Most of us tend to spend a lifetime accumulating stuff. Clothes bought on a whim, kitchen gadgets you never use, books you'll never read again... The list goes on. Sure, you might do a half-hearted declutter every now and again, but a few months down the line you're often right back where you started.
If you put your mind to it, how low could you go? Could you pare down your life enough to join the tiny house brigade?
Driven by environmental concerns, self sufficiency and a craving for adventure, a growing band of retirees, wanderers and eco-warriors are swapping excess and big bills for the tiny house lifestyle. (Never mind the benefits of a lowercost, less cluttered home - since there's very little storage, you generally buy and consume less.)
Debbie Agenbag has scaled down her living space to 80 m², but as a champion of the tiny house movement, she admits that's still a little on the large side.
'It's all about a smaller footprint,' Debbie says. 'It's about clever design, how you utilise space, quality appliances and quality living in general. We're so fortunate in South Africa because you can extend your living to the outside. So inside it's small and super functional, and outside you have beautiful decks and open spaces.'
Debbie lives in the rural Free State village of Rosendal, which is becoming a tiny house hub, in part thanks to her Facebook group Building Tiny Houses - The Journeys. 'The interest is there, but people don't know where to start, so they message me asking how to do something or what the best options are,' she says.
One couple who had planned to build at the coast visited Debbie for advice and bought land in Rosendal instead. At least 10 plots in the village are currently earmarked for mini homes, and Debbie is building two more herself.
This story is from the May/June 2022 edition of Fairlady.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the May/June 2022 edition of Fairlady.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Easter with edge
Grant knows what it's like to miss out on the celebrations that anchor family life.
The MALE bias
Historically, medical studies were mainly done on male mice and on men; and then extrapolated to treat women, as if a female body were just a smaller version of a male one. Here’s why that doesn’t make sense, and how to work with your body’s natural rhythm for better health.
Wellbeing
How to sleep better, feel better and look better!
The other type of CHEATING
Lies about money can have devastating consequences in a relationship.
THE 'PEST' IN PESTICIDES
oe r Despite many highly Hs hazardous pesticides being banned in their countries of origin, 192 of them are still legally exported to South Africa
START A BUSINESS LIKE a Saffer
There's nothing quite like a South African entrepreneur. In the face of adversity, they innovate and persevere. But what fuels that determination? We chatted to some self-starters to find out.
How to take the MONOTONY OUT OF MONOGAMY
It's easy to get complacent in a long-term relationship. Before you know it, your partner is little more than your roommate. Here's how to shake things up.
SUPER TROUPER
At one point, Josie Borain was the most famous model in the world. Her face was on every magazine that mattered. And in the madness of all that attention, she never lost her sense of self. She talks to us about turning 60, being single, and starting her third act with a move to the platteland.
Little wonder
Over the years we have visited 16 Greek islands, but when we first set foot on Halki, the little-known gem just south of Rhodes, we knew we'd found the closest thing to the perfect one. And we vowed to return. Often.
HOME AFFAIRS
These three entrepreneurs are redefining the heartbeat of homes through their unique blend of creativity, sustainability and purposeful design.
