ISSN 2631-326X
JUNE 2019
Tiny Beach Chalets! Summer Awaits!
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JUNE 2019
Contents
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Kuki’s Chalet
Tim & Clare’s Chalet
Laura & Bear’s Chalet
‘Sealed’ with Love
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… Page
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Dani & Frank’s Chalet … Page
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Published by: Tiny Living Productions Ltd, Glasgow UK Editor: Pamela Palongue Design by: Gilmour Graphics Email: info@tinylivingmagazine.co.uk On the cover: Isle of Wight Chalet Photograph by Kuki Waterstone
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Kuki’s Chalet
On the Isle of Wight, near the yachting village of Cowes, is a row of 1930s beach chalets, each of which is uniquely decorated by the artists who live in them. More than just a series of unrelated dwellings however, a little community has evolved where neighbours chat across fences and know the names of each other’s dogs and cats. They also connect on a deeper level however, offering encouragement, friendship and support. Perhaps it’s owed at least in part, to the diminutive size of the chalets themselves. Three of the four tiny beach cottages are just 16 metres square!
One of Kuki’s beautiful yachtscapes, ‘Spinnakers under a Solent sky’
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Kuki Waterstone, a photographer and businesswoman, owns three of the four chalets featured and lives next to Chalet Number 1, a holiday let. An island transplant, or ‘overner’ from London, she and her husband Nigel, a marine engineer, have made Wight their home for the past 25 years. Though their own home is much larger than the beach chalets, they have stayed in Number 1 for several months at a time. “We used to let out our house in the summer, and we lived in the chalet”, explains Kuki. “We understand and believe in the concept of small-space living”.
She’s been able to put that resourcefulness to brilliant use in decorating the chalet for summer visitors. The walls echo the sea blue hue that ebbs and flows just beyond the front garden, and cheery navy and white-striped blinds offer some respite from the brightest of sunlit days. Pieces of aged grey wood look as though they might have drifted endlessly in the sea before washing ashore and winding up on the shelves. And paintings from local artists bedeck the walls in a nod to the local artistic milieu. An alcove bed tucked into a cosy nook, offers a comfortable night’s sleep to the sound of the waves lapping against the shore.
Electronics are however, conspicuously absent. Though Wifi is available, there are no trappings of the hectic urban lifestyle to detract from the incredible natural beauty just outside the front door, or the peaceful sanctuary within the chalet walls. A calendar with Kuki’s photographic interpretation of the isle can be found in the living area. Her photos of landscapes sometimes invite you into the scene, such as the one featured in this article; you can almost feel the warmth of the sun, and smell the salty air. Others, such as a bird’s eye view of travellers in a transport station, can make you feel like a voyeuristic fly on the wall. She much prefers to photograph pristine land and seascapes - and her favourite macrocosmic views of plants and flowers. “Plants have no ego”, explains Kuki. A photo shoot can be significantly more complex when individuals are preoccupied with how they will appear in the photo. As a photographer, she is both artistic and pragmatic about her work. “My prints could hang on your wall. I try to think like [graphic designers, photo editors, website designers] and anticipate what they might need”. She photographs from a dozen different angles, playing with the aperture to give a variety of options. Her work is available at www.kukiwaterstone.wixsite.com/photography The beach chalet is available for short-term let via Airbnb, Home Away and Trip Advisor.
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The wind, water and passage of time have taken its toll on the tiny chalets, which once housed members of the Women’s Royal Naval Service (WRENS) during World War II. Some of the chalets are due to be rebuilt soon, retaining the basic 4-metre frontage, but extending longer at the back to accommodate a separate bedroom. Although the space will increase to 40 metres square, this is still quite small by UK standards, with the average home offering 76 metres square. It will also be elevated on stilts, which is now a local planning requirement on this flood plain.
All too soon, it’s time to go..
