Music Teacher’s Retirement in a Backyard Casita
Adele’s Backyard Casita Adventure on an Oregon Farm
Upon deciding to move back to Oregon, Adele was searching for a more straightforward lifestyle. She discovered the ideal answer in a “backyard casita” located on her sister’s 20-acre farm. Living on a lively farm with a variety of animals—from 13 horses to pigs and chickens—Adele keeps active and involved, while reaping the benefits of a rent-free life.
“I don’t mind helping around on the farm,” she says, grateful for the opportunity to live close to nature without the financial burden of a traditional home. Her backyard casita, nestled among the farm’s greenery, offers her the perfect balance of independence and simplicity.
A Musical Haven
Adele’s compact backyard casita may be petite, but it’s brimming with character and intention, particularly in relation to her love for music. A retired music teacher, Adele has carefully arranged her 150-square-foot Tumbleweed Cypress to house her cherished collection of musical instruments. From an Appalachian dulcimer to a banjo she has yet to explore fully, her casita is a true reflection of her musical roots. “I just got bungees and bungee them up there,” she explains, describing her creative approach to storing her instruments in a limited space. Her casita might be compact, but it’s bursting with musical charm.
Hosting in a Tiny House
The intimacy of a backyard tiny home can present unique challenges, especially when hosting guests. Adele experienced this firsthand when she invited her book club over. “I didn’t realize how small it was until I had eight ladies from my book club come over,” she laughs.
While her 150-square-foot home is perfectly suited for her daily needs, it quickly filled up with her friends. Even though it’s small in size, her tiny abode emanates a warm and welcoming atmosphere, showing that even compact spaces can create substantial memories.
Optimizing Space with Smart Storage Solutions
Making the most of her new home meant getting creative with storage. Adele noticed early on that she needed more room for her belongings, so she decided to build her own shelves. “When I first moved in, I realized I didn’t have places to put stuff,” she recalls. She opted for open shelving that keeps everything accessible without making the space feel crowded. These personalized shelves are a reflection of her resourcefulness and resolve to make her small casita as practical as can be.
Eco-friendly: The Composting Toilet
Adele’s backyard casita isn’t just a quaint, charming retreat; it’s also a model of sustainability. She chose a composting toilet to minimize her environmental footprint, in keeping with her commitment to green living. “Every time you flush it, you’re wasting two to three gallons of water,” she points out, emphasizing the benefits of her eco-friendly choice. The composting toilet employs peat moss to decompose waste and has a straightforward method for segregating liquids from solids.
The compost toilet is simple to use: Adele stirs the contents by turning a handle after each use, aiding the composting process. The separated urine is collected in a container that she empties around her bushes and shrubs, nourishing her garden with natural fertilizer. “They actually looked a lot better this season in the springtime,” she says, noting the positive impact on her plants. The solids are collected separately and occasionally emptied into an outdoor compost bin, turning waste into valuable compost for the farm.
“Another thing I did like about Tumbleweed, is that it is built above standards for being green.”
A Perfect Backyard Casita Experience
Adele’s dwelling is not merely a tiny house; it mirrors her principles and her intention to lead a straightforward and sustainable life. Positioned on her sister’s farm, her casita provides a peaceful retreat that is perfectly in tune with nature. Adele’s casita serves as a great demonstration of how a small space can provide immense benefits, with ingenious storage solutions, a dedication to eco-friendly living, and a personal touch that reflects her passion for music. Her Tumbleweed Cypress may be modest in size, but it provides everything she needs and more, making her backyard casita the ideal place to enjoy a simpler, more fulfilling lifestyle.