Compact Appliances

Small Compact Appliances For Small Housing

You can find regular size appliances anywhere. All the furniture and appliance stores carry a big supply – lots of makes and models to choose from. But that is not the case when you are looking for small compact appliances. The choices are few and far between.

When you look through traditional stores, you’ll probably end up settling for whatever they have to offer. There is not much selection.

Click Here to Shop at Compact Appliances

Appliances For A Small Home

You don’t have to settle for whatever you can find in your local store.

I have found an online store that has a big selection of all the appliances you could want for your tiny home, small home, little cottage, RV, etc…

You’ll be happy to see that they have a specific section dedicated to appliances to fit in tiny houses, and another dedicated to appliances for an RV. Both of these are specialty items.

This store is probably the first I’ve seen to have done that. Most other stores, whether a physical store that you personally visit or another online store, simply have the small and compact appliances mixed in with the traditional ones. You have to search through them all to find what you need. And there is not much to choose from.

This is certainly easier than going to each store in your area only to be disappointed. Everything you need in one location, and you can browse from the comfort of your home. That’s my kind of shopping.

They have everything from what you absolutely need, to want you could want.

As an example, they carry:

• Air Quality – Air Conditioners – portable and window models, Dehumidifiers, Heaters, Humidifiers, Air Purifiers, Fans
  Appliances – Ice Makers, Washers & Dryers, Freezers, Refrigerators, Dishwashers
• Cooking – Ranges, Cooktops, Microwaves, Kitchen Electrics
• Outdoor Appliances – Outdoor Heaters, Firepits/Chimineas, Outdoor Fridges, Outdoor Ice Makers, Outdoor Freezers, Outdoor Kegerators, Travel Coolers, Grills & Smokers
• Wine & Beverage – Wine Coolers, Beverage Coolers, Kegerators, Water Coolers, Coffee & Tea Makers
• Clearance – Open Box Items
• Commercial – All of the above for commercial use

Looks like they’ve thought of everything.

When it’s time for us to shop for what we’ll need for our future small home, the Compact Appliances store is where I’ll be shopping.

http://affordablehousingdesigns.com/compact-appliances/compact-appliances/ Joanne

Two Day Left

Free DVD And Book

There are only three (3) days left to take advantage of Tumbleweed’s offer for a Free DVD and Book when you register for one of their Workshops.

Buy Your Workshop Tickets Here

The value of the free DVD and book is $80.

This sale ends at midnight on May 31, 2015.

If you have been on the fence about registering and attending one of their weekend workshops, now is the time you’ll want to make your plans.

http://affordablehousingdesigns.com/the-latest/specials/two-day-left/ Joanne

New To Our Website

New Books, New House Plans

We’ve been busy. We’ve been adding some things we’ve been thinking about for awhile, to the Affordable Housing Designs website.

Over the past few day we’ve added two books and some small house design plans.

New Books

Both are information about shipping container homes. These are another version of tiny houses that has been growing in popularity over the years. Just like traditional tiny houses, they can be as simple or as luxurious as you want yours to be. They can be customized to your own personality and needs.

The books that we added to the Books menu (you can click on the links below or go to the Books link in the top menu bar. On the Books page, you will see a list of books in the right side menu.) The two new books are called:

Building A Container Home

Shipping Container Design and Construction

The building process is not quite the same as you will find with traditional tiny homes so it’s important to understand what you need to do and need before beginning the planning and designing process.

I haven’t bought and reviewed these books myself so can’t vouch for the quality, but from the description, they appear to have good information.

Small House Design Plans

We recently became aware that many people are interested in downsizing, but not necessarily into a tiny house. For this reason, we made the decision to add another section to our website. A section dedicated to small house plans. We are currently looking for quality websites that provide house plans in the small size range – approximately 300 square feet to 1000 square feet.

On the majority of these websites, you’ll need to specify your square foot range to get a listing of houses within that range of sizes.

On this new page, you’ll find a list of sites that have house plans in that range.

