Small House Charm - Jewelry Style!

Small (and tiny) house charms by Bobbie Marquette

Including a link to a jewelry maker’s website is something of a one off for us in our monthly mailing, but we think when you see these handcrafted little beauties made by our good friend Bobbie Marquette you’ll understand why we couldn’t resist sharing with you! 

Bobbie has been handcrafting unique and gorgeous jewelry for years and has recently shared with us her delightful tiny house series of pendants. 

Check out more tiny house charms and pendants at bmcharmed.com

As a fellow bird lover, I’ve always been a big fan of her avian inspired pieces, but I have to admit that these cute little tiny house charms are a real temptation and perhaps might make a special gift for the small and tiny house lover and dreamer in your life.

Please check out her new website and let her know what you think! Or, visit her blog to see photos of her new studio, enjoy her latest work, and subscribe to her mailing list.

source Blog - THE small HOUSE CATALOG http://ift.tt/1TN4eam

No. 28 - Cedrus

 

A hint of mid-century modern

The Cedrus is the first in series of mid-century modern inspired plans I'm creating as I work toward developing a design our next building project. Having built a few small houses most would describe as more "traditional" I've been eager to try my hand at something entirely new. Much original mid-century modern residential architecture is notoriously energy in-efficient and built using methods that cannot be replicated today due to smarter energy codes, mandatory seismic requirements, among other reasons. 

And the discovery of the Japanese engawa

Last summer a some clients visited us on our San Juan Island building site and they gifted us a modern classic book on Japanese architecture, Measure and Construction of the Japanese House by Heino Engel. I found this book to be so refreshing because it illustrates how wood can be used to design beautiful, meaningful, long-lasting structures that have the potential to last centuries. As someone who lives, designs and builds in a seismic zone, I'm intrigued that so much traditional Japanese wooden architecture is still standing today. 

I confess I don't have the skills to pull off the type of joinery that holds together classical Japanese architecture. Perhaps some day. But as someone who enjoys working alone - and with my wife - moving posts and beams is not something I can easily do so even with such skills I'm not sure I'd ever approach a building project with the intention of using them.

What I took from the book was not technique but design. I really like the the long views, the banks of windows, and especially the engawa, or porch, that is typical in a Japanese house. A long and narrow engawa was part of my original iteration but replaced by a simple patio to reduce costs and speed the plan through code enforcement. The patio effect is similar and still pleasing to me and if I ever build this house I'd not hesitate to add an engawa.

Plan features

At only 1024 square feet the plan features two bedrooms and two baths, each of which can be closed off with unobtrusive pocket doors doors from the rest of the house to create full private ensuites; an obvious entryway, for some reason too often missing on modern houses, opens onto a long hallway that delivers a long, clean view with glass windows and doors to the left and built-in cabinets and shelves to the right. 

The sleeping areas are also one-step up from the rest of the house to create a cozier atmosphere in those rooms.

The main room has plenty of south facing windows, large kitchen and dining area, and a comfortable living space for relaxing by the fireplace.

Details

• Bedrooms: 2
• Bathrooms: 1-3/4 
• Ceiling heights: 10'-0" sloping to 8'-0"
• Conditioned space: 1024 
• Foundation type: Insulated slab
• Print size: 24" x 36"
• Immediate PDF download with license to build
• Design criteria: 2015 IRC, 2012 WA State Energy Code

Notes & features: Super-insulated envelope, 2x6 walls with 2x2 furring, double ensuites, designed for southern exposure. 

Renderings are approximate and are not literal representations of the designs. Designs are subject to change without notice.

Signature House Plan

This is an original plan that we created only last month. It's been a year since I've been able to share a signature design with my subscribers. I hope this house proves worth the wait for some of you! By the way there are now more than 14,000 of you subscribing by email and almost twice as many on Facebook. Your enthusiasm keeps me inspired to maintain the free plan program.

Watermark ©THE small HOUSE CATALOG

Because individuals and websites have been reselling our copyrighted free house plans without permission a watermark will be added to new plans in an effort to deter theft. The free plans are free and can be submitted to building departments with the watermark. 

Download

source Blog - THE small HOUSE CATALOG http://ift.tt/1oUCSUG

HFP Design Cease & Desist Order Public Notice

CEASE AND DESIST DEMAND

Pursuant to Title 17 of the United States Code

February 23, 2016

HFP DESIGN

1980 US Highway 1, Building #3

New Brunswick, NJ  08902-4418

 

To Whom It May Concern:

 

Pursuant to Title 17 of the United States Code

I am writing to notify you that your unlawful copying of THE small HOUSE CATALOG for resale and distribution without permission infringes upon exclusive copyrights. Accordingly, you are hereby directed to

CEASE AND DESIST ALL COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT.

I, Shawn A. Dehner, am the owner of a copyright in various aspects of THE small HOUSE CATALOG. Under United States copyright law, these copyrights have been in effect since the date that THE small HOUSE CATALOG was created. All copyrightable aspects of THE small HOUSE CATALOG are copyrighted under United States copyright law.

It has come to my attention that you have been copying plans from THE small HOUSE CATALOG and deleting pertinent copyrights, logo, disclaimer and safety information, including engineering requirements. I have record of your unlawful copies to preserve as evidence. Your actions constitute copyright infringement in violation of United States copyright laws. Under 17 U.S.C. 504, the consequences of copyright infringement include statutory damages of between $750 and $30,000 per work, at the discretion of the court, and damages of up to $150,000 per work for willful infringement. If you continue to engage in copyright infringement after receiving this letter, your actions will be evidence of “willful infringement.”

I demand that you immediately (A) cease and desist your unlawful copying of THE small HOUSE CATALOG and (B) provide me with prompt written assurance within ten (10) days that you will cease and desist from further infringement of my copyrighted works.

If you do not comply with this cease and desist demand within this time period, I am entitled to use your failure to comply as evidence of “willful infringement” and seek monetary damages and equitable relief for your copyright infringement. In the event you fail to meet this demand, please be advised that I will instruct my attorney to communicate to you that it will contemplate pursuing all available legal remedies, including seeking monetary damages, injunctive relief, and an order that you pay court costs and attorney’s fees. Your liability and exposure under such legal action could be considerable.

I wish to give you one opportunity to discontinue your illegal conduct by complying with this demand within ten (10) days. You must remove all copyrighted material from the website www.hfpdesign.com and agree to no longer sell or distribute any material from THE small HOUSE CATALOG. 

Accordingly, please sign and return the attached Agreement within ten (10) days to

[FIRM NAME]

[FIRM ADDRESS]

[FIRM CITY, STATE, ZIP]

Fax: [FIRM FAX NUMBER]

If you or your attorney have any questions, please contact me directly.

Sincerely,

Shawn A. Dehner

220 Blair Avenue #434

Friday Harbor, WA 98250

support@thesmallhousecatalog.com

 

source Blog - THE small HOUSE CATALOG http://ift.tt/1WH3GCl

Island House Update: Casing the Joint

We have achieved an aesthetic milestone this week! We have begun and largely finished casing the windows and doors throughout the house. We had a load of trim material delivered a week and a half ago and allowed it to acclimate while taking a couple of days to celebrate Shawn's birthday and catch up on drafting work. 

This past week we set to cutting all the components to trim the windows and doors - inner and outer casings, head casings, aprons and sills. Many components, all needing their cuts and some sanding, made for a good week of work and are now largely installed. The wood is raw at this point but this coming week will see the priming and painting be worked on. 

We also placed a large order for kitchen door hardware and hinges and drawer slides from Lee Valley (love those free shipping events!). Shawn is using a Blum jig for the hinge installation and is beginning to get excited to try it out. We are getting closer and closer to kitchen cabinet work, though there are still a few weeks to go and the first floor ceiling needs to be insulated for noise and the beautiful Pac Pine ceiling panels installed before we get there. 

