Merete Mueller and Christopher Smith had absolutely no experience in building houses, but they were able to achieve greatness by believing in themselves and the project they set out on together. Through their determination, the couple was able to construct a 127-square-foot wonder they're proud to call home.
According to an interview with Apartment Therapy, Smith had always wanted a home in the Colorado mountains. That dream has now become a reality. Starting in May 2011 and finishing in April 2012, Smith and Mueller were able to stumble their way through this project and emerge victorious — with a cozy and sustainable home to show for their efforts.
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Mueller and Smith chronicled their entire process of building a home from scratch and have turned in into a documentary film TINY: A Story About Living Small.
The beginnings of the house — plywood and roofing felt.
According to their Apartment Therapy interview, there was a mishap with the window installation process — they had tried to use horizontal windows in vertical spaces, not realizing that the window would leak if not installed as they were intended. Luckily, they were able to find the right windows and install them properly.
The floors are made of reclaimed wood, and they were given a dark stain further along in the process.
Their decision to make the ceiling as high as possible serves a variety of functions. Not only does it allow for the creation of more spaces, such as the sleeping loft atop the kitchen, but it gives the lower level a feeling of openness.
All of the built-in storage, such as the shelving and the cabinetry, allows every inch to be used to its fullest potential without overwhelming the interior.
This tiny home employs a propane sailboat heater, and there's always the option to cuddle up under a blanket for even more coziness.
The kitchen includes an alcohol-burning sailboat cooking stove, a refrigerator, and a combination of reclaimed and IKEA kitchenware. Mueller made the curtains by hand.
The great room lives up to its name, thanks to the comfy seating options and cathedral ceilings.
The sleeping loft is charming and cozy, and we love the triangular shelf detail for holding books and other knickknacks.
The bathroom features a handmade composting toilet, and the predominantly white decor contrasts wonderfully with the wood paneling prevalent in the rest of the house.
For others embarking on similar journeys, Smith and Mueller tell Apartment Therapy, "If there's any project that you'd like to tackle — anything from building a house to smaller DIY weekend project — just do it! Starting is at least 60% of the battle. Commit and you will finish. Any big project is do-able if you break it down into a series of smaller projects."
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