In September 2020 I bought an abandoned stone barn in Central Portugal and moved in the following spring. It’s still a chaotic building site, but I’ve been working hard since then to turn it into a little off grid tiny house to live a more simple life homesteading.
Progress is slow because I’m doing all of the work myself and what I don’t know how to do, I’m trying to learn. Plus, the old stone building is set on an 1,800 m2 (half an acre) bit of land and, while that’s relatively small, it’s keeping me busy and juggling the DIY building work with land maintenance has been a fun challenge. I’m trying to do as much of the work was possible using natural materials like clay, lime, cork, and stone and it’s been a wonderful journey so far!
I’ve set up all of the infrastructure so far including solar power and water systems as well as renovating the inside of the barn from an empty shell into what you see in this video. I’ve been living inside the small stone barn since April 2021 which has been a challenge as I renovate, but I’ve loved the entire process of trying to turn this abandoned stone building into a comfortable tiny house and homestead.
I’ve got a long way to go but it’s the process that I love the most so I’m not in a rush! I hope you enjoy this tour inside my tiny house as it is now, along with a list of all of my hopes and plans. I’m open to any ideas and I hope you enjoy following along in the process as I continue to build the house and other small structures and tend to the land.
For photos of the early days of the build, you can check out my neglected website:
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00:00 Welcome!
00:30 Rainy Day Tour of the Land
01:27 Intro to My Tiny House Tour Video
02:27 Shots of Inside the Stone Barn Conversion… Pre-Tidy
06:09 Tiny House Tour Begins with a Building Overview
06:31 Corner Closet & Cob Wall
08:44 Floor Details and Plans
10:30 Wood Stove & Flue Pipe
11:34 Ideas for the Main Living Space
16:10 Tiny House Kitchen Tour & Ideas
22:06 Plumbing & Electrics
25:21 ‘The Bezzanine’ (Bed/Mezzanine… Together at Last!)
28:44 Shower & the Bathless Bathroom
34:15 Bed & Storage
36:32 Pitiful Festive Efforts & Christmas Greetings
37:27 Mezzanine Ladder
38:00 Stone Barn Ceiling Ideas
39:00 Window Hole of Doom
40:30 Front Door
42:02 Chatting About the Look I Want
42:57 My Building Philosophy (Why I Go So Slowly)
44:05 Bye! Thanks for Watching! Happy Holidays!
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A Tool shed is a must and once you move all the tools and other bits and pieces out there you will have more room and be able to plan the house better. I know sheds are expensive but you mental health is also important.
Just a suggestion. Instead of apologizing for "the mess" often, how about getting a tool shed or a storage shed for most of your things in your living space? Less stuff and time in tidying up?
I was glad to hear u weren't alone at Christmas. I agree with the comment do what you want to with your home. Just keep up the videos.
Tool shed first.That will make your space easier to live.Window in kitchen and door that will give you light and make it more enjoyable to work in your house on rainy days.You are doing an amazing job keep up the good work.Maybe volunteers to assist you for a bit in some of the bigger projects
Hey! Well done so far! Maybe one option for the kitchen would be to design your dining table in 2 identical parts and on wheels/gliders (that can be locked). One part could be positioned where the water bottle is positioned now (next to the door), the other could be used as your regular dining table/office desk. If you have people over, you could use both parts to make one large dining table. For sockets, as you will have a wooden floor, you could incorporate sockets (the brand I know is ARPI) in the floor. These are water tight. For the kitchen you could use a pop-up socket box.
Finally had some time to watch your video! I love your home. The woodwork looks great! The shed will be so useful but since I've lived in small spaces I've found that they're never big enough. I think when you have your couch (hopefully w/ storage) you will find out if you still want a desk. You may decide you want more storage there. Also, I've found as I've gotten into my 50s that an inside toilet is more useful than an inside shower (w/ tiny wood burner for shower cold days?). Something to consider.
It seems you spend a lot of time outside when you can. It seems a big window is more a priority for others than for you. You're a good artist. Maybe art you make can hide the hole for those that can't handle half done projects? It seems a patio sounds more like a priority for you. Or insulating the ceiling from heat using cork & offcuts from lumberyards. Or a washing machine. You know what you want more than anyone else.
Happy Christmas Kirsty x house is looking great xx
Thanks for the update tour. Happy Christmas Kirsty. Yes, to the 'early days' videos.
btw- i'd like to see the pre-youtube vids
Happy Christmas Kirsty and the best of health and happiness for 2023.
How about a cabinet about 120cm high by the door? Then you get quite a lot of storage, and the kitchen is closed off a little bit without it being overwhelming. Then you also have space inside for a rolling cart or something similar.
God jul from me in Mid-Norway! It’s such a joy to see your home with the finished pieces so thoughtfull and excellently made, and lots of areas where dreams still live. Can’t wait to follow you as you move forward.
I love (and am a bit overwhelmed, wont lie) by the unfinished spots in my own home. But they create such anticipation and keep me thinking up solutions. This is key for my mental wellbeing, I have found. Too stable surroundings make my mind go stale 😅
Blessed Merry Christmas to you
Happy Christmas Kirsty, what you have done is brilliant. Your doing things at your pace and enjoying the process I really think that’s what it should be about. I have people who want to help me get the job done on my place but I say thanks but I want to do as much myself and just do it slowly and enjoy the process of learning new skills, making mistakes and be flexible with my plans. I’ve achieved stuff I never thought I could. thanks for sharing
The day you can afford a patio will free so much space and you can have a second living area to enjoy most of the year. You are doing great , specially when you get the tools in the tool shed.
Folding desk will be good next to wall and a Island bench (tiny ) where you can use as bench and breakfast(maybe 60x 60) area and storage under with castors wheels
Wow, how depressing, but then I'm not you and I guess you can get used to anything after a while.
How do you support yourself?
Merry Christmas! Love your ideas!
You are an amazing young woman, I do admire you so!
I think all your jobs would be easier with a bit more lighting your indoor space. A good window would have to be my priority but you do well in the space you have xxx
The day you build the tool shed your life will improve so much, you will be able to declutter and enjoy the interior a lot more!
Many projects ahead! Enjoy the process 😊
Merry christmas you had a stray cat outside listening to you lol
Merry Christmas 🎄
one step at a time
Thanks!
Thanks for the tour, you've achieved so much already & it evolves as you go which is the best way.
You could have a pull out worktop under the existing one by the dish drainer so you'd have more food preparation space but be able to push it out of the way the rest of the time. Even use as a desk sometimes with views out of the door when it's open.
Shelves under the worktop & a door.
A couple of feet above the existing work surface a cupboard with a couple of shelves & a door to hide everything, could have hooks on the side to hang your jacket on as you come through the door.
The strange cat was Siamese looking wasn't it, very pretty.
I think the kitchen window would make the biggest difference to you of all the jobs on your list.
Have a happy whatever you do for Christmas Kirsty & Mikey. 🎄
Salvaged parts are a good to for windows, doors and other items. They can be jewels in your home. I don't know if there are places in Portugal where you can find such things, but it is worth a try.
enjoyed seeing your art Kudos. your very creative. in both making your house, garden & drawing. Wishing you & your parents & friends a Very Merry Christmas!
Did you find out about the cat?
You are a talented artist