Are the backsplash tiles ceramic or glass?
9. Was it expensive to build the motorized tonsu stairs? How deep are the drawers?
10. What is the size of your shower, build material?
11. Brand of composting toilet? Satisfied with its performance?
12. Your trailer is 8' x 28'. It doesn't look that long in the photos. Does that length include the tongue? Actual footprint of the TH?
Thanks for your reply—no rush.
Cheers,
Debbie Linton
Deborah,
ReplyDeleteHere's my answers to the questions you posed:
1. I did most of the work, however, I had and expert electrician, plumber, and cabinetmaker assist or provide oversight on my work. I also had several amazing friend assist me.
2. The blue walls are 1/8 inch maple veneer. Sheet rock would have added unnecessary weight, and does not travel well. I muddied the veneer, lightly sanded to eliminate some of the grain, and then painted
3. The lazy susan diameter is 18 inches
4. It's a Bosch 330 PN LP; within 30 seconds I have hot water
5. Yes, the cabinet maker assisted in building the steps, which are actually pull out drawers. Each is approximately 36 inches in length, 20 inches wide, and eight inches deep.The two doors to the right open to a space that is 5 feet wide, five feet deep and 32 inches high.
6. I searched online for RV parks for every county in the Bay area, and then visited those I thought might work. Most were dumps with dilapidated motor homes and RVs. This one is very clean and rarely used. It is also a marina with over 200 boats.
7. White corian slab, one large piece, and a separate smaller piece between the stove and the refrigerator. Not as heavy as granite, and more durable.
8. Backsplash is clear glass brickettes.
9. See number 5 above
10. Standard shower size of 30"x30" using a prefab fiberglass insert that I picked from Lowes
11. Separatta from Sweden; works perfectly. No odors, easy to clean
12. The tongue is four feet in length and houses a container in which the fuse box, propane tank and 25 gallon water are stored.The home sits on the remaining 24 x 8 1/2 trailer. Since it is SIP construction, I lose six inches of interior space for each wall. So, the pre-build space is 23 x 7 1/2 or 172 square feet. Taking out counters, appliances, etc reduces it to about 145 square feet. Feels more spacious because I maintain a minimalist design ethic and do not have clutter.
I appreciate your detailed responses very much, Jon. A few more questions (sorry)...
ReplyDelete1. The wood trim in your TH…is it stained fir? And the cabinetry?
2. Farmhouse sink: material, dimensions, brand?
3. Refrigerator – brand?, propane or electric?
4. Oven/range – brand? size? propane or electric?
5. Type of insulation in your walls, floor, ceiling?
6. Is there a pocket door for your bathroom?
7. Mattress type?
8. Is all of your interior lighting LED?
No more questions, I promise. ;o)
Debbie,
ReplyDeleteAdditional answers:
1. It's called long grain douglas fir. It's used everywhere except on the floor (reclaimed bamboo). No staining just linseed oil.
2 White ceramic 20'x20"x10" from Lowes
3. Danby electric approximately 5'x24"x24"
4. Summit propane 36"x24"x"24"
5. Insulation for walls and ceiling are sprayed foam within SIP. Floor is sprayed foam with 1/2' insulation barrier at base which is covered by sealed barrier
6. Just a standard 20" door; i'm replacing it with a folding door to provide more room.
7. All organic latex queen size mattress
8. Every light is LED; very efficient and very little heat.
Thank you. I really like your use of Douglas fir and bamboo.
ReplyDeleteDeborah,
ReplyDeleteIf you wish to see The Pod, give a week's notice and you and your friends are welcome to drop by. Just let me know.
Jon Michael
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHi Jon,
ReplyDeleteI read your and Deborah's exchanges with interest. I've lived in very small spaces in the past but currently am in an almost 900 SF home and want the visceral experience of tiny again, to see if it's really for me. I live in Martinez and have family in Walnut Grove, so travel to the Delta regularly and am interested in a tour if you're still open to offering those. Mainly I'm looking to experience THs in person. Also curious how you find the Delta. Like Deborah I don't want to impose, so if you have any time to chat and/or are open to a quick visit please let me know. Thank you! Melissa
Hi Melissa,
DeleteYes, I'm open to you visiting and touring my tiny home. Any weekend will wor; just give me at least one week's notice. Thanks!
Jon, thank you that's very generous. What about the weekend of 2/20-21? Either day, whatever works for you. If that works and you'd like to send me the particulars my email is mpadgett77@earthlink.net. I'm not sure what my gmail address is, so that's best. Thanks again! Melissa
ReplyDeleteOops that weekend isn't good after all. I just saw a workshop on building a container home I'd like to attend that weekend. I'll get back in touch and thanks again for your tour offer.
ReplyDelete