Enesti
|
681 & 774 square feet - click here for more dimensions
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
The Enesti is one of our largest homes. It can be built as a 2 or 3 bedroom house. The 3rd bedroom is an optional add-on that is on the first floor level. The top floor houses two additional bedrooms. When you purchase the plans, you receive the floor plans for the additional bedroom. The Enesti is designed as a stationary house only, permanently affixed to a foundation. This is not a modular home, and therefore cannot be built and shipped to you. We offer the plans so that you may build it. We suggest talking to local contractors about building costs in your area. Under most circumstances, building costs for a home affixed to a permanent foundation range from $100-$200 per square foot. |
Comments
251 Responses to “Enesti”
Got something to say?
I love the old timey look of the Enesti but how can you fit a bath up stairs? How can you stand up near the walls? From the look of the photo it is more like a cape cod. Can you give me the demensions for the second story rooms including celing height? Thanks Jeannette
Reply to this comment
Steve reply on May 26th, 2008 1:28 am:
I’ve added a picture of the side of the house so you can see the dormers over the bathtub and the stairwell. At the sides, the walls are 3 feet tall and move upward at a 45 degree angle. Most of the 2nd floor is 7′ 6″ tall.
Reply to this comment
rogue reply on September 30th, 2008 12:37 am:
Also,,,,wouldn’t using a spiral staircase take up less space? I would use a clawfoot bathtub instead of a the traditional (boring) tub.
Reply to this comment
Willy reply on October 29th, 2008 10:24 pm:
If you are in a state that is permitted under IBC guidelines a spiral staircase will take up 64 sq. ft. to access a living space. A rediculous requirement today as stairways can be bought with 36 sq.ft. through building magazines and most nimble people can use it.
We need to unite and resurve the right to build without mega waste. If buracrats want to live in their McMansions they should not force others of lessor wealth to conform to their standards.
Reply to this comment
Lynne reply on December 14th, 2008 8:44 pm:
In my town, Bellingham, WA., spiral staircases do not meet the building code requirments. I have a tiny house built before that code was in action. My staircase is too steep and doubles back on itself so as to save space. It is a hazard. We have lived with it for twenty years and i have a sign up begging guests to grip the railing. (I agree with your statements implying planning departments are in the pockets of big developers to whom waste means nothing.)
Monica reply on October 23rd, 2008 3:05 pm:
Jeannette was concerned about the stand up space near the walls. Being from Massachusetts, I see this style of house everywhere., It is very common. In the New Bedford area they call it a cottage. Elsewhere we call it a New England colonial. A cape cod style house has a door on the side of the house that has the slant of the roof above it. After having said that bit of trivia, the dormers Steve mentioned work well for head room. I live in a cape cod style house with the slanted roof line, albeit somewhat larger than these wonderful tiny houses, and the two dormers we have work well to give us headroom in the second story hallway, one bedroom and upstairs bath. I think the dormers on the tumbleweed house are an especially perfect solution for headroom situation.
Reply to this comment
Lu reply on October 25th, 2008 7:07 pm:
I like the small house for a retirement home, making the third bedroom plan and make some changes. We like family to come over for Holiday meals and moving the down stairs bath over near the booth side would make room for a dining area off the living room. Have a bar off the kitchen counter with place to sit and eat. Have room for a table to use for Holdiay guest. Living room and kitchen will be open up for the feel of more space. Changing the booth and bathroom locations might be easy to change the plans.
I like the porch, can sit out side and relax reading a book. having a garage or car port would be nice for the car and extra storage.
This is something for my husband and I to think about in the next few years. We are thinking of moving out of CA and retire in a state more affordable to live. Buy a lot and build one of the tiny houses.
Thank you for this web site.
Reply to this comment
Crazy bout' Oregon reply on December 22nd, 2008 9:46 pm:
Love the changes you suggest here!
I am in Far-Northern California, in a small town pop., 256. Yet, progress has come up here now and is just spoiling the small town lifestyle that I was lucky enough to enjoy for several years after getting out of Los Angeles.
I want to move up to Oregon to be near a relative that re-located there and absolutely loves Oregon. So, I went up to Oregon to check it out and fell madly in love with Oregon.
I have found quite a few suitable properties at very good prices in Northeastern Oregon.
The little town of Sumpter, OR., is a perfect place if you want to supplement your Retirement Income with their 3X’s a Year Gigantic Flea Markets, or their Gold Dredging that’s real big there.
There’s so many small towns in that region with many Lots or all the way up to mega-acerage. You can check out the Oregon Multi-Listing Service by Googing-> RMLS Oregon. And there’s many great Real Estate Sites in any search engine to look at lots or acerage.
Many come with a small cottage house. What I was going to do this next coming year 09′ is to buy a very small existing house on acerage (the more the merrier) and add 2 or 3 small houses for other relatives to live in or use as ‘cabin-cottage’ rentals for overnighters. Sort of a B & B but little homes for travelers.
When family/relatives come, I will just make sure to close the rentals to the public and have the relatives/friends stay in the small homes!
Another thing I’m planning is to not really modify these small houses, but to add a large 2 or 3 Garage/Shop equipped with kitchen/bathroom facilities for a large work, art/crafting, gathering place.
Good luck on your retirement!
Karen Greenwood reply on January 22nd, 2009 6:18 pm:
dear Steve, when will you add the garage plans to your website? & can you recommend: affordable green builders, real estate people, & even areas in Oregon (preferably near the coast) where i can find trustworthy, reliable people who supply those services? i am in need of recommendations on almost everything, affordable movers, you name it, i welcome referrals. also, your site tends to have problems with actually showing more than 1 or 2 pages. owning my own ‘tiny’ house, living in beautiful Oregon, would be a dream come true. i will need far more than the good luck you wish to others…… but any & all info most welcome & appreciated. i will be in touch as my life, such as it is, allows. & thank you so much for doing what you do. you make it possible for people like me to dream that maybe, even i could dare to hope for a future with hope & happiness. most sincerely, karen.
g reply on October 27th, 2008 2:36 pm:
tie a string to the pants and shirts and net bag the socks and underware drop em in the crik for a hour or two and let nature wash em for ye . hang em on a tree branch and let them dry a little before you put em on and in the mean time enjoy a little sunshine on yer bottom
Reply to this comment
Dawn reply on October 28th, 2008 2:55 am:
For many years when we were renting a house in CA, our washer and dryer were on the back porch….this was quite common in smaller homes. We bought fixer uppers after that and our 3rd home (also in CA) had a washer in a bathroom on the first floor and the dryer was in the CA basement (really more of a wine cellar size!) It seemed very inconvenient at first, but we got used to it, and we had 2 kids at the time too.
We now have 3 kids, purchased a home that is way more than we will ever need, and are looking at downsizing back to a more reasonable size. Not sure I could live in this small of a house (but wouldn’t this be great for a 2nd home or lake home????), but you never know, maybe I could!
Dawn
Reply to this comment
I like your tiny houses very much but none have clothes washers or dryers. Why is that?
Angela
Reply to this comment
Jay Shafer reply on May 27th, 2008 7:35 pm:
All of the houses over 400 square feet have washer/dryer combos designed into a spot beneath the kitchen counter.
Reply to this comment
Kris Garcia-Siddall reply on June 22nd, 2008 4:32 pm:
NO!! The washer dryer combo never works!! I love the small houses but the lack of a washer dryer place is a deal breaker. I have a husband and 2 small boys and I do 2 loads of laundry a day! (assuming no night time accidents). Do you have any idea how impractical the combo washer dryer machine is?? Please fix this!! I need a proper laundry nook/ space. Clearly you have no idea how dirty playing active children can get or you don’t understand how laundry dominates family life when you have small kids. Put in a Laundry area!
Reply to this comment
Steve with Tumbleweed reply on June 24th, 2008 11:03 am:
Why not put it in the garage? You can also put in a stacking washer/dryer instead of an under the counter model. Really it’s up to you. We suggest an undercounter washer/dryer combo as an option.
Michael, WA reply on July 7th, 2008 7:34 am:
We have a 4.2cu ft combo unit that works FANTASTIC. Maybe you had a faulty unit.
Either way, a dedicated laundry space eats square footage. You can get ‘apartment’ sized or RV size appliances, including W/D units.
Trip Darling reply on August 28th, 2008 12:18 am:
You could also add a basement and it would only have to be the size you would need for a laundry room. When you have children no matter where you live you are allwhays running out of extra spaces to store all your odds and ends and a basement of any size is a great idea.
Danny Helfen reply on September 5th, 2008 1:18 pm:
You could build a garage and have the washer and dryer in the garage along with a more substantial frig or deep freeze
Doug B reply on October 1st, 2008 4:19 am:
Two loads of laundry a day! I’m not sure your motivation for moving to a small home, but if its for environmental reasons I appload your descision but you may want to take stock of your current impact. As with any change you need to analyise your current situation so that you can adjust appropriatly. Why two loads? how many changes of cloathes do you put on your boys? Are they truely necessary etc etc. If you want to be green, don’t look to the house to make you green, just do it wherever you are now.
Amanda reply on February 20th, 2009 10:48 pm:
Doug B. I had the same thought. We have 3 kids (so 5 people total) and do about 5 loads a week (and our kids are all young enough to have frequesnt accidents). That seems a lot to me, I can’t imagine doing 14 loads a week. Maybe her machines are really small?
