In 2019, faced with the challenge of building it alone, Carol embraced the task.
She ensured she accounted for every nail, screw, and drop of glue that went into her creation.
This intimate knowledge allows her to maintain and repair it with confidence.
The Dragon’s Nest reflects Carol’s artistic soul and her love for the 1800s Roma vardo wagon style.
Adorned with antiques and vibrant colors, it’s a space that resonates with her spirit.
This personalized approach to living space contrasts with her previous residences, which ranged from 4,800 to 1,100 square feet.
The decision to downsize was driven by a desire for simplicity.
The journey began in 2016, with Carol meticulously gathering reclaimed items and garage sale finds, slowly bringing her vision to life on paper.
The construction of The Dragon’s Nest was a lesson in resourcefulness and patience.
Starting with a commercial earth-moving machinery hauler as the base, Carol framed her tiny house in 2018
However, the onset of unforeseen events meant she had to undertake the building process alone, except for installing a couple of windows.
Her commitment to building a safe and correct home led her to pay for new materials like plumbing, electrical wiring, and propane appliances out of pocket.
Remarkably, Carol managed to keep her expenses under $20,000.
Carol’s meticulous nature extends to her record-keeping.
She maintained a detailed history of The Dragon’s Nest, documenting every penny spent in a book.
This level of detail not only helped her track expenses but also served as a testament to her commitment to the project.
Her building skills, honed through years of volunteering with Habitat for Humanity and guidance from her brother-in-law, Gary, were crucial in bringing her tiny house to life.
The Dragon’s Nest is a marvel of design and functionality.
Its exterior, made from dimensional mill Douglas fir and accented with cedar shingles cut into dragon scales, captures the essence of its name.
Inside, the great room comprises a living area, a fold-out dining table, and a kitchen, all under a ceiling of Victorian tin plates from Upper Canada Village.
Each item in the house has a story, from the nook bed made from a reclaimed box bed to the antique toilet refurbished to resemble 1800s bucket toilets.
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