Small Home Designs

As of today, there is only one small home design site listed but we’ll be adding more of the quality sites as we find them. Expect more to be added within the week.

http://affordablehousingdesigns.com/the-latest/new-to-our-website/ Joanne

Silo Studio Cottage

Romantic Tiny Cottage Rental For Two

This tiny rental cottage is very unique and adorable. It’s cute, charming, and romantic – inside and outside. It’s like a tree house, but on the ground.

If you are looking for an intimate getaway, this may just be the place for you.

It was formerly a sculptor’s studio renovated into a charming cottage.

You’ll need to take a look at all the pictures to get a full feel of this place.

It’s located in the Berkshires of Western MA, US. Specifically, on the Santarella Estate in Tyringham.

There is one loft bedroom with a queen size bed. When you take a look at the pictures, you’ll understand one reason why they call it a place for romance.

On the lower level, there is one bathroom, and a sitting area.

There isn’t really a kitchen. From what I can tell, there is a sink, a small fridge, a little counter space, and a microwave.

Some of the amenities include wireless internet and cable TV.

The surrounding outdoor areas and gardens are absolutely gorgeous. There is a brook and a lily pond nearby. And a chimnea and firewood that can be used by guests. Certainly a place to sit, enjoy the outdoors, and relax.

Click Here for More Information

The two acre wooded area has walking paths for a little outing and exercise.

The town is about three miles away.

The owners live on the property, but guests are given all the privacy they want.

It is a popular place to rent, and has a full 5 star review rating. Not surprisingly – you’ll understand when you take a look at the pictures.

It looks like the perfect rental cottage for a mini vacation for two.

http://affordablehousingdesigns.com/the-latest/rentals/silo-studio-cottage/ Joanne

From The Heart

You Don’t Know What Tomorrow Will Bring

There are a few blogs and Facebook pages that I follow regularly because they have great, honest, and interesting information. Stuff that comes from the heart.

This morning, on one of these pages, there was a post that touched a nerve, and my heart. This lady lost her husband six years ago today from cancer. He was only in his early 40’s.

Rather than publish what she wrote verbatim (which is frowned upon), I’ll give you the gist of what she wrote.

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You don’t know what tomorrow will bring.

On my husbands death bed, he had many regrets. One of his biggest regrets is that he put his job above his family.

A job is just a job.

Bills are only bills.

Living is the most important thing. These are things that most people only reflect upon when their time has come.

Do you want to look back and have regrets?

Everyday, from the moment I wake up until I go to sleep, I make sure I am living life. With everything I do, I decide if it will bring me happiness or regret.

If you want to do something, just Do It.

Never forget to tell the ones you love, that you Love Them because each moment is a gift.

Savor every moment.

Make each day count.

Each day is another page in your life journey, and you are slowly writing your own eulogy. Make it all count.

Don’t limit yourself.

Don’t worry about what other people say or do.

Who Cares? As long as you are happy, that is what matters.

No one has anything to say about your happiness but you.

You don’t need to justify your actions to anyone but yourself.

Be the master of your own happiness.

If someone you love were to die tomorrow, do they know you love them? Have you given your all to them? Would your last memory of that person be a great moment?

You never know when that last moment will come, so make every day count.

Be good, be loving, be happy!

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I know this is a little off track, but her words are so true. They come from the heart. From someone who has been through heartbreak.

Although my story is not quite like hers, I also experienced loss. Not only loss of family members that are dear to me, but loss of my health.

Throughout my life I did just as she said we shouldn’t. My job and money was a priority for too many years. It was only through loss that I realized what was really important.

If you’ve been following me for awhile, you’ll already know that it was that loss that brought me to a much better and healthier lifestyle.

In a nutshell, I downsized my life in almost every aspect – including my house which was one of the biggest stresses in my old life. Getting rid of our biggest debt and headache (the house), has allowed us to make improvements in all other aspects of our life.

If you want to find out more about downsizing, take a look around this website. There is lots of info about the tiny house companies, plans and designs, books, and workshops. Reading through the blog (The Latest) you’ll also find lots of great insight and information.