Rachael reply on June 27th, 2008 6:07 pm:
As a mother of three boys I agree that laundry is a big concideration. But I see a couple of solutions. 1. Stackable in a closet. 2. Turn the bath down stairs into a laundry. 3. Put in a regular under the counter washer and put the dryer elsewhere. Dryers do not have to be plumbed in, they only need to be vented, so it could go in any room with an outside wall. And if you don’t live in Seattle you can sometimes use a clothes line.
Reply to this comment
Sharon reply on July 2nd, 2008 2:11 pm:
Those are all great solutions. Another if you’re really into living simply is to do away with a dryer altogether. You can line-dry most clothes year-round depending on where you live. If that’s possible, you can get a small washing machine with the same dimensions as the combo but almost double the load capacity.
Michael, WA reply on July 7th, 2008 7:37 am:
Just to clarify, a 4.2 cu ft unit is HUGE. It takes basically 2 of those plastic baskets to load/unload it. Bigger than the ‘RV” or apartment sized ones, but the extra few inches is worth it! You can wash ALOT
kelly reply on January 20th, 2009 2:30 am:
Washer/dryer combos can be great. Also there are non vented condenser dryers……..you can empty the collected water on your potplants if you are in a dry area. I live in NZ where they are readily available and everyone has a clothes line too.
Amanda reply on February 20th, 2009 6:34 pm:
Here’s a question… Does anyone know of a family living in one of these? I have three small children. We have always lived small compared to other people in our area (around 1000sq ft.). These plans fascinate me and I firmly belive that a family can live in a small home (still trying to convince my husband
but I would love to hear from people who are doing it.
I agree the laundry is an issue. If we were to build something like this, I would need to make some sort of modifcation for at least a stacked washer/dryer. We live in Canada, and a line is just not a feasible about half the year. The fridge/freezer bit is a problem too. To save money, we buy meat as 1/4 cows and half pigs and full chickens and then freeze them (also, the only way you can buy local meat here). I also buy local produce (or grow and harvest) in season and then can it or freeze it. I would need significant pantry room for this, although less counter space than you would think. I also bake our own bread from local grains and would need a regular oven to do this.
On the other hand, I am thinking that the kids don’t need big bedrooms. A bed with drawers under it and some sort of screen to shut at night would be sufficient for them (they could use closet space in the hall or something).
I guess I just need to design my own to meet our specifc needs, which I think are maybe different from the typical small house inhabitants? Any thoughts?
Jay Shafer reply on February 22nd, 2009 5:22 am:
The laundry’s under the counter. You could add a third bed room downstairs off the back or side.
Amanda reply on February 22nd, 2009 10:18 pm:
Jay, I know that. I was speaking of where to put a stacked wahser and dryer. I think the washer/dryer combo is great for 2 people, but when you have a family of five it’s just not as practical.
My understanding of the small house movement is that it has kind of 3 motivators. Economic, ecological and time management. From an ecological standpoint, our utilities would be far less in a smaller home, especially if we could put solar panels on for electric. Part of our living more enviro-friendly though is our use of local products and our growing of our own at home (this also falls under economic). In order to do this, we do have to process it (freeze,can, dry) at home. I believe, and I could be wrong, that the reduction in footprint from not shipping stuff from S. America in the winter balances out the extra building materials (minimal, I think as we’re willing to sacrifice in other areas) and the electricity to run the freezer (again, better if we have solar).
Economically, the above plays in because we feed our family for less. As far as living in a smaller house. Land here will cost around $100K, 75K if we find a good deal. Building costs $150/sq ft, we can reduce this by doing a lot of the work ourselves and salvaging where we can. So, so total cost on this would be around $150K. Even a crappy house here costs $300K. So we’re dealing with a feasible amount here for us. Half the cost, half the mortgage payment for a nicer house (but smaller). Good deal in my opinion.
Time mangement plays in to all of the above. Less cleaning, is part of it, but not a big part. The bigest thing is that with half the mortgage, we can live on one salary, whereas at times we have had to both work two jobs to pay our bills (at opposite times so we didn’t have to pay childcare), with this type of scenario, we have one person working one job and the other person staying home with the kids. More free time and more time together as a family.
So, maybe we aren’t exactly what you envisaged when you designed these homes, maybe the whole putting a dishwasher where you want the washer/dryer and putting a room on the back for untilities defeats some of what you are going for. but I have to say I think we could be the perfect example of why it’s a good idea!
Jay Shafer reply on February 23rd, 2009 2:15 pm:
I want it to happen, and I want to see pictures.
Amanda reply on February 23rd, 2009 4:19 pm:
I will absolutely send pictures. It may take awhile. We’ve been looking for suitable land for almost a year. But when it happens we will send pictures.
Haier makes a combination washer and dryer (all in one machine) for apartments, RVs, etc., which I’m sure could be squeezed in there or put in shed or garage?!?!?
Reply to this comment
Debra reply on June 9th, 2008 8:35 pm:
We have one of the Haier washer/dryer combos that came with out condo; it’s awful! It doesn’t hold more than maybe 2-3 shirts, and with that it takes them 2-3 hours to dry. AT that rate, it’s easier to go to a laundrymat or have a fluff & fold service!
Reply to this comment
Pepper Black reply on October 27th, 2008 7:30 am:
Does anyone then know of a small or medium washer dryer combo electric only, that /does work if Haler doesn’t? And you know where they can be purchased in California?
thanks,
Pepper
Reply to this comment
Jay Shafer reply on October 27th, 2008 8:01 pm:
I’ve been told the LG ones at compactappliance.com work pretty well. Check out the reviews there.
i love the houses and i love the concept. i de like to see actual green houseing projects just for small mobile(tumbleweed type homes) and small stationary homes…in my opinion, homes like this are the only answer when you talk about afordable housing. with the lack of quality jobs and the weak dollar many of us could never afford to live in anything else. there’s some people that do not want to be a slave to their house, or a slave to the system by creating a pile of debt that your grand children may never pay off.
Reply to this comment
What are the dimensions of the optional downstairs bedroom add on? On another part of this site I read that the ceiling height can be easily raised without a lot of redesign - if the downstairs ceiling was raised to 8 feet, would you have to raise the upper floor height to maintain a good outer proportion or would it look alright as is at 7′6″? Would it save any significant amount of money to do that? How steep is the stairwell?
Reply to this comment
I rent a 50 year old 2 bedroom by HUD and I’m sorry but I can fill 3 Enestis with one person’s stuff and I don’t even own a car. If you are into hostelling be my guest.
Reply to this comment
liam wright reply on June 30th, 2008 3:49 pm:
you may want to google “the 100 item challenge”. its worth entertaining the thought of taking on the challenge. I’m down to owning 1/2 the items I used to own.
Reply to this comment
Ann reply on April 22nd, 2009 12:52 pm:
Liam ~
I googled the challenge and it just reaffirms for me why I am going smaller. Not that our apartment is big but it seems cramped b/c we’ve too much stuff.
Now can anyone help me scrapbook ALL these 20 plus years worth of photographs, so I only have 10 albums instead of 10 boxes of supplies and pictures?!
Best wishes ~ Ann
Reply to this comment
Kathy McCormick reply on July 1st, 2008 6:10 pm:
I use to think and live that way, but I’ve learned. I had enough clothes for ten people, and I never wore most of them. My dad had one week’s worth of clothes and washed/dry cleaned on the weekends and he was an executive. Many people rewear pants if they aren’t dirty to even reduce washing. When you own too much stuff, it owns you and you really don’t know what you have or use it, but you pay to heat/cool and store it. Then, you have to keep it clean. I spent way too much of my life cleaning a large suburban house, the “American Dream” before I figured out that wasn’t my dream. I didn’t realize how much time it took to clean those extra floorboards, and so on, plus you throw money away in heating and landscaping.
I have so much more free time now, and I can hear my kids, which is great. There was one time my son got up in the middle of the night and went to the bathroom. He needed more toilet paper and sat there calling for me for a long time before I could just barely hear him enough to get up. Had this been a house fire or other disaster, we could have been in trouble. I much prefer the smaller life, and the loss of privacy is manageable. He values his toys more when there are fewer. Also, we aren’t as living so tight money wise and have started paying off debt instead of gaining more, which is a huge stress relief.
Parents still need something of a private room, but that can be handled with white noise and such. To each there own. If you want a big house with tons of stuff, that is fine by me.
Reply to this comment
frank reply on October 10th, 2008 3:38 pm:
i firmly belive if your building a small house custom fited especialy for you,,then you can design just what you need and still be small enough to reach the goals you wanted to reach..being creative is part of the fun…after all its your money paying for the house your going to live in.you can have it any way you want..my problem is getting the local countys to aprove the codes to allow small micro lots with sewage excet- in florida you have to have 5 acers to live in one of these..thats not afordable houseing.
Reply to this comment
Fred H reply on August 26th, 2008 5:51 pm:
My observation: I lived two years in an 74sqft bread van and now my wife and I live in a 2,700sqft house with a 1,400sqft basement, 1,000 sqft attic and 800sqft garage - guess what- it’s all full! Stuff has a way of finding formerly unoccupied space, the less space you have, the less you need.
Reply to this comment
Jay Shafer reply on August 26th, 2008 10:28 pm:
Right on, Fred!
Reply to this comment
Jeff B reply on September 11th, 2008 3:24 pm:
It is so true. We humans get so greedy for space and are so wasteful. These small houses are a great solution. We have scaled down and are much happier and love a simpler life of not maintaining a crazy amount of space. Really, it can be done!
