Tumbleweed is a company founded by Jay Shafer that sells tiny houses; a house that might be smaller than your closet. Concerned about the affects of larger houses on the environment, Jay built himself a 89 square feet house in 1997 and since then he has been building greener and smaller houses for others. He takes care of light, warmth, energy efficiency and proportion while composing a home. "I have made the most of each cozy interior by minimizing transitional areas like hallways and stairwells and by using otherwise unusable space as storage", adds Jay.

Tumbleweed offers three plans for small houses: Box Bungalows, House To Go and cottages. Each plan has different house models to choose from. In 1997, Jay built a 'House To Go' for himself called 'EPU' (refer to the image in left). Jay also provides workshop on how you can design and build your own tiny house.

It is a great honor for us to have Jay on our blog as he is no less than a celebrity. Catch his exclusive interview with us below:


Jay, you are not a guy who needs an introduction but for the benefit of our readers let’s start with an introduction to yourself.

I'm the designer and founder of Tumbleweed Tiny House Company. I've spent more than a decade designing, building and living in small spaces. Twelve of those years were spent in houses of less than 100 square feet, but when I got married and started makin' babies, we moved into a relatively palatial 500 square foot home. I still spend most of my time in my 7' x 14' house in the backyard.


What was it that led you to design and build tiny houses?

I started by designing my own place because I couldn't find a house small enough to suit my own minimal needs (or one I could afford). By reducing my footprint, I was able to save money and spend my life doing more of the things I love doing. I've been living simply and designing simple spaces for others ever since.

Fencl






























Did you initially have any difficulty in trying to convince people about the concept of living in tiny houses. If yes then how did you surmount these difficulties? 

It's been surprisingly easy. I don't even feel that I've had to convince anyone. I think that's because my little houses do that for me. When people see my little houses, they seem to get it right away. There seems to be something inherent in people that resonates with simple shelters. We all love tree houses and boats, and most of us built little forts when we were kids. I never stopped.


Personally Jay, why did you decide to use the EPU as the house of choice for your residential needs?

The Epu was my first design. I spent hundreds of hours exploring what forms feel homey and how much space would be needed to fit my stuff and me comfortably. That said, I've since spent hundreds more hours refining the inside of that design for even more of the same. Every house I make has evolved out of the original Epu. It's the genesis.

EPU



















Why do you think that more and more people are gravitating towards the concept of staying in smaller houses? Do you think the downturn in the economic fortunes in the recent past has something to do with it? Are there any other factors contributing to this shift?

I think a lot of folks are getting fed up with putting so much of their lives into paying for, insuring, maintaining, heating and cooling more space than they really need. We're also getting smarter about the choices we make that affect the world around us. At 2,300 square feet, the average American house emits about 18 tons of greenhouse gasses every year; it consumes a quarter acre of forest, and it dumps another seven tons of construction waste into the local landfill. A lot of that's unnecessary, as there's a lot of space that's not really being used well.

B-53































What are some of the tips and tricks to living in a tiny house?  How difficult, do you think, would it be for a person used to living in a conventional house to get adjusted to living in a tiny house? 

It's all about the design of the space. If it's designed to accommodate the life(s) within, it will feel great. If there isn't enough storage, or elbowroom or too much of something and not enough of something else, strife will ensue. I've been in mansions that felt crowded and sheds that feel very open. It's all about good design, and the first trick to that is knowing what you need (and don't need) to be happy.

Gifford




































You seem to believe in the adage-"Practice what you Preach”, in the sense that you not only design and sell tiny homes but also live in one. Do you think that this makes for people to better “CONNECT” with your way of thinking?


It can't hurt. Seeing someone else living happily in such small spaces probably helps others imagine themselves in one too.


Over the course of duration that you have been running Tumbleweedhouses what is the best compliment that you have received.

I've seen dozens of folks move into my designs then send pictures and emails about how happy they are. That's as good as it gets.


Do you think that eCommerce has had anything to do with the fact that Tumbleweedhouses has been as successful as it has been?

I don't even know how people ran businesses before the internet. I love being able to convey ideas so immediately through my site and social media. I like to think people go to my site mostly to dream about a simpler life. It's house porn, really.


Out of curiosity, which design of your tiny or the not so tiny houses is the most popular?

People tend to go for the biggest in each category. The Fencl's the biggest one on wheels, so it sells like gangbusters. The B-53's the biggest house I've designed on a foundation, so it sells well too.


What are your future plans for the company? Do you plan to go international with this concept?

We're already getting quite a few orders for house plans and books from abroad. What we plan to do, now, is focus on more manufacturing in the US and then, presumably, overseas. We'll be selling park model RVs. These will be as large as 400 square feet with multiple bedrooms. I think there's a huge market for these... so to speak.


What would be your most valuable advice to budding entrepreneurs?

Go slow. I started my company with no loans, $3000 and a tiny house. Let demand spur growth, it doesn't necessarily work the other way around.



Building Tumbleweed Fencl:


 


Jay, it was a pleasure to have you on our blog. Thank you for taking out time from your busy schedule to talk to us. You're doing a wonderful job and E-junkie wishes you all the good luck for your venture.

You can follow Tumbleweed Houses on Facebook and Twitter.


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