The post Tiny Humidifier Fits on Any Water Bottle first appeared on Dornob.

The post Shake Washer: Mini Hand-Powered Travel Washing Machine first appeared on Dornob.

The post Modern Mobile Log Cabin … or Portable Prefab Pile of Logs? first appeared on Dornob.

(via: designboom)

The post Lounge Chair is a Little Bit Country, a Little Bit (Rock +) Roll first appeared on Dornob.

Two years after it went up on Craigslist with the simple description “runs, drives, stops, registered,” a 1948 Chevy bus became a bohemian hand-crafted home by the name of Ophelia. Freelance surf-craft builder Ryan Lovelace renovated the interior, which already featured a microbus extension on top, to make it a comfortable residence.

Over 2012 and 2013, Lovelace fitted the interior with built-in couches, a wood stove and a small kitchen. There’s a closet tucked into the back of the bus, and a rail running along the top row of windows holds potted plants.

The wood paneling inside was reclaimed from a demolition at director George Lucas’ house, acquired at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore.

Lovelace also built a wooden loft that he refers to as the ‘sleeping pod’ to the upper back portion of the bus, with a large window that provides views out onto whatever landscape he chooses to live in at the time.

The post Rolling Home: 1948 Bus Remodeled into Handcrafted Abode first appeared on Dornob.

One of the biggest concerns about traveling to a foreign country is not being able to understand the language. For those desiring to explore the world but nervous about trying to get directions or order food on their trip, digital translation company Timekettle has just the gadget for you. The company’s handheld Fluentalk T1 can instantly convert spoken words from one language into another, potentially eliminating the main barrier to international trips.

Over 40 Languages

The Fluentalk T1 can translate over 40 languages and 93 different accents with up to 95 percent accuracy. In places where you can’t connect to the internet, the device can still translate 13 language pairs in offline mode.

Ask for Directions Without a Guidebook

There is a specific mode on the Fluentalk T1 for asking for directions, one of the most common needs as a tourist. Users simply have to double click the power button to start a conversation with someone on the street.

Chat Translation

For longer exchanges, users can turn on chat mode and place the Fluentalk T1 in between them to have their dialogue translated in real time via advanced streaming automatic speech recognition (ASR) technology and a global internet connection. A built-in microphone array uses noise reduction algorithms to distinguish between human voices and ambient sounds, providing a clear audio experience for every member of the conversation.

Listen Mode

The Fluentalk T1 also features a listen mode that can continuously translate the speech around the user into their own language. This could be helpful while sitting in a meeting or dinner to be able to understand all the surrounding chatter.

Image/Photo Translation

Not only can it translate spoken words, but Timekettle’s handy machine can also decipher street signage and menus. With its 8-megapixel camera and optical character recognition (OCR) offline translation engine, the Fluentalk T1 can instantly translate images in 36 languages.

Voice Memos

The Fluentalk T1 also comes with a voice memo mode for making travel or business notes. You can even make a quick audio file for later translation if you’re in a hurry.

Cellular Data

For the first two years, the company offers free mobile data around the world. After that users can either purchase more data from Timekettle or insert their own mobile phone SIM card. They can also use a local Wi-Fi connection if available.

World Clock and Currency Exchange Rates

These two bonus features make it easier to keep track of local time and current money exchange rates in whatever country you’re visiting.

Pocket-Sized Portability

Smaller than the typical smartphone, the Fluentalk T1 is designed to be extremely portable. About the size of a credit card and weighing only a quarter of a pound, it can easily be slipped into a pocket or purse.

For those interested in a more comprehendible travel experience, the Fluentalk T1 is available for $299.99 on the company website.

The post Pocket-Sized Fluentalk T1 Translates Over 40 Languages in Real Time for Easier Travel first appeared on Dornob.

A decade after they designed the canteen within the building, designers Roelof Mulder and Ira Koers returned to come up with a mobile furniture solution that’s also every bit as elegant as the architecture demands (because let’s be honest, folding chairs were never going to cut it). The duo’s mobile bamboo work islands fit together like puzzle pieces and include cutouts for massive potted plants and trees to make full use of the room’s grand scale.