Reply to this comment
i love the enesti. enough for a small family. limitting material things allows you to focus on people and things that matter.
for those worried about a washer and drier, why not put it in a full basement? we always had full basements on our homes, and the storage and laundry was always there.
Reply to this comment
Amanda reply on February 21st, 2009 7:19 pm:
I agree. I think this one is my favourite. I love the downstairs plan. After reading the responses though about the laundry issue, I think I would put a kind of greenhouse/enclosed porch on the back instead of the 3rd bedroom (for laundry/storage and some year round food production), and then complete rearrange the upstairs. I think to do what I’m thinking the building may have to be a couple of feet taller (for sufficient room underneath). There are 5 of us. I was thinking of leaving the stairs and bathroom where they are, but putting a room my boys along the back with the two beds end to end (heads together) and drawers for storage underneath as well as a smaller closet. And then the “master” and a really small room for my daughter kind of the same configuration ,but with a wall between the two heads. So, basically, 3 very small bedrooms upstairs. I think to make this work we’d likely have to custom make most of the furniture too. wall units in the living room along the wall between the lvg room and the stairs/bathroom and a built in kind of couch that would run the entire length of the room and have storage for the kids toys underneath (and could be used as a guest bed in a pinch). Does this sound feasible? I know most of the pictures of homes that have been built show a mattress on the floor, but I don’t think we could give up that much storage. We would need to have drawers underneath and some sort of way to lift the bed up and store extra linens or out of season clothes underneath. Am I right that the walls would need to be a bit taller to accomodate this?
Reply to this comment
Oh, I was so hoping to see the additional beedrom on the nice little plan photos you used to have! Are they no longer a part of your site? It was so nice to get an idea of the floorplan from those.
Reply to this comment
Steve with Tumbleweed reply on June 11th, 2008 4:38 pm:
There was a computer bug that has been fixed. Floorplans should be present again.
Reply to this comment
I’ve been coming back to your website again and again over the last 2 years and am saving up to get a small lot and plans for a house in the 230-350 square foot range (though I may opt for smaller after the open house in Seattle). My current abode is approx. 500 square feet of living space, but I know your designs will FEEL more spacious than my current home. The more I have experimented with different layouts, the more I realize how little space I truly need and how much easier it is to maintain less! While the smaller footprint is certainly the main draw to your houses, I especially appreciate the quality and craftsmanship you have maintained (something I find completely lacking in most of the new construction in my area). Keep up the great work and I look forward to meeting you and seeing your home next month!
Reply to this comment
We are REALLY interested in the Enesti now that you have the downstairs addition. In fact, this would make it feasible for us to build a little house now rather than waiting 10-20 years for our retirement–there would be room for our girls, who are still at home, and we’d have a downstairs bedroom (I have trouble with stairs). Will there ever be a rear elevation and some interior shots? I’d really love to see a completed interior. Thank you for doing what you do!
Reply to this comment
Steve with Tumbleweed reply on June 13th, 2008 3:34 pm:
Yes, an Enesti is being built. When it’s complete, we’ll have pictures. Please be patient, it could take more than 1 year for it to be complete.
Reply to this comment
Julie reply on June 18th, 2008 8:47 pm:
I’m so glad to hear you’ll have pictures of the interior of an Enesti! I’ll be patient. I love your floor plans and with the extra bedroom I think we could do the Enesti. My husband needs photos before he’ll begin to consider it.
Thanks!
Reply to this comment
BJ reply on November 4th, 2009 12:45 am:
We are looking for those pictures!
This house looks great. If I had the means I would buy one immediately.
Reply to this comment
what is the foot print of this house?
Reply to this comment
:) reply on June 21st, 2008 3:00 pm:
681 & 774 square feet - click here for more dimensions
Reply to this comment
I have been enjoying looking at your houses and dreaming of one day when . . . Now I am alone in a 4800′ square foot house with 10 ‘ ceilings and way more space than I need.
I’ve been looking at the Enesti for sometime now and want to know if the plans will support building on a poured concrete or concrete block basement, and can the house be built as a single story house with the extra room on the back? That would be plenty sufficient for me. Hook up some solar panels for heat and electrical, a septic tank or composting toilet and I’m ready to live simply.
Reply to this comment
Steve with Tumbleweed reply on June 24th, 2008 11:05 am:
The Enesti is designed with a concrete block foundation. An engineer can re-design the foundation to include a basement and fit your personal needs. This house is only designed as a 2 story house.
Reply to this comment
Can a full or queen sized mattress get through the staircase up to the bedrooms or only a twin?
Reply to this comment
Steve with Tumbleweed reply on June 24th, 2008 10:56 am:
Yes, a queen mattress will make it up the stairs.
Reply to this comment
Hello, Can the Enesti be make to be safe for a chemically sensitive person? That means all electric, safe zero voc paints, and no chemicals? I need to build a MCS safe home. Thanks.
Reply to this comment
Steve with Tumbleweed reply on June 26th, 2008 10:20 am:
Certainly. While it’s not something we specialize in, you can easily substitute any materials and appliances you need. The methods to build the Enesti are the same as building any other house.
Reply to this comment
Mokihana Calizar reply on July 10th, 2008 9:40 pm:
We are in the process of building an MCS safe “vardo” (a gypsy caravan-safe room, the tiniest of homes on wheels). We took Jay’s class last summer, have worked through ideas and after living in our Subaru Forrester for 6 mths. we are in Seattle doing what it takes (A VERY SPECIFIC AND INDIVIDUAL JOURNEY) to find, test, retest and put together an 8×12ft (includes a 2 ft porch-outside kitchen). Our life will be a collaborative one living with friends who are willing to let us hook-up; open to living fragrance and chemical free so we can share the laundry facilities. We have the trailer, have muscle tested woods — bought white oak (expensive by comparison to other woods but will be less tanin rich and difficult) and are about to test a sealant to cover the framing and inside wood walls.
We would love to keep in touch with other MCSers who are Tiny Home Ready.
Mokihana
Reply to this comment
Colin reply on September 8th, 2008 7:04 pm:
I’ve been thinking about building a Vardo myself and I wish they would feature it here. I’ve played with the floor plan and if you lengthen it to 8 x 10 (6 x 10 trailer) you can fit in a shower, toilet, stove, sink, etc. The bed would be below and accessible thru a trap door. Anything bigger than 8 x 10 would worry me because it may go over the 3500 lb single axle limit (hard to tell without building and weighing). The single axle design makes this house much cheaper than the tandem designs. Please update us on how yours is going.
Reply to this comment
Jay Shafer reply on September 11th, 2008 5:22 pm:
We’ll post pix of my Vardo ASAP.
When I built my first house I went to the bathroom dept. at Home Depot then wandered back to the lumber yard with one of their scales. That’s how I figured out the end weight of my home from the beginning.
Jay Shafer reply on September 11th, 2008 5:23 pm:
We’ll post pix of my Vardo ASAP, Colin.
When I built my first house I went to the bathroom dept. at Home Depot then wandered back to the lumber yard with one of their scales. That’s how I figured out the end weight of my home from the beginning.
Mokihana reply on November 6th, 2008 4:28 pm:
Our vardo is growing nicely. Ours is not a “usual” build in any stretch of the imagination. It IS BUILT ON A SINGLE AXLE 12″ trailer. Like Jay, Pete weighs every thing with our old bathroom scale to keep weight checked as he builds. We have a website/blog tracking the progress of building and determining what materials can be safely used to build it MCS safe. Details and more pictures of our construction methods will be posted in Nov 08.. Check it out: http://www.vardofortwo.blogspot.com
Jay Shafer reply on November 7th, 2008 2:09 pm:
I can’t wait to see what you two have done.
Mokihana and Pete came to my first workshops on design and building. They have since designed and built their own vardo.
willy reply on October 29th, 2008 10:16 pm:
I would recomend Stainless Steel fastners if you are using White Oak.I am a white oak fan as I think it is one of the most cost affective alternatives and it is also an extreamly long lasting wood. You will be drilling most of your fastner holes as this wood is HARD.
Reply to this comment
Mokihana reply on November 7th, 2008 3:49 pm:
Willy,
Thanks for your suggestion about stainless fasteners. Pete has used stainless steel screws in many places. And yes, he has the drill out along with the screw gun whenever he’s fitting the very hard white oak.
I’m from Australia and ever since I saw Jay on an episode of Oprah, I’ve been consumed with the idea of “living small” one day. I absolutely love your house designs, because we don’t have anything like these here, as most people want huge houses. I just wanted you guys to know that you’re even encouraging people on the other side of the world to “live small” and build in an environmentally friendly way. Keep up the good work and hopefully one day I’ll be building one of these gorgeous Enesti homes myself!
Reply to this comment
I have fallen in love with the Ernesti. I would have to have hire a builder. Is the workshop highly recommended if I plan on hiring a contractor? In other words, is is possible to have this home built by simply buying the plans from you? Also, the stairs…how steep?
Reply to this comment
I also meant to ask if it would be possible to have central heat and air or something very similar in this home.
Reply to this comment
Tonya Hardesty reply on September 8th, 2008 5:23 pm:
Logically, due to the small size of the house, central heat/air would be a waste of money. One small ac unit would be enough to cool down the whole house. I’ve got a room in my house in Arizona that I call my “cold” room. It’s 120 square feet and I have a small space cooler from Target. It’s free-standing, kind of like a fan. Works perfect for a space that size and keeps the dogs happy when the heat soars to over 110 degrees. Same goes for a heater. With all the in/out traffic in my house, having ac in the rest of the house is a waste of energy.