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Laura &
Bear’s Chalet
Laura Hathaway is an artist whose beach chalet is an ever-evolving work of art in itself. It has a warm, easy feel to it, that is more about a collection of experiences than any particular colour or pattern choices. A native of Birmingham, she completed a degree in textile design, and specialised in hand embroidery. But since graduating in 2011, she has travelled extensively, and her home and her art reflect this openness to new cultures and experiences. Her creativity seems to flow spherically in many different directions, taking on various media and forms. Colourful pillows that are piled onto a loveseat and curtains in the sleeping area, are made from fabrics that began their life in faraway places like Indonesia and Morocco. Laura keeps a whimsical mobile made of brightly painted, wooden birds beside her bed, that were a gift from a student in Uganda. The girl who gave it to her was from a family who did not have very much money to live on, and so the gift was made even more touching.
Almost in contrast to the bright colours, Laura’s abstract paintings punctuate the walls with bold, black marks made on stark white paper and glass. “I like to work with black – I think it’s very powerful”, she explains, adding that she paints with her hands. Without planning or forethought, she leaves the end result of her creation to chance, with more emphasis on the process itself. -And the process always involves music! The music helps to evoke emotion, and then through the physical act of manipulating the paint, her emotions are released. Her works have been shown regularly in London, in New York, Portsmouth, and a solo exhibit in Southampton, as well as festivals and shows on the isle. Around the chalet however, Laura’s art hangs unpretentiously on a clothesline in the kitchen area, next to a cabinet with a chalk board door, on which is written the words ‘I climbed a cloud, now I stole the moon’.
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Her bathroom doubles as a darkroom for her photographic art. She uses a very traditional process called cyanotype, which produces a kind of photo negative appearance with a dark blue background; a shade which closely resembles the sea outside her front door. Every area of the chalet is filled with eclectic, found objects from the Solent. (the strait that separates the Isle of Wight from the mainland) Victorian-era bottles that have been preserved by the local clay, make beautiful turquoise vases for sprigs of foliage, and bones and driftwood that have washed ashore make for great conversation. Though the living space is basically all in one room, separate little nooks keep it from feeling small. And the garden spaces, both in the front and back of the chalet, are like additional rooms. In the gardens, Laura grows tomatoes, kale, purple peas, yellow courgettes, and lots of other unique varieties of vegetables not found at the market. She’s arranged a string of lights and some bistro chairs for neighbours who frequently drop by for a chat. And a striped hammock whose colours have been softened by long sunny days, hangs in the front garden for a view of the Solent and the sailboats silently drifting by.
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One of of Laura’s paintings hangs above her bed. Laura’s installation art piece, ‘Disorder II, Photo by Julian Winslow, www.julianwinslow.com
In warmer months, Laura goes for a swim in the Solent almost every day. Her dog, Bear, often accompanies her on her walks along the shore. She’s lived here for three years, and clearly enjoys being on the island and the inspiration that she draws from the sea. -Life is not about the amount of space that you have. It’s about the joy that you create. To see more of Laura’s work, visit: www.laurahathawayartist.com @lineandshade
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Dani & Frank’s Chalet 09
Dani and Frank are a fun couple, whose middle name is adventure! Before making the move to tiny living in the beach chalet, they crossed the Atlantic Ocean in a 35 ft. sailing boat! The voyage took almost a month, with one particularly memorable evening 300 miles off the coast of Bermuda in a scary storm, when the engine failed. Frank, a marine engineer who can fix anything on a boat, repaired the engine while Dani cooked a curry! “Humans are capable of a lot more than we realise”, says Dani. “Facing your fears in absolute isolation, makes you realise what’s truly important - and it is absolutely not a big house or big car”.
