Heavener - Tiny house: live small, dream big

Imagine living free of the prescribed norms and daring to do it differently. No debt or mortgage to pay, no clutter and stuff to worry about and an environmentally friendly space to call your own that gives you boundless freedom. The widespread momentum of the tiny house movement has demonstrated that dream becoming a reality for people all over the world. Throughout the US, the UK, New Zealand, Australia and South Africa the shift towards a sovereign life free from financial bondage is growing and spreading globally. More and more creative individuals are pursuing a lifestyle with intention a more balanced way to live that gives greater freedom and ultimately, more happiness.

As a kid in the mountains of Californias high desert, some of my best adventures involved building forts in the trees or on the ground. Pieced together with scrap wood, bent nails and plywood, it was in these hideaways that I escaped chores and daily homeschooling. I could imagine, dream and allow my creativity to run wild. These imperfect walls were built from the heart a battle cry of victory when I set the right board on, and sometimes tears when I hammered my thumb. The forts reflected something so much greater than what I knew at that time they had character, determination and grit written all over them. They soothed the longing for freedom and risk that lay within me as a young man.

Now, years later, that same desire for freedom is even greater and rings true to the hearts of so many others.

Visit a cosy cabin nestled in the Canadian wilderness, a renovated vintage van trekking through the American West, a whimsical tree house high in the forests of Spain, a mobile tiny house in the mountains of Washington or an A-frame atop Australias golden hills. Whether you already live in a tiny house, are planning to build one or are simply seeking escapism, my hope is that a spark will be ignited upon the turning of each page.

Embark with me on this visual adventure as you journey through small spaces that inspire a passion to challenge the status quo and pursue a simpler life. A chance to get lost in your thoughts and dream of something more.

Venture ahead,

Brent Heavener is a digital entrepreneur, rancher and founder of @tinyhouse, the number one Tiny House feed on Instagram.

BUILT UP HIGH IN SPAINS BASQUE COUNTRY
Camouflaged among the fall leaves of the trees, the octagon shape of this home attracts those looking for something special. A place to step back from life and into nature, to restore a sense of calm and an appreciation of pared-back simplicity.GRAND DOUBLE-DECKER TREE HOUSE RETREAT
Darin and Kati bought a seven-acre wooded property outside of Whitefish, Montana, and their dream of building a tree house became a reality. They created an unforgettable and grand escape within the trees. A winding staircase wraps around a salvaged Douglas Fir. The warm interior provides a comfortable space from which to admire the picturesque essence of the surrounding area. This whole project has been a true adventure in every sense of the word.A HIDEAWAY, CEDAR WOOD TREE HOUSE
Unique dwellings with rich character ingrained deep within them are few and far between. It takes a turn down an unknown road or a good word-of-mouth recommendation to find a place worth remembering. About an hour outside of Toronto, Frank and Olivers tree house getaway on a 280-acre property is just like that. What started as an architectural project to build an unforgettable weekend retreat is now an escape to dwell and cherish moments within. Summer months are spent basking in the beauty around the lake, while the winter is taken up with visiting the local ski resorts to enjoy the slopes.A BLOGGERS ADVENTUROUS HOME IN THE TREES
With her interior design skills in one hand, and knack for giving reclaimed materials a second life in the other, Lynne Knowlton had enough passion and coffee to fuel her long-held tree house dream. Salvaged wood from an old barn was used throughout and other foraged materials make this characterful home unforgettably unique.AN INCREDIBLE THREE-STOREY TREE HOUSE
At Camp Wandewega in Wisconsin, behind the reclaimed lumber and second-hand windows, lies an unforgettable space. Its rich with character and vintage finds. An elevated fireplace for those chilly northern nights and a lofted nook is the ideal place to relax and escape into a classic book.Next page