It’s been three years in our new lifestyle, and I continue to improve and live happier than ever before.

My only regret is that I didn’t realize sooner how much better life can be when you make changes.

We (my husband and myself) are much close and happier. What caused stress (and problems) have been virtually eliminated and our lives are much better.

I’ll end with the same thing as “she” said:

Be Good, Be Loving, Be Happy!

http://affordablehousingdesigns.com/the-latest/from-the-heart/ Joanne

Issue 29 – Magazine About Tiny Houses

29th Issue Of Tiny House Magazine

Issue #29 of the magazine for tiny house enthusiasts is ready for you.

Buy Latest Issue Of Tiny House Magazine

One issue is only $4.99, and it is delivered to you immediately in PDF format. You can read it on your desktop, your laptop, on your mobile device, or if you prefer – print it to read.

What’s in this issue?

Much (but not all) of this edition is about bus conversions. If you haven’t seen or read anything about bus conversions, you are in for a treat. Some things that can be done, and have been done with buses are really interesting.

Just like with tiny houses that have been built from scratch, there are some really creative thinking when it comes to re-purposing a bus. You get to fully customize your home. The layout and the decor.

This issue has 75 pages of great pictures and articles.

http://affordablehousingdesigns.com/the-latest/issue-29-magazine-about-tiny-houses/ Joanne

Free DVD and Book

Register For A Workshop and Get A Free Book And DVD

For the month of May, Tumbleweed has a great promotion going on.

About The Tiny House Workshop Promotion

Here’s the scoop:

When you buy a ticket for one of their tiny house workshops, you will get a Free DVD and a Free Book. This is probably the best time to book your weekend workshop. They are held in various locations throughout the year in US and Canada.

Find A Tiny House Workshop Near You

These meetups are with experts on this subject – sometimes its the designers, the builders, the construction crew, and maybe even all of them. There may also be people who have already built their small house. And of course, other like-minded people that you can get to know and network with.

The thing that is the same with each, no matter who is running it, you will learn most of what you need to get started on your own little house building.

It doesn’t matter which stage you are at: planning, designing, or building…you will get something of value from the two days.

And with this promotion, you can get even more to take home – a free DVD and a free Book.

The promotion ends at the end of May 2015 so you will want to get registered before then.

http://affordablehousingdesigns.com/the-latest/free-dvd-and-book/ Joanne

Cottage Village

Vacation In A Tiny House Village

We are finding villages built with tiny houses. Some of them are permanent housing for people that want to live in a community of like-minded people. Others are built for low-income people and families.

There are also a growing number of communities that have been built for the purpose of enjoying a vacation without the huge costs.

You can find tiny vacation homes with only the basic amenities and others with many of the luxuries – all fit into a little house.

Village of Wildflowers Vacation Community is one such community. I can’t tell how many houses there are for rent on the property. The houses look like they are well taken care of, and might be a nice place to vacation.

There are two lakes and walking trails for your enjoyment.

Once again, the owners (unfortunately) didn’t take the time to give a better description of the property, surrounding areas, and houses. The reason I’ve added it to the rentals list is that the two images that they have provided look like they are very nice, and fairly new.

I would consider staying in one.

If you would like more information that what they’ve provided, you could write to them asking for more.

Some of the specifics:

• The cost is $119 per night.
• There is one bedroom and one bathroom.
• The house is 400 square feet.
• It’s located in Flat Rock, North Carolina.

The amenities that are listed include air conditioning, heating, TV, and wireless internet.
Pets are allowed.

You can rent a little house for your vacation and enjoy various locations throughout the year, or you can find your ideal property and build your own cottage.

http://affordablehousingdesigns.com/the-latest/rentals/cottage-village/ Joanne

All Settled In

We Are Back In Our RV

We are all settled back into our RV for the summer. We are spending the next few weeks at our current location, then heading our to our summer destination.

That’s where the exciting part happens. We’ve made a decision.