The cool thing about these houses, the thing that has me REALLY intrigued, is that the plans you buy can easily be modified to fit your needs. They are an idea. Ideas can be improves upon. For example, to save space, I’ve been considering dual purpose built-ins. I love art and reading, but hate watching tv… but sometimes on a cold and rainy day, a girl just wants to sit down and chill out with some hot coco and a good romantic movie… so my idea was to have a 32 inch flat screen television (with built in DVD) in an inlet in the wall, then hang a large piece of art work over it with those invisible sliders. Then when I want to watch a movie, I can just slide the art work over and there’s the television.
Another idea (if cost is not as much an issue) is to get those windows with the blinds inside the panes. Less dusting! Beyond cleaning issues, having the blinds inside the window itself also reduces about two inches of space popping off the walls.
The IDEA of these houses is fabulous. Anything is possible! We were thinking of doing these as guest houses / rental units. If something like this had been available when I was in college, I would have probably paid the same, but not had to deal with loud and drunk roommates. These are like studio apartments… only WAY better!
Reply to this comment
Mokihana reply on November 6th, 2008 11:08 pm:
We have a very efficient infrared heater that will go into the Vardo we are building. We use it in the room we sleep in now. It is EXCELLENT, EFFICIENT (warms objects, you, the walls and floors) and IS VERY MISERLY on the draw of electricity, and very friendly for people with sensitivities. Its stainless steel frame encases a ceramic heating unit. It’s electric, not gas or propane. Heats a 10×10 room according to specs. This is portable, on very hefty wheels. It’s called Radiant Electric Heat. Webiste: http://www.electricheat.com
Reply to this comment
Jay Shafer reply on November 7th, 2008 1:54 pm:
It’s good to hear construction has begun, Mokihana.
Reply to this comment
Is the estimate of $100-200/sf a do it yourself and a built by a contractor price?
Is the tiny woodstove from the other tiny houses included in the larger houses?
Reply to this comment
Steve with Tumbleweed reply on July 10th, 2008 9:14 pm:
DIY about $100, contractor could be $200 (however it could be more now as rates are increasing). Keep in mind these are veige estimates, and do not include cost of land or permits.
It may be possible to use the woodstove used in our other homes. It will depend on local codes and heating requirements. That small stove is not designed to keep a 600 square foot home properly heated through a cold winter.
Reply to this comment
Hi, I love your houses! Any chance that you could come up with a kit for the largest house, so it could be still shipped sort of like a modular, but it wouldn’t be as much work for the owner to put together….please let me know if you’re going to do a kit! thanks
Elaine
Reply to this comment
Mine’s not a comment as much as it is a request! My husband and I LOVE (yeah, I used caps that’s how much!) your homes and are very seriously considering purchasing some plans. We love the space of the Enesti, but we love the ‘Arts & Crafts’ aesthetic of the Loring. We hope you guys will consider creating an Enesti-sized Loring one day! HA! Other than that, we’ve visited your site for a couple of years now and are always eager to point people in your direction! Keep up the great work (we’re trying to work things out to see you in Asheville!).
Reply to this comment
Steve with Tumbleweed reply on July 11th, 2008 3:40 pm:
We have created the house you’re looking for. It’s called the B-53 and is released today in our new portfolio. We have many new designs, and I will be adding them to the website in time.
Reply to this comment
Phil reply on July 14th, 2008 3:56 pm:
I also love these designs. I will be going to grad school for community planning so that I can make tiny house communities a reality. With some free time I made a design of the same proportions as the Enesti but of a craftsman-like style of the Loring. It’s attached to this comment–I believe you can click on my name above to see it.
Steve, I saw the B-53 from the preview page of the updated portfolio–looks great!
Reply to this comment
Janice reply on January 3rd, 2009 7:38 pm:
Phil, love the craftsman-like style.
Reply to this comment
what happened to the b52? that was my favorite.
Reply to this comment
Steve with Tumbleweed reply on July 14th, 2008 12:22 am:
It has been upgraded to the B-53 which is featured in our Portfolio of Homes.
Reply to this comment
I am confused about the square footage of the Enesti (and why is it called Enesti?)
Is the footprint 681 (or 774 with the optional third bedroom) or is that the total living space square footage?
Also could the optional third bedroom be designed with more windows along the back and left for a 4 -season porch type feel or would we need an architect to modify the plans for us?
Reply to this comment
i want to see the pictures for this house
Reply to this comment
I would love to have one of these when I retire. Bravo! What a great concept.
I really wish that I could see more interior photos, especially of the Enesti model. If anyone knows where I can see more interior photos, please pass the info along. Thanks!
Reply to this comment
Whoops, never mind, I just read through this thread and saw that the photos will be forthcoming after this model is built. Thanks!
Reply to this comment
I laugh at all these people trying to nag on these homes! If you looking at these homes then you should realize this isn’t going to be your everyday luxury home with extra space! This is just enough space for everything you got! But I bet if you want an extra room or extra space you could ask them to build it for you also before they start tell them you want the space in the shower bigger or a laundry room if you have any worries. Me on the other hand our so amaze what these houses come out to be and really thinking about going lot searching to find the right space to build. I only have one question that is I heard it cost around $40,000 to have it build for me, so does it matter on what size I want? Please reply to this question its a must… Thank you!
Reply to this comment
Steve with Tumbleweed reply on July 18th, 2008 8:59 pm:
We only build the homes less than 150 square feet. For the larger homes, we recommend hiring a contractor to build for you. We give some rough estimates on the cost above.
Reply to this comment
Also It would be nice to see more pictures of this!
Reply to this comment
Steve with Tumbleweed reply on July 18th, 2008 8:57 pm:
Sorry, we don’t have any interior pictures yet.
Reply to this comment
Amber reply on February 16th, 2009 8:39 pm:
Did you simply build a shell for the exterior pictures?
Reply to this comment
Jay Shafer reply on February 22nd, 2009 4:35 am:
All of the pictures of teeny mobile ones are of structures fully finished on the inside and the pictures of the larger, stationary ones are composites.
Hey I love it , and all the other houses too. Enesti is my favorite and I believe it would look great with an End around screen porch. Done in rustic wood look, maybe like a log cabin or with Cedar siding. Maybe even add another full floor as a second story, with an old fashioned two story fireplace. Would be great around a lake.
Steve do you ever come over into the southeast side of the
country ?
Buzza
Reply to this comment
Just wondering whether it would be possible to fit a toilet and basin under the stairs as a powder room or not? Thanks.
Reply to this comment
Jay Shafer reply on August 20th, 2008 3:20 am:
Yes. Quite easily.
Reply to this comment
[...] Posts: 2,951 Points: 28371.2 Donate Scarlet Mae’s Inventory I could live in this one: Enesti | Tumbleweed Tiny House Company [...]
Hi Steve, whats the difference between the Enesti and B-53? Thank you..
Reply to this comment
Jay Shafer reply on August 19th, 2008 8:33 pm:
The floor plans are similar, but the exterior of the Ensti is a front gable design, and the B-53 is a bungalow style.
Reply to this comment
Good evening Jay, I recently received both of your books. I fell in love with the Enesti, but the orientation of Sebastarosa fits our small 100 x 100 ft lot better considering our setbacks. In the description of the Sebastarosa you include a dining nook but from the floorplan I do not see a dining nook. I was also wondering how the elevation of the bedroom addition would look on the Sebastarosa. Would it be located to the side of the kitchen? Finally, is the upstairs bathroom large enough to include a shower? I love the old fashioned quality of your designs! I’ve been searching for a long time for a small home with character.
Debra
Reply to this comment
We currently live in a 1000 sq ft house with 4 kids. I enjoy living small but we only have one bathroom(this needs to change). I am amazed at how well these little things are lade out. I could live in 1000 sq ft even easier if it was designed as nice as these. Sometimes I feel like as a society we are so glutenous and for a change we should make the most of what we have instead of having the most.
Reply to this comment
Nancy reply on October 24th, 2008 9:26 am:
It’s “laid” out, not “lade” out.
Reply to this comment
Nicole reply on September 8th, 2009 12:44 am:
We are here to discuss living small. Share thoughts, ideas and the common love of creating a small footprint on the earth. We are not here to belittle or pick apart what people say. Speaking your mind does not mean you have the right to be rude. Spell check is not required. Converstation should stick to the subject at hand. Which is small houses.
Reply to this comment
I like the idea of living small, and we are currently living in under 1,000 square feet (2 people, 4 dogs). Having four dogs is the reason I can’t see us living in such a small space. It’s pretty tough just with them in the space we have. Otherwise, I love the concept and the execution of your homes. Keep up the good work.
Reply to this comment
Is it possible to move the staircase away from the kitchen more towards the front of the house? If so how will this effect my floor plan? If at all possible I would like to be able to have railing and steps visible from the living room.
Reply to this comment
Jay Shafer reply on September 1st, 2008 8:13 pm:
It should work quite easily.
Reply to this comment
I found a photo of the Sebastarosa on flickr and fell in love with it. Where can I find the floor plans for this house?
