A tiny house doesn’t necessarily have to be shabby. And a stylish one doesn’t really have to cost a lot of money. Proving these points is carpenter Derek Diedricksen, who makes small wooden dwellings out of junk at $200 apiece. They look nothing like junk, though. The decorative detailing in these houses make them pretty interesting places to live in.
The largest structure made by 33-year-old Derek is Gypsy Junker – 24 square feet in size and 5ft 10 inches high. The smallest one is just 4ft tall. But then the interiors of these houses are so pretty that anyone would be interested to spend at least one night in them. Everyday junk is used in the building process, like the glass from the front of a washing machine that becomes a porthole-like window and a sheet of metal is used as a flipdown counter. Castoff storm windows, shipping pallets and discarded cabinets are used as well. Stained glass windows and the likes are used for that decorative touch. Some of the houses built by Derek are also portable, ranging from 4 to 24 square feet in size.
Photo: TINY – The Movie
I’m especially in love with these portable homes. I suppose you could really live anywhere you liked in these little mobile box homes. But then, there’s always the danger of someone wheeling you away in the dead of the night. According to Derek, “It’s meant as a secure sleeping place, a micro mobile shelter. For festivals it’s a single sleeper: a tent alternative, but one that is not going to tear as easily and offers a little more security.”
Photo: RelaxShack
More of Derek’s handsome craftsmanship has been illustrated in his book – “Humble Homes, Simple Shacks, Cozy Cottages, Ramshackle Retreats, Funky Forts.” Sure is a long name for a book. He also has a YouTube series called ‘Tiny Yellow House’, which has become pretty popular. Derek says he has been passionate about carpentry ever since he was a kid. He was always obsessed with tiny architecture, and when his dad gave him a book called ‘Tiny Houses’ for his 10th birthday, Derek was hooked for life. “There’s no better place than inside someplace that is unconventional and bizarre. It helps you think outside the box instead of sitting in some white-walled room.” I couldn’t agree with him more. What about you? Would you consider living in a tiny, $200 space?
