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Tradd
9-2-23, 8:56pm
I love this little place


https://youtu.be/5dMk1E-gFwo?si=GuCLGCVaso1wgRsr

SiouzQ.
9-2-23, 9:40pm
That is really cute! I could almost live full-time in that space, except there isn't a single closet...also I would need some room for a small art studio space. Hmmm, I actually lived in a space smaller than that behind the gallery and could probably make it work.

iris lilies
9-2-23, 10:51pm
I like the exterior, but the interior is cold. Needs better furnishings.

catherine
9-2-23, 11:22pm
I like it--very functional. I agree that it could be decorated better, but I like the vaulted ceiling with the dormer and loft.

sweetana3
9-3-23, 4:49am
The problem with most of these cottages is that there are so few places that allow them. Never get involved until you have found the parking/building location that allows any form of tiny house.

An example of a commercial builder trying to build a product for general sales. Looks like something that would be for a rental. The exposed water lines in the bathroom (red ones behind the toilet) are "interesting".

My brother's city has just allowed ADUs in backyards and many of the lots have enough room. He is considering what might work.

catherine
9-3-23, 9:02am
I don't see this particular cottage as an ADU... I assumed it was just a smaller-than-usual house. Maybe I don't know the definition of ADU? As you mentioned, if someone is planning on building something like this as a guest cottage, local zoning laws would definitely apply. I've read that in many places ADUs have a 12x12 maximum footprint, or even smaller. One of my outbuildings still has the address of previous owners on a plank above the door, because that qualifies it as an ice-fishing shanty, which is permissible on Vermont residential properties. We use it as a shed, and we use its twin as my husband's man cave.

On a separate but related note, one of my favorite books is Twelve-by-twelve: A One-Room Cabin Off the Grid & Beyond the American Dream--a true story about a tax-resisting doctor who moved into a 12x12 house. Great book by William Powers.

Tradd
9-3-23, 9:43am
The problem with most of these cottages is that there are so few places that allow them. Never get involved until you have found the parking/building location that allows any form of tiny house.

An example of a commercial builder trying to build a product for general sales. Looks like something that would be for a rental. The exposed water lines in the bathroom (red ones behind the toilet) are "interesting".

My brother's city has just allowed ADUs in backyards and many of the lots have enough room. He is considering what might work.

This is on a farm and the family uses it for guests.

happystuff
9-3-23, 9:48am
I love it! But - except for the kitchen - there doesn't look to be much storage space at all.

catherine, I loved Twelve-by-Twelve! Got the recommendation to read it off this forum years ago and is still a favorite!

Rogar
9-3-23, 9:21pm
On a separate but related note, one of my favorite books is Twelve-by-twelve: A One-Room Cabin Off the Grid & Beyond the American Dream--a true story about a tax-resisting doctor who moved into a 12x12 house. Great book by William Powers.

I'd not heard of the book and looked it up. Aside from living in a small off the grid home he comments on the eclectic neighbors - organic farmers, bio fuel brewers, and eco developers. By my experience with country friends around here, the most likely neighbors would be more along the lines of red necks and cattle ranchers. It would be nice to have neighbors like that and I imagine it's more common in certain areas or places I don't know of. Makes me think of Wendell Barry and Elliot Coleman types. Not that red necks and cattle ranchers are always bad.

One of my favorite books on the subject is two volume "The Not So Big House Collection" by Sarah Susanka. It's slightly dated but I still browse it occasionally. Not much of a story line, but eye candy small spaces for every occasion and not always in the country.

catherine
9-3-23, 9:58pm
One of my favorite books on the subject is two volume "The Not So Big House Collection" by Sarah Susanka. It's slightly dated but I still browse it occasionally. Not much of a story line, but eye candy small spaces for every occasion and not always in the country.

I LOVE Sarah Susanka, and I used to have several of her books. I'm down to a couple. The thought she puts into architecture and design is so inspirational.

mschrisgo2
9-3-23, 10:14pm
I like the outside. I guess the bedroom loft is part of the 600 sq ft, which makes me wonder how big the main floor is. Seems like a lot of wasted space on the main floor, kind of an awkward room arrangements, and the kitchen is lacking food storage.
I live in 386 sq ft, and I have a lot more functional space than that cottage. I’ve always said another 100 sq ft, for right around 490-500, would be my ideal living space.

sweetana3
9-4-23, 5:24am
In Anchorage, the ADU can be 40% of the size of the house or 900 sq feet whichever is large to a maximum of 1200 sq feet. They can encroach on side and rear easements if an alley is present. Appears that the municipality is being very generous. Of course, being in AK this is very expensive.

My brother could probably put in a 900 square foot building on his city lot with these rules.

https://www.muni.org/departments/ocpd/development-services/codes-handouts/policies/policyag37.pdf

sweetana3
9-4-23, 5:28am
In Anchorage, the ADU can be 40% of the size of the house or 900 sq feet whichever is larger to a maximum of 1200 sq feet. They can encroach on side and rear easements if an alley is present. Appears that the municipality is being very generous. Of course, being in AK this is very expensive. Anchorage really has no more buildable land and needs living units so the city seems progressive.

My brother could probably put in a 900 square foot building on his city lot with these rules. He has a good alley for access so could probably easily build it with or without a garage. He already has a garage attached to his house.

https://www.muni.org/departments/ocpd/development-services/codes-handouts/policies/policyag37.pdf

frugal-one
9-4-23, 7:43am
That is really cute! I could almost live full-time in that space, except there isn't a single closet...also I would need some room for a small art studio space. Hmmm, I actually lived in a space smaller than that behind the gallery and could probably make it work.

Clothes cabinet as he was coming up the stairs?

sweetana3
9-4-23, 8:39am
Frugal-one: I had to go back and look at it. There is a full size washer and dryer at the end of the stairs. Behind it is the bathroom with a closet for the water heater and utilities.

frugal-one
9-4-23, 10:17am
To the right of the bed upstairs…. can only see the bottom. of the wardrobe?

iris lilies
9-4-23, 10:40am
My condo is 530 ft.² and honestly it seems more spacious than this cramped little house. For one thing, a staircase always takes up a lot of room in a small space.

My condo had five generously size closets, including one huge closet. I changed one closet into a beverage bar so I still have four closets.

Teacher Terry
9-4-23, 11:10am
It’s perfect for guests but not full time living. My condo has 3 closets. Years ago I owned a condo with 1100 sq ft and it had 6 closets which was more than some houses I had owned.