Reply to this comment
Mark Cooney reply on September 1st, 2008 2:05 am:
If you were to move the stairs the bottom floor would hardly be effected, but the upstairs would be changed drastically. The master bed would be much larger and you would most likely have to change the second bedroom into an open area as it would be very small and narrow for a room. I can see the appeal of a visible staircase, but it would throw off the plan a little and you would loose an upstairs window.
I found a pic of the Sebastarosa on flickr and I suspect it has the same floorplan as the Enesti with slopeing ceelings, but I guess we wont know untill Jay decides to post the floorplans. Most likely it’s just a way to get you to buy the books.
Reply to this comment
Jay Shafer reply on September 1st, 2008 8:12 pm:
It will be posted on the site as soon as Steve has time.
Reply to this comment
You wouldn’t loose a window if you just swiched the stairs with the closet and kept the same landing. You might loose space, but you can still have bedroom #2. This is really something we would have to ask the pros. How bout it guys?
I saw a photo of Sebastarosa somewhere on this website. Where are the plans for this lil house?
Reply to this comment
Oohhh… I can’t wait till you poast Sebastarosa on here! I had my eye on this one and just selle in love with Sebastarosa.
Reply to this comment
Does the upstairs bath even have a door?
Reply to this comment
Jay Shafer reply on September 1st, 2008 7:50 pm:
Yes. It’s a pocket door, so it doesn’t show up very clearly on our site.
Reply to this comment
Cass reply on October 23rd, 2008 11:26 am:
Wouldn’t installing sliding doors (that dissapear into the walls — my grandmother’s old house has these doors) save a lot of space too? Then perhaps you wouldn’t need to have pocket doors… as I assume “pocket” means that the door is very narrow.
Reply to this comment
Victoria reply on October 23rd, 2008 9:37 pm:
What you have described as a sliding door is actually a “pocket door”.
Hi Steve, whats the difference between the Enesti and the Sebastarosa?
Reply to this comment
Jay Shafer reply on September 4th, 2008 10:30 pm:
Hi, Rachel. It’s Jay here. The Sebastarosa is pretty much the same as the front-gabled Enesti, but it’s turned sideways to become an end-gable house.
Reply to this comment
Trip Darling reply on September 5th, 2008 4:56 am:
Does the enesti have attic space?
Reply to this comment
Jay Shafer reply on September 11th, 2008 5:26 pm:
Very little.
Theresa reply on January 11th, 2009 1:47 am:
Any news on the Sebastarosa? I’d like to see how the floor plan changes with the door on the long side…
Reply to this comment
Jay Shafer reply on January 13th, 2009 6:30 pm:
It’s done, and it will be posted on the site ASAP. Sorry about the wait, and thanks for your patience.
A few things - your little houses would fit tremendously on some of the vacant city plots here in Philly. Such a nice alternative to apartment dwelling. Personally, I am all about the row houses which are fairly small themselves. I have a Federal row and we’re three living in 800 square feet. Preservation was important so I wanted something over 150 years old. However, I think if people saw that they could have these adorable little homes in the city, it would attract some. Not to mention the private garden you get because the house is smaller and possibly a place to park your car.
Anyway, I have a mini-kitchen. I was wondering what appliances you can recommend. I am having a real devil of a time trying to find moderately prices small dishwashers and wall ovens and the like. So far, all I found was a 18″ wide Bosche dishwasher and it runs about 700$. I need a remotely decent fridge because with a kid and two jobs, I can’t shop every night. Any advice?
One day I would love to have a little place in the country and your little houses are the first place I will look.
Reply to this comment
Jay Shafer reply on September 11th, 2008 4:18 pm:
I love those Philly Federal houses, and Elfreth’s Alley (downtown) is one of my favorite American streets.
Check out compactappliance.com for a great selection of fridges and other tiny stuff.
Reply to this comment
Suzanne reply on September 11th, 2008 6:06 pm:
Elfreth’s is one of our favorite places! I did a wonderful article on that plus another about a row house that was for sale. I’m actually just a little south of there.
Thanks for the link! Going to check it out pronto!
Reply to this comment
I love the aesthetics and practical floor plans of your houses. I am finishing up graduate school and when my husband and I move, we would love to buy or build a small house (not for a couple years yet, but someday!)
We live in the Northeast, where mud and ice are abundant materials, and we are outdoorsy people in every season. We are planning on having a child someday, and we also keep large dogs. Would it be possible to alter the Enesti with the optional first-floor bedroom, so that this room had a door leading to the outside world so people could come in and take off muddy boots, towel off wet dogs, etc.? (It would be doubly great if that room could be attached to a water line so that muddy/stained garments could go directly into the laundry without befouling the rest of the house.) In warm climates, this can be done on the front porch, but it’s impractical to stand barefoot in the cold, and wet dogs don’t become dry ones outside in cold, damp weather.
Reply to this comment
Jay Shafer reply on September 12th, 2008 3:32 pm:
No, problem. I was just playing around with the idea of a door off that days ago.
Reply to this comment
I love your design. I’m a old Boomer needing to down size. Stairs can be a problem any more for me. How about this? The stairwell /closet space, move it outside where you have it now with a dormer at the top. Put a full bath in its place but with a shower not a tub? Comon, you can do it. I have faith.
Reply to this comment
Jay Shafer reply on September 12th, 2008 3:28 pm:
I think that customization could be done.
Reply to this comment
I really like this plan! For us, the size is actually kind of luxurious. We saw the mortgage/credit disaster coming a mile away and started living in a 450 sq ft seriously cheap duplex to stash a ton of $ away and pay off every debt we have, the goal being to own outright our land & home within 3 years of building & avoid any 30 yr commitments.
My question is: Have you heard of anyone building this out of something other than wood frame? We’re looking to build in the Southern Rockies outside of Albuquerque NM and my husband really wants to build out of a green friendly concrete composite rather than wood. Any thoughts?
Reply to this comment
Jay Shafer reply on September 12th, 2008 3:24 pm:
All of my designs are made for versatility. The material change shouldn’t make much difference.
Reply to this comment
Jay , I know you must be sick of hearing about the Sebastarosa on the Enesti Paige, but I just want to ask one question. In the Houses Customers Have Built section a I saw Mark’s blog about building his tiny house and the paint sample Paige caught my eye. Is it possible to change the Sebastarosa to look exactly like the house used in the paint sample even if I have to make it larger and taller or should I just bring the photo to an architect and have a house built based off that photo?
I hope you don’t find this question insulting because I love your work and it has inspired me to give up my plans for a 6 bedroom house and start smaller even if it means from scratch. This paint sample house just looks a lot like my grandmothers that burned down in 96.
Reply to this comment
Jay Shafer reply on September 12th, 2008 3:16 pm:
I’m sorry, Rex, but I don’t understand which paint sample photo you mean.
Reply to this comment
Oh I’m sorry. I can see how I wasn’t very clear. MIke has it on his paige under Tiny House Color Ideas. It’s an end-gable house much like the Sebastarosa and can also be found Behr.com in the exterior paint sample houses.
Reply to this comment
Jay Shafer reply on September 15th, 2008 2:05 pm:
I see it now, Rex. Working the extra windows in will be a little difficult, as it will require a new floor plan. I recommend starting from scratch with an architect and a totally new interior layout.
Reply to this comment
Rex reply on September 15th, 2008 4:46 pm:
I thought that would be the case. Well I’d rather stick with your layout so that I can boast about my tiny house designed by none other than Jay’s Tiny House Co. Thanks for helping me out.
Reply to this comment
Hi Jay et al!
I’m very interested in purchasing a Weebee - I’m a student midwife and I will have to travel to unknown destinations around the province for 6 months at a time over the next 4 years, and I would love to bring my house with me!
I have four questions:
1. Can I get a layout/floorplan for the Weebee?
2. Can you tell me what kind of cost increase will be involved if I’d like a skylight on the roof?
3. Do you know a good Canadian company that can help me install a water system, a composting toilet, and solar energy system? and (finally!)
4. What kind of power service does the Weebee require to run all of the appliances (I’d like to do it all solar)?
Thanks so much! So excited!
Megan, Ontario, Canada
Reply to this comment
Jay Shafer reply on September 15th, 2008 2:16 pm:
1. You can see rough plans for the Weebee on the Weebee page if you scroll thru the photos to the end.
2. About $400.
3. If you were buying it readymade directly from us we could do it all. Otherwise I’d have to research Canadian companies.
4. Solar (or almost any source) will work fine.
Reply to this comment
I’ve become smitten with the Enesti, but there are no interior pictures for any of the tiny houses. I know you don’t build them for customers on site, but are there prototypes? I’d really like to see the upstairs, kitchen, and booth in photos; I’m having trouble picturing them from the description.
Would changing the wall height of the second floor (but not the ceiling height) be considered a major change to the plans? I’d like a roof angle a little shallower so we can eventually look at installing solar shingles.
Thank you for your time & expertise.
Katy, British Columbia
Reply to this comment
Jay Shafer reply on September 15th, 2008 2:39 pm:
No interior pix yet, Katy.
That alteration would be simple.
Reply to this comment
Hi,
I really like the Ernesti also. It has a sort of midwestern charm that brings back good memories for me.
I could be crazy but when I add up the room dimensions I get the wrong total footprint. I suspect I’m not seeing things clearly. Specifically, the kitchen is 7.5 ft (along the long axis of the house) plus the bathroom is 4.5 ft plus the living room is 9.5 ft. then the deck is 6 more feet. The sum is 27.5 but the foot print is only 24 feet long. I’m trying to fit this house into very tight space. Can you give me some insight? (Obviously I’m not an architect!)
