Tiny Houses for Joyful Living
ISSN 2631-326X
SEPTEMBER 2019
Visit our website for all of our magazines and a library of resources for tiny living!
www.tinylivingmagazine.co.uk
Even Super Heroes take time out to read Tiny Living Magazine. *NOTE- Never attempt to read our magazine while flying. Follow us on www.facebook.com/tinylivingmagazineuk 01
SEPTEMBER 2019
Contents Send Us Your Photos!! Are you living in a tiny house, a narrowboat, a studio or other small space? Your story can help inspire others to follow their dreams!
Growing Green … Page
03 09 12
A Whole Village of Tiny Houses … Page Rescue A Forever Feline Friend … Page
Email us at: info@tinylivingmagazine.co.uk
Published by: Tiny Living Productions Ltd, Glasgow UK Editor: Pamela Palongue Design by: Gilmour Graphics Email: info@tinylivingmagazine.co.uk Cover photograph by John Nielsen London skyline image: Freepik.com
02
Growing Green You may remember Dani who was featured in our June issue with the beach chalet she lived in for four years with her partner, Frank. She’s now moved to a tiny house to be closer to her work as a horticulturist designer and wildlife conservationist! Dani specialises in creating gardens that are aesthetically pleasing, multipurpose and friendly to the environment. “My idea of a perfect green space is one that’s beautiful as well as productive, for both humans and the ecosystem.” Her home also reflects the importance of reducing our impact on the natural world. It’s a wonderful example of how recycled décor can actually be preferable to new, for creating a welcoming space
03
with tonnes of character. “I like furniture to have a soul…Most modern furniture breaks easily, and I think that’s tragic given our current state of consumption.” Her work at a curio shop one day a week, has helped her to locate pieces salvaged from house clearances. She’s also a self-described “sucker for a car boot sale”, and finds amazing items at charity shops and the odd skip rescue. The resulting eclectic mix is an elegant, walnut Edwardian cabinet, residing next to a cool 1960s blue Formica, dropleaf table. It can seat a maximum of three for dinner if one person is willing to sit on a laundry basket. But the casual, Bohemian flow of the small space, fits her ethics and lifestyle perfectly.
The garden functions like additional living space, and the outside is as welcoming to plants, birds and insects, as the inside is to people. She originally studied horticulture as a way to be creative with nature. But while on a work placement at The Eden Project, she realised that garden design had far greater potential than pure aesthetics. “I truly began to understand how gardens help maintain biodiversity…the lack of which has been directly linked to climate change. Given that 80% of households have access to a garden, I began to think the industry should be doing more to promote sound ecological advice to gardeners – even if it means breaking some difficult habits such as chemical use.” What are some ways you can use your small, or even tiny garden to help the environment? Dani describes ponds as “the giver of life”, even one the size of a washing bowl! They can support a huge number of aquatic and terrestrial species and flying insects. The Wildlife Trust has a great page on how to create your own mini-pond at www.wildlifetrusts.org/actions/how-createmini-pond
04
A compost heap also supports a huge range of organisms, and helps to retain the garden’s nutrient cycles, while cutting down on food waste. We as humans tend to be obsessed with a neat and tidy garden. It’s apparently been in our DNA for quite some time, as one quick look at the Gardens of Versailles will prove. But Dani says that retaining an edge of leaf litter and twig debris at the back of planting beds creates a great habitat for moth larvae, hedgehogs, and other species. She was inspired by “No Nettles Required”, a book by Ken Thompson explaining gardening with wildlife in mind. Part of helping nature is just being mindful of it, and Dani has rescued caterpillars, toads and many other garden creatures. She also says “Plant as many flowers as you can.” Some, such as Day Lillies, Primroses,
05
Pot Marigolds and Dandelions are even edible. -One caveat though! Research and make sure you are absolutely certain what you are eating. For those interested in growing vegetables in a small space, polyculture planting allows you to produce more with less ground. Using multiple plant species for ‘companion planting’ means that a pest for one plant, may have a natural predator that is attracted to a different plant. This creates checks and balances. Trees can grow well in small spaces with containers. The pot controls the size and you can change up the look by changing the pot’s colour. They can also be taken with you if you move! One of Dani’s favourites is the Dwarf Lilac, and there are many excellent dwarf fruit trees that can work in containers.