The 12 units are set on wheels so they can easily be rolled into various configurations or out of the space altogether. Once pushed into place, they appear to be one large workspace combining comfortable couch-like upholstered seating with large platforms that can be used as desks. There’s no one correct way to orient them, so the spaces within can be spontaneously created as desired. They’re often arranged symmetrically, with an opening in the center so that users can nestle within the living greenery in chairs or at small café-style tables.

Made of durable bamboo, the mobile work islands are equipped with bumpers so they can be shifted around safely. The same semi-circular cutouts that wrap around the potted plants when they’re placed in the center of the room can also accommodate the giant beams along the perimeter. When the units are pushed to the edges, they maintain seating while offering a large open gathering area in the center.

The greenery adds privacy, dampens sound, and changes the overall mood of the room. What could feel like an overly large space full of echoes becomes intimate and comfortable, creating new vantage points from which to admire the hall’s many brick arches opening to other spaces. Mulder and Koers eliminated some existing curtains and frosted glass in the hall to encourage more open lines of sight and views of the city outside.

Keeping the use of this central hall flexible pays tribute to the building’s long and varied history. First built as a Catholic orphanage in 1780, it was converted into a bank in the 1960s. What was then an open central courtyard was roofed over to create the hall as it is seen today. That same decade, the Maagdenhuis became the administrative center for the University of Amsterdam, the site of historic student protests in 1969.

With Mulder and Koers’ mobile work islands, the Maagdenhuis atrium remains open to evolution, responding to whatever needs the University might have. The design duo recently created a similarly lush planted courtyard effect in the central hall of the in The Netherlands’ Dijklander Hospital, updating the original 1980s design by Jan Tennekes with a modern aesthetic that “resuscitates it with biophilia.”

The post Mobile Bamboo Work Islands Turn This Events Hall into a Co-Working Space first appeared on Dornob.

Looking at the design, it’s clear from the outset that the Portless Catamaran isn’t going to win any awards for aesthetics or speed. Then again, that’s not really the point of this ultra-lightweight vessel. It’s a big step up from a simple raft, or even the kind of small, sub-$10K boat you might tow with a trailer. You could try to cram a lot of occupants on either of those, but it won’t be safe, and it definitely won’t be comfortable. The Portless Catamaran, on the other hand, has enough lounging surfaces to go around.

The inflatable catamaran comes in two sizes: a smaller standard version measuring 14.8 feet long that can support four to six people, and the larger Deluxe Catamaran that measures 19.7 feet long and is safe for up to eight occupants. Unlike the kind of folding fabric shade top seen on many pleasure crafts, this catamaran’s “roof” is strong enough to use as a second deck. The main deck of the standard size model measures 97 square feet, and the upper deck offers 32 square feet while holding up to 350 pounds. Ladder-like steps built into the side wall offer access from below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djc8Q-bnePM

The standard size Portless Catamaran starts out as a compact 265-pound package that fits in the trunk of a car. You’ll definitely need a few people to get it in and out, but what other kind of boat can be transported to the water in a Kia sedan? You’ll probably need a trailer to transport the larger version, since it weighs 772 pounds, but the Deluxe still breaks down into four pieces that zip together. The creators say you can get the standard size out of your vehicle, inflated, and launched in less than 10 minutes, while the deluxe takes about 20.

The vessel is made with the same type of materials and construction as inflatable paddle boards, equipped with a small 1-kilowatt Epropulsion Spirit 1.0 Plus electric outboard motor and lithium-polymer battery powered by a flexible solar panel. It’s not clear exactly how much of a range you’d get with those specs, but it’s probably safe to say you shouldn’t plan to cruise around for hours on end.

