It’s no secret that we’re fans of tiny things, but architects, we are not. Still, the thought of having a tiny dollhouse just wasn’t something we could shake so we went on a trip to research – and sneak in some R&R.
To begin this endeavor, it was approached as all projects are – with sketches, blueprints, and pouring over endless design books for inspiration. Many versions were drafted and tweaked until we said, “F-this” (well I said that) and just got down to creating the actual model. Off to the dollar store we went to fill up on poster board and pins. Then came the fun part of winging it and seeing what worked and what didn’t. Prototype after prototype was created. Idea after idea was explored. Yet, something just wasn’t right. We needed hands on experience and more in depth research of what it was like to live in a tiny house.
We rented a tiny home for an overnight extravaganza and had a friend come visit with her kiddos so we could really get the full experience. The site we stayed at was right on the water and had fishing dock, firepit, and lots of activities for the kiddos. They had a blast playing volleyball, fishing, making s’mores and just doing good old fashioned kid stuff.
The tiny home not only provided a fun experience, but a practical one too. It allowed me to measure various building aspects, see what worked or could be improved, and soak up tiny home living for a little while. Even Charlie, our dragon, was loving it.
Then the next day, we went to an actual tiny home builder and explored more possibilities of tiny living. We saw tiny homes on wheels, single wide, and double wide stationary versions. Each home was custom built for it’s owner and had unique features. Some even had balconies!
On the ride back home, Chase was so inspired that he sketched out ideas of what our dream tiny home would be. It included all the basic necessities – a place to lounge, work, entertain, relax, store books, and a chandelier for a “wow” factor. There was even a special spot just for Charlie, naturally.
Back in the workshop, production began again on the tiny house dollhouse armed with a fresh game plan and real-life dimensions. Designing this particular home had it’s own set of rules and challenges, but now we were definitely more equipped to tackle them. After a few tweaks and some input from fellow miniature enthusiasts, it finally all clicked and fell into place. You can see the latest version of it on Instagram here and it decorated for the holidays here.
The prototype is still in a very rough foam core phase, but the vision is clear as day. Next step is to actually have it laser cut on wood and continue with the interior furnishings. For such a tiny home this has been a huge undertaking, but the joy the process has brought us is unmeasurable.
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