While many people typically wait until they are at least 30 years old to build their dream home, the thrill of hand-crafting your ideal living space is unmatched.
Imagine the journey of creating a plan, putting your heart and soul into it, and finally seeing your vision come to life. That’s exactly what Tom did. At just 17 years old, he used his skill, creativity, and determination to make his dream a reality.
Driven by rising housing costs and a desire for independence, Tom set out to build a modest home using recycled materials. He discovered he could create something completely from scratch while staying within a budget.
“My vision for the cabin was to keep things simple and provide a stress-free lifestyle. Everything I have is mine; I paid for everything”, Tom explained.
Now, at 20, Tom is relieved knowing he won’t have to spend his hard-earned money on rent. “It’s a no-brainer life and once you’ve built something, it really is yours”, he added.
Tom’s house is located on his grandfather’s extensive property and retains a charming English country aesthetic, complete with a side window. At 17, he bought a caravan and immediately began building it while working and completing his carpentry apprenticeship, which he completed in December.
The front of his house is made of larch wood, sourced cheaply from a local sawmill, while the side walls are made of fence boards. All the windows are recycled, sourced from a website that specializes in used materials. He recently added a porch, using boards from a scaffolding company and other scrap and reclaimed wood he recovered from the job.
Upon entering Tom’s home, visitors are greeted by beautiful reclaimed wood and a tranquil poster of a seascape. “My goal was to use only reclaimed wood for the build because it’s budget-friendly,” Tom noted. Much of the wood in his home was salvaged from old homes that he personally stripped down, sanded and repurposed.
The living area includes a compact workspace for his work and meals, a standard sofa, and a wall-mounted TV. In the future, he hopes to upgrade to a multifunctional sofa with built-in storage.
Tom especially loves his kitchen, where he made a fully functional worktop out of recycled scaffolding boards and spent hours sanding and painting it. The kitchen is equipped with essential appliances such as a fridge, stove and toaster.
Opposite the kitchen is a compact bathroom with a small chemical toilet with electric flush. The shower area has corrugated iron walls and copper fittings, evoking a rustic farmhouse feel. Back in the living room, a ladder leads to the loft, which leads to Tom’s cozy bedroom with double mattress.
Tom began building his dream home at age 17 with a budget of $8,200 and an hourly wage of $5.50 and managed to save most of his income to finance the construction of his home using recycled materials.
Imagine how his home will evolve as he completes the various upgrades he has in mind! For a full tour of Tom’s home, check out the video below
Watch The Moment Ed Sheeran Surprises Young Singer By Joining In Her Cover Of “Thinking Out Loud”
A Young Singer’s Unexpected Duet with Ed Sheeran Is Like a Dream Come True
A Moment of Stars in a Canadian Mall
For many people, meeting a celebrity or an idol is both an exciting and nerve-wracking event. During her concert in a Canadian mall, Sydney Bourbeau—a teenage singer—made this dream come true. When British music icon Ed Sheeran abruptly joined her on stage, she was in for the shock of her life.
A Fond Fundraising Performance
Sydney, 13, was entertaining an enthusiastic audience with a rendition of Ed Sheeran’s hit song “Thinking Of You” during a fundraiser for the Edmonton Humane Society. Sydney remained calm and kept singing while Sheeran surprised everyone by showing up, and the two of them were harmonizing.
Grace in the Public Eye
Sydney immediately composed herself and boldly shared the stage with Sheeran, although many others might have felt overwhelmed in the company of such a celebrity. She sang in tune with the star, exuding incredible composure. During the performance, Sheeran subtly retreated to let Sydney to finish the song on her own, regaining the spotlight.
Watch the video below to witness this endearing and memorable duet between Sydney Bourbeau and Ed Sheeran, which is a tribute to youthful talent and the power of chance encounters.
Leave a Reply