Denetra shifts quickly between effusing gratitude and being overtly blunt. The contrast makes her credible and refreshing, a straightforward tiny homeowner worth listening to. Denetra acknowledges that a tiny home comes with challenges, such as steep stairs, limited space, and storage constraints. Her criticism of the washer/dryer is emblematic of her candidness:

“I do not like it. I’m just going to be real with y’all. I would not get this. I do not think that washers and dryers need to be together.”

Within minutes of watching her YouTube video, the viewer is quick to notice Denetra’s personality is emblazoned into her tiny home, aptly named Bethany Blue.

Tiny Home owners have a long history of naming their tiny homes. Read the article here.

A vegan with a diet that excludes gluten, soy and oil, she’s left with little choice but to cook her own meals. Luckily born with a penchant for cooking, the kitchen is the centerpiece of her tiny home. Denetra opted for the built-in pantry and added even more kitchen storage after her home arrived. She modified several shelves and cabinets, even downsizing her kitchen appliances so they would all fit neatly. Another clever addition was a custom ottoman/side table she designed at the end of the kitchen.

The kitchen is the centerpiece

Pantry built by Tumbleweed

Like her kitchen, her closet also got a custom makeover. She removed the standard rod, added some shelves, and went crazy at the container store. Additional storage options were purchased at IKEA. She humorously mentions that if she ever gets married, her partner will only have enough space for their underwear, as she has efficiently organized every nook and cranny of her tiny abode.

The journey wasn’t always smooth sailing. Like many, Denetra had contemplated tiny living but was hesitant about the logistics of setting up a foundation with water hookups and electricity. And then, there was the cost. Denetra explored the used tiny home market, but was scared off by the “gargantuan” interest rates. And like so many tiny home enthusiasts, she struggled with the idea of a more expensive new home but found that new home payments just made sense, “I went through Tumbleweed and had to go through the whole custom route, which made it more expensive. And I actually was really happy that I did that because I ended up getting a tiny home mortgage loan, and as a result of that, the interest rate was way lower.”
Despite the original uncertainty and eventual leap of faith, Denetra couldn’t be happier.

Relaxing in the bay window.

Denetra shares hers story in this amazing video by Tiny House Expedition.

Photos courtesy of Tiny House Expedition.