MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Home Sweet Home – in 84 square feet

Jan 26, 2015, 8:13 AM | Updated: Oct 10, 2024, 2:03 pm

Dee Williams who founded Portland Alternative Dwellings, a tiny house education, resource, and cons...

Dee Williams who founded Portland Alternative Dwellings, a tiny house education, resource, and consulting company, built an 84-square-foot house of her own. (Photo courtesy Dee Williams/Penguin)

(Photo courtesy Dee Williams/Penguin)

Dee Williams not only believes in scaling down but she’s also happy to show others how to do it.

The Olympia resident, who founded Portland Alternative Dwellings, a tiny house education, resource, and consulting company, built an 84-square-foot house of her own.

Her book, The Big Tiny, details her construction project that began atop a metal truck trailer. The pine-and-cedar bungalow houses a kitchen counter with a propane one-burner, a sleeping loft, solar-powered lights, a composting toilet, and a sink.

The small home movement isn’t just for those who want to live off the grid, either. Country Living magazine has an entire section of its website dedicated to little homes, and recently published, “44 of the Most Impressive Tiny Houses You’ve Ever Seen,” highlighting small homes from all over the country.

Tiny homes are also an option for buyers seeking land for recreational purposes such as kayaking, fishing, or weekend getaways. Depending upon local ordinances, some tiny homes may not even need a building permit.

Please follow our Community Guidelines

MyNorthwest News

Marriott redmond layoff...

Jason Sutich

Marriott to lay off 91 as Redmond hotel changes operators after 22 years under its management

Marriott will end its operation of a Redmond hotel in early 2027, resulting in 91 employee layoffs following the termination of its management agreement.

29 minutes ago

gold bars shoreline scam...

Frank Lenzi

‘It was hellish’: Shoreline woman says gold bar scam cost her $3 million

A 78-year-old Shoreline woman said she lost $3 million in a gold bar scam involving secrecy and manipulation.

44 minutes ago

tacoma card shop burglar...

KIRO 7 News Staff

Burglars steal around $50K worth of merch from Tacoma card shop

Thieves rammed a truck into a Tacoma business early Monday morning, stealing approximately $50,000 worth of Magic: The Gathering and Pokémon cards.

52 minutes ago

brewster dead animals seized...

Jason Sutich

50 animals seized, numerous found dead in Okanogan County abuse investigation

Fifty animals were seized, and numerous other dead livestock were found on a Brewster property on Monday following animal abuse complaints.

1 hour ago

light rail stabbing pioneer square...

MyNorthwest Staff

1 Line and 2 Line trains resume service

The 1 Line and 2 Line trains have resumed service.

2 hours ago

Little Beast Ballard...

MyNorthwest Staff

Ballard pub to end restaurant service, citing labor and food costs

Little Beast, the British pub in Ballard that drew national attention in its first year, will stop regular restaurant service at the end of 2026.

2 hours ago

Home Sweet Home – in 84 square feet