Welcome to a channel that offers glimpses into the lives of people who build unusual homes out of their own materials and choose to live lightly on the planet.
This week, we’re taken to Georgia, where a modest shed has been transformed into a comfortable abode by John and Finn, a couple who have a taste for micro living.
Their path has been one of love, transformation, and a little bit of do-it-yourself magic.
A cross-ocean love ignited John and Finn’s journey into tiny living more than ten years ago.
They learned that the quality of their togetherness, rather than the size of their space, determined happiness as they traveled from the cramped boats of England’s canals to Georgia’s expansive vistas.
John says, “Finn and I met over 14 years ago,” laying out the background of their unusual love tale that took them from busy cities to a tranquil 16-acre homestead.
The quest for simplicity and sustainability led them to decide to turn a shed into their future home.
Finn says, “We wanted to have something dried in beforehand so we could just do the inside ourselves.”
They selected a lofted barn design from Dirksen portable buildings because it promised to be a blank canvas for their new life together, in addition to its sturdy construction.
Starting from scratch, the pair spent $6,500 on the empty shell and set out on a transformational journey.
Over the course of 12 years, the shed—which was once only a 304-square-foot wood structure—has grown into a 500-square-foot sanctuary with a greenhouse kitchen and bathroom.
John says, “The truth is this house has undergone three or four metamorphoses, which is a testament to their ever-evolving dream.”
on addition to 31 cats, 4 dogs, 2 pigs, 6 goats, over 20 chickens, 4 ducks, and, amusingly, “a partridge in a pear tree,” their homestead is a thriving sanctuary for these animals.
This menagerie adds to the self-sustaining spirit of the homestead, as it shares the property with John and Finn.
The couple’s dedication to living in balance with the environment is visible across their entire home.
Finn’s main garden is one of the homestead’s centerpieces; it’s a beautiful area full with herbs and veggies.
Finn’s credo, “A garden that’s out of sight is a garden that’s out of mind,” highlights how crucial it is to have their food supply close at hand and in plain sight.
Their “cornucopia” of produce, which provides them with food all year round, is the result of their permaculture method, which blends in well with their way of life.
However, their creative approaches to waste and water management may be the most fascinating feature of their homestead.
John and Finn have considered everything, from collecting rainwater to creating cooking gas through a biogas system that treats sewage.
“We produce the gas we use for cooking, so we don’t rely on propane,” John says, emphasizing their attempts to live off the grid.
The pair has made the most of every inch of space in their little house, from the walk-through closet that serves as a seasonal clothing exchange to the bedroom area that is lofted.
The greenhouse kitchen, which Finn designed to bring light and nature into their everyday lives, is the center of their residence.
“I never was fond of the kitchen we had previously… Finn exclaims, her voice full of delight at witnessing her vision realized, “I want to bring more nature light in.”
By the time the tour comes to an end, it’s obvious that John and Finn’s cherished cabin homestead is a living, breathing example of their principles and idealized world.
Their narrative serves as a poignant reminder that you can create a home that not only embodies your identity but also represents your ingenuity, willingness to work hard, and love.
However, you haven’t even begun to explore this little bohemian refuge.
View the tour below to see inside John and Finn’s garden shed turned sanctuary!
Kindly distribute this to your loved ones.
