Cabin Treasures
History of cabin...recently updated 8/10/16
History:
So I've wanted this for as long as I can remember, and although the particulars have changed a little through the years, the basic concept has remained. I knew that given my age, my singleness, my circumstances, and my desire to keep my debt as small as possible, that I would not be able to have a real log cabin as was my first desire. So, I moved to more realistic dreams and about 5 years ago when I came upon a 16x16 barn shaped shed that was 2 stories tall with a built in stairs and the upstairs, although with a gambrel roof, was big enough to walk around in, not just a loft. I decided that if I enlarged this to 20x20, I could live in it, with a lot of planning.
I spent the next several years researching many issues and drawing floor plans. My goal was to be off the grid and as self-sufficient as possible. Through the grace of God, the friendship of my friend Barb from whom I obtained the land, and the hard work of my brother, Eugene, and his Amish friend Matt, it is turning into a reality.
People have asked if I'm a "tree-hugger" or a "bunker person" etc and I explain that no, I'm a person who desires to be self-reliant, self-suffient, live off the land as much as possible, respect the circle of life while hunting and growing a lot of my own food; Just a quiet person who would like a SIMPLER LIFESTYLE. My kids tell me I was born too late, that I would have been better off in the "Little House on the Prairie Days" and they are probably right, I would have loved to live then. Not because I'm unrealistic about the hardships of those times, just because of the simplicity of the lifestyle. So I will continue my quest toward this simpler lifestyle with my "Little Cabin by the Woods".
Decisions:
So through my research over the years, I have determined the following:
***A 2 story barn w/ gambrel roof, walkable upstairs built in stairs.
***20x24 (started as a 20x20 but ended up being a 20x24 because
the walls and outside cut it down to 19x23 and I needed just a
little more space); this makes it have a usable sq ft of 437
downstairs and 322 sq ft upstairs for a total walkable space of
759 sq ft plus 115 sq ft of storage space under the gambrel roof.
(officially 960 sq ft for both levels)
***Metal sides and roof
***Face it west with windows across from each other in living
room and kitchen so the prevailing south wind can provide
heat relief as I won't have any a/c the first year, and later may
only add small window unit upstairs.
***No windows on west side except in front door, which will keep
the summer heat from west sun down as I get a lot of west sun.
Doors on North/South and porch on west to help with shade
also.
***Windows on East and West upstairs for air flow; costs less and
more useful to put them on the ends because they will be hard
to get to under the gambrel roof, but need air flow and light.
***Porch 8x20 or 10x20 on west side with good view of neighbors
ponds and cows.
*** Stain the 2x10in headers and leave them open in the downstairs;
***Windows that are plain but functional and easy to use; also
placed where they can be easily reached because if they have to
be reached by climbing over furniture etc, they will be less
likely to be utilized.
***Back door opening by bathroom door so I can come in muddy
and clean up without tracking all over the floor.
***Bathroom door facing sideways and not the main area of the
room, so it's not the first thing you see when you come in the
front door.
***No walls inside except the bathroom (originally I was going to
use a heavy curtain for a wall for bathrom however my friend
indeed talked me out of that LOL). No walls upstairs at all.
***Wood heat for primary heat with propane heater as back up.
Double wall insulated pipe up through ceiling/floor and then
out the roof. Wood stove is an ancient Ashley with an electric
blower if needed. (Had to shovel 8inches of ash and a piece of
burnt wood out of it since my aunt/uncle were using it last
winter-obviously works well)
***2 small tankless hot water tanks that run off propane, 1 for
kitchen and 1 for bathrom.
***7 or 11cu ft elec energy efficient fridge (was going to do propane
fridge but research showed the newer fridges are so energy
efficient especially if I get the apartment size; this is about the
size I have in my RV so it should be fine.)
***Functional Antique cook stove, originaly natural gas, but I am
going to have it converted to propane (Finally found a company
online to buy the 'regulator' from that will make a 1920's cook
stove safe and an old friend of the family to put it on and fix the
orifices')
***Use all LED lighting to decrease wattage requirements
***Apartment size stackable washer/dryer which I will put in
bathroom; also have a antique functional washer that has
electric that only runs the agitator and the roller squishers, and has a
drain hose that can drain water into a bucket I can use on the garden, and
you have to put water into it with a hose or bucket; (now using this-see
homesteading page)
it's going on the front porch by my Amish clothes line (see pix on
homesteading page as I'm currently using this) which I've been
using for about 2 years now and LOVE. I used to throw a tie-down strap
over a branch and hang the amish clothes line on it but now I'm
going to have a large hook on my porch so I can hang it there.
***Piano will go by stairs because it needs an inside wall to help
keep it in tune
***Composting toilet with separator features which will utilize
composting for solid waste and french drain for the liquid waste
and graywater (graywater will also be diverted for the garden
during garden time.) This eliminates the need for septic or public sewer
system.
***The living room, kitchen and bathroom will be downstairs and
the bedroom and play area/den and storage will be upstairs.
***The stairs will be L-shaped with a landing half way up for the
"old people" to rest on.
***Ground under cabin is on a slope so SW corner will be around
ground level (most storms come from the SW in our area) and
NE corner will be the most off the ground providing access to
install pipes etc.
***Will use newer versions of water pipes that don't burst with
freezing temps (PEX)
***Electricity will be provided by solar panels, through batteries
and inverter etc; these will be stored under the stairs by the
back door. The solar panels will be outside on the south side of
cabin which gets the most sun; would like to make a moveable
platform to take advantage and get the most sunlight
available. I will be doing the installation myself *(with
help from friends). I will also use the power meter to keep my batteries
adequately charged; I bought a kill0-o-watt and will be using it to track
my electricity use now so I know how many watts I will need in solar
panels.
***Plan to put a carport on the east/back side of the cabin so I can come in
the back door especially in bad weather.
***Plan to put a patio, eventually with a roof and screened sides, on the
north side of the cabin facing the ponds so we can use outdoor"summer"
kitchen/grill to do our 'canning' and cooking. Also plan to make a fire pit
on this side of the cabin to put the cast iron tripods over to use with my
dutch ovens. (This is done-see homesteading page)
***Build a deck for the front porch with treated lumber eventually
***The cabin will be "dried in" by my brother and Matt, who will also help
with the wood stove pipe and the framing of the bathroom wall. My
brother has also agreed to help with the front porch; my dad is helping
with designing the front porch, and making shelves and providing
immeasureable advice. My daughter and my friend Barb will be painting
the wood floors to look like barn wood. (Changed plan: downstairs
will now have vinyl in kitchen and carpet in living room
because I got a really good deal; upstairs we still plan to paint
the floor) The remainder of the work will be done by me and anyone
who is willing to come volunteer :)
***The floor insulation will be done by the guys but the walls and ceiling
insulation will be done by me.(Wall insulation downstairs
down-see main Cabin page)
***The water will be....not sure. Eventually I would like to have a well, but
given that those are expensive, I may just try to dig a small hand well for
garden; next best choice and my main plan, is rainwater, cisterns,
pump and filtration system.I currently have a couple of 55gal water
drums with spouts and an 200 gal tank that previously had a pump on it
and was used to supply water for a trailer. For right now, will obtain
water from my friend until I can get my cisterns and filtration system in
and functioning.
***I will buy used, reclaimed, recycled, repurposed materials whenever
possible
Plans:
^^^Next I will be working on the floor under the wood stove; have to put the glue goop "thin set mortar" and then the cement boards which I will screw down with cement screws and then apply another layer of the 'goop' and then lay the slate tiles on the cement board and then grout it etc.(DONE-see main Cabin page)
^^^After that I'm hoping we can get the downstairs floors down before we do anything else but....
^^^Dad will be working on the storage under the gambrel roof; it's 30" on the floor area where we need to put plywood so people and things don't fall downstairs, and 24inches at the next board for the next shelf; these will run the full north/south length on the north side and the full length up to the stairs on the south side.(DONE-see main cabin page)
^^^I will be learning to put the solar panels together and in working order.
