I could never have successfully done this Home series without having at least one Tiny House featured. For the last year, I have considered these little houses to be the ideal form of home ownership. I find nothing more desirable than to not only live mortgage-free, but to be able to move your lovely abode at a moment’s notice. Coming from someone who is able to commit, but also loves to change her mind, I dream of one day owning a Tiny House. When I do make the decision to build one, I will turn to one of the best teacher’s around, Lora from the blog The Tiny House Teacher.

For some reason, the most compassionate souls seem to follow HSB. Lora is no exception. I have been in contact with her for a few months now, and her goodness, coupled with her knowledge regarding Tiny Homes, never ceases to astound me. It is apparent that she truly loves her life in her tiny abode, and strives to share that expertise with audiences both near and far. She was brave enough to make a major life change, and for that, I am thrilled to share her home story on my blog.

<3

Emory

1. Where is your home located?

Currently my Tiny House and I reside at an RV park in Georgia. I chose this location because it was close to work, but I am loving it because of everything it has to offer.

It is perfect for the outdoor activities I enjoy, with great hiking trails, a couple of small lakes and stables nearby.

But one of the best things about my Tiny House is that I can park it wherever I want in the future! The freedom of knowing I can move anywhere is incredibly liberating and exciting.

2. What are your thoughts on the idea of ‘home’?

My idea of home has always been more about the “feelings” a place evokes rather than the actual building or space. I have lived in 13 different states, 22 cities and 28 houses over the years. I have loved something about each of these homes, but I realize it’s my family and the experiences that I have had in each that made the house feel like a “home” to me.

I know a lot of people think about an actual location when they talk about their “home”…and I have always wondered what it would be like to have one place that came to mind. I guess for me, my home is a place that reflects who I am at that moment in life. Right now, that moment looks like a Tiny House!

“Home” is the place that has room for all of the things that are important to me. It has a cozy bed to sleep in, a place to cook, a bathroom for showers, and space for all of my passions and hobbies. Which right now include reading, writing, photography, triathlons and ballroom dancing!

Home is also a place where I can share memories that are important to me. One of my bucket list items is to run a half marathon in all 50 states. Last year for Christmas, my sister bought me an amazing medal board to showcase all of my race “bling.” When I started making my “must have” list for my Tiny House, it was at the top!

Overall, home is a place that feels like me. A space that represents all the things I love. A space that is organized and functional, but also comforting and relaxing. Most of all, my home is a space that encourages me to be thankful for what I have.

3. What kinds of things influence your design style?

My grandfather was an architect and my mom has always loved the designs of Frank Lloyd Wright. I grew up in a home that had clean lines, lots of windows and organized spaces. All of these things stuck and influenced my Tiny House design choices.

As I got older, I found myself pulled towards items that were functional and comfortable. I like things to look “clean,” but I don’t connect with spaces that feel too modern or sterile. I want the words cozy and relaxing to come to mind in my home. To me this means a lot of natural materials and comfy furniture.

A lot of people ask why I didn’t just move to an RV when I decided to go Tiny. The answer is always the same, “they don’t feel like home to me!” I don’t get a sense of comfort when I walk into an RV, they feel cold, impersonal and kind of cheap.

In fact, I stayed in one for a month before my Tiny House was delivered…and I hated it. Not because of the space, but because it didn’t really feel like me. It was dark, flimsy, and had limited storage. It was all of the things that didn’t appeal to me from a design standpoint.

The final item that influenced the design of my house was my strong need for organization and limited visual clutter. I have always been OCD to a certain extent, and I wanted to have storage spaces for all of the things I wanted to keep. I am not really a minimalist at heart, but I am an organizing fan (in fact, I had my own professional organizing company for 7 years). So as I started looking at designs, I knew I wanted to use all of the space I had effectively.

My design list looked something like this…I want a bright space, with lots of windows. It needs to be well constructed and feel like home. I want lots of storage, a functional kitchen and a loft bedroom. Because I knew what I was looking for, I was able to pick a design that met my requirements for light, comfort, quality and storage. And I am thrilled with the results!

4. What do you consider to be one of your favourite items in your home? What could you never live without?

This was the toughest question. Downsizing requires you to do a lot of self-reflection on the things that are important to you, but it’s hard to limit my “favorite” items to just one.

I will say that one of the first things on my “must-keep” list for my Tiny House were my books. I love to read! When I started thinking about downsizing one of the things that made me most nervous was the idea of getting rid of all of my books. I did end up donating over 200 to a local library near my old house, but I also had a custom bookcase made to hold all of my favorites.

I also realized that I wanted technology to be part of my Tiny Life. I use my iPad and Computer daily, in part because I am a technology junkie and partly because they allow me to pursue my new found passion for writing and blogging.

I also couldn’t live without my Monkey…he is my traveling buddy and awesome pal. And as you can see, he is quite fond of our Tiny House Life!

5. Please share any ideas/stories/pictures that best highlight your home.

The first night I climbed in my bed in my Tiny House, I knew I had made the perfect choice. When I climbed up into my loft and looked out at my new space, I felt like a little kid with a treehouse. It was the best feeling ever!

A lot of people asked me what it’s like living with my dog in my Tiny House, and I can say it’s awesome. I own a two year old Australian Shepherd named Rocket and he has lots of energy! But we take lots of walks in the evening and he is adjusting well.

About a month after I moved to the RV park, I noticed that some people named their RV’s. I didn’t want my Tiny House to feel left out, plus I really liked the idea of giving my house some personality, so I decided to go on a quest for a name. I posted my challenge on my Facebook and Twitter accounts, and I got tons of great ideas.

I decided on Ma’alahi…which means simplicity in Hawaii. This name resonated with me because it was unique, sounded pretty and because I read my first book about Tiny Houses on a trip to Hawaii. It just seemed like a perfect fit! Now I just have to get a sign for the outside. :-)

Lora

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If you would like to take part in this series, entitled Home, please email me at helloscarlettblog@outlook.com.

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