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The Elsa - A Tiny House with a Greenhouse
As tiny homes continue to grow in popularity, designers and builders are beginning to add more and more features that make these homes seem larger than what they really are. While the 100 square foot tiny home that looks more like a backyard shed than a livable structure might be appealing to some folks, a slightly larger structure that incorporates outdoor living spaces will most likely feel more “livable”, especially for couples or families looking to discover the advantages that come with tiny home living.
The Elsa, a beautiful house designed by Olive Nest Tiny Homes, is one example of a tiny home that integrates several features that make the home feel larger than it is, including a full-sized front deck that leads to an attached greenhouse. Rise recently sat down to talk with Mary Susan, the co-owner of Olive Nest Tiny Homes who built the Elsa and spent several months living in the home which is now listed for sale.
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Basic Home Features of the Elsa
The Elsa tiny home was built on a 28 foot by 8.5 foot trailer, including three 7,000 pound axels. Since tiny homes on wheels don’t have a separate foundation, investing in a heavy-duty trailer bed foundation is essential to make sure that the home is well anchored. Originally, the Elsa came out to be 323 square feet, though Mary is currently in the process of redesigning the floor plan of the house to include a separate back bedroom, which will increase the overall square footage.
Even with the original floor plan, however, the 323 square feet home includes a full-sized kitchen with a stovetop and oven. A pivoting bar allows for extra flexibility, depending on the number of occupants inside the home. When shifted next to the wall, the bar offers enough space for two people to comfortably eat. When guests are over, however, the bar can be pivoted out to allow for two extra people to share the table.
According to Mary, “the idea to include a greenhouse in our tiny Elsa house was brought to life because we wanted to make more usable functioning space. The deck area adds some more living area to the house. We also love the idea of minimal living and living more green. So the greenhouse adds to the concept of green living. Growing the food we eat is something that we love to do. We own a farm and eat what we grow.”
A porch swing makes the pergola deck a great place to relax and can easily be converted into an outdoor dining area as well. With a greenhouse located right next door, it is easy to pick a few fresh vegetables to add to a summer salad that is being served on the pergola.
While the Elsa tiny home is certainly one of the most unique tiny homes on the market, Mary admits that “the biggest concern from people looking to buy the Elsa was the lack of a lower bedroom, so in our next model we have an actual lower bedroom with a door.”
“We really enjoyed designing and building the Elsa,” says Mary. “We come from a family of builders and artists, and we love making something functional, green, and artistically beautiful.” For more information about The Elsa, you can visit the Olive Nest Tiny Homes Facebook page or see a YouTube video walk through of the home here.
Tobias Roberts
Tobias runs an agroecology farm and a natural building collective in the mountains of El Salvador. He specializes in earthen construction methods and uses permaculture design methods to integrate structures into the sustainability of the landscape.
