Calling all tiny house fans!

Would you like the opportunity to stay overnight in a tiny house before plunging into building your own?

My Story

Indulgent Restraint was born of my fascination with tiny houses and a desire to live in one. A few years ago while living in New England, I fell in love with the Lusby design by Jay Shafer of the Tumbleweed Tiny House Company. I wanted to nestle the tiny house in a Thoreau-like setting, among tall pines near a pond. My kids were grown and I was ready to downsize. So I put our big house on the market, bought land, purchased the tiny house plans and hired a professional home builder to start work on the Lusby. But it was 2008 and the start of the housing crisis. The big house wasn't selling, so I couldn't hang on to the lake front land; my plans would have to change.

After some twists and turns, I sold the lot, rented out my big house, and moved myself, two dogs, three cats and tiny house to California. I lived in the tiny house on rented farm land in the delta along the Sacramento River. It was a wonderful adventure!

But I really wanted to be closer to San Francisco and have enough room to host guests. So when my big house in New Hampshire finally found a buyer, I was able to make another move. I bought a 96 year old, two bedroom house in Vallejo and brought the tiny house to its backyard. I'd love to open it up for other tiny house fans!

The Impact

Many people dream about tiny houses but few have the time or money to risk building such a unique living structure. Opening up the world's tiniest hotel will allow others to experience the joys (and pains!) of tiny house living without having to make a big investment. 

Indulgent Restraint can provide all of the comforts of home, in the tiniest possible way:

• The bathroom has a full stall shower, mirrored medicine cabinet, porcelain sink and a child-sized flush toilet. (The 10 gallon hot water heater supports a quick hot shower.)
  

• Snugly sleeping room for two in the loft, or if you prefer, one in the loft and one on a pull out mattress on the first floor.
• Electric heat
  
• Internet access (wireless) and TV (DirecTV)
  
• Refrigerator, toaster oven, hot plate, dishes, silverware, pots and pans.
  

It's ready to be shared and enjoyed, but needs hook-ups to water, sewer and electricity.

What We Need

Water, sewer and electrical hook ups. (Also landscaping  - the tiny hotel is on a bed of gravel and needs some greenery to add cheer - but only the hook ups are included in the $4,000 budget. )

What You Get

For a contribution of $35 or more, you can stay in the world's tiniest hotel. Bed linens, towels and cooking utensils are provided.

After making your donation, you can make your reservation online. Grand Opening November 2011. 

You must be 18 years or older to make a reservation. A copy of your driver's license or other photo ID will be required prior to the expected date of arrival.

Under 18? Please ask your older brother, sister or friend to join you. An adult must make the reservation and must  accompany any younger person who wants to stay.

The Town, Neighborhood and Site

Vallejo is a colorful, multi-cultural community. The Farmers Market, a great source of Asian and Hispanic vegetables, is open every Saturday, year round.

San Francisco is about an hour and 15 minutes away by car or ferry. The ferry is just a mile from Indulgent Restraint and parking is available across from the ferry station. Round trip to San Francisco is $24.00.

Napa and its 300+ wineries are just a half hour away.

Neighbors are close-by. Indulgent Restraint is enclosed by a fence for privacy, but we do hear each other when out in our yards. The neighbors on the left are retired folks but the neighbors on the right are young men who sometimes play music or listen to sports in their backyard.  No late night noise, though. We are all considerate of each other (except for the dogs across the street who occasionally have a brief but noisy howling party).

Sorry, the neighborhood is not 420 friendly.

What if We Don't Reach Our Goal?

You can still stay in the tiny house. We will be working hard to come up with other ways to cover the costs of the hook ups.

If we receive extra funds, we will plant a flower garden and create a pond with a fountain.