Let me explain. For the past year or so, we have been going back and forth between two location that we really love, trying to decide which one is best for us. We’ve been staying at our first choice since September 2014 and looking for a place to rent. We haven’t been successful for a number of reasons.

• Our biggest barrier is that we have three dogs (they are not small dogs – greyhounds). Although they are extremely well-behaved, quiet, friendly, and clean, it is the stigma of a “big dog” that turns renters off.
• The area we were looking in is very popular due to the fantastic climate. Winters are mild, so many snowbirds come to spend the winter.
• Summers are hot and dry so it is very popular during the summer.
• Most of the rentals are seasonal. The few long-term rentals that would allow dogs are not quite to the standards we are looking for.
• We want a very small house, but they are few and far between here.

So, after months of looking, we have decided to head off to our second choice location which is equally as nice. The climate may not be as ideal but it is still very nice. The biggest differences are:

• Winters are mild but not as dry as here. The summer months are fabulous.
• It is a small city instead of a small town.

The added bonus of this choice is that it is near the ocean which means easy access to whale watching, and fishing and crabbing. In addition, the cost of housing is slightly less than here.

We are ready to settle to a more permanent location. It has been almost three years since we started this journey and although we love the freedom, we are ready to put down roots again.

Settling down will also allow me to build up my business. I’ll still work from home, but it will make it easier to form relationships with some local businesses.

That doesn’t mean we will stop traveling completely. We will just take numerous trips throughout the year.

It is very exciting to have finally made a firm decision. We are really looking forward to having a permanent location to call home.

I have always loved house hunting. It’s fun to see various house designs and how get decorating ideas.

We are not going to buy at this time; we are going to rent for a year or so to make sure it is exactly where we want to be.

We’ll be looking for a small house or condo. We decided long ago that a big house is not for us. A big house is too much work, too much expense, and we are quite happy in a little space. After all, we have been living in a very little place for years.

http://affordablehousingdesigns.com/the-latest/all-settled-in/ Joanne

How To Build A Tiny House Recycling

Building A Tiny House With Salvaged Materials

Not everyone wants to build a house with all new materials. Some people want to use a combination of new and used; others want it to be built entirely with recycled material. There is no right way or wrong way.

The decision depends on a number of factors:

• How much money you have.
• How much money you want to spend.
• How much time you have.
• If you want to be environmentally friendly.

When using recycled materials, you have lots to choose from. Anything from traditional to eclectic.

Are you wondering how to build a tiny house using salvaged materials?

One option is to start with your design, find the materials you need, and then make the changes to accommodate what you find.

Here’s a great place to start with your house plan.

It’s as simple as visiting:

• A salvage store. You can usually find all kinds of goodies there, from small to large items.
• A dump. Most of the dumps we’ve been to have separate areas for trash and things that can be recycled.
• Trash pickup days. Tour around on trash day. Many times people will put out items that can be reused in your home.
• Online for sale by owner. You can often find what you need by keeping an eye out on places like Craigslist, Freecycle, and Kijiji.

We’ve used material from salvaged stores many times when doing renovations to houses we’ve owned. Our last project (a few years ago), we found enough laminate flooring to completely redo an entire floor in our house. Apparently a contractor had ordered the wrong color for a client and gave the entire shipment to our local salvage store. We just happened to be in the market for that type of flooring.

In all of these locations, we’ve been able to find windows, doors, and even furniture that are in good to great shape.

Doing it this way saves you money. And you can add character to your home.

Keep in mind that with non-traditional building material, sometimes you will need to modify your design to incorporate what you find.

You will also want to make sure that what you plan to use is safe, sturdy and will withstand time.

An added bonus is that you will avoid the issue of excessive chemicals that are present in many materials that are new.

Salvaged materials can be used for building your tiny house whether you want a traditional look or something that is true to your character. There are many more reasons to recycle than to buy new.

http://affordablehousingdesigns.com/the-latest/how-to-build-a-tiny-house-recycling/ Joanne