-Waldport, Oregon, Tiny Tranquility Park. Interview by Tiny B on Ken Leigh, Tiny House Creator & Fine Carpentry on tiny home building and custom projects.
Meet Ken Leigh, Creator of Tiny Houses and Master of Fine Carpentry. He specializes in all interior wood finishes, cabinetry, trims, shelving, stairs, storