You may recognize this couple from season three of HGTV’s Fixer Upper. After living in their Fixer Upper home for over a year, Sara decided to go back to school for nutrition…and it forced the couple to get creative with their finances. After careful consideration, Jeff and Sara decided it would be a more purposeful use of the house to rent it out…and to convert their two-car garage (which they weren’t using) into a tiny home to live in, instead.

Actually, they had always been intrigued by the tiny home concept and decided it would be a fun design challenge. And challenge it was; the entire remodel (and figuring out how to use the space) was a learning process. For awhile they slept on an air mattress, searched for the perfect ladder to access the loft space, and learned how to cook without an actual oven or range. But after demo-ing, the garage was completely livable in four months!

Of course, at 400 square feet, they had to be creative when designing the space. Like most garages, there were no windows originally so Jeff and Sara made sure windows were cut out to bring in lots of natural light. They intentionally designed the space with a large walk-in closet for storage to keep the home feeling clutter-free. And, incredibly, the remodel did not break the bank! They love how the space came out, referring to the home as, “The Tiny.”

Jeff works as a photographer, formerly photographing interiors for Magnolia and HGTV, and now shooting with Home Polish. Sara is an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach (and future Nutritional Therapy Practitioner) and works with her clients to cultivate a balanced life that aligns with their goals and needs.

Our Style: Modest Modern

Inspiration: Dwell Magazine

Favorite Element: The Ceiling

Biggest Challenge: Storage/Creating a place for everything/Streamlined storage solution

What Friends Say: “It feels bigger than I expected”

Biggest Embarrassment: We live with our two pups in this space…so dog hair.

Proudest DIY: Creating a pot rack and assembling our kitchen cabinets.

Biggest Indulgence: The armoire

Best Advice: If you are considering downsizing, go for it! It helps one to become a mindful consumer and an active de-clutterer

Dream Sources: Farrow and Ball / CB2 / Schoolhouse Electric / Restoration Hardware

PAINT & COLORS
Sherwin Williams — Fawn Brindle
Knoxville Grey Benjamin Moore — color of cabinets in main house

STUDY
Shelf- VITTSJÖ — Ikea
Desk — Computer Desk by Techni Mobili from Wayfair
Chair — Antique find

LIVING ROOM
Chesterfield Leather Sofa — Pottery Barn
Four Hands Cabinet — Four Hands
Aura Pendant, Large Charcoal, Charcoal, Large — Houzz

KITCHEN
TINGSRYD — Ikea
Cruz 1-Light Wall Sconce — Wayfair
12.5 cu. ft. Bottom Freezer Refrigerator with Digital Controls by Summit Appliance — Wayfair

BEDROOM
Textural Seed-Stitch Cotton Duvet Cover — Restoration Hardware

BATHROOM
GODMORGON / ODENSVIK — Ikea