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Dragonfly Journal
~ The Whiskey Porch Blog ~

the truth about tiny homes

9/10/2023

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Today is "Sustainable House Day" - actually, the beginning of a month-long celebration that takes place in Australia every year now since 2017.  https://sustainablehouseday.com/ 

Many things go into defining whether a home is "sustainable" or not, and it depends on who you ask.  

Of course, most of us would assume that efficient energy use, low environmental impact during the build as well as use of greener materials, products and technology would always apply.    

​The result of much of that is to also end up being budget friendly for the inhabitants of the home over time (although I'm not certain that the up-front investment in these higher end materials and technology is less of a budget drain currently than standard materials, and that's part of the hesitancy.)

Bumblebee Cottage on the edge of a steel pot

Here in the U.S. (and around the world) we are still in the throws of the Tiny-House-Craze.  One of several reasons so many find it an intriguing concept is that it's assumed to be a vastly more sustainable option than your typical American home.  

​I would tend to agree with this idea theoretically, for some individuals.  

However, I would argue that when viewed from the collective perspective of making a real and ongoing impact in our larger communities, tiny homes are NOT a sustainable option.  And that there should be a wider, more vocal dialogue about small-not-tiny homes as the path to meaningful sustainability for both the environment and the larger community.

Let me explain.

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5 Ways to Celebrate Simplicity day

7/12/2022

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National Simplicity Day is today, every year on the 12th of July. 

This is sort of a special "holiday" for us here at The Whiskey Porch because it's at the core of what we are all about.  After all, our tag line is "cultivating contentment & possibility in a smaller, simpler & more beautiful lifestyle."  

And, now more than ever, it just feels like we are all seeking refuge and inspiration to lift our spirits as we recover from this wild insanity of the last few years.  So it goes without saying, that finding pleasure and calm in simple ideas is something many of us are striving for now.

Ibis the Yellow Lab enjoying simple pleasures with a BIG stick
Ibis the Yellow Lab. #belikeibis

​The celebration originated in honor of Henry David Thoreau, who lived in Concord, Massachusetts from July 12, 1817 to 1862.   

First, who was he, and why does it matter?  And then, I've got 5 Great Ways for You to Celebrate Simplicity Day.
​
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Does it have to be tiny?

9/28/2021

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The American Dream has virtually always been:  more + bigger = better.

The fad and trend that's predominated the last many decades has been to stretch yourself to the limit in order to acquire the most impressive home possible.  This home would prove that you were successful, and obviously make you comfortable and happy.

Over many decades, that's turned into crazy-big homes which required large incomes to buy and maintain, along with massive consumption of resources to build and live in.

large, brick suburban home with manicured lawn
Is it a palace or a large, single family American home? Is this the American Dream?

​Now-a-days, it's not surprising that the new trend is all about the teeniest tiniest home possible.  The pendulum tends to swing, doesn't it?  Like most things in life, we tend to learn from experience and then often run the other way.  Now, the smaller, more minimal and more mobile a home, the better.
​
Cute tiny home with one window and a tiny porch
Tiny homes are now all the rage.
Does it have to be 'tiny' to be smaller, simpler and more eco-friendly?

​Tiny is fine if that's what you really need or want, but it's pretty extreme and unsustainable by most standards. 

​A more manageable and still meaningful downsize might mean reclaiming older, smaller homes and shifting to a less consumerism mentality, while still participating in a mainstream community and lifestyle.
​
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Small Homes inspire artful details

9/9/2021

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There are so many reasons that I think smaller homes are the answer to so many of the gaps in life. 

And when I say smaller, I definitely do not mean tiny.  (I've got more on that below...)

In this post I am focusing on artful details.  The idea is that you might choose to purchase or stay and renovate a small home, rather than spread your resources and budget over a bigger but more typical (and boring) space.

​
Craftsman detailing on a small cottage

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    Author

    Hey there.  I'm Miriam ~ and I've been doing this my whole life.  It's my passion.  ​

    Miriam Carlson-Maier

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