Tag Archives: tiny

The Small Life: Hannah’s Tiny Toronto Loft

Hannah's Loft 1
Living and embodying the small life doesn’t have to mean living in an Airstream. Living small is living below your means and living in a space that’s physically smaller than average, but full of heart. That’s why I was so excited to hear from Hannah and see her tiny loft. Take it away, Hannah!

Bedroom in the loftMy name is Hannah I live in Toronto. I live in a 584 square foot loft. I have recently decided to simplify my life. It is definitely is not as simple as living in Airstream, but I have downsized my living and I so happy with it. I downsized for many reasons. I downsized because I get so distracted and annoyed when things are not at their place. I also realized I’ve been wasting so much energy and time on daily basis just for THINGS around me when I could’ve spent the time and energy on the stuff that I actually enjoy. I couldn’t keep up with having my surroundings the way I wanted. It was messy and I wasn’t happy.

Loft Kitchenbathroom in the loftSo I decided to get rid of all the extra things. I have done the 30 Day Minimalist Challenge. And I think I’ll do it again.

Hannah's Toronto LoftI feel like the less stuff I have, the more space opens up in my mind. Now I spend less time on cleaning; it only takes me 20 min to clean the entire loft. I have more time to spend on myself and I am thinking of starting a blog with my best friend.

Loft view

If you like to live like a queen in Toronto, check out these amazing Yorkville condos for rent.*

Thanks, Hannah! Hannah has even taken living frugal to the next level. You can rent out her gorgeous loft on Air B&B. In fact, a couple friends and I hope to stay there this summer! You can also check out Hannah on her Facebook page. -Melanie

*This is a sponsored post, but all opinions are my own.

The Small Life: Todd & Wyatt

Todd's airstreamHappy Monday everyone! Today I am happy to announce a new feature on the blog entitled, drum roll, please, “The Small Life.” “The Small Life” will feature people from across the globe that live a small life in an Airstream, a bus, a van, a tiny house or other unconventional spaces. The first feature is from Todd. Todd is taking an unimaginably difficult time in his life and is turning it around with small living. Take it away Todd. – Melanie

Todd and WyattNot quite a year ago, my life was turned upside down when my wife and I decided to part ways.  Homeless with only a few changes of clothes and my dog, Wyatt, we started sleeping on the floor of my friends architecture studio.  It wasn’t too bad; dry and warm.  It was a good place to sort through emotions, let the proverbial dust settle and plot my next move.

After a couple of months, with the unconditional love and support of family, I decided to set out and find an Airstream to move in.  Fortunately, one turned up in Florida and within a couple weeks I was towing it back to the mountains of Asheville.

Todd's AirstreamGetting the Airstream, I hope is only the first step of many to creating a new life for Wyatt and I.  As a result of moving into 153 sqft, most of my worldly possessions needed to go.  After much thought, I realized that it was just stuff.  Sentimental items are merely items that remind of us a specific memory.  I will always have the memory, which takes up less space than the stuff.  Clothes are still being widdled down to only the bare essentials.  If its not my most favorite thing to wear or if I haven’t worn it in the last month, it gets donated.  Even new stuff gets intense scrutiny; does buying this thing move me in the direction of getting me on the road full time, does this limit me financially from exploring, traveling and creating new adventures, is this something that I simply want?  Only items that facilitate adventure and create epic memories, makes the cut into 153 sqft.

By no means am I free of “stuff”, but I’m getting down to the essentials and a couple more rounds of purging, and I will be there.  Free of most clutter, allowing my mind to focus on just being.

Itinerant shirtsIronically, soon after I got the Airstream, the one thing I did want to buy was a t-shirt that exemplified the spirit of the Airstream.  Unfortunately, I found none.  With the help of my sister, we set out to design our own t-shirt and so “Itinerant Shirts” was born.  I don’t have any grand visions of getting rich, but rather spreading and sharing the itinerant spirit with others.  I hope to release new editions every so often show casing other’s art.  The first edition is available on Etsy under itinerant shirts.  I should mention that I’ve only had 1 sale and that was from my sister.  No worries, if they don’t sell, every single one that I made is in the exact size and color that I would want to wear.

Hope my verbal “snap shot” gives you an idea of why I’m living small….to allow focus on what really matters, just being.

