An Australian Schoolteacher Tours the Country in a Tiny Home

Inspired to live minimally, Ashlee De Campo designs a tiny home that allows her to wander while staying debt-free.

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When Ashlee De Campo, an elementary school teacher from Western Australia, found herself dreaming of a slower pace of life and time to travel, she called Simon Joiner of Tiny Homes Perth. "It all began when I started following The Minimalists [blog] and learning about a minimalistic lifestyle," says Ashlee. "I was looking to take a year off and wanted flexibility to travel while maintaining my own living space, so I worked with Simon to design a tiny house based on the idea that the home needed to be light enough for me to tow it independently."

Beside the sofa is a storage table, where Ashlee De Campo stacks her shoes. "It doubles as a small coffee table," she says. "The built-in shelving above the window adds character to the living space, and the hanging baskets and wall hangings are gifts from friends."

The tiny home is clad with dark gray steel and features a pitched roof.

A subway-tile backsplash, Tasmanian Oak plywood counters and white cabinetry maintains a light, fresh aesthetic in the kitchen. "I wanted a natural look," says Ashlee.

In order for Ashlee to travel independently with her tiny house, the construction needed to weigh less than 3.5 tons. The 34-year-old insisted on a home that was lightweight, but that wasn’t all she required. "I wanted to make sure I had a real couch," she says. "I’ve seen a lot of tiny homes with storage boxes covered in cushions, and I wouldn’t have found it comfortable. I also wanted a full-size refrigerator and a decent-size bathroom."

The loft-style bedroom accommodates a queen-size bed and cubby storage system that holds Ashlee’s clothing. "I manage to fit a lot of clothes in there," she says. "There are also two shelves at the end of the bed and double USB charging points near the bed."

Ashlee wanted a large bathroom, where she could get dressed. "There's a small hanging wardrobe in the bathroom as well as a full-size shower," she says.

She was happy, however, to forgo a microwave and a traditional dining table and chairs. "I feel like I’ve managed to include almost everything in my design," she says. "There are other ways to heat food, and instead of a table, I’ve two stools at the kitchen counter."

To create an organic aesthetic and tie the home to the outdoors, Ashlee placed plants around her tiny home.

Preserving space and creating clever storage options are priorities when designing a tiny home. "Simon and I turned the staircase into open shelving," says Ashlee. "I’ve stacked baskets on the treads that store various items, and there’s a washing machine hidden under the kitchen counter."

The well-planned kitchen is where she spends most of her time. "It’s extremely functional," she says. "There’s plenty of space to cook, and I’ve all of the appliances I need. The baskets on the staircase store some kitchen utensils, and they are very easy to access from the kitchen area."

The deep treads of the Tasmanian Oak plywood staircase accommodate storage baskets. "We were looking for creative ways to provide extra storage options," Ashlee says.

A panel in the kitchen cabinetry conceals a small washing machine beneath the counter.

Clad in dark gray steel, Ashlee’s tiny home has traveled with her all over Australia. "I’ve taken my home from the South West of Western Australia all the way to Broome in the Kimberley," she says. "I stopped in Perth, Exmouth, Karratha, Port Headland and many other places along the way. I’ve spent a lot of time in the South West, living on family farms in Pemberton, Manjimup, and Capel. The house changed my life. It gave me security as well as flexibility. I can live almost anywhere I want without massive hassles. I also own my home—no loans or money owed. It’s very freeing."