We got the keys to our house on August first 2013. The house
was built in 1917 and is only 560 square feet. Originally our neighborhood was
an apple orchard and our house was where the caretaker lived. Early on we
decided to build a detached accessory dwelling unit (DADU) in our back yard. We
spent a year and a half getting the permits! We broke ground on September 1st.
When it is completed we will live in it and rent out the original house.
Legally a DADU must be no more than 800 square feet of
heated space so it will be a cozy little house! Fortunately we will have a 400
square foot unheated basement for laundry and storage.
A friend very very generously designed BEAUTIFUL plans for
us. In only 800 square feet he managed arrange two lovely bedrooms, two full
bathrooms, a living room and a very usable kitchen. He oriented the windows and
doors in a way that maximizes all of the sun we will get from the South side.
Thank you Alan!
We are doing our best to build our house from all second
hand material. So far all of our appliances, cabinets, doors, beams, flooring, tiles,
shelves, sinks, toilets, lights, and trim wood has been acquired second hand
from friends or the Second Use store in the SODO neighborhood of Seattle. My
mom has found all of these items and patiently checks the Second Use inventory
daily. (These items are currently in storage until we are ready to install
them)
We are doing the building
ourselves with my parents who built their own home nearly 30 years ago!
