'We considered splitting it in two to create an extra room, but we now relish being in this enormous, luxurious space'

Derek and Cliona Hosty embarked on a nearly decade-long journey to transform a modest 1930s two-bedroom Dublin home into a spacious dwelling suitable for their family of seven. The initial phase of their ambitious renovation project faced an unexpected obstacle when their first redesign proposal was rejected. Upon submitting an alternative plan, planning permission was further delayed due to objections from Irish Water regarding the relocation of a water pipe in their back garden. Despite adjacent properties receiving approval for similar alterations, Irish Water insisted on a six-meter access on both sides of the pipe, a requirement that could not be met due to space constraints. Cliona took direct action by visiting Irish Water's offices without an appointment. During an impromptu meeting with the officials handling their case, she presented their plans and explained their desire to divert the pipe along the back garden. This direct engagement proved successful, leading to Irish Water's agreement and the subsequent approval of their planning permission. This challenge with Irish Water was one of many encountered by the couple over three years from purchasing the house to finally moving in. However, their determination to create an ideal home for their family remained unwavering. Their commitment eventually paid off, culminating in a home three times the size of the original, earning them a spot in the top three of the "Home of the Year" final. The house is meticulously designed to cater to their family's needs, featuring abundant natural light, expansive living areas, smart storage solutions, and innovative design elements. This achievement is particularly notable given the turbulent Irish property market they navigated and their experiences living abroad in Norway. In Norway, Derek worked for Telenor, and the family appreciated the country's work-life balance and affordable childcare, which cost less than €300 per month. They observed a more equitable distribution of parental duties, with many fathers actively involved in school pickups. A memorable experience in Norway was the birth of their fifth child, Seimi, where hospital stays were remarkably affordable. Despite the advantages, the social integration with Norwegians proved challenging, and the harsh climate, with snow from October to May, eventually prompted their return to Ireland in January 2018. Back in Ireland, they secured a mortgage by leveraging Derek’s employment history to avoid probation issues. They soon found a two-bedroom house in Ballinteer, an area they admired for its amenities and walkability, which they saw as a blank canvas for their renovation aspirations. Initially, their plans were deemed "overbearing" by planners, necessitating a reduction of 25 square meters from their proposed floor plan. This setback prompted them to rethink their design, focusing on creating a kitchen island large enough for seven people and incorporating ample storage and sleeping arrangements for their growing family and occasional guests. They also decided to lower the ground floor level to achieve higher ceilings. While awaiting final planning approval, they proactively undertook demolition work, removing the old kitchen and bathroom extensions, and stripping the house of its ceilings and floors. The renovation journey was financially demanding, as they simultaneously paid rent on their temporary accommodation and a mortgage on the house undergoing renovation. This led them to temporarily relocate to Galway, staying with Derek’s parents, until construction commenced in December 2019. The Covid-19 pandemic further disrupted the project, halting construction in March 2020. Once work resumed, Cliona and Derek personally managed the build, traveling frequently between Galway and Dublin to oversee progress while juggling work and childcare responsibilities. They finally moved into their dream home in July 2021, three years after its purchase. The old house underwent a complete overhaul, with replastering, insulation, underfloor heating, and full redecoration. Significant structural changes included relocating the front door to the side of the house and replacing the original entrance with a window, creating two living rooms downstairs and two bedrooms upstairs. The new extension features a large open-plan kitchen, living, and dining area with a spacious island, innovative lighting, and customized features like symmetrically placed ovens. The house also includes a new downstairs bathroom and an upstairs en-suite bedroom with a walk-in wardrobe. Another bedroom boasts a unique sleeping unit accessible by a ladder, designed to accommodate multiple children or guests. Cliona's minimalist aesthetic, influenced by her time in Norway, is evident throughout the decor. Her passion for interior design, sparked by decorating one of her children's bedrooms, led her to develop a significant social media following. She meticulously researched suppliers, opting for cost-effective solutions like laminate flooring from Tipperary and concrete lights from New Style Lights. The couple views their challenging three-year renovation as worthwhile, having resulted in a family-centric, practical, and aesthetically pleasing home filled with fun and unique touches. #HomeRenovation #FamilyHome #InteriorDesign #DublinProperty #DIYRenovation #HomeOfTheYear #IrishWater #NorwayLiving

Sheila Boddington, along with her husband Noel, decided to downsize from their four-bedroom, three-bathroom house in New Zealand to a tiny house, influenced by their daughter Shaye's successful venture into tiny home living. The family emigrated from Zimbabwe to New Zealand in 2001, where they initially built traditional houses. However, they didn't achieve the financial success they anticipated. Shaye, their daughter, built her first tiny house, "Lucy," in their driveway seven years prior. Sheila initially doubted the practicality of tiny homes and their composting toilets but was eventually won over by the charm and functionality of "Lucy." Shaye's tiny house gained recognition after being featured on the *Living Big in a Tiny House* YouTube channel, and she subsequently built more tiny homes, including "Doris Jean" and "Andrea." Sheila attributes Shaye's interest in building to her own background in designing houses in Zimbabwe and New Zealand. While Sheila's designs remained conventional, Shaye's designs progressively miniaturized. Sheila has assisted Shaye from the beginning, and together they have designed and built approximately 70 tiny houses. Their company, Shaye's Tiny Homes, specializes in customizable tiny houses on wheels, emphasizing practicality and creativity in their designs. After Shaye's marriage ended, Sheila helped her design another tiny house called "Hazel," named after Shaye's daughter, which went viral in 2020. "Hazel" features a spacious kitchen and lounge downstairs, with sliding doors opening onto a large deck. It includes a bathroom with a shower, toilet, and double basin, and a playroom pod for Hazel. Upstairs, a walkway connects a main bedroom and a second room, a design innovation that allows residents to walk upright, which Sheila specifically requested due to her age. Spending time in "Hazel" convinced Sheila and Noel that tiny house living was a viable and stress-free alternative. They experienced reduced concerns about mortgage rates and electricity bills. Consequently, Sheila resigned from her 19-year teaching career in late 2019 to work full-time for Shaye's Tiny Homes. Noel, who had worked for a plumbing company for nearly 20 years, joined them in mid-2020, further convinced by the habitability of the tiny houses. The Boddingtons sold their large "boomer" house, which they had lived in for seven years. The house had an unconventional layout with the main living areas upstairs and three unused bedrooms downstairs, which even their grandchildren found intimidating. Their own tiny house build began with the recent arrival of their trailer. They anticipate the structure can be completed within two months. Their plans depend on acquiring land their daughter Lara is purchasing with her partner Andrew, which would allow for a specific design including a downstairs bedroom pod, a large lounge with a high ceiling, a spacious kitchen, a laundry area, and two upstairs bedrooms for grandchildren and guests. If the land purchase falls through, they plan to rent land and revert to a simpler tiny house design from 2021, named "Sophie." "Sophie" includes a cozy lounge with ample windows, a large kitchen, a spacious bathroom, and an upstairs walkway connecting two rooms. Sheila expresses no concerns about downsizing, intending to donate many of their belongings. Despite Noel's initial nervousness about transitioning to a tiny home at 70, he has embraced the lifestyle. Sheila, 64, believes in flexible thinking and looks forward to enjoying their golden years exploring New Zealand in their new tiny home. #TinyHouse #Downsizing #NewZealand #FamilyBusiness #SustainableLiving #AlternativeHousing #RetirementLifestyle

Small living rooms, while cozy, can often feel cluttered or claustrophobic if not designed thoughtfully. However, with strategic design choices, it's possible to create the illusion of a more expansive space. Interior designers Tara McCauley, Michal Rubin, and home decor influencer Sydney Nicole Gifford offer several effective tips to achieve this. One key recommendation is to hang large artwork or mirrors. Contrary to what might seem intuitive, a tall piece of art or a grand mirror above the sofa can emphasize ceiling height, tricking the eye into perceiving the room as larger. This method helps to visually connect the floor and ceiling, extending the perceived dimensions of the room. Another powerful design trick involves investing in wallpaper. While white walls might brighten a room, they don't necessarily make it feel bigger. Wallpaper, whether a textured solid or a bold repeated pattern, acts as an 'eye-opening tool' for small spaces. It adds visual interest and depth, drawing attention across the room and preventing it from feeling enclosed. When it comes to furniture, the principle of 'less is more' is crucial. Instead of filling a small room with numerous small pieces, designers suggest opting for fewer, but larger, furniture items. For instance, a larger sectional with a simple coffee table can make a room feel more open and less busy than a small loveseat combined with multiple accent chairs and an abundance of decor. The idea is to select pieces that adequately fill the space without overcrowding it. Creative solutions for multi-functional spaces, especially those that double as home offices, are also important. If a living room serves as both a lounging area and a workspace, it can feel smaller due to its dual purpose. Designers recommend converting closets, alcoves, or nooks into dedicated, hidden workspaces. This allows for storage and functionality without encroaching on the living area, thus preserving the open feel of the main room. Area rugs can also contribute to making a small living room feel larger, even in spaces with wall-to-wall carpeting or limited floor space. Choosing rugs with subtle patterns or textures helps to define and accentuate specific areas, which in turn can make the rest of the room appear more spacious. Incorporating furniture with interesting shapes is another technique to add dynamism and prevent a small room from looking boring. Arched console tables, rounded-back sofas, or tables with pedestal legs keep the eye moving, creating new angles and visual pathways that expand the perceived boundaries of the space. Finally, designers encourage not shying away from color. Color blocking and using different colors with styling accessories, such as on a bookshelf, introduce visual interest and help the eye travel around the room. This movement creates the impression of a larger, more engaging environment, counteracting any potential confinement that a small space might otherwise present. By applying these strategic design elements, even the smallest living rooms can be transformed into more spacious and inviting areas. #SmallLivingRoom #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #SpaceSaving #DecoratingTips #DesignTricks #FurniturePlacement #HomeImprovement

This article discusses a particular Amazon tiny home that has piqued the interest of the author's sister-in-law, who previously abandoned tiny living due to space constraints. During the pandemic, the sister-in-law and her husband resided in a tiny house for two years, but found it impractical for their work and future family plans, leading them to move into a larger residence. The author discovered tiny homes available on Amazon that feature modern designs, multiple bedrooms, and accessible price points, prompting a reevaluation of tiny living for the sister-in-law's family. One specific model, a double-story tiny home with a steel frame, priced at $20,000 on Amazon, particularly appealed to her. This home offers customizable layouts with up to five bedrooms, a full kitchen, and a bathroom. Its innovative folding design enhances portability and expandability, making it suitable for a growing family. The sister-in-law considered a three-bedroom layout with a lofted ceiling to create an open living area. This configuration would include a main bedroom for her and her husband, a room for their son, and a third room designed as a dual-purpose guest room and office, complete with a Murphy bed and a desk. The inclusion of two bathrooms was highlighted as a significant advantage for a busy household. Emphasis was placed on the kitchen's spaciousness and modern design, which features a large island and ample cabinet space, addressing a common challenge in tiny homes. The sister-in-law and her husband, who enjoy cooking together as a family activity, found these features appealing. The design also allows for a dining table, contributing to its family-friendly appeal. A key piece of advice for prospective tiny home dwellers, as shared by the sister-in-law, is the importance of creative storage solutions. Her previous tiny home incorporated built-in storage in furniture like couches, stairs, and beds to minimize clutter and maintain organization. The article suggests that this specific prefab tiny home offers a practical and comfortable living solution for families interested in tiny living, owing to its flexible layouts, diverse features, and sufficient space. The affordability of the home at $20,000 also leaves room in the budget for acquiring land and additional structures like a shop or shed for extra storage. The content highlights the evolution of tiny home designs to accommodate family needs, moving beyond the traditionally cramped perceptions of such dwellings. #TinyLiving #AmazonHome #PrefabHomes #FamilyHomes #HomeDesign #SmallSpaceLiving #AffordableHousing #ModernLiving