Dream Home has turned into a nightmare!

[alljams2001]

 Please forgive that subject line. It sounds so dramatic.
It hasn't turned into a nightmare so much as it's stalled on the freeway of life in 5 o'clock traffic. Too dramatic also; I'll just get to the point.

I bought a piece of property 5 years ago. In a tiny little town I adore. Septic tank, electric, and even a 20x24 garage was on it, but no house.
Well, I really didn't want a house anyway. What I wanted was to convert the garage into my own little home. Get a loan, fix it up, pay it off, live the dream, right?
Not so much. No loans anywhere for the tiny amount I wanted, so I decided I would "pay as I went" (hence the 5 years).

Have the electrical done, most of the plumbing, windows in, vinyl siding up. But it seems like now that I have done all of this, I'm terrified of making decisions as to what I want to do INSIDE the house. I'm a female; decorating or designing should be installed in my operating system.

If I put some pics up to show you what I have to work with, do you guys think you could give me some ideas? Google just makes my head hurt, with the exception of an awesome shower tiling job I saw that led me here....I even have a video   http://youtu.be/USJV4XK6MwA

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[Milspecstache]

Awesome idea and video!  Looks like you are doing all the right things!

You mentioned how hot it is...  what are you doing for AC?  Have you considered a ductless mini-split AC?  One unit would heat/cool the entire place at Seer18 or so.

What kind of shape is the concrete slab inside the house?  If in decent shape the cheapest flooring solution would be to acid stain it and then cover with polyurethane.  It isn't the most durable but pennies per sqft vice dollars for any other floor covering.

You mentioned loving a log cabin.  For the inside you could easily go with a combination of real wood paneling and drywall to give it more of a log cabin feel.  For instance in my closet I first put up plywood (nailed/glued to the studs) and then I installed tongue and groove cedar paneling from Lowe's which was also glue/nailed to the plywood.  The result is far more attractive than just drywall for slightly more money.  Plus I love the smell of cedar. 

For ideas have you been watching all the tiny house videos on Netflix and Youtube?  They would give you far better recommendations than you were ever get from me...

[Christiana]

My best advice is to pick something that you really love--a piece of furniture or artwork, one of the views out the windows, your favorite activity, anything--and start designing around that.

[zolotiyeruki]

This is just my opinion, but I think you may be getting ahead of yourself.  Finish the structure, wiring, plumbing, insulation, siding, etc.  Once you've finished that, then you can worry about drywall vs paneling, concrete vs hardwood vs carpet vs tile, etc.

And here's one more thought:  it looks very cluttered inside.  When I'm surrounded by clutter, I feel paralyzed, and it's hard for me to make decisions.  If you clear out the clutter and/or get things a bit more organized inside your garage-cum-home, you might find it easier to visualize what you want.

[Sunflower]

Check out http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/

First, the person who started the site lives in something like 280 sq ft with his wife and infant in NYCity so there's a real appreciation for small spaces and awesome design. Check out the 'small spaces' tab in the menu options. They also have a 'cool small' contest that features all sorts of tiny spaces that have been optimized and decorated with great style.

They have posts broken out by "decor styles" so maybe you could look through a few houses that have been decorated in each style to get a sense of what you love/hate.

One last suggestion would be to take the footprint of the space and mess around with different furniture layouts. Software suggestions here: http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-make-a-floor-plan-47448

Btw I love the little space and I think it's going to be awesome once it's all finished up. :-)

[lizzzi]

It looks great! I think a screened porch would enhance your quality of life in all but the hottest or coldest times of the year…but that's not what you asked. I would say to keep it ultra-simple with your favorite neutral color/colors. Then get good quality, ultra-comfortable main pieces of furniture--I'm thinking your bed, and your sofa or the easy chair that you will practically live in when you're not in bed. Keep them neutral, too. Then you can start playing with color and texture, with art and accessories, with other pieces of furniture…whatever. If you like the feel of a log cabin, you could start with a patchwork quilt on your bed and a braided rug on the floor…maybe a country rocking chair; then get some informal ironstone dinnerware and maybe some old-fashioned country style lamps and whatnot. (Put a Kentucky long rifle above your mantel--lol) I would take it slowly, one step at a time, experimenting and editing as you go. Since you are doing up a very small place, it should be affordable, even if you're buying or handcrafting some pretty good stuff.  Probably you're just not seeing the forest for the trees--over-thinking it a bit--because you've been so close to it for so long. Just keep in mind what you really like, not what you think you're "supposed" to like, or "supposed" to have…and it will be fine. Please post pictures later when you can.

