We first met Thom in our local surf store Paradiso , he was brewing up a coffee for our team and we got to talking about travel . Turns out he's from a little part of Australia called Tasmania.
We twisted his arm into being one of our Harsun Ambassadors , we knew being from Tasmania he would appreciate merino clothing and our adventure built products . Thom features all over our website and printed magazine Homegrown . We caught up with him to chat about a special project he's just finished and how sustainable thoughtful buildings are something you should consider when travelling, choosing accommodation types and building your dream shelter.
You helm from Tasmania, where and why did you place your touch on that patch of dirt?
I grew up on the NW of Tasmania and even though I often find myself living away, I've always wanted to have a base in that special part of Tassie. For me, it has that perfect balance of bush, beach and mountains. So when the opportunity to buy some land arose, I didn't need to think about it too much.
What inspired you to build a tiny home ?
My partner and I had plans to build a small house (not a tiny) on the block originally and we were a long way down the process of having it built. After she passed, the idea of building something bigger for just me, no longer seemed right. I still wanted to have something on the block and we had always been interested in tiny homes and how people found such intelligent ways to make the most of small spaces. I think it was also less daunting to build something smaller, where it wasn't such a massive project to undertake.
Do you feel it has had an effect on the way you live and your lifestyle choices?
Definitely, you have to be much more conscious of what possessions you hold onto when space is more limited. There is certainly no place for hoarding when you own a tiny house, every purchase you make takes consideration and your not just accumulating things you'll never use that just collect dust in a larger house. It also requires you to be more creative with your outdoor space, something I'm still trying to utilise correctly.
When you travel , do you look for similar experiences or concepts?
I've always enjoyed staying in unique or quirky spaces. I think that tiny houses tend to lend themselves to interesting locations because you can obviously fit them into spaces where a larger house wouldn't work. I think tiny homes, especially those built on trailers, seem to have a much smaller impact on the environment's they are placed. Most tend to be self sufficient and fit in with the space, rather than changing it.
Who helped build and design your tiny home ?
Artisan Tiny Homes. They are a small family business located only 10 minutes away from my block. They were amazing to work with because they only work on two builds at a time and allow you to completely customise every part of the build. For me, if I was going to go small, then I wanted it to feel like my space and not just a generic cut and paste build. Another massive positive was they were incredible when it came time to set the house up on the block and were always reachable whenever I had questions around council regulations .
What are the best features of your home and why ?
I love the two lofts for my bedroom and study. They're not only practical when it comes to making the most of the space, but they stay so warm throughout the day and are amazing spaces to relax. The skylight above my bed is something I maybe didn't realise I would spend so much time using either. Because there isn't much light pollution at the block you get a pretty spectacular view of the night sky. The corrugated tin shower with the brass fittings is also a favourite, it just has such a rustic but also country home charm to it. I'm not sure if it's necessarily a feature, but I also love how the natural plywood walls make the space feel bigger somehow and because they're so neutral they make the objects in the house standout.
What is your favourite thing to cook at your retreat?
I think my favourite thing is not technically cooking, but making my first coffee of a morning. It's so quiet first thing of a morning and it's so peaceful just enjoying the view and the space.
Did you use local suppliers, thrift , recycle as part of your build ? Any sentimental elements added in ?
My partner and I were always obsessed with preloved furniture. Unfortunately, a lot of those items don't fit a tiny space, but I've still managed to fit a few pieces here and there. Because Artisan Tiny Homes build nearly everything from scratch they use a lot of recycled and local products wherever they can.
I've got a lot of little bits and pieces that my partner and I had collected through our travels scattered throughout the house, along with some artwork she loved and photos she'd taken.
For people travelling to Tasmania , what are some of your recommendations ?
What are some of the best wineries, cafes and experiences ?
Nature experiences ?
You really can't go wrong, everywhere across the island offers something unique. The North West has some spectacular waterfalls, a few of my favourites are Winterbrook, Champaign and McGowan. Some can be quite a trek though, so it's best to do a bit of research before each walk and remember that weather in Tas can change very quickly.
There is also some amazing produce in Tassie. Bruny Island, a short ferry ride from Hobart, has some of the freshest oysters you'll find anywhere.
Buttons Brewery is also a bit of a hidden gem up North. And you really can't go wrong with any of the wineries down the east coast.
What is your favourite Harsun piece?
It's a close call between the
merino shirts and the
xplore bag. Both got a lot use on my bushwalks. The weather is so unpredictable in Tas, so even if it looks like it's going to be a beautiful sunny day, you can often find yourself caught in the middle of the bush in heavy rain. So the xplore bag was invaluable for keeping my camera and change of clothes nice and dry. I also found that I could walk all day in my merino shirt, it breathes so much better than others I've had in the past, so it keeps you toasty when you need it, without sweating up a storm.
If someone was looking at building a tiny home or minimizing their life , what's some good advice you could offer?
Make sure you do a lot of research into what your council regulations are with regards to tiny homes. It's an absolute shambles at the moment and every council seems to be regulating them differently. Apart from that, I'd say go for it. I found the whole process extremely enjoyable and couldn't be happier with my little space.
Want to get off the grid and breathe. Book a trip to Tasmania , bring balance and adventure back to the day-to-day.
Planning a hike, surf adventure, holiday , we recommend our friends at Campers Pantry
real food for remote places, made in Tassie.
