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corrugated metal siding, large glass panels and
Eames-era charm, Blazona’s MDIOO (named for its 100-
square-foot size) became an instant classic practical
yet prudent, retro yet relevant When Ready Made be
gan hawking the construction plans for $35 online, they
quickly became a big hit.
“I call it an adult playhouse,” says Christian rocker
TD. Oakes, 32, who built an MDIOO on his Lexington,
Ky., property over two weeks last September for $3,000,
using off-the-shelf material from Lowe’s and The Home
Depot along with a cheap cordless power tool kit.
Candace Locklear, who lives in the East Bay hills
near San Francisco, says building an outdoor room
was “totally worth it” She and her husband had con
sidered landscaping their yard, adding sod and a koi
pond, but instead built a hip “modem playhouse” for
their young daughter. Not only did the construction
project bring them closer (‘lt helped us realize what
great partners we really are”), but they’ve become the
most popular parents on the block.
Blazona, a former Pottery Bam designer who of
fers larger backyard structures at Modular Dwellings
.com, thinks the market for outdoor rooms is good but
says “it’s hard to create a true product that can be
House Smart
By LOU MANFREDINI
The practical side of
building a backyard escape
■ Check with your local building
department to see if these types of structures
are allowed, and if so, what requirements you must
meet You may need to submit a building plan and
survey to show where it’ll be located on the property.
■ Position the Structure in a way that
avoids problems such as water pooling down in
low spots. Consider a gravel base or raised
concrete slab to keep your new unit high and dry.
■ Make sure the design of your new
cabin or shed has some kind of visual relationship
with your home. Not only will it make a great
companion element it'll keep your neighbors
happy, too.
■ Add some basic amenities to the
unit. Having a few electrical outlets, some lighting
and even indoor plumbing can be a real plus.
(Check out the BioLet toilet a composting unit that
uses no water, at bioletcom.)
Lou Manfredini is OurHouse.com’s “Mr. Fix-It”and
a contributor to NBC’s Today shorn
COTTAGE; WCHARO CORNELIUS; MICHAEL GRAVES PAVILION: COURTESY Of LMDAL CEDAR HOMES; MODERN DWELLING: CHAO HOLDEN
WHAT'S YOUR
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2. Pavilion
This octagonal ‘home extension,” designed by
Michael Graves for Target stores, makes a great
breakfast nook or library. Use more glass walls
and it's an awesome greenhouse or artist's studio.
made anywhere” because each municipality has
different building laws and codes.
Dave Kimball, whose New Hampshire firm Shelter-
Kit has sold prefab bams and homes since the
19705, sees his business expanding, especially for the
basic $9,975 “Unit One” mini-cabin, which can be
used in backyards or combined with optional decks
and porches to create larger residential structures.
“Our business was exclusively in the Northeast, but
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1. Cottage
All that's missing from this
elegant mini-home, which even
boasts a steep gable roof, is the
white picket fence. It's a sweet
spot for overnight guests, or
maybe a great pool house.
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3. Modem dwelling
Marketed under various brand names, such as
"modem cabanas' or'metrosheds,' these fun retro
designs are perfect for a trendy playhouse or an
urban home office.
now we’re all over, including Texas, Idaho and
Montana,” Kimball says.
And why not? Single mom Rubin says the pre-fab
units offer a pretty fab way for homeowners to get
back to nature: “These aren’t tiny trailer homes;
they’re beautiful objects surrounded by greenery;
I’m in my little room, looking out over the garden,
watching squir rels climb up an oak tree. It’s far
better than any other office I’ve ever worked in.” ca
USA WEEKEND • Sept. 14-16,2007
7