Still and all, it's felt like a solid and sane week of good progress on the finishing work and we're looking forward to the weeks to come. Now things are really starting to come together, something, perhaps even more than birthdays, to celebrate!

source Blog - THE small HOUSE CATALOG http://ift.tt/1oVydSe

Beekeeper's Bungalow - Nova Scotia, Canada

A modified Beekeeper's Bungalow in Eastern Canada.

source Blog - THE small HOUSE CATALOG http://ift.tt/1Q0lO6e

Island House: stairs, built-ins, and more in progress

The last couple of weeks we’ve been busy on the house but also away a bit and working hard at drafting work. It feels at last as though there’s something to share…

We’ve continued to work on the stairs…the treads and risers are installed, sanded and varnished. Shawn built the two newel posts up and they came out very nicely. They will be painted, so there’s still some work to be done on them. We also began the process of installing the balusters in preparation for the handrails to go on, getting the two sets built and sanded and ready for primer and paint. We also installed a temporary handrail to meet basic life safety requirements, and it really is nice to have it there, especially now that the treads are varnished and slippery in socks.  We have a bit more to do, mostly priming and painting on my part, till Shawn can install the final handrails and we can call the stairs completed, but we should make good progress on that this next week.

We also installed the shelving for the built in bookcases, got the shelves varnished (really enjoying varnishing!) and brought home boxes and boxes of books (they are friends, really, and the house feels happier with them living here too) to brighten things up. The built ins will eventually have faceplates put on the outside to give a trim to them, but in the meantime, we like the way they have come out. It minimizes our need for furniture (we move a lot!) and keeps hallways open. The height of the shelving really emphasizes the high ceilings.

Lastly, Shawn completed the last kitchen cabinet unit, which is a wine rack. We had a tiny space left after the dishwasher on the north side of the kitchen and puzzled over how to complete it, the wine rack seemed to do the trick. We have not yet bought a bottle of wine to test its virtues, but perhaps that will be in the somewhat near future.

Next on the list, we’ll be diving into our next delivery of trim wood. Shelving for the kitchen cabinets in on tap (no doors yet…saving that) and moulding throughout the house. Also, window trim material is coming, so there may be a bit of that to show - there’s always big satisfaction in seeing the ragged edges of drywall covered up and window sills in place. Our last big interior projects, still waiting in the wings, are the installation of the first floor ceiling (a tongue in groove pine), trim priming/painting, and building the kitchen cabinet doors.

source Blog - THE small HOUSE CATALOG http://ift.tt/20iSe0B

Texas Round House

An introduction by the designer, James Bryan

 

Retirement is still five years away for this middle school teacher, but that hasn’t stopped me from dreaming of a little cabin in the woods for weekend getaways and school vacations in the meantime. In thinking about this cabin, I had several requirements: it should be small enough that it would not require a lot of time each weekend to maintain, yet be large enough so it wouldn’t seem claustrophobic during extended vacations; it should be energy efficient, as it would likely be built off-the-grid; and it should incorporate as many stock building items as possible in order to keep the total cost within a limited budget for a second home.

Why a round house?

Primarily, that aesthetic appealed to me; it was something different and unexpected. Secondly, the yurt, teepee, and igloo were traditional round dwellings that provided efficient heating and cooling, and I suspect that this round house would provide those same qualities. Thirdly, utilizing a pitched roof would provide passive cooling during the summers, and it would be the perfect platform for a solar system. Finally, a round structure might be more aerodynamic, allowing high winds to flow around it with little resistance – an important consideration in tornado-prone Texas.

Fortunately, Shawn Dehner (THEsmallHOUSECATALOG.com) understood what I was trying to do, and created building plans that incorporated all of my round house ideas. While the framing of the round house will certainly challenge any construction team, I believe this round house could be an interesting option for many people:

• As stated above, a round house is different and unexpected.