[alljams2001]

This is just my opinion, but I think you may be getting ahead of yourself.  Finish the structure, wiring, plumbing, insulation, siding, etc.  Once you've finished that, then you can worry about drywall vs paneling, concrete vs hardwood vs carpet vs tile, etc.

And here's one more thought:  it looks very cluttered inside.  When I'm surrounded by clutter, I feel paralyzed, and it's hard for me to make decisions.  If you clear out the clutter and/or get things a bit more organized inside your garage-cum-home, you might find it easier to visualize what you want.

The electrical is roughed in, and the plumbing is almost finished  At the time of the video, It was the only place I could put items I would find on a deal, or was given to me. My mom just bought a place that has a huge garage, so I am moving the stuff over there till I need it. The siding wasn't finished in front because I wanted to use maybe half lapboard and half brick to give it a cottage look.

[alljams2001]

Awesome idea and video!  Looks like you are doing all the right things!

You mentioned how hot it is...  what are you doing for AC?  Have you considered a ductless mini-split AC?  One unit would heat/cool the entire place at Seer18 or so.

What kind of shape is the concrete slab inside the house?  If in decent shape the cheapest flooring solution would be to acid stain it and then cover with polyurethane.  It isn't the most durable but pennies per sqft vice dollars for any other floor covering.

You mentioned loving a log cabin.  For the inside you could easily go with a combination of real wood paneling and drywall to give it more of a log cabin feel.  For instance in my closet I first put up plywood (nailed/glued to the studs) and then I installed tongue and groove cedar paneling from Lowe's which was also glue/nailed to the plywood.  The result is far more attractive than just drywall for slightly more money.  Plus I love the smell of cedar. 

For ideas have you been watching all the tiny house videos on Netflix and Youtube?  They would give you far better recommendations than you were ever get from me...

Thanks for the inspiration! My whole thought was to use some of my grandmothers house that was being torn down in North Carolina. I grew up in it, and wanted some of it in my house. Unfortunately it was torn down before I could get there. I was thinking about half beadboard, half sheetrock.

[alljams2001]

My best advice is to pick something that you really love--a piece of furniture or artwork, one of the views out the windows, your favorite activity, anything--and start designing around that.

Thank you!! My grandmothers hutch is what I wanted to use. Now I know I'm on the right track!

[alljams2001]

Check out http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/

First, the person who started the site lives in something like 280 sq ft with his wife and infant in NYCity so there's a real appreciation for small spaces and awesome design. Check out the 'small spaces' tab in the menu options. They also have a 'cool small' contest that features all sorts of tiny spaces that have been optimized and decorated with great style.

They have posts broken out by "decor styles" so maybe you could look through a few houses that have been decorated in each style to get a sense of what you love/hate.

One last suggestion would be to take the footprint of the space and mess around with different furniture layouts. Software suggestions here: http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-make-a-floor-plan-47448

Btw I love the little space and I think it's going to be awesome once it's all finished up. :-)

Apartment therapy is one of my favorite websites.... Thanks so much for the words of encouragement!

[alljams2001]

It looks great! I think a screened porch would enhance your quality of life in all but the hottest or coldest times of the year…but that's not what you asked. I would say to keep it ultra-simple with your favorite neutral color/colors. Then get good quality, ultra-comfortable main pieces of furniture--I'm thinking your bed, and your sofa or the easy chair that you will practically live in when you're not in bed. Keep them neutral, too. Then you can start playing with color and texture, with art and accessories, with other pieces of furniture…whatever. If you like the feel of a log cabin, you could start with a patchwork quilt on your bed and a braided rug on the floor…maybe a country rocking chair; then get some informal ironstone dinnerware and maybe some old-fashioned country style lamps and whatnot. (Put a Kentucky long rifle above your mantel--lol) I would take it slowly, one step at a time, experimenting and editing as you go. Since you are doing up a very small place, it should be affordable, even if you're buying or handcrafting some pretty good stuff.  Probably you're just not seeing the forest for the trees--over-thinking it a bit--because you've been so close to it for so long. Just keep in mind what you really like, not what you think you're "supposed" to like, or "supposed" to have…and it will be fine. Please post pictures later when you can.

