Hi Everyone!
Happy Friday loves. Callie and I are hanging out over at Julia’s today so make sure you pop in to get your fill of puppy goodness.
Today I’m here to share the small space living story of one of my favs in blogland. Gwen, aka The Makerista, is fabulous, gorgeous, and really down to earth. She’s the kinda person people just want to be around, and really why wouldn’t they?! She’s got a great eye, impeccable style, and the cutest darned kids to boot!
Gwen and her family recently sold their home and are currently living in a tiny cabin on her families property while she and her husband build their next home. She took a moment to share with us how she lives and loves in her small space.
Where/What city do you live in? Outside of Kansas City, MO
Who do you share your home with? That’s kind of a tricky question. We are building a home and currently living in a pre-civil war log cabin on my in-laws property. While my husband, our black lab, and I sleep in the cabin every night, our two children sleep in my in-laws house. I go get them every morning and bring them to the cabin and then take them back to tuck them in at night. It allows us to have more space in the cabin. Anyone with kids knows all about the “stuff.”
Do you own or rent? Rent-free renters.
How many sq ft is your home? 950
What do you love most about small space living? I love the simplicity of it. It takes me about 20 minutes to clean the whole place. We are also out in the country, so it’s relatively peaceful and quite beautiful. And the character of the cabin itself: the logs and the elements my in-laws have added, are really neat too.
What challenges have you faced? Our challenges have been more due to the fact that we’re living in a 200-year-old home in the country. I’ve faced spiders the size of my hand, more wasps than I’ve ever seen in my life, and a snake. I think for me the biggest challenges have been not having 90% of our things (they’re in storage while we build) and it’s been a challenge to decorate a space that isn’t necessarily my style. But, to me, that has been a good challenge.
Any unique storage solutions? I don’t know that I have anything out of the ordinary, but it’s definitely stretched my idea of wants vs. needs. I no longer buy kleenex’s, good toilet paper works just fine, and I’m more intentional about all purchases: only buying the food we need for a week or so, making sure everything has a function or is just something I can’t live without looking at.
What’s your favorite room in your home? There’s not a door in the place, so it’s technically one big room I suppose, but I think my favorite space is the bedroom. There are only 4 spaces: the kitchen, the living area, the bedroom, and the bathroom and it’s the only one that gets good light all day long. I wouldn’t recommend putting your workspace in your bedroom, but light is important for me, and it works well for our circumstances.
Do you ever wish you had more space? Sometimes, but mainly I wish for more storage. I don’t really need more space to live, I need more space for my treasures. Or junk, as my husband might call it.
Best piece of small space living advice? It seems kind of cliché, but the idea that everything must be beautiful or functional, and preferably both, has felt very real. Especially with the character of the cabin, it can easily get cluttered. I’ve learned to let the walls (literally) speak for themselves because they are so beautiful, and keep everything else pretty minimal.
What a great perspective, right! I think its so wonderful that she and her hubby have a preverbial love nest to themselves. I mean, how amazing to have such a solid support system in her family. I love what she says about not wanting more space, but rather more storage. I also couldnt agree more about only buying the groceries that are necessary and bringing in only the things you feel you cant live without.
Since we downsized into to the cottage thats been my mindset with purchases. Its been hard as hell, BUT, it keeps me honest and ensures that we create a home with both beauty and intention. When we had a huge pantry we felt the need to fill it up. We wasted so much food which translates into us wasting a ton of money. Now we meal plan and purchase what we will eat during the week. I’ve calculated it and realize we not only spend less this way, we don’t waste food and we eat healthier. It’s just another benefit of our downsizing journey.
Thank you so much Gwen for sharing a bit of your life with us today. Your humble cabin is absolutely beautiful. Im curious to know though…now that you’re living in a small space and with your thoughts on the subject, will this have an effect on your new home build? Maybe you decided on less space than you originally intended? Either way, I know your home will be beyond beautiful.
Have a happy weekend friends. Until next time…
Xo-Shavonda
Beth of designPOST interiors says
I think what Gwen and her family are doing is so cool! Sometimes I wish I could just get rid of half my stuff and move out to a cabin in the country. Sounds like you both are mastering the art of less is more!
cassie says
i love this space! lately i am craving less…. i want to just get rid of everything. i don’t have time to do it just now, but oh i want to!
Julia@Cuckoo4Design says
Such a stylish cottage for sure!