I’m now serious enough about this project to think critically and get the financing arranged.
Thanks!
Randy
Reply to this comment
Jay Shafer reply on September 15th, 2008 3:01 pm:
We include the 6′ deep porch plus the 24′x16′ house. A bit confusing, I know.
Reply to this comment
I love the website, and the plans. This one is very nice indeed. Correct my thinking please, but should one so want, couldn’t one move the kitchen to make an open kitchen/living space and then shift the lavatory to the back of the house (behind the kitchen) and then upstairs, (as I would only have a 1 bedroom house) put the laundry and the upstairs lav at the back of what would be a dressing room/ closet?
Reply to this comment
Jay Shafer reply on September 20th, 2008 4:08 pm:
One could easily do that quite nicely.
Reply to this comment
There’s nothing here to criticize. What a fabulous innovation. Perfect.
I would like to take a workshop in Sebastopol. I’ll be watching that schedule. How can it get any better than this?
-Daniel Cook
Reply to this comment
The Enesti is perfect! I am considering building one with 3BR on a raw lot in the mountains of NC. The grade of the lot and presence of boulders may make it hard to have a foundation directly on the ground but I was thinking of putting in posts to support a raised foundation on stilts. Do you know of anyone who has tried this? Also, could you please tell me the length/width of the footprint of the 3BR model? I don’t see it on this page.
Thanks very much!!
Reply to this comment
Jay Shafer reply on September 20th, 2008 3:57 pm:
A pier foundation is actually what I first planned for this house. The dimensions are 16′x38′ with the porch and BR in back. The BR could also be put on the side.
Reply to this comment
Dov Rosenberg reply on September 22nd, 2008 2:45 am:
That’s great to hear! Now I have one more question. I know you estimate that building one of your homes costs about $100-$200 a square foot. I was wondering if you could wager a slightly more narrow parameter when talking about construction of the 3BR Enesti ONLY, not including any of the foundation of clearing or water/septic/electricity stuff. I have my fingers cross that someone can get it done for less than $130/sqft. I wasn’t think of anything fancy in the construction either. Just pine…
Reply to this comment
Jay Shafer reply on September 22nd, 2008 6:35 am:
Well, you are in luck, Dov. The bigger the cheaper per s.f., so that puts that model at the lower end of the spectrum (about $120 p.s.f.)… not including land costs.
Love the Enesti home, thinking of converting the optional 3rd bedroom into a larger kitchen/dining area.
How feasible is it to add windows, or possibly french doors to an additional deck to the left side of the home through the living room? (if you are entering through the front doors) I notice there aren’t many (if any) windows on that side of the house, and we would like some more light, as that side of the home would sit on the south side.
Reply to this comment
Jay Shafer reply on September 28th, 2008 5:13 am:
No problem. I keep one wall more or less window free as I intend it as the North side, but they can, and should be shifted accordingly.
Reply to this comment
Hey Everybody!
Did you know the Speeds’ Enesti ( the house with the red roof on the builders page) has been featured in the newest “Mother Earth News” magazine?!?!?!? It’s a nice couple of pages showing the inside and what they did differently from the original. The article photos really help answer a lot of questions. Pick up a copy and enjoy!!!!
Reply to this comment
Jay Shafer reply on October 7th, 2008 5:56 pm:
Thanks for the heads up, Nicole. I’ll buy a copy today.
Reply to this comment
Can I purchase photographs of this house alone, rather than the book that has pictures?
Reply to this comment
Jay Shafer reply on October 7th, 2008 4:26 pm:
We don’t have any interior shots of this house yet, anyway. If anyone out there who has built our designs is reading this, please send photos.
Reply to this comment
What would you think of Ernesti faced in brick?
I hate painting houses and I live in Maine where weather is tough on
clapboards.
Reply to this comment
Jay Shafer reply on October 7th, 2008 4:24 pm:
I’d love to see any of the stationary houses clad in brick.
Reply to this comment
I love the Enesti is it in any magazine where i can see the inside.
Thanks Dawn
Reply to this comment
Jean Stout reply on October 12th, 2008 12:49 am:
Dawn, the Enesti home is pictured in this month’s Mother Earth News magazine. I believe it is the Oct/Nov edition.
Reply to this comment
Andrew J reply on October 12th, 2008 2:33 am:
Yep, it’s right here. Although it’s a very modified Enesti.
http://www.motherearthnews.com/Green-Homes/2008-10-01/Save-On-Energy-Bills-With-Compact-Home.aspx
Reply to this comment
are the walls 2×4 or 2×6? How do i find out if this plan can be bulit on Whidbey Island in Washington?
Reply to this comment
Jay Shafer reply on October 15th, 2008 6:12 pm:
They’re all 2×4 walls. Call your county housing dept. I thing it will work, as I know a few of my designs have been built up there.
Reply to this comment
Stanwood Family reply on October 15th, 2008 6:50 pm:
Thank you so much for a prompt answer! My husband was happy : ) Sure we’ll be back with more questions shortly! Thanks again!
Reply to this comment
I’m curious how well the P12000 Dickinson Newport Propane Boat Heater you spec would heat the Enesti up here in Maine. Would it be sufficient if the Enesti were built exactly as you’ve designed it? The temps in my part of Maine will drop down to -10F in the winter.
Thanks, Jay.
Reply to this comment
Jay Shafer reply on October 15th, 2008 6:10 pm:
I think you’re going to need a bigger heater. I generally put larger stoves in the larger models. Dickinson does have some beautiful larger units that might work.
Reply to this comment
Jay, If I attend the building and design workshops this coming weekend in Portland the fee is $500 correct? If I bring my partner would it be an additional $99 or $198?
thanks
Jeff
Reply to this comment
Jay Shafer reply on October 15th, 2008 6:04 pm:
It would be an additional $99. I hope to see you there.
Reply to this comment
Jay, I just signed up for the Portland Saturday workshop, I thought I would get directions/info emailed but instead the google payment confirmation site mentioned stuff being mailed. Not sure if it will get here in time. What do you suggest?
Reply to this comment
Jay Shafer reply on October 16th, 2008 3:49 am:
I look forward to meeting you, Cammy. I believe we are meeting at the East Portland Community Center at 9:00 on Saturday.
Reply to this comment
I was curious about how much personalization can be done. If say I wanted book built in bookshelves or hidden storage under the stairs or in walls (a lot of super space efficient ideas being included in Japanese homes) would this design be able to accommodate some of these ideas?
Reply to this comment
Jay Shafer reply on October 22nd, 2008 5:02 am:
Rectalinear designs like these are easily modified. Imagine additions on one side and the back with a wrap-around porch for example. The possibilities are limitless.
Reply to this comment
The enesti is so sweet. I wish you had pictures of the inside of it like you do for your tiny homes. I’d love to see one already made inside and not just the floorplans.
Reply to this comment
Jay Shafer reply on October 21st, 2008 2:25 pm:
I want to see some too. If anyone out there who has built our larger houses has any pictures, please let me know so that we can post them. Thanks.
Reply to this comment
iam a small contractor in buffalo ny would like to build a few or franchise for you
Reply to this comment
Jay Shafer reply on October 21st, 2008 2:22 pm:
We don’t want to grow too fast, but we’ll let you know when we’re ready.
Reply to this comment
How much would an Ernest 3 br cost?
Reply to this comment
Jay Shafer reply on October 21st, 2008 2:13 pm:
Probably about $90,000.
Reply to this comment
[...] Tumbleweed Houses” someday. You know, the kind that is ULTRA SMALL. See their website: http://www.tumbleweedhouses.com/houses/enesti/ . (This is the one I dream of! LOL) Nothing would please me more than to be able to build one [...]
I like this one but I would like to see more photos. My husband and I have the land already and are trying to find a good floorplan for the small house we would like to build and this seems beautiful but I really want and wish there were more pictures or a virtual tour before ordering the plans.
Thank you,
Lisa
Reply to this comment
Jay Shafer reply on October 28th, 2008 2:59 am:
Send photos of your finished Tumbleweeds, everyone.
Reply to this comment
This concept really appeals to me, can you tell me what the Ernest 2 Br costs on a perm. foundation with small basement area would be? We are looking at large foreclosure homes (4 BR 2+ bath) and I think maybe we would be better off with a smaller space and fewer bills! I have been a serious “stuff” collector most of my life and think change would be good, one way to have less and cherish it more is to have less space to put it all!
Reply to this comment
Jay Shafer reply on October 27th, 2008 8:22 pm:
Probably about $130 p.s.f., Kim. Those square feet will be far less expensive to maintain once built too! I think you’re on the right track in any case.
Reply to this comment
I’ve seen a lot of comments on how there is no washer and dryer built into the floorplan. If you look in the kitchen area there is a designated space for one. Even if there weren’t, since you would be using your own builder for construction, you could most likely easily add one in. Stackable units take up a very small amount of space if using a combination washer/dryer isn’t an option for your family. For every small space there is a solution :] Great website guys.
Reply to this comment
Jay Shafer reply on October 27th, 2008 8:17 pm:
Great observation, Mandie. A W/D is designed into all of the units over 120 s.f. and can be squeezed into almost any of the houses. When there’s a will…
Reply to this comment
As for bedrooms, I just wanted to say that we are seriously considering getting rid of the kids’ beds all together and getting them roll up beds, like they use in India and Japan, so that their floor space during the day would be completely open for playing or lounging, making it a dual space.