Bee lawns and wildflower meadows are so important! There are seed mixes especially for small areas and they can be much more interesting and colourful than the standard green grass. But Dani advises checking with your neighbours first, to gauge their openness, since they can be interpreted by some as ‘messy’. In the winter when the garden is bare, you can interplant kale, broccoli and leeks, which when used as a peace offering might help persuade your neighbours to support your gardening choices. “It’s about creating multi-functional, dynamic, mini-landscapes, which is not as difficult or as time-consuming as it might sound - and you get fresh veg and support the bees, so win-win! Ultimately, if we’re serious about sharing this planet with fellow species we have to be willing to make some compromises. This is mostly about education, and shifting our perception of what is pleasing to the eye. When you start to understand the complexity of a pile of leaves or logs, you start to see its beauty.” If you have absolutely no garden space at all, and no balcony for plant containers then a community garden or orchard may be the perfect solution. Dani feels strongly that these projects give people opportunities to grow more than just plants. “This is something that I think has far more than just environmental value. Society is becoming increasingly fractured and damaged. Garden and green space projects are bringing communities together as social and learning platforms, and for improving our physical and mental health.” The importance of reconnecting with nature has been recognised by The Wildlife Trust. Dani is working with Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust (HIWWT) on their project to assess how community green spaces are used and can be improved. HIWWT strives to create a better future for wildlife and wild places in the two counties. Visit here www.hiwwt.org.uk If you have unused or derelict land in your area, talk to your local council, who can check the status, and may allow you to submit a proposal for it to be used as a green project. Dani and Frank are currently working to restore small forgotten spaces, and transforming them into beautiful little getaways. They’re considering turning it into a tiny house holiday business. One thing is for certain, it’ll be furnished with lots of lovely, recycled items, and the garden will always be green!
06
A Tiny Living Promotion
Planning and Plot-Finding Two of the biggest questions with any home build are the planning restrictions and land availability. Tiny Eco Homes UK has answers to both. Though planning restrictions are in place to protect homebuyers, they can be quite intense. And everyone knows someone who has spent years attempting to get planning permission for their home. The key to success is knowing professionals who understand the language and parameters of the council guidelines. Tiny Eco Homes UK has architect consultants who can ensure that the requirements are being met, and they can actually file the planning application for you. This eliminates one major worry that homebuyers face. The second consideration is land. Tiny Eco offers a plot-finding service that is completely
07
free when you purchase a home from them. Their inspectors make sure that the plot is the right size and accessible for your new home. If you want to connect with conventional electricity and plumbing, then these are important factors in deciding on a plot. Also, location is another important issue. They will find up to two possible places for your homesite that meets your specifications as closely as possible. Your home-buying experience should be a positive one, that’s as stress-free as possible, and focussed on the colour of your kitchen counters – not deciphering planning restrictions. Let the professionals make it easy for you! For more details at www.tinyecohomesuk.com Tiny Eco Homes UK will be at The Glamping Show, 19th - 21st September at Stoneleigh Park, with one of their most popular models!
Tiny Living AUTUMN! In PRINT
Green Festival & Climate Change Discussion! This is a free event, celebrating the harvest, while exploring the impact of climate change, taking place in Winchester, 5th October 10am – 6th October 5pm. There’ll be talks and displays provided by the University of Winchester, Sparsholt College, Bee Inspired Project, WinAcc and Green Week. The daily impact of climate change, and what the local community is doing to address the problem will be discussed. There will also be farm animals, falconry displays and a Hampshire Fare market. All are welcome! For more information on the Green Harvest Weekend: www.visit-hampshire.co.uk/whats-on/ green-harvest-festival-weekend-at-winchestercathedral-p1461411
Free Eco Festival in London!
