If you embrace a minimalist lifestyle and are obsessed, like I am, with tiny homes, small spaces, and living with less, this post will definitely interest you. After all these years working in design and helping clients declutter and organize their lives, I know that less definitely gives you more—more freedom, more relaxation, more control.
Just over a year ago, we moved to a new area in the north end of Halifax. A few months later, I was out for a walk and decided to take a new route to explore the neighbourhood. I spotted a lot beside an existing house under construction. There was a sign that named a company called Sprout Dwellings as the builder.
It was their tagline “We’re up to something small” that immediately caught my eye. I pulled out my phone, looked them up online, and became totally obsessed with what they were creating. I drove or walked by that lot nearly every week to follow the progress. I couldn’t stop thinking about getting inside for a peek at this tiny dwelling.
In mid-April of this year, I was finally granted a viewing with Erin and Sean just as they were finishing up construction. I was so excited that it was all I could think about for days. It was such a pleasure to meet with them and learn more about their idea for affordable, sustainable housing that can function as a backyard suite, cottage, or even a permanent residence.
Their system is turnkey and, as their website says, “is repeatable and modular,” thereby saving on construction time and costs. They offer four different layouts: a studio, a back bedroom, a side bedroom, or two bedrooms. You choose one of three finish packages: Scandinavian, mid-century modern, or vintage.
The 580-square-foot design that I was invited to view is quite ingenious. There is certainly no wasted space. I immediately tried to figure out how we could live in the space and how I would design our storage solutions. I have concluded that two people who intend to make one of these sprouts their full-time residence would probably need to go for the two-bedroom unit. After all, we do have some stuff.
Now, all we need to do is find someone who wants to sell or lease us a piece of land on their property somewhere in Nova Scotia to build our very own sprout dwelling. Are there any takers?
I know we are not alone in our quest to live tiny, so please share this blog post on your social media pages.