Unlike most DIY small house projects that gain media attention, The Dragons Nest was not a seamless or brief endeavor. However, it stands out as one of the most visually captivating compact dwellings you are likely to come across. Drawing inspiration from 19th-century Vardo wagons, this tiny house is filled with art and antiques, while still offering modern comforts and operating completely off the grid.
As Carol, the owner and builder of this small house, expresses in the video interview provided below, The Dragons Nest may not appeal to everyone, and that’s perfectly fine. She is the one who will be living in it, and she adores it.
The Dragons Nest is a fully self-built structure, with Carol sharing on her personal page that the idea had been brewing for over a decade before she seriously considered constructing it in 2012. Carol has always had a fascination with fairy tales (preferring the old spelling of “faery”), and she used to dream of residing in a castle. However, her perspective changed when she encountered the Roma communities in Greece and Ireland and had the opportunity to see their wagons.
A Vardo wagon is often regarded as the original small house, with the distinction that it leaned more towards artistic convenience rather than minimalism and was pulled by horses. Today’s Roma wagons are primarily English horseboxes converted into mobile homes for multi-generational families, yet they still maintain the same aesthetic as their predecessors.
The Dragons Nest stands out from other small houses due to its unique design. Carol embarked on this project because she needed to explore alternative housing options following her divorce. Living in a rented home while trying to pay off debts became a financial burden. In 2016, she downsized by moving from a large house to a bungalow, but she had already begun searching for materials for her Vardo.
In 2018, she purchased a dual-axle commercial flat deck large equipment hauler and, in 2019, she began the construction process by initially removing the damaged decking and replacing it. However, just as the framing work had to accelerate, the global health crisis of 2020 occurred, forcing Carol to decide between waiting it out or proceeding on her own. Waiting was not a viable option because she needed a home.
Therefore, she took on the task of building the Vardo herself, with the exception of receiving assistance from a female friend in installing two of the larger windows and the bathtub. By the time she completed the project, she was physically and emotionally exhausted. However, she had achieved her dream home: a 320 square foot (30 square meter) space designed to her liking and suited to her physical condition, featuring only the necessary amenities, as well as the art and antiques she had collected over the years.
Thanks to Carol’s meticulous planning, The Dragons Nest complies with the local building code. Therefore, once small houses become legally recognized in Canada, her dwelling will also be deemed legal. Currently, she has it situated on rented land in Vancouver Island, where residing full-time in a small house falls into a legal gray area.
Furthermore, due to her meticulous planning, The Dragons Nest boasts a practical yet visually pleasing layout, all situated on the ground floor. TheDragonsNest (photo) showcases a spacious Great Room that encompasses both a lounge area and a dining space, which also serves as an office. The kitchen is divided into two sections: the Bakers Cabinet, hidden within a cabinet and equipped with a kitchen, sink, and concealed storage, and the Working Corner, featuring a cooker, microwave, and additional storage. The bathroom is generously sized and includes a freestanding bathtub, a composting toilet cleverly disguised as an antique chair, and a sink that complements the chair’s aesthetic. The bedroom exudes a cozy atmosphere and features a bednook for added comfort.
Every aspect of The Dragons Nest is designed to cultivate a sense of coziness infused with artistic flair. For instance, the Great Room’s ceiling is adorned with pressed Victorian stainless steel plates, while the wall showcases Carol’s own artwork: a depiction of three hatching dragons. Even Carol’s beekeeper’s attire is a replica of a 19th-century outfit, which she skillfully crafted herself.
Adjacent to the house, Carol maintains a collection of livestock. Her menagerie includes three miniature carriage horses, two goats, chickens, and bees. The beehive, painted to complement the Vardo-inspired theme of the home, provides a safe haven for the bees.
Carol was not only captivated by antiques and the Roma culture but also determined to future-proof her abode. This involved meticulous documentation of the entire building process, ensuring compliance with future regulations when Canada legalizes living in tiny houses.
The Dragons Nest operates entirely off-grid, relying on 10 solar cells and a Titan system for electricity. With just four hours of sunlight, the battery can be fully charged, providing the home with three days of autonomy. Additionally, the house is equipped with ample water tanks that Carol regularly refills. A graywater pond is situated at the rear of the property, and the toilet utilizes composting technology.
The prolonged construction period of The Dragons Nest, coupled with Carol’s conscious decision to utilize repurposed, recycled, or affordable materials without compromising quality, enabled her to keep the budget remarkably low. The total cost of this tiny home, including the trailer but excluding Carol’s labor, amounted to a mere $20,000. The Dragons Nest undoubtedly serves as a far more inspiring tale of a tiny house than anything a daring YouTuber could concoct.
According to the Source autoevolution.com