Okay, so the experience probably doesn’t come close to a day out on a billionaire’s superyacht, but the Portless Catamaran still looks extremely fun to use. The motor will definitely allow you to jet out to the open water to find a prime spot away from the crowds for swimming, diving, sunbathing, and whatever else you might get up to. With prices starting at $12,375 for the standard Portless Catamaran and $23,750 for the Deluxe, it’s reasonably affordable, too, and it could even work for people who don’t have a garage or driveway to store it.

The post Portless Catamaran: Inflatable Party Boat Packs Down to Fit in Your Trunk first appeared on Dornob.

Semi-Solid State Batteries

The SuperBase V claims to be the first home energy storage system using semi-solid state batteries. Offering 228 Watt hours per kilogram (Wh/kg), they provide up to 42 percent more energy per pound than a traditional lithium-iron phosphate battery. Zendure says that customers who use their battery management software can expect the SuperBase V internal battery to last for at least 10 years.

“Semi-solid state batteries also pose less of a safety risk if damaged, which is critical for home energy management,” the company says. “The extra capacity is ideal for long-term outages.”

Stackable Power

The SuperBase V can be scaled for several different power needs. A single unit can provide up to 3,800 watts (W) of power, while two connected units can supply up to 7,600 W. That amount is enough to power a typical washer, dryer, heater, and refrigerator at one time. For maximum wattage, two SuperBase V units can be stacked with four Satellite Batteries each for a total capacity of 64 kilowatts (kWH).

Power Your Home for a Week

With the maximum battery configuration, the SuperBase V has enough juice to power a typical household for a week or more. This means you never need to fear a power outage, since the SuperBase V will automatically kick on in the event of a power grid failure. You can also use Zendure’s “Time of Use” app to monitor, manage, and customize your energy usage and save money on normal energy bills.

If a natural disaster ever strikes your area, you’ll still have enough power to get you through the worst of it. Alternatively, if you’re simply ready to go off-grid, you can hook up the SuperBase V to a solar panel system and figuratively cut the cord to your power company.

Untethered RV Life

The Zendure Satellite Battery also boasts an Anderson port to meet any RV and camper electrical needs. Through the XT90 port, the modules can also glean up to 600W of solar power. For those looking to truly get some peace and quiet in remote areas, the SuperBase V TT-30 port can provide up to 30 amps to 120V camper or RV appliances.

Charge EVs on the Go

With its 2 EV outlets and up to 12,000W of power distribution, the SuperBase V can charge two electric vehicles quickly and at the same time, so you’ll never have a dead car battery in the event of emergencies. In addition to powering up your cars at home, Zendure’s plug-and-play system can recharge your EV on the go and in between charging stations, extending your driving range indefinitely.

Smart Virtual Assistance Interface

For added ease of use, the SuperBase V can interface with smart home assistants like Alexa and Google, allowing customers to turn it on or perform other functions with voice commands.

Zendure’s Kickstarter campaign blew way past its initial goal of $10,000, attracting over a thousand backers and over $5.3 million in pledges. The basic SuperBase V model is currently going for $2,699 and is expected to start shipping in December 2022.

The post Kickstarter Campaign for First Plug-and-Play Home Energy Storage System Garners Over $5 Million first appeared on Dornob.

The iSwift M is an improvement upon its creators’ earlier product, the iSwift Pi. Both are designed for digital nomads who prefer to work in less than conventional locations — like a lounge chair on the beach. The original weighs 2.5 pounds, is made of a sturdy plastic material, and can be used in a variety of positions. It was a big hit, with nearly $1 million in sales since it debuted in 2021. The designers gathered feedback and have since made some alterations to their design, resulting in the release of the iSwift M. The new version weighs just over a pound, is a mere six millimeters thick, transforms in one second, and comes in additional sizes.

While most portable laptop desks have folding legs, the iSwift has a unique origami-like shape with built-in legs shaped like triangles. It can be used flat as a pad under your computer, with both legs up as a conventional laptop desk, or turned upside-down with a single leg extended for use as a tablet stand. Magnets hidden within the material hold the legs in position as you work. With the Pi, you unfold the legs one at a time. The M makes that process even faster. The legs are connected in the center, so the whole desk pops up into place with a simple flick of your wrist.

