“It wasn’t a big deal. ah “That moment” Elaina JindraI’m a public school dean who lives in a 350-square-foot yurt with my husband, Zach, in rural northern Wisconsin. “Over time, we became curious about what life could be like and sought out new experiences.” Today, Elaina gives us a tour. Photos are below. G Van…
About changing things: Zach and I were living in a house in Milwaukee when we realized we were at a point in our lives where we could uproot ourselves and do something different. So we quit our jobs, got rid of 65% of our belongings, and put our house on the market.
Dining table and chairs: Saved.
When choosing a yurt: We thought about moving overseas, buying a smaller house, and living in a Subaru Outback, but in the end we felt living in a yurt was the easiest and most cost-effective option. Tiny houses are expensive, take time to set up, and have high utility costs. The yurt comes in a DIY kit and can be assembled in one day.
sofa: Wooden box & barrel. Light Pendant: “This pendant was made using an old shade. target lamp I received it as a wedding present. “basket: world market. Desk: Vintage.
About the plan: It took 15 months to find a property without county regulations. This is because county regulations usually require a number of building permits. Before we officially purchased the land, we marked the dimensions of the yurt with footsteps in the snow and measured each piece of furniture we planned to bring.
range: ace.
About Yurt Essentials: You can’t survive in a yurt in Wisconsin without a wood stove. Also, candles. You need cozy and intimate lighting.
About living things in the neighborhood: You can hear it if you live in a yurt. all. The chirping of spring peepers and loons is incredibly loud. There is also a large owl that sits in a nearby tree and hoots all night. I could hear the howling of a pack of wolves next door. It’s never going to be the peaceful night I imagined I’d be able to get out of here. But it’s great to hear the sounds of wild animals.
bed: west elm. Cushions: Made by Elaina. Lug: Saved.
For thoughtful details: Many yurts have solid vinyl lattices on the inside. Many people prefer vinyl because it is very durable and lasts for years. However, we chose a yurt with a very large lattice and wool interior. Aesthetically, it’s much more beautiful. I also want to disassemble parts of this yurt, leaving as little trace as possible.
About life without Wi-Fi: We don’t have Wi-Fi, but we do have very good cell phone service for calling and texting family and friends. We also live 3 miles from the trailhead, which has great Wi-Fi, vending machines, and an overall good vibe. Zach is a wedding photographer, so when he needs a strong internet connection to edit photos or upload a client’s gallery, he goes to the trailhead.
About smart meal hacks: One of the ways I clean out my fridge is by collecting leftover knick-knacks and putting them on top of a pizza. I call it “trash pizza” and it’s inspired by Anne-Marie Bonneau. zero waste chef. I’ve been crazy about her since college. She helped me get creative with eating everything in my fridge instead of throwing it away.
About eye-opening habits: A few years ago, Zach and I started track About what we spent our time and money on. At the beginning of each month, I always predicted that I would spend less because I wouldn’t buy anything. But at the end of the month, I found out that wasn’t true. Right now, we’re actively trying to avoid buying things we don’t absolutely need.
For a much-needed break: As a dean, I spend most of my days working indoors. It’s a small school district so there are a lot of challenges, but basically we’re there to support the staff and students. I’m usually very happy to do something outdoors as soon as I’m done with work, then come home and get cozy with a fire going.
About the formation of new rituals: Everything here will take a little more time. After a long day at work, when you don’t feel like doing the dishes, you don’t want to carry around a 7-gallon jug and dump the wastewater outside. When housework is done at the wrong time, it can feel like a nuisance. But since we knew all of these trade-offs in advance, we try not to complain.
winter yurt.
In winter: Winter is our favorite season because it is very comfortable. Last year, there were several days when the temperature was in the -30 degree range. But we continued to use the wood stove.
About the great realization: Zach and I got married when we were both 23 years old. We were still babies. I feel very lucky that we were able to grow together so well even though we didn’t know who we were at the time. None of this would have been possible if he didn’t believe we could live happily in a 350 square foot home. He pushes me out of my comfort zone.
sauna: sauna life.
In a wood-fired sauna: I don’t use the sauna much in the summer, love Step into it in winter. This is the number one party move when inviting friends over.
About off-grid living: There is a generator that charges with solar panels, so electricity is flowing. We also have a backup gas generator, which we use every 3-4 days during the winter. But even if things stop working, we’ll be okay. We’re both avid backpackers, so we’re used to spending days without hot water or electricity.
Solar powered shower: out sunny. Outhouse: “This was actually built by some members of the local Amish community.”
For showers: We have a solar powered shower which we use in the summer. For the rest of the year, I’ll be showering at the gym. Having a nice gym membership and access to showers is a frugal minimalist hack. Our home is only 9 minutes away and has all the amenities you need. We often ended the day there and made friends with the staff.
Yurt: yurt.
About mixed reactions: It’s interesting to hear people’s reactions when we tell them how we live. Some people think, “Maybe we don’t have to live like that.” or “I’ll help you if you need it,” and other people go, “Oh my gosh, that’s so cool!” And I want to know every detail.
About the big realization: Living here has given me clarity on the resources we need to not just survive, but actually thrive. And we learned that we don’t need that much. I feel very lucky to have had this opportunity to explore. Sustainable living was one of my motivations for living in a yurt, but I also wanted to slow down. Notice how the wind is blowing and pay attention to the full moon.
Thank you very much, Elaina!
More home tours, including a PS spaceship apartment and an architect couple who live in a 175-square-foot apartment in New York City (“I just call it ‘my room'”).
(Photo provided by: G Van (for joe cup)
Source: Cup of Jo – cupofjo.com