Dani and Frank moved into the chalet four years ago, and were well-prepared for making a small space work. She explains that it’s very similar to living on a boat, except that you can’t get off a boat when you’re having an argument. Their chalet, which they lovingly call “the shack”, may be small, but it’s full of life and fun! Frank put his electrical skills to use by turning a Jägermeister bottle into a lamp. And Dani, who works part-time in an antique store, has a great eye for spotting really cool furniture pieces that with just a little tweaking can find new life. The kitchen cabinets are from the 1950s, and were found in an old barn, covered in dirt and insects. She also found the shelving that hangs above the bed in the barn. She cleaned it, and got creative with the painting, by choosing a darker blue shade for the interior of the shelves, and outlining the edges of the shelves with a lighter blue. It matches perfectly with the walls, that are the exact same colour as the blue duck eggs she buys at the local market. Artwork is tucked into every available bit of space, above doorways and windows, and is much more about eliciting a smile than creating a focal point. The brass bed has a colourful throw, and Dani and Frank’s paddleboards are suspended above the bed to save space. They can easily just grab them and head to the Solent, not far from their front door.
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Dani is a gifted landscape designer, so their garden is lush, as you might expect, and it features a beautiful chimenea to enjoy the cool evenings by the sea. She’s currently finishing a degree which will marry the concept of the beautiful aesthetics in landscaping, with the added purpose of helping the environment with plants that nourish birds and insects. You can follow her on Instagram to see more photos of her garden at _rosesandrhubarb_ “I feel very much like our beach chalet has become a part of the landscape. It’s a wonderful place to live, and small enough that if I ever wish to move, I won’t have 10 trucks worth of stuff”. -Though she admits she’ll need at least one truck for all the books and scarves.
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With regards toward future trips across the ocean, Dani is philosophical. “You learn a lot about yourself at sea and about each other! We still like each other most of the time, so that must be a positive thing…It’s a connection that we will always have”. They do have plans to cross the Pacific Ocean at some point in the future, so stay tuned for more adventures from these two.
Tim & Clare’s Chalet When Clare and Tim decided to renovate their 1930s chalet, they didn’t have to go far for advice. Clare is a talented architect, with a flair for contemporary design. She also has a gift for making small spaces work efficiently and elegantly. And Tim is a skilled woodworker who was able to bring those innovative designs into existence. The couple lived for an extended time on a 1909 boat (pictured here) exploring 26 countries. There’s a great deal of maintenance that goes with caring for a boat that is more than a century old however, and Clare and Tim ultimately opted for a beachside chalet on the Isle of Wight.
When it came to renovating the chalet, Clare was wellversed in clever hacks for small space living. “The amount of space is roughly the same”, explains Clare, “just a different shape”. In the interest of practicality, they added insulation to the original structure, and Clare elected to remove the ceiling, so that the interior feels much more open and much larger. Cross timbers were needed for support, so they were placed as high up in the gabled ceiling as possible, providing a base for hanging lights and a perch for whimsical tropical birds!
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In a bit of a reversal, Clare’s desk is located about a metre off the floor on a mezzanine area, with sleeping space on the ground level. Even the steps leading up to the raised level were specially built by Tim to open up, revealing storage below. And the desk is suspended on a chain that can be folded up, flush with the wall for more space. Their bed, is actually a sofa that when pulled out from under the mezzanine area becomes a full-size bed! In a similar fashion, Tim built a dining table which pulls out from under a counter, and can seat up to six people. Together, Clare and Tim have created a very natural environment in their home. When Clare attended architectural school a few decades ago, she was just one of two female students in a class of 30. Today, the numbers of men and women are much more equal in the study of architecture, thanks in part to women like Clare who decided to forge ahead, regardless of the fact that they were greatly outnumbered.
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The mirrored door of the wardrobe, is recycled from a piece of furniture.
The 1909 boat Clare and Tim lived aboard.
Some of Clare’s pottery that reflects the seascape.
Tim racing, pictured in the boat in the foreground.