This is my baby....And yep, the concrete on the outside is there for a screened in porch... You're right, what I like, not what I "think" I should like!

[Nords]

I bought a piece of property 5 years ago. In a tiny little town I adore. Septic tank, electric, and even a 20x24 garage was on it, but no house.
Well, I really didn't want a house anyway. What I wanted was to convert the garage into my own little home. Get a loan, fix it up, pay it off, live the dream, right?
Not so much. No loans anywhere for the tiny amount I wanted, so I decided I would "pay as I went" (hence the 5 years).
Any help would be greatly appreciated!

There's a guy on the Big Island who's done almost exactly the same project in the same floorspace:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxGr9uloL9k

[soccerluvof4]

I would just go to all the tiny house websites and look at what others have done till you find a look you like. There are a ton of them out there now and when i went to your website (which i enjoyed) there was a slew of others that came up!  Good luck! sounds like a fun project

[Trudie]

Taunton Press has a book called "Small Houses" or something like that.  Some of the houses are not exactly what I'd call small, but you might get ideas.  The "Not So Big House" series might also have some ideas.

Some thoughts:

Explore sliding doors or screens for privacy, but also to allow you to open up spaces for multiple purposes.
Make use of vertical space.
I've traveled in Scandinavia where space is at a premium, and it's interesting to see how they design for small spaces.  It's very clever.
Make ample use of your outdoor space and allow for some sort of an outdoor room.

I always thought that if I had a space like that I'd have stained concrete floors (to look like tile) and radiant floor heat.

Only surround yourself with things you really like in such a small space.

[alljams2001]

Guys, you all have been such an inspiration!!

So much in fact, while reading these post to a friend, they said "Hey wait, I know a guy that might be able to help you".
He came down yesterday, and we just talked. It was as much a therapy session as it was conversations about the house.

His words were "The reason why you can't see what you want is because you can't see how much you've already done".  We walked around, and talked about what had already been done, and solutions for doing the rest the easiest, yet best way that I can do them, without hiring someone.

He told me what needed to be done, and said "It already looks like a little cottage to me". I cried... It was EXACTLY what I needed to hear!!
I was given neat, inexpensive ideas to achieve the look I wanted, yet have it efficient. Sometimes, the best way is the least expensive!

Here's some of his ideas:

1. Keep the rafters exposed, and use luan and furring strips to get a "beadboard" look ceiling.
2. Keeping the concrete floor uncovered. Grind down the high spot,s clean it, stain it, then cut small 'grooves" in it to give it a stone floor look.
3. Using sheetrock on the walls, but buying 'beadboard" wallpaper to make a chair rail look.
4. Using glass block to make small "windows" in the front of the house for extra light.
5. Using 1x3's to make my "butcher block" countertop.

Guys, you all are amazing! If I hadn't written to you for some advice, I would still be sitting here, lost. Now, I have a plan!! BTW, will start some more youtube videos, and show you my progress!!

[Dee18]

Also check out assortmentblog.com
Their house is a tad larger.  It is beautifully finished with a ver uncluttered look.

Also consider talking with a professional in your area. When I bought my house I had a hard time choosing the right paint colors, especially in the kitchen which had crazy tile, backsplash, etc. it turned out that a top designer lived in my neighborhood.  She usually did whole house projects for thousands of dollars.  But I called her and told her my dilemma and she agreed to let me hire her for one hour for $50.  She walked through my house and educated me about the lighting in each room, giving me three paint color suggestions. She also advised me about how to rearrange my furnitures, update a chandelier by removing little lampshades, and lots more.  That one hour was well worth it.