Just wanted to let you know that we are on this tour. The Green Home Oregon, Small Home Oregon, Garden Cottage and Tear Drop Trailer are on display in this tour at Walt Quades’ property.

The 11th annual Build It Green! Home Tour and Information Fair is a self-guided tour of green remodels and new homes around the Portland metropolitan area. Tourgoers pick up great ideas for their own projects by visiting with homeowners, designers, do-it-yourselfers and contractors about accessory dwelling units, solar panels, ecoroofs (green roofs), rainwater harvesting, natural landscaping, affordable housing, water and energy conservation, natural building materials, alternative construction techniques and much more.

• $15 admission, on sale starting mid-August.
• $10 honored citizens/students/alternative transportation.
• Info Fair is FREE and open to everyone.
• Children 13 years-old and under are FREE.

Build It Green! Info Fair at Green Depot, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., 819 SE Taylor, Portland, OR, 503-222-3881

The Info Fair is a prelude to the Tour with green vendors, demonstrations, food, drink and music.

• Want a free Tour ticket? Volunteer for the Tour or Info Fair! 

Contact Valerie Garrett, tour coordinator greenhotline@portlandoregon.gov 503-823-5431 for more information.

All the materials were purchased locally, most of them manufactured here in Oregon, and almost all of the wood is FSC Certified from “Sustainable Northwest Wood” http://www.snwwood.com/ here in Portland.

Iris came to us by way of Las Vegas (high tech sales), 2 years starting and running “4 paws” in Fairfax California, and finally “Hands-on Canine Massage” http://handsoncaninemassage.com/ here in Portland. She is Licensed in Maintenance Massage for Dogs and is getting an additional degree in Rehabilitative Massage for Dogs. I’ve never met anyone quite so enthusiastic as Iris is about your friendly pooches’ health. Iris confesses that she has a special place in her heart for older dogs, massaging away sore muscles and tension, improving circulation and flexibility, relieving stress and anxiety while helping to support healthy skin and coat. She also does palliative and hospice care. Her fee is usually around an affordable $35 with a “Frequent Fur Program”, that gets your dog a 6th massage free. Her phone number is 503-807-3311 and she would love to hear from you!

The studio was built as panels in our shop (6 wall sections and 4 floor sections), trucked to the site and put up the next day. Almost 4 weeks later everything was finished and ready to move into. Iris had me install a city inspected electrical service but because the studio is less than 200 square feet, no other permits or fees were needed.

The options are endless. Interiors are much more than exposed two by fours and plywood floors. Quality and elegance inside and out. Choice of interiors include Blue Pine, Red Cedar, Dark Mahogany, and Sugar Maple. Light fixtures of brass, nickel, crystal, or porcelain. Sound systems arranged for optimal ambiance using products like Bose or  using a sound system you already own. Exterior options are endless, we design the exterior using materials which enhance your property, to your specifications.

All of this, in just days, on your property, ready to use. Call us now and discuss your future Garden Cottage with Walt Quade from Small Home Oregon today 503-201-6635!

Small Home Oregon offers several plan sets of varying sizes for Garden Cottages but more than that, we will build it for you. Custom to your needs, for example, as a massage studio, we can offer optimal sound systems installed for relaxing melodies. Incorporate your massage table into a Murphy bed style pull out from the wall and of course, install custom water features for the elegant serenity they emanate. All things are possible inside your Garden Cottage, all you need is to pick up the phone and call us now!

Our creations are more economical per square foot than a similar sized home addition would cost you and the quality workmanship is equal to the best home construction. SEE  SPECIFICATIONS HERE
Our units can be fully insulated with clear fir flooring, blue pine paneling, and cedar siding. We also offer you the option to purchase a weather tight shell or complete unit, with numerous finish options. All units have doors and windows and are ready to use.

VIEW SMALL HOME PLAN SETS HERE

The cost of hiring an architect, engineer, and paying a consultant for questions you have will run into the $thousands$. At Small Home Oregon, we take the cost questions upon ourselves to give you the support and confidence you need to build your own Small Home or Garden Cottage.

With the increase in demand for lower mortgage payments and shortened commutes, people all over are seeking out smaller homes as the alternative to large homes with large mortgage payments and wasted space. Why be house-poor? Smaller homes cost less to heat and cool and will be reflected in monthly utility rates. Maintenance of a small home is very minimal and they also take less time to clean, both allowing more time to spend with kids, traveling, hobbies,

and adventure.

They make life simpler, and more comfortable. With a small home, buying high quality appliances and materials like counter tops, flooring, and lighting make living comfortable and efficient a reality without hurting the bank account. Upgrade your lifestyle to your specifications and leave the heavy expenses behind. For thorough clients, we offer advise and installation of utility alternatives such as radiant floor heating and water harvesting systems which reduce monthly utilities to little or no cost. Check out some of our Small Home Models Here.

Here in Portland, Oregon; small homes are especially popular. Portland is the Greenest City in the United States as of 2012 according to many sources including smartplanet.com . Porltand, OR is number one in sustainability, most bike friendly, most eco-conscious with recycling and yard debris programs across the city. With high transit use, great water quality, and low carbon emissions, its no wonder a small home is a natural fit with a small foot print. Portland’s urban plan is one other cities across the nation are looking to as a model of what works to for a sustainable world. The urban growth boundary is locked to allow for planned in fill, and the outer regions are designated as urban and rural reserves for the next 50 years. The result of these controls, is a plan for a clean and sustainable future for her residents and Small Home Oregon is positioned smack dab in the middle!

Each human on the planet essentially needs only 1 acre to survive. When we look at what we need for survival and the activities that we enjoy, Americans consume more as individuals than any other country in the world. More than any country throughout history. Now, I am not saying we need to shift toward a Henry David Thoreau at Walden Ponds style of life.

What if you had no mortgage payment? What if you had no home maintenance needs to contend with in the summer months? What would you do with the money saved on lower monthly utility costs? What if you relieved yourself of monthly utility costs all together?

The question you need to ask yourself is, “How much stuff do I need to be happy?” “How many acres do I consume now, and how many do I really need to live well? What finances can I free up for other interests I have?

This is where Small Home Oregon comes in. We supply plan sets and build homes, built so well, you can walk away, lock the door, and have an adventure.  Weather tight, using the best quality products on the market today. Blue pine interiors, cedar shake exterior and infinite options in between. Affordable and cosy, fit to your life, custom for your style.

Next issue: A cost-benefit between a home from Small Home Oregon and a large home.