She does remember one event that was quite daunting during her schooling, however. At that time, architects were required to visit job sites to inspect a test panel of bricks in order to make sure that they were being laid correctly. A mere 20 years old, Clare had the unenviable job of examining the test wall of a 55 year-old veteran bricklayer. He picked up his trowel and handed it to her, inviting her to give it a try. She gamely took the trowel, slathered on some mortar and attempted to lay a course of bricks. After three or four, she said to him, “I can’t do this!” -The bricklayer burst out laughing, and then proceeded to teach her more about the art of bricklaying than she ever could have learned in a classroom. To this day, it remains one of her favourite materials to work with, along with clay. About ten years ago, she decided to take a course in ceramics, something she had enjoyed in her teens. “I found it was really like riding a bicycle…your hands remember how to do it”. She makes lovely clay pieces that resemble the landscape that is just outside her window. It’s interesting that her artistic nature seems to lie in creating in 3D. But the structures she makes on her potter’s wheel don’t have to be approved by a committee of people, which is a nice change from architecture. Her pottery will be at The Artists’ Open House on the Isle of Wight in July.
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A Tiny Living Promotion
A World of Possibilities Awaits!
Come visit the world of tiny houses at Tiny Eco Homes UK and see what’s possible. Stay in the ultimate tiny house, The Elegance Grand, for a unique holiday experience! If you’re interested in touring the homes only, then book an appointment for a tour of the gallery of tiny houses. You’ll get plenty of inspiration, and some practical tips from tiny house expert, Chris March. Chris has helped dozens of people achieve their dream of owning their own home. He can advise with customising the design to fit your needs, including equipping it for sustainable energy, and finding land for it once it’s built.
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Every home is personally delivered and set up by Chris and his team, whether it’s a family home in Bristol, or a holiday home in Brussels. New models are being released all the time, but each home is individually built to your particular specifications. Tiny Eco Homes UK will be at The Glamping Show with one of their most popular models, 19th-21st September in Stoneleigh Park. To begin planning your dream home, click here: www.tinyecohomesuk.com
‘Sealed’ with Love
The UK is home to two species of seals, the harbour and the grey seal. They can be found from northernmost Scotland to the south coast of England and the Isle of Wight. Occasionally a seal may become stranded on the beach. This can happen because of an injury, an illness, or malnutrition. Here are some tips on what to do if you find an abandoned seal from the British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) First, make sure that the seal truly is in trouble. If you see a seal that is less than 3 feet in length, between June and August, and there is no sign of an adult seal anywhere about, this may be an abandoned pup. Any seal with visible ribs, hips or neck may be suffering from malnutrition. A seal that is coughing, has noisy breathing, discharge from the nose, or cloudy eyes, may be ill and need medical treatment. If you observe any type of wound or swelling (particularly on the flippers) this is a serious injury that needs treatment.
Unfortunately, loss of habitat can lead to malnutrition, and injuries can be caused by entanglements in fishing nets or encounters with other animals. Seals may also become sick from toxic pollutants in the water. If you spot a seal that needs help, don’t try to approach the seal directly! They are carnivores and if they feel threatened, they may react with biting. Contact the BDMLR at the following numbers: 01825 765546 Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm 07787 433412 Out of Office Hours & Bank Holidays Alternatively, you may contact the RSPCA Hotline: - England & Wales 0300 1234 999 - SSPCA Hotline in Scotland 03000 999 999 If you would like to help ensure that these beautiful creatures and other vital marine animals are protected, consider joining the British Divers Marine Life Rescue, or making a gift to the organisation. You can also train as a Marine Life Medic! More information can be found at www.bdmlr.org.uk
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The Glamping Show! One of the biggest shows of the season will be taking place 19th -21st September, At Stoneleigh Park! There’ll be plenty of caravans, shepherd huts, yurts, holiday homes, and lots of accessories for small space living!
For a look at the funny side of tiny living, visit our YouTube videos at Tiny Living Loco: www.youtube.com/channel/ UCtssWTShfIcMmoSi0oUoWvg
SUMMER 2019
ISSN 2631-3251
Tiny Living SUMMER! In PRINT mid-June!
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