OW NING JUST ENOUGH

Briar Hale pared down her possessions before moving into her tiny house on Waiheke. “I love the simplicity of owning just enough and not having to sort through clutter to find things. Streamlining makes life simpler,” she says.

WHEN I WAS LOOKING TO BUY A HOUSE IN AUCKLAND:

I was quite uninspired by what I could buy and the fact that I’d need a half-milliondollar mortgage. It felt scary, as if I was being drawn into the slipstream of “what people do”. Then I was introduced to Jeff Hobbs from Room to Move in Mangawhai who builds tiny houses. He was a furniture-maker and boat-builder – he’s a master craftsman.

I KNEW WHAT I WANTED IN TERMS OF DESIGN:

I wanted all natural materials, an earthy New Zealand vibe, board and batten exterior, a potbelly stove, really good storage, a sofa that would fold out into a queen bed for visitors. Jeff took my ideas and made them reality. He even sourced sustainable ply and floorboards from a demolition villa in Devonport.

I DON’T FEEL HEMMED IN:

I have a 4m high stud, so it feels quite airy. I have big windows, large French doors and a covered deck with a dining table. Waiheke’s quite mild, so my outdoor area is usable year-round. I’ve had a party for 30 here.

I HAVE SOME LITTLE LUXURIES:

My book collection, record player and Japanese incense.

I HAVE TO BE MINDFUL OF WHAT I BUY:

I have to think about where it will fit and whether it works with the aesthetic of the place. I like natural things, so I don’t have a lot of plasticky stuff. I used to love going to Pak’n Save and buying in bulk but I’ve only got a small pantry so I’ve changed the way I shop.

THE WHOLE THING COST:

About $120,000. I spent about $6000 on solar power and solarheated water so that I can be off the grid. That seemed a lot at the time, but that’s another way I’ve simplified my life – not having power bills!

WHEN I COME HOME:

I feel so deeply relaxed and contented… partly because it’s mine and it’s an expression of me. I thought this would come a lot later in life, but because I’ve scaled down I’m able to have it now.