When folded, the iSwift M laptop desk is so thin, it easily slots into your laptop bag alongside your computer. The weight and amount of space it takes up is so minimal, you might as well take it everywhere you go. The designers even go so far as to claim that you could slide it under your pillow, sleep on it, and still not notice. Despite all that, it’s able to hold over 11 pounds (5 kg), well over the weight of most people’s computer, phone, and coffee combined.

The designers explain: “Inspired by the Copenhagen trend, we’ve selected wool felt as the material. The material is also eco-friendly and non-toxic. And with unique high-temperature pressing technology, the iSwift M becomes a piece of art. iSwift M’s material, design, and structure make it a must-have for your working life. The slim profile makes it look like a second skin for your office devices.”

This portable workstation comes in three sizes: Mini (about the size of a sheet of paper), Standard (9.4 inches by 17.3 inches), and Max (9.6 inches by 21 inches). You can also choose from gray, black, bright green, and “Barbie pink” colors. Currently raising funds on Kickstarter, the campaign is offering backers early bird discounts up to 40 percent off retail prices. Grab the Mini for $35, the Standard for $69, or the Max for $79.

The post Paper-Thin Laptop Desk Practically Disappears When You Store It first appeared on Dornob.

“Mesa lights easily and with its smaller size, fits any outdoor space,” explains Solo Stove’s Clint Mickle. “Creating good moments has never been easier, and we’re thrilled to see new and existing customers gathered around this ingenious, low-smoke tabletop fire pit.”

The Mesa relies on the same dual-wall Signature 360° Airflow design as its larger Bonfire predecessors to create a smoke-free fire experience. Air comes in through holes at the base of the outer wall and vents through holes at the top of the inner wall. While the fire is burning, air between the layers heats up, expanding up and out as it sucks fresh air in from below. The exiting air — now super-heated and oxygen-rich — ignites any smoke particles it touches, eliminating the annoying fire by-product.

The Mesa can be fueled by conventional hardwood (Solo Stove sells their own Mini Oak Firewood packs, perfectly sized for the smaller basin) or with bagged wood pellets (a special pellet adapter is also included in the purchase). It lights up quickly with the help of a Solo Stove fire starter, producing hot fire in just a few minutes. Reviewers say the heat is sufficient for about “four people seated in marshmallow-roasting range.”

To keep the heat from burning any plastic or wood surfaces, the Mesa also comes with a handy one-inch stand that easily folds up and fits inside of the fire pit when not in use. Solo Stove also throws in a durable nylon carry case for “compact storage and ultra-portability.”

Unlike the standard Solo Stove Bonfire, which only comes in a stainless steel finish, the petite Mesa fire pit can be ordered in one of six “seasonal” colors: Deep Ash, Mulberry, Bone, Water, Ash, and traditional Stainless Steel. The color options definitely make it a more attractive accessory for backyard parties, and thanks to the Mesa’s high-heat ceramic coating, less likely to rust over time.

Solo Stoves are solidly constructed from SAE 304 stainless steel, known to be highly durable and super lightweight. The company guarantees all their products with a lifetime warranty, promising to replace any defective unit.

Not only would the ultra-light Mesa be helpful on a hike or in the backyard, but it’s also a smart solution for city-dwellers who want to bring a bit of the outdoor experience into their urban jungle. The petite fire pit could easily fuel a smores-roasting party on an apartment balcony, roof, or patio. Of course, it is only designed for outdoor use. Even though this version is portable, you should avoid trying to bring the bonfire fun inside.

The Solo Stove Mesa tabletop fire pit is available on the company website with a price tag of $79.99 for the stainless-steel edition and $89.99 for the colored options.

The post Solo Stove Goes Mini with Portable Tabletop Fire Pit first appeared on Dornob.