• At 616 sq’, it is the size to which many weekenders can relate and can be built within a moderate budget.

• Building off-the-grid using solar (and possibly wind) power to generate electricity is an idea that is gaining interest among home owners and builders.

• A fireplace, when needed, should provide more than enough heat for this small house in the cooler months, thus requiring no HVAC systems. Keeping all of the interior walls to 8’ allows for maximizing the airflow during warm summer months.

• Plumbing is concentrated to one quarter of the space and away from outside walls for the most part, thus reducing the opportunity for frozen pipes in the winter months. I’ve also elected to include an on-demand water heater. The prices for on-demand units have come down significantly in recent years, and the small difference in price between on-demand and traditional water heaters is offset by the smaller space required, less energy needed to heat the water for my shower, and the maintenance required to drain the tank when the cabin is not occupied.

• Stock items, like kitchen cabinets and appliances are built along squared interior walls, leaving the curved exterior walls free for an abundance of windows. Every space, including the bathroom, has some natural light.

Other advantages of this round house:

• The “bedroom nook” offers a cozy, cocoon-like sleeping space without sacrificing much space. Built-in drawers under the bed platform eliminate the need for a dresser. All that the bedroom nook needs is a lighting sconce for reading in bed, a small side table for a book and an alarm clock (although I’m not sure why I’d need an alarm clock), and possibly a padded bench under the windows for taking off my shoes at the end of a long day.

• Although one might not expect a washer/dryer in a cabin, I knew that finding a laundromat (or washateria as they are called in Texas) might be miles from the cabin, and who wants to spend the time driving to the next town to do laundry? The open closet takes little space and eliminates all of those doors in a tight space.

• The kitchen includes everything you need – except a dishwasher. Although there is space for one, that wasn’t a priority for me, so I opted out on that. With more cabinet space and a large panty, there is plenty of space to stock up on grocery items so I’m not frequently making long drives to far away grocery stores.

• At 30” in height, the cabinet next to the stove will actually be a desk and have a 6” space above the desktop for an electrical outlet for my laptop and phone charger. The left cabinet door will hide the knee space and will hold a small stool; a 2-shelf cabinet on the right has space for a printer on the lower shelf and office supplies on the top shelf. When not in use, the laptop can be stored here above on the printer, and the desktop becomes a small buffet or bar area when guests arrive. (“Margaritas? Fire up the blender!”)

• The interior closet next to the front door is covered by a plant ledge, and the round window above it provides natural life for the plants; the round window, visible inside and out, reflecting the “round” motif of the cabin.

• Eight large windows in the living room bring the outdoors inside. The fireplace, with flat screen above it, is the focal point of the room. With the television on the outside wall, there is no glare on the screen coming from the windows. A full-sized sofa fits along the long wall opposite the fireplace, and two lounge chairs flank the fireplace area.

• Not shown in the drawings is the deck area, as this will likely be somewhat dependent on the building site and its elevations. However, I image that the deck will extend about 4’ from the diameter on the east and west of the cabin and 4’ from the back of the fireplace chase. It will then be squared off across the front (about 36’) and run down the cabin sides just past the windows in the dining area and bedroom nook. This will allow for large outdoor living area off the front door and a hot tub area off the bedroom door.

• The exterior closet (near the hot tub area) provides a storage place not only for some spa accessories, but the upper portion (to the roof) provides a space for the solar panel converters and batteries.

At its core, the 616 sq’ round house is simply a cabin in the woods for two people, not a suburban showplace home for a small family. It meets all of my requirements for a small, comfortable, off-the-grid living environment. Thanks, Shawn, for taking my vision to the next level. I can’t imagine a more relaxing place to get away!

Note: This plan is designed to incorporate an owner designed and built deck. You will also need to design an appropriate deck or stairs. 

download

source Blog - THE small HOUSE CATALOG http://ift.tt/1QSapcL