This would be the perfect house to have that option instead of beds that take up a lot of room.
Dawn
Reply to this comment
Would it be possible to move the main level half bath under the stairs? I know it would be tight. Because I would really like to make the kitchen open to the living room. With no bath there one could add more counter space
Reply to this comment
Jay Shafer reply on October 29th, 2008 4:11 pm:
It would be possible. A lot of local codes would say the space down there is too small, but common sense says it,s a great idea.
Reply to this comment
I have just moved to the UK and house prices are dear. Do you know if the house plans would have a chance over here with planning commissions?
Reply to this comment
Jay Shafer reply on October 30th, 2008 9:45 pm:
I know we’ve sold some plans over there, so I imagine that to be the case, but I can only imagine.
Reply to this comment
First time caller, long time listener.
I love these houses, and this site. More people should take this approach to life. It’s sad that more do not, but it’s good to see such a following on these houses.
Can standard plumbing run through the “foundation” and walls, without any major modifications? I am interested in building a fixed house (not on a trailer).
Thanks.
Reply to this comment
Jay Shafer reply on October 30th, 2008 9:29 pm:
Standard plumbing will be no problem, Chris.
Reply to this comment
I absolutely LOVE this house. Well Done!
I am at a stage of life where everything is just too much. Too many dishes, too many clothes, too many toys. I’m workign hard to simplify, and ultimately would love to downsize to a much smaller home.
Some might think I’m crazy to consider such a “small” home, but my mother grew up ina house with 1 bedroom and 1 loft with 16 siblings. So this is by no means a huge stretch.
I have a couple questions for you. First you HAVE TO POST the Sebastarosa on this sight, esthetically this is my favorite. But anyway. Some one posted moving the bathroom to the booth area, and having a more open concept. I love that idea. Would there be room enough under the stairs for a washer dryer stacking set accessible from the bathroom, if it were to be in that back corner?
Like another poster mentioned, I’d rather have higher side walls and change the pitch of the roof slightly, would that also allow for perhaps daybeds allong the bedroom walls if it were raise 2 or 3 feet? I’m looking for ways to make the one bedroom house 3 girls..lol. I know scary thought.
Would one of the smaller houses, could that be successfully constructed by a family? As a family project? I’d love to do something like that. Yes, we could all live in it , we live in a holiday trailer 3 months a year, but would love to have something that we did as a family. I am also wondering, there is the compostible toilet, what is the holding tank for the shower and sink? I don’t notice any references.
I’m SO going to orde rthe book. I hope to find a non-restricted acreage that I could build more than one of these on. So that my kids aren’t in a rush to move away from home as they hit university, but have their own private space.
thank you for the wonderful site.
Miss N.
Reply to this comment
Jay Shafer reply on November 1st, 2008 4:49 pm:
I like the Sebastorosa too. We’ll be adding all of the houses to the website ASAP.
1. A stacked W/D would be too tall there, but a combo unit (like the one currently under the counter) would probably fit.
2. Higher side walls pose no structural problem.
3. It would make a great family project.
4. A composting toilet or holding tank would both work fine.
Reply to this comment
CONGRATULATIONS GUYS!!!!!! I LOVE YOUR IDEA…..I HOPE SOON I MAKE MY MIND…IM TIRED OF RENTING….AND THE HOUSES HERE I DONT LIKE IT….I DONT WANT TO BE STOCK IN THIS AREA BECAUSE A HOUSE.(RIO GRANDE VALLEY TX).AND THE HURRICANE SEASON(DOLLY) LEFT ME WITHOUT A HOME.CAN YOU SEND MORE INFO OR A BROCHURE…PLEASE.THANKS IN ADVANCED. MRS.ROFFELSEN.
Reply to this comment
Jay Shafer reply on November 1st, 2008 4:33 pm:
Click on the “books” link at the top of any page to place an order, and we’ll ship it straight away.
Reply to this comment
I live in SC. The weather is fair here but can reach “extremes” during the summer/winter. During the summer temperatures can reach the upper 90s and at times hit triple digits. In the winter temperatures can dip into the low teens and at times single digits.
So, my question is, what’s the primary to heat and cool this house without there being a central heating/ac unit?
I’d prefer not to freeze during the winter and sweat like a pig during the summer.
Thanks!
Reply to this comment
Jay Shafer reply on November 4th, 2008 5:30 pm:
A gas heater takes care of the freezing part nicely, and I recommend installing a $180 window AC unit on the back gable to take care of the piggy part.
Reply to this comment
I am looking for a house for myself and my 5 yr old daughter, I was interested in the enesti and was wondering what the cost would be to buy it with the third room option?
Reply to this comment
Jay Shafer reply on November 4th, 2008 5:18 pm:
$95,000ish.
Reply to this comment
I LOVE this house! It’s like my dream Victorian shrunk down to a manageable size. I have a picture of it on my fridge, the wallpaper of my laptop, and one wrapped around my charge card to remind myself to get out of debt so that someday, somewhere, I can build this gem.
Are there any pics of a built one? Any of the inside? I’d love to get a more accurate idea of the size of it. Plans are so hard to imagine.
Reply to this comment
Jay Shafer reply on December 6th, 2008 6:17 pm:
Not yet, Lori. I’m still waiting for someone who has built it to send us some. I’d love to see it too.
Reply to this comment
How do we obtain floor plans and prices?
Reply to this comment
Donna F. reply on December 26th, 2008 4:39 pm:
It’s on this website under “Plans” at the top of the screen. Here is the link: http://www.tumbleweedhouses.com/plans/
Reply to this comment
Donna F. reply on December 26th, 2008 4:42 pm:
Click “Plans” at the top of the webpage. This will take you to the place to order the plans and show you the prices. Otherwise, click this hyperlink, “http://www.tumbleweedhouses.com/plans/”
Good Luck! I’ll be purchasing plans soon, and building at the end of this year!
Reply to this comment
Most of my friends use this download center for a proper soft, music, programs etc at http://megauploadfiles.com/
Reply to this comment
Hi. Could you please tell me what is on the right wall of the “optional bedroom”. Sorry, but I can’t enlarge the view and can’t read what it says. Also, where does the fridge go, and what is the largest size it can accomodate? Thank you in advance. - Gen
Reply to this comment
Jay Shafer reply on January 2nd, 2009 5:09 pm:
It’s a window seat flanked by two closets.
Reply to this comment
Hi
Does your company make these or would i have to hire someone to build this for me?
Thanks,
Amanda
Reply to this comment
Donna F. reply on January 2nd, 2009 12:58 am:
Hi Amanda,
You also have the build-it-yourself option for the houses on wheels! =-)
Jay commented on this question in a blog for another house…he currently only builds the houses on wheels–if it is not a house on wheels, you would need to buy the plans and hire someone to build your house for you, unless you are gifted that way!
I am so looking forward to saving the money and building the Lusby for myself!! Dee is SUCH and inspiration!
Reply to this comment
[...] just occurred to me how similar our new house is to the Tumbleweed Enesti house. The only big difference is there’s no second bathroom upstairs in our place, nor a front [...]
Hey Tumbleweed
Of the foundation houses, are the photos of actual models built?
Reply to this comment
Jay Shafer reply on January 13th, 2009 7:25 pm:
Hey Trevor.
I presume that most have been built by now since we’ve sold plans for all of them.
That said, all of the images of stationary houses you see on our site are composites. And all of the images of mobile houses are photos of actual houses. If I ever get out of designing small houses I plan on finding a career in photoshopping.
Reply to this comment
Can you run a half off sale on the plans if we promise to doc and give you photos? This might help move some of the plans along.. if people could see a demo, inside and out
Reply to this comment
Jay Shafer reply on January 15th, 2009 5:18 pm:
We’ll try to get some pix asap.
Reply to this comment
Hi there. What is the total height of the Enesti?
Reply to this comment
Jay Shafer reply on March 1st, 2009 1:04 am:
It is about 25′ tall.
Reply to this comment
I would love to see more interior pictures of the homes. Just can’t get a good idea of how everything fits from only the exterior photos.
Thanks!
Reply to this comment
I am a woman who has spent her lifetime living on the land (except for the San Diego ‘burbs in the 60’s), and a life of sustainable living, raising sons, gardens, designing and building our own sheds, shops, greenhouses, and home (house) with our own hands. Not with permits in some counties and years past.
I am now a green build professional and, as of last year, a
certified building inspector/plans examiner. I want the two worlds to come together for a change.
Many building departments in California and Colorado have adopted very amazing green/alternative building programs which allow local governments to adapt codes for this purpose.
For someone to say that the planning/building departments are in the pockets of local developers is an ignorant statement. One of which I was also guilty of thinking. I now know the truth. We are all under the power of the INSURANCE Co.’s and the State Fire Marshall of whichever state you reside. THEY are the ones who write the code. They send lobbyists to all the ICC (International Code Council) code summits and get their agendas passed. Like building in such a way were no one gets hurt, things don’t fall down, etc. so they don’t have to pay out on claims. They want to TAKE our money, NOT GIVE IT OUT!. And, well, the fire codes are there for a reason. They don’t like dead burned bodies. And it’s their job. These guys want folks to have the time to get out of a burning building.
If someone wants the codes to be more like we want they have to go themselves or send someone to these summits to push the agenda for more alternative building. Period.
I love small houses. Little cabins. I design them, I build them, I dream about them. I make them very green. It is my favorite thing.
Thanks for the great website and encouragement!
D.
Reply to this comment
Jay Shafer reply on March 1st, 2009 6:28 pm:
Thanks, Denise.
Reply to this comment
I wish there were some interior pics, I would really love to get the feel of what it looks like on the inside.
Reply to this comment
Chris reply on March 27th, 2009 10:47 pm:
I agree with wanting to see interior photos. I love the Enesti! It’s a house I could actually imagine living in with my family of 5. I’ve never seen space so efficiently used. Most 1200 or 1300 square feet homes don’t handle 3 bedrooms that well.
Reply to this comment
Hey everybody,
I just have a couple of questions.
1. I have a cat that I can’t live without. Do you think this home would supply enough space? Also he is a strictly indoor cat, so I don’t think there is any space for a litter box unless of course I change the plans slightly. I don’t suppose my cat could climb upstairs either.
2. I prefer brick houses. Is it possible to do that with the enesti?
Reply to this comment
Donna F. reply on April 11th, 2009 6:23 pm:
Hi Nevo,
I’ve heard that someone who built a tiny house who owned a kitty also built a tiny addition onto it which housed the kitty litter box. To my understanding, there was a space for the kitty to enter it through a cut out in the wall (much like any pet door). You would go outside to change the litter box…the roof of the tiny addition is covered in roofing material just like the roof of the “big” house, and is hinged to make changing the litter a cinch.
I would just make sure to add some insulation somehow to keep the draft out…also, I would want to make sure the entrance to the litterbox house was a flap door that could be locked if necessary. I’d hate to be out changing the litter and curiosity overwhelm my indoor cat to the point of a jail break when the roof was open!
Reply to this comment
Jay Shafer reply on April 16th, 2009 9:31 am:
1. There’s plenty of room in this one for a cat and its litter box.
2. Bricks will work fine and look great.
Reply to this comment
Jay,
I currently live in Iowa (Amana) and my wife and I are interested in your house plans. We have a few questions. For the houses like the Enesti what can you tell me about the heater and water heater? Also, is the fridge full size, or a mini fridge? We have one child now and are planing a second soon. We would like a full size fridge…is that possible?
We love your houses..people question what we’re doing (downsizing/minimizing), but they don’t understand how liberating it is!
Reply to this comment
Jay Shafer reply on April 16th, 2009 10:28 am:
They’ll understand better when they see the size of your payments and how much more time you have.
The fridge is full-sized. There is a washer/dryer combo under the counter. There is a tankless WH by Bosch and the heater is a glass front gas model (though I can’t access the name right off).
Reply to this comment
Wow… I really like thease houses. It would be great to see a little t shape house with a Gambrel roof on here someday. Heres a great example. http://www.flickr.com/photos/mister_goleta/2071192609/
Reply to this comment
Jay Shafer reply on April 20th, 2009 9:26 am:
Now that is cute.
Reply to this comment
I know right? Now get off your lazy butt and build me one! Heh. The guy who poasted it actually left the address in a comment under the pic so I found it on google earth and looked at the side view in which it seems a bit large to be even one of your larger houses.
Reply to this comment
I think you could access the bedroom adition through the seating area by having the seat and table fold put of the way, with the door behind the bench. This saves a significant amount of the kitchen working area and gives it a hidden secret room effect. Love these houses, I hope to move down to something like this when all 3 Kids are off to college!
Reply to this comment
How much land would you need to build the enesti with a little grass around for outdoor living? Do you know if this can be built in New York?
Reply to this comment
Jay Shafer reply on May 16th, 2009 12:02 pm:
About 30′x40′ minimum. This would work well in NY.
Reply to this comment
Jay Shafer reply on May 16th, 2009 12:03 pm:
Oh, make that 25 x 35.
Reply to this comment
I am moving to the Asheville NC area soon and want to live outside the city in a wooded, hilly, even mountainous area, wherever affordable land is available..
Are there any local contractors or builders who would build one of these houses for a for a low cost?
Also, is it possible to live in one of these houses in a place that doesn’t have electric/gas/water services?
I’d like to live as independently as possible and I know I could use a wood stove, probably do without air conditioning and if I could get land with water…well, does this seem possible?
Anyone in the Asheville area willing to do this with my help?
Even the smallest simplest house would be fine for me.
Appreciate any replies.
Kay
Reply to this comment
Jimmy Biggerstaff reply on May 13th, 2009 6:36 am:
Kay,
I am a GC in SC just below Asheville (<1hr.) and have had an interest in these for some time. I would be happy to discuss building one for you at a discounted price, as it would be my first build and I would appreciate the opportunity to learn a bit more about the build (material cost, labor, etc.)
Thanks,
Jimmy
Reply to this comment
Jay Shafer reply on May 16th, 2009 12:19 pm:
I don’t know of any builders right off, but I do know that these things work very well off-grid.
Reply to this comment
Thank you for your response, Jimmy!
I’m in the process of trying to sell my house now and then move someplace I can find affordable wooded land near Asheville.
I would like to contact you when I am closer to being able to build the “tiny house”. Since I don’t need a lot of space, I’ll probably choose one of the smallest ones.
Maybe we could communicate later about costs, etc. I don’t know what to expect yet.
If you’d like to send me a company name or other contact information, I’ll get back in touch when the time is closer.
Thanks again,
Kay
Reply to this comment
Jimmy Biggerstaff reply on May 14th, 2009 12:10 pm:
send me an e-mail address to jbiggerstaff@tnconst.com and I will send you all of my contact information.
Reply to this comment
I do not have any money to build one of your awesome homes but I can dream. I love to imagine winning a small lotto and building a dream get away. One night I was playing with your floor plans to come up with my dream cottage. While rewoking your plan I came up with the perfect solution to the laundry problem everyone seems to complain about. It requires a reworking of the 2nd floor but is soooo worth it. Contact me, Jay, if your interested in my idea,. It works for sebastarosa and enesti. It could also work for the b-53. One day I hope to build one of your homes as my dream cottage.
Thanks,
Diane
Reply to this comment
Jay Shafer reply on June 14th, 2009 5:10 am:
Thanks, Diane. I do include a W/D under the counter of these larger houses, but there’s always room for revision.
Reply to this comment
Diane reply on July 2nd, 2009 6:59 pm:
My thought was to shorten the closet in the bedroom facing the street (front of the house). At the landing of the stairs place a stackable washer/dryer combo. This would create a laundry close to the bedrooms similar to a second floor laundry. Enclose the laundry area with a pocket door and possibly include a drop down ironing board (in that flat landing area) for folding laundry or hanging it from underneath the ironing board. Sorry it took so long to replay back, I work midnights and do not check my e-mail as often as I should.
Reply to this comment
i have a question. i’m french, can i buy enesti and do myself the build?
how can i do? can you explain me, what must i do to have this house?
thank you
Reply to this comment
Jay Shafer reply on July 12th, 2009 2:03 pm:
Simply order plans from the plans page and start swinging that hammer (oh, and find out if your local authorities will allow it first).
Reply to this comment
Hello Jay,
I want to buy and build one of your houses! But we don’t need a house, which we can drive around and I really like your house! Do you think I can buy the plan of your house without wheels! By the way , I saw your houses on TV in Germany. Maybe you remember “Galileo”!!
So, do you think you can help me!
Thank you!
Reply to this comment
Jay Shafer reply on July 17th, 2009 10:48 am:
Yes, Moritz. You could just buy plans for one of my portable designs and modify the framing slightly to sit on piers or a basement. It would be simple.
Reply to this comment
What house would you recommend for a mom and her 5 children? I love all the house plans but don’t know what would be most practical for us. I need a full washer dryer in it because I’m cloth diapering the last baby. My husband is soon to be an ex but my kids are all handy and I think we could build our own house. Just don’t know which one would be best.
Reply to this comment
Jay Shafer reply on September 22nd, 2009 8:51 am:
It’s hard for me to say. Some would opt for several tiny houses on wheels. Others would be happy with everyone bunking in one room. Personally, I would need a room for every intended occupant, so something like the Enesti with an added bedroom on both sides and the back would work (5 BR total) so long as there was a XS House shell out back.
Reply to this comment
Wonderful concept! One of these would make a great retirement house. I have some furniture of my mom’s I’m attached to, and like having house guests. I could see myself in the Ernesti or Sebasarosa easily with 2 bedrooms only and an extra bath downstairs and no upper floor. No way am I living with stairs anymore. Another solution for families, and something for me, too, is a covered, enclosed patio. I love outdoor living space.
Reply to this comment
The Ernesti built in Maine doesn’t look at all like your model.
How did they change it?
Any more pictures of your model yet?
Reply to this comment
Jay Shafer reply on November 4th, 2009 10:23 pm:
They took off the porch, and, then, I shortened and squeezed the design by a few feet later on. It really isn’t the same anymore.
Reply to this comment
I’m not quite sure how your original intent of a house on wheels which doesn’t require a building code, etc. is really any different from a travel trailer.
I have yet to hear anyone mention how water and electricity is supplied, much less what happens to waste.
Travel trailers can be had for $20K easy.
If home is not wheeled and you don’t build it yourself then you offer nothing but kit plans and those are commonplace at best.
As well no mention of solar panels or wind turbines?
Personally I’d rather build an earthship. Cheaper MUCH stronger and MUCH more environmentally friendly. And the ultimate design is totally freeform. Though it is more labor intensive to be sure.
Anyways, always good to see multiple options.
Reply to this comment