Made of waterproof and fire-resistant fabric in bright white, the tent is made to stand out. During the day, it looks like a small cabin vividly visible against a backdrop of dark woods. At night, when it’s illuminated from the inside, it glows like a lantern. So whether you’re heading off on a hike or just trying to pee at 3 a.m., you’ll always be able to find your way back to your cozy nest. Yibei describes it as a “cloud,” as if you pulled a wisp of a shelter down from the sky and set it down in your ideal camping spot.

The inflatable tent boasts a simple shape with a triangular roof and rectangular body. Made of 210D Oxford polyester with polyurethane coating on the fabric and seams, it’s durable enough to use in most weather conditions, including rain. Instead of unwieldy and annoying poles, the tent is held up by its airframe made of flexible, flat-pack TPU pipes that expand to 120 millimeters when inflated. The frame is designed to mimic the columns and beams of an actual stick-framed house. The tent also expands to an impressive 8 feet by 7 feet with a much higher ceiling than you’d normally get in a traditional tent, making it feel even more like a hut or cabin.

The best part of all might just be the tent’s many generously-sized windows. One giant window on each side can be opened to the fresh air, with insect screens to protect you from bugs, of course. The tent even has two huge skylights for stargazing after dark. The result is a space that feels fully connected to your outdoor setting while maintaining protection from the elements. The large size also means you can stand up to change in private, or set up a table and chairs to dine indoors in inclement weather.

Yibei explains that “when you enter the cozy white space, the ceiling is high and the room wrapped in white fabric is very bright. Opening windows on all sides connects the inside and outside, blurring the boundaries. In the forest, you can just hear the trees blowing in the wind, the chirping of birds, and the smell of wood and earth. The sound of the waves and the scent of the tide create a pleasant time on the beach. When it gets dark, close the windows and turn on the lights, and you’ll be able to relax in the comfort of your own warm home.”

The Air Architecture inflatable tent comes in a portable carry bag and can be inflated with any standard battery-powered air pump. The one downside may be that it takes a full eight minutes to fully inflate, which could drain the battery quickly. It’s also likely that the tent will slowly start to sag after a while if you set it up for a long trip, but if that happens, all it takes is a quick top-off of air through the tent’s valve.

Alas, if you’re chomping at the bit to hit “add to cart,” the tent is currently only available in Japan at Tsutaya Home Appliances+, so it might be a little hard to get your hands on in other countries.

The post Air Architecture’s House-Shaped Inflatable Tent is a Perfect Home Away from Home first appeared on Dornob.

A company called Invisibility Shield Co. is currently crowdfunding a real working invisibility shield on Kickstarter, and over 2,000 backers have already secured shields of their own. The company has produced 25 fully functional invisibility shields so far, and the campaign will allow them to scale up their production so the shields can be available to all. Pledge at least $65 and you can receive a small roughly 8-by-12-inch invisibility shield as a reward. The full-size version measures 37.4 inches tall by 25.59 inches wide and is available with pledges of $389 or more.

The shields offer high-resolution invisibility with no power source required, and the full size is large enough to hide multiple people. It’s portable, too, weighing less than nine pounds and packing down to a thickness of 2.3 inches.

Photos and videos of the shields in action are really quite remarkable. The people standing or crouching behind the shields are completely blurred out of the picture while a hazy view of the background remains. Sounds kind of like magic, right? But the shield makes use of a low-tech phenomenon that’s been around for a long time: lenticular lensing.

The shield’s creators explain: “Each shield uses a precision engineered lens array to direct much of the light reflected from the subject away from the observer, sending it sideways across the face of the shield to the left and right. Because the lenses in this array are vertically oriented, the vertically oriented strip of light reflected by the standing/crouching subject quickly becomes very diffuse when spread out horizontally on passing through the back of the shield.”

“In contrast, the light reflected from the background is much brighter and wider, so when it passes through the back of the shield, far more of it is refracted both across the shield and towards the observer. From the observer’s perspective, this background light is effectively smeared horizontally across the front face of the shield, over the area where the subject would ordinarily be seen.”

The shield is made up of lots of these vertical lenses so that light gets reflected internally between them instead of refracted out. That light is then diffused, reflected, and refracted around and out of the lens to interact with the lenses on either side. These long convex lenses running in parallel are made of an extruded and embossed polymer derived from recycled plastics. Achieving the invisibility effect all comes down to a very precise way of shaping and finishing the lenses. The shields work best against uniform backgrounds like foliage, grass, walls, sand, sky, and asphalt. They work even better when they have defined horizontal lines, which really help the invisibility effect pop.

The fact that these actual working invisibility shields are so low-tech is what makes them fun. If you miss out on the Kickstarter campaign, keep an eye on the project’s update page for future retail availability.

The post You Can Actually Order This Real Invisibility Shield Right Now first appeared on Dornob.

Considering that the minimum wage hasn’t kept pace with inflation since 1968, what’s the average resident to do? An unprecedented number of unhoused people have no choice but to sleep on the streets. While some city governments are simply sweeping the houseless population from one park to the next like a game of whack-a-mole, groups like DignityMoves are focusing on building communities of tiny homes as a temporary measure until more permanent housing can be secured.

DignityMoves announced two inaugural communities in San Francisco and Santa Barbara last month, which cost about $30,000 per room (including all communal spaces) and took just a few months to build. Architecture firm Gensler joined tiny home builder Boss Homes to design prefabricated panel systems that could be assembled on sites secured by DignityMoves – typically vacant land or sparkling lots. Each project offers 70 rooms as well as shared bathroom and shower facilities, dining buildings, computer labs, clinics, and community spaces. The 33 Gough Street community in San Francisco has already begun welcoming residents.

“Central to DignityMoves’ vision is that everyone receives a private room with a door that locks,” the group explained in a press release. “Many experiencing homelessness are reluctant to accept beds in traditional group shelters. DignityMoves believes offering this sense of security will make clients more willing to engage in the critical supportive services needed to address the barriers to stable housing. One resident shared, ‘When I was living in my tent, I felt like I was constantly in survival mode, worried about my safety and where I might find my next meal. Now I am warm and dry and can lock my door at night.’”

These temporary, portable tiny homes are designed to last about 20 years. For structures that need a longer lifespan, DignityMoves partners with other manufacturers like Connect Homes, who built a 60-room community on city-owned land in the city of Rohnert Park. The group also collaborates with local agencies who provide supportive services like case management, mental and behavioral healthcare, job placement, and housing placement support. Private philanthropy and impact investors provide the funding.

San Francisco’s tiny home village will replace a city-sanctioned “safe sleeping village” full of tents. Though not exactly luxurious, the tiny houses are certainly an improvement over fabric shelters, especially in winter.

Crucially, DignityMoves sees them as just one tool in a toolkit for addressing homelessness; they’re not an all-in-one solution. What comes next is much more important. Organizers need only look to the spectacular failure of another recent attempt at offering temporary-to-permanent shelter to see why.

After authorities cleared an encampment at Echo Park in Los Angeles and provided transitional housing under a state program called Project Roomkey, only 17 people received long-term housing out of 183 displaced campers. Some of those people reported being placed in a prison-like environment with strict curfews, no-visitor policies, and requirements that they come with no personal belongings. Some rules, like mandatory daily room checks, made it hard for people to find work. Some got kicked out, some chose to leave, and only a few ever received housing vouchers. Those who did reported being unable to find landlords who would take them.

Ultimately, the project demonstrates that automatically treating unhoused people like criminals isn’t the answer to the homelessness crisis. Housing needs to be more affordable for everyone, and achieving that is going to require massive systemic changes in the way we monetize real estate, compensate employees, and structure wealth in this country.

The post Can a New Tiny Home Village Help Address California’s Homelessness Crisis? first appeared on Dornob.

As you can see, the Pontos looks a lot like a tent in the shape of a kayak. It has a similar lightweight frame sheathed in waterproof nylon and an inflatable seat that closely resembles a sleeping pad. That was part of the inspiration behind this unique design. The creators wanted performance on the water and packability on land, perfect for traveling or impulsive paddles after work. And it doesn’t just fit inside your car – it fits in your closet, suitcase, and even your backpack, just one-third the size and weight of the next-smallest portable kayak when packed down.

