Good things come in small packages. And this tiny cabin, built in the Oregon woods for just $11,000 is witness to that. Think about it – you can’t even get a car today for $11,000 and here is a sweet little home for that price. Built from natural materials, many sourced locally, this home sweet home is the brainchild of Brian Schulz, boat builder. And it took him just a year and a half to build it in his spare time! This cabin in the woods, inspired by Japanese Tea House design, has everything you could need and the foot print is small. It sits on a 200 square foot cement pad and its components are recycled, reclaimed or seconds. Can’t you just imagine waking up in the middle of a forest in your own little Keebler elf house? Not only to experience back to nature, but to be a part of it.
The bed is built into the corner to save space, much the way you see it done on a boat. Surprise, surprise, creator Brian Schulz builds boats for a living at his Cape Falcon Kayak.
Incredible stairs – built from local woods with log slices for the risers. The stairs are 2 x 10 fir from a log he found on the bay and milled.
The kitchen is small but serviceable, designed like the galleys in boats.
This is the sink that started it all. The builder found this sink at a flea market and walked around with it for some time before making the purchase. His hesitation? He realized he would have to build a house for it.
Brass outdoor faucets are a charming design touch with the brass sink.
Shelving is functional and natural.
The french doors came from Craigslist and the table is made from a log slice with wooden feet.
The stair rails are simple alder poles from the property beside the house.
The essence of the Japanese Tea House is echoed in the lamps.
Would a house in the woods be complete without an outhouse?
Brian Schulz has clearly demonstrated that you don’t need a lot of money to build a sustainable living space – if you have enough ingenuity. By reclaiming and recycling, his costs were kept incredibly low. He bought every window in the house at the local dump, for a grand total of $40. He used fallen wood to create staircases, tables, railings and floors. His $11,000 investment was primarily spent on concrete, shakes and insulation. Not only is this house responsible on an environmental level, it’s warm, welcoming and functional. With a little effort and forethought, we can build homes that compliment our surroundings without using them up. Bravo, Brian!
More information: Cape Falcon Kayak