This free, family-friendly event will take place on 28th September at Lesnes Abbey, in the London Borough of Bexley and Cory Riverside. There will be live music, and stallswith information on wellbeing community groups, and volunteer opportunities. For more info and to register, visit the Eventbrite link at www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/free-family-fun-ecofestival-tickets-60259645221
Our Autumn issue (a combination of July, August & September) will be on sale mid-September at these locations: LONDON Charlotte Street News, Fitzrovia, W1T 4QE LONDON Rococo News & Magazines, Notting Hill W11 2HX GLASGOW Centre for Contemporary Art (CCA) Aye-Aye Bookstore, G2 3JD GLASGOW Tell It Slant Bookstore (in The Project Café), G3 6ST - And online everywhere at www.Newsstand.co.uk
EVEN A SUPER HERO NEEDS A HAND NOW AND THEN!
At Tiny Living Magazine UK we’re here to help! That’s because quality housing and minimising our impact on the natural world is our passion too. When you advertise with us, our print magazines are distributed to over 90 locations across the UK every quarter, and our online version appears every month! We offer one low price for all of it, to give you the most success. Call us for more info – 07715888981 or email infotinylivingmagazine.co.uk The impossible is possible – Just build!
08
A Whole Village of Tiny Houses Located just a short walk from the train station in Aberdeen is a picturesque fishing village called Footdee. Although the official name is Footdee, in the Scots language it’s called Fittie, which is how local people refer to it. It’s a very ancient area, with a settlement in this area since 1398. The present day homes were built in 1809 as part of a planned community, by a man named John Smith, who was both an architect and town council superintendent.
09
The houses were a great area for fisherman with its beachfront location. There was communal land, or what we might refer to as green space, that was cleverly built into the dwelling spaces. This gave each resident a small patch for gardening, and a small shed for storage. Today, Fittie is a conservation area, which means it has been designated a special area by the local planning authority to maintain its unique appearance and historical significance. Far from being rows of identical stone houses, the little dwellings are a colourful palette of cottages. Quirky accents are proudly displayed on
the front façades. Life preservers, anchors, butterflies, stars and birds all adorn the houses, and it’s easy to see that the residents here have a sense of humour and fun that’s enduring. If you visit, keep in mind that this is a real village, so it’s important to respect the residents who live there. Also, Aberdeen is larger than you might expect, with a population of over 200,000. While there, you might want to visit the medieval stronghold, Drum Castle and Pitmedden Gardens, a recreated Scottish renaissance walled-garden.
10
Photography: Solid Blue House with gable roof -Julie Borah Green door cottage, yellow door cottage, lighthouse door and Brig o’ Balgownie - Jonas Muscat
11
Rescue A Forever Feline Friend According to most estimates, there are around 9 million stray cats in the UK! This is a tragedy because cats are entertaining, incredibly useful creatures to have around. They were valued in ancient Egypt because of their ability to protect homes against rats and snakes. Many were mummified in anticipation of the afterlife.
If you would like to make a feline your forever friend, consider visiting your local rescue shelter to choose one of the lovely cats that’s already in need of a home. You could be good for each other. Go on now…make a cat happy.
These lightweight creatures are deceptively strong and agile. There have been studies that claim they can lower stress, and that their purr is just the right vibrational frequency to promote healing. The investigations are ongoing, but it’s easy to understand how their slow, deliberate movements and graceful leaps might be a welcome distraction from a hectic day. They can be quite independent, and make good pets for those who cannot devote constant attention to their animal. They’re also the favoured pet of those who live in the city, since they can use a litter box and can remain indoors.
12
Big Facts About Small Spaces The average size of a home in the UK is 76 square meters, which is the smallest national average in Europe Over 15,000 people in the UK live on the water on narrowboats and canal boats, with several thousand in London alone A shipping container home can be converted into a permanent dwelling with building regulation compliance for around ÂŁ15,000 + VAT There are now over 80 companies building shepherd huts in the UK, with an increasing number of them used as granny (or grandpa) annexes for aging parents According to the British Property Federation, a record 8,000 ‘micro homes’ were built in the UK in 2017
13
Well-read dogs agree: Tiny Living UK is fun and inspirational! DISCLAIMER: The above survey was conducted by dachshunds with questionable math skills and skewed scientific methods.
14
Tiny Living Magazine 48 2/3 West Regent Street Glasgow G2 2RA Email: info@tinylivingmagazine.co.uk www.tinylivingmagazine.co.uk