^^^Next I plan to put the rolled insulation in upstairs and down in the walls and ceiling. Downstairs, over that I plan to put sheetrock (altho not tape and paint it, just for added insulation and stability) and over that put a light colored wood paneling, like a white pine or birch. Upstairs, it will just be the paneling, no sheetrock.
^^^I plan to wood stain the big header beams;(DONE-see main Cabin page)
^^^I plan to put the same paneling that is on the walls, on the ceilings inbetween the header beams (or paint same as the floor) (Changed plan: no paneling-too expensive-will paint sheetrock and see what else I can do to choose rustic look), but leave the beams hanging down their 10 inches and stain them as they are such beautiful wood. Will also leave the upright 2x4 upstairs open and stain them, and put the paneling against the angled gambrel roof. Will use same paneling on upstairs ceiling.
^^^Kitchen:
The kitchen "cabinet" under the sink will be made from 2x4/2x6 with a bottom shelf and a middle shelf; it will have curtains I will make from material around it for coverage, which will match the valance curtains I will make for kitchen. Part of the kitchen wall will be covered in peg board on which I will hang my pans and long utensils etc. I have purchased several used rustic wood open "shadow boxes" with deep pockets so I can put salt, spices, etc in; these will hang on the wall. I also have my grandma's metal "hutch" with glass doors on the top half, 2 drawers and 2 cabinet doors below to store my dishes. I have my other grandma's kitchen table which extends from 2ft square to 2x4 ft. I have a used small 18"x 30" island on wheels for extra counter space. I purchased a heavy metal 4ft bookshelf from habitat for humanity's Restore to hold my home-canned goods. I purchased a 6ft counter top with the double sink area already cut out from Habitat's Restore. My kitchen chairs are some my mom had that my gma gave her a long time ago (after we fix them) (Changed plan - now some I bought at thrift store because it was a good deal and they have rollers, can double as extra living room seating ). I have a small micro that I will use. I bought my double sink from the thrift store.
^^^Bathroom:
I already have the used small stackable washer/dryer; I bought the bathroom sink/counter and cabinet at Habitat's Restore. I bought the 36" square corner shower from off craigs list. I bought the bathroom sink faucet assembly for >5o% off at walmart. Still need to buy faucet assemby for shower as well as drain assembly and pipes. I've narrowed down my choice for composting toilets to 3 but am still deciding on which one; Plan to build a small platform for it to sit on so it won't be so low to the ground, which will be helpful for when the 'elders' come to visit.
Have to build a frame out one wall to attach the shower to and cover with wall board of some sort. I bought a scrap piece of new vinyl flooring at a yard sale that will exactly fit my floor if we cut around the flaw on one end.
^^^Living Room:
I had already purchased several years ago an old chifferobe with 2 wooden doors and wooden rod, and restored it with liquid gold after much cleaning the water damage. I have a chair a relative gave me and my gma swivel rocker. I will buy another small recliner when I find one I like; I already have end tables etc bought at thrift stores and garage sales; I have decor for the whole cabin to match my "lodge" decor theme that I brought with my from my last house. I also have already numerous oil lamps, some sitting, many with reflectors that go on the walls as well as a cast iron candleabra for the ceiling.
Porch: I also have a wooden rocking chair I bought from the thrift store for the front porch which dad is repairing for me. I bought 2 heavy duty plastic chairs for the porch at the thrift store and I found solar rope lighting at Harbor Freight which I love and bought several to put around the top and around the railing of the front porch; each 25ft rope has it's own little solar source and it comes on automatically at dark and off at dawn. Those are new, but sometimes new technology requires it; I did, however, get them 60% off on sale.
^^^Upstairs:
I have a bed and end tables as well as a couch, book shelves, cedar chest, desk, clothes rack, TV/VCR, ottoman on rollars, storage bench and lamps, all of which I've had in storage from my last house in prep for this move. I will buy another small recliner for upstairs, and build in the shelves. I also bought several area rugs on half price at the thrift store for upstairs esp the kids area and some for downstairs.
It will, of course, be an ongoing project with decisions changed as needed, and I will try to track those changes and the rationales for those decisions here, for those who are looking for what little guidance I have to offer...mostly from my research and my trial and error.