-Todd and Wyatt
You can find Todd on his Instagram: @rivitedtodd and @itinerantshirts. And at his shop, Itinerant Shirts.
If you want to submit your own Small Life, email me asmalllifemelanie @ gmail dot com.

Our 1978 Airstream Sovereign Land Yacht: The Exterior Tour

Airstream through the trees copyI’ll be the first to admit that we didn’t do much to the outside of our Airstream. We washed it, polished it and put it in it’s permanent home. We didn’t feel the need to acid-wash it and make it super shiny. It just didn’t fit our style.

Airstream in the woods copyWe did put a lot of work into the land that the Airstream is parked on. We had to clear brush, lots of poison ivy (George got so sick!) and even cut down a few trees.

Airstream in the Pine Trees copyThe second-most frequently asked question I get is: “Do we own the land we’re parked on?” Kind of. We live on land that has been in my husband’s family for over 80 years. Part of the land is wooded and part is farmed. We earn our keep by helping out around the property– chopping firewood, cleaning the barn and feeding the animals.

Airstream and Garden copy

The first-most asked question I get asked is: “Do you actually live there?” Yes! We live here full-time. In the event of an emergency, like a hurricane, we have relatives we can visit nearby, but we’re in the Airstream during the heat of summer and the cold of winter.

An Airstream in the pines copyGeorge with Airstream copyAnyway, since the Airstream is so small, we’ve tried to make the exterior equally as nice as the interior. George surprised me one day by laying the rock path to the house. He also built a natural rock fire pit from rocks on the property after I talked about our friends’ fire pit for 2 weeks. I think he did it just to shut me up. 🙂

Airstream Outdoor Setup AMB

When it’s nice outside, George and I like to break out the lawn chairs and a few beers. We’ll often cook dinner on the fire and eat in the outdoors. It sounds corny, but living this way has really made me appreciate nature.

Airstream Sovereign Tag copy Back of the Airstream copyAirstream Front View copy

door to Airstream copy Succulents Outside the Airstream copyThanks for touring my humble abode this week. And Happy Friday! This weekend I plan on doing what I do best, just hanging out around the ol’ Airstream.

Got any weekend plans? Let me know about ’em in the comments!

love,
melanie

Our 1978 Airstream Sovereign Land Yacht Remodel: The Interior Tour

Airstream RemodelAirstream RemodelYesterday I showed you all the before and after shots of the Airstream, well, today I want to show you a few glamour shots. We live in the Airstream full-time, so not only did I want the Airstream remodel to be functional, but I also wanted it to feel warm and cozy. (Even in the winter, when it isn’t so warm!) We had a tight budget, so we built most of our furniture. We bought very little for the Airstream, instead we used the things that we already owned.

In the shots above you can see our copious amount of handmade pillows. One of my favorite things to do in the Airstream is curl up in the queen-size bed and watch a movie.

Airstream Remodel

Airstream RemodelGeorge does all of his art work from the trailer, so we knew it was important for him to have his own space to work and conduct all his business. 

Airstream Kitchen RemodelAirstream Kitchen and Sitting Area Remodel

Fiestaware in the Airstream copy

Although the kitchen is small, I’ve managed to squeeze out some killer meals in there. Sometimes when the space is feeling too cramped or hot to cook, we’ll go outside and cook right over the fire— camp style.

Airstream Bench Remodel Airstream bench remodelThere for a while, the bench was something we didn’t use much. But since George built me a mini-desk, I’ve been sitting (and napping!) on it constantly. Again, it’s got plenty of homemade pillows and we covered the bench cushion in vintage fabric.

Custom Drawers and Shelves in an Airstream remodelRecords in an Airstream Pictures in the Airstream Record player in an AirstreamWhen we first designed our the Airstream, I had grand dreams of open shelving. We had open shelving for a few months until I just couldn’t stand the clutter anymore! I’m a minimalist and I love a clean space, but George is an artist and needs a lot of stuff for his business, so we decided to compromise and build drawers from reclaimed barn wood to hide our junk.

Bathroom in an Airstream remodeled Bathroom in an Airstream remodeledI like to think that I’m not prissy, but I couldn’t live with a composting or camper-style toilet. Just couldn’t do it. That’s where I draw the line. But since we are parked and hooked up to a septic system, a real toilet wasn’t a problem. Thank god.

What do you think of our little home? Let me know in the comments!

love,
melanie