Thursday, 3 September 2015

Only bespoke will enter my home

I love shopping, but as a baby step in my six-year journey to tiny house living, I was on the verge of stopping! I had made a decision (only today!) to stop buying things. Not all things, mind you, just things I didn't need. 
Need can be rubbery. Yes, I definitely needed the chunky heel pumps I bought the other day, second-hand but barely worn, in a shade a paint colourist might call cloudy eucalypt, but I probably don't need yet another pair of black trousers, even if I find a pair on sale, as I frequently do. Unless it's to go up a size! (Or maybe down? That would be nice).
But that changed tonight when I watched Bespoke. (I love that word. One must say it just so, like  Kevin McCloud, on Grand Designs). But it was that other knit-wearing influencer, Marcus Westbury, Newy's original and accidental hipster, who sealed the deal. Tonight, he took us on the first part of his tour around the country to celebrate the resurgence of makers and artisans who put their love into what they produce. Our local folk featured well - how spoilt we are in the Hunter Street Mall - but Tassie's blacksmiths stole the show. Fire and fury is sexy as hell. (Blacksmiths and butchers - salt of the earth - men you'd marry.)
In any case, I declare, rather than stopping shopping altogether, I will just try to shop closer to home, and closer to homemade. I'm hardly Robinson Crusoe here - but if I say it out loud, I'm more likely to do it. So, no more shopping for things I don't *need*, and only bespoke will enter my home.
Is this an excuse to keep shopping? Probably.
Is this a bad thing? Probably not. 
A tiny house is not made overnight (nor a tiny house person), particularly one that is bespoke.


Tuesday, 1 September 2015

Living large in a tiny house

Forgive me for I have sinned. It's been three years and three months since I last blogged.
And when a friend - yes, you, Nathalie Craig - suggested I reboot my inner blogger in order to share my tiny house journey, I thought, why not?
There are plenty of reasons why not: I have two jobs, a uni course, and a tiny house to build. Plus, I like watching television and trolling Facebook for tiny house, cute cat, and pimple popping posts. And I've joined the School of Hard Knockers, the fabulous choir that is set to go on a world tour of the Greater Hunter next year! (Watch this space)
But reasons why I should include 1) it is fun 2) it is easier than keeping a diary 3) one day I might monetise and be independently wealthy and 4) I don't want to start my uni assignment.
What is the point of a tiny house, my friend Kirsten Mulley asks?
In a nutshell, it is to live simply but comfortably, and spend my time and money on other things.
I want to live large in my tiny house.
So, welcome to the beginning of the first leg of the tiny house journey.
It's a six-year project (don't panic, you don't have to stick around that long), that will include a total downsize and rethink of the way I live, work and play. I think/hope? my partner Gregory Howley is with me all the way. He certainly is in step one.
Which is 1) build prototype tiny house in existing gazebo in backyard to be mancave/office/music studio/guest quarters (see Kirsten, you can come stay!)/granny flat and maybe eventual home.
We have engaged the engaging Paul Webber to put our ideas on paper and help us through council.
So, after 10 years of dreaming, and 12 months of planning, we have synergy and are moving forward. (I love Utopia, I'm channelling my inner-Rhonda in my new role!).
Anyhoo, the kettle is boiled, and the washing is done.
But I'll be back.