Welcome to Tiny Homes, an idea that is more popular with minimalists than with neighborhood associations and zoning boards. We'll point out the fun parts. You'll have to check out the logistics and legalities - but there's a supportive neighborhood for this one.
(Photos from Special Agents Houseboats) Tiny houses are trendy. Finding a place to put one is difficult. Right? Not really, if you think nautically. Built in 1986 and still afloat, this 420 square foot, 1 bedroom, 1 bath, houseboat costs $125,000 to buy. A place to put it comes with it for a few hundred dollars a month. That's a pretty good deal with a place that's a few paddle strokes from downtown Seattle.
Trust boatwrights to make wooden marvels. The ceiling is arched wood beams supporting wood ribs - a much better answer than flat roofed boats considering Seattle's weather. Built-in settees, wood slat upholstered benches, wooden floors, and what appears to be a wooden hull, are all features that would be applauded in a Craftsman style home, all except the hull, that is.
If you're interested in tiny houses, then the tiny kitchen won't hold you back. At least this one has all the basics, plus a wood stove with a couple of pancake griddles on top. Some nice dry heat will be welcome for lowering the humidity that comes with living on the ultimate humidifier in Puget Sound's humid atmosphere. Besides, backup heat and cooking is handy when the power goes out. Ah, but the power never goes out around here. Does it?
Live-aboards usually have to deal with head-banging showers and tiny bathrooms. This one isn't luxurious compared to a condo, but at least there's less reason to crouch.
The one bedroom is cozy, and typical of nautical design. Storage is everywhere. If there's a space and a bit of volume it's turned into a shelf, cabinet, or cupboard as long as it doesn't get in the way. A nightstand was never more convenient than the bookshelves overhead and the spare clothes stored below.
After the next wind storm with roads closed and power lines down, think about how handy it would be to simply row to work, or just stay home, crank up the wood stove, snuggle back into bed, and grab a book while everyone else worries about fallen fences uprooted trees.
· Seattle Agents Houseboats [Seattle-Houseboat.com]
· 360 W Ewing St [THL]
· All Tiny Homes coverage [CS]
Written by Tom Trimbath
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