“We believe that the benefits of outdoor recreation and a connection with nature should be available to everyone, and we’re here to help knock down some traditional barriers,” the creators write on Indiegogo. “For paddle sports, those barriers are often storing, transporting, and deploying your vessel. We’ve simplified all of these by combining the concept of a skin on frame boat with new durable lightweight materials. At just seven pounds, Pontos kayaks are far lighter than existing folding and inflatable kayak options, which weigh anywhere from 20 to 45+ pounds, and [they’re] more affordable, too! With a pack down size similar to a two person tent, Pontos is the first truly packable kayak.”

Naturally, a kayak this lightweight is designed for calm waters, not whitewater conditions. Those who prefer the latter will have to stick to their more conventional kits for now. But a good deal of thought has gone into the design to make it just as reliable and easy to use as a standard kayak. The lightweight carbon fiber frame, which consists of 18-inch sections connected with shock cord, gives the boat its structure. Once on the water, the “keel pole” presses the TPU-bonded nylon shell just enough into the water to provide excellent tracking. Other portable kayaks are often flat on the bottom, which causes fishtailing as you paddle.

The Pontos’ shell easily pulls over the assembled frame and zips along the top, so it takes just a few minutes to put it together. The 210 denier nylon used for the shell also has some advantages over the heavy plastic usually used for inflatable kayaks. Inflatables are generally hard to pack down to a small size and even harder to get completely dry after use, which makes them prone to developing mold. On top of that, inflatable packrafts also require an additional device for inflation – or a serious test of your lung capacity after a hike.

Currently, the Pontos is available for pre-order via Indiegogo for $497, a 13 percent discount off the expected retail price of $575. It comes in five shell styles in shades of beige, green, blue, and yellow. The crowdfunding campaign will raise funds to order the components and hire a team to finish production, and the boats are expected to ship by June.

The post At 7 Pounds, This Might Be the Lightest, Most Portable Kayak Ever first appeared on Dornob.

Tranter has been fascinated by tiny homes for years and always hoped to build one of her own. Once she met Matt, a plumber who now owns his own bathroom and kitchen renovation company, she was ready to get started. The couple purchased a plot of land with beautiful views of the surrounding Blue Mountains and got right to work, detailing their building process on Instagram.

“Just because your house is small doesn’t mean you have to skip out on the finer things,” the couple says. That much is evident in their build, which includes a spacious living room, full size kitchen, bathroom, fireplace, and even a stairway leading to two separate sleeping lofts at either end of the house. They wanted standard size appliances, so they built the kitchen around them, tucking the refrigerator and range beneath the stairway leading to the sleeping loft. The kitchen also includes a farmhouse sink, a long waterfall-style counter, high cabinets, lots of built-in lighting, and a row of operable windows to let in the fresh air.

Diagonal wood floors transition seamlessly into hexagonal tile in the bathroom, where a huge louvered window blurs the lines between indoors and out. The bathroom also contains a dual vanity and a double shower with three shower heads, sliding glass doors, and a wide window for views of the scenery. Upstairs, the master loft has a king-size bed with two side tables and a skylight, and a walkway leads over the living room to the second loft, which contains a guest bed. This bed, too, has its own skylight, and both peer over the edge at the wood stove below. Does it seem like they’re lacking any little luxuries to you?

Of course, it doesn’t hurt that they have a massive deck that effectively triples their living space in this temperate climate. The outdoor living area is covered by a custom black sunshade that matches the black corrugated steel siding on the minimalist house. The elevated deck is definitely a bonus. Pet lovers will note an awesome extra feature: a huge mesh-covered patio out back, accessed by a cat door in the house.

Since building their own home, the couple has founded a tiny house building company called Tailored Tiny Co., which specializes in tailoring custom-made small spaces to their clients’ needs and lifestyles.

The post Australian Couple Builds a Stylish DIY Tiny Home in Just 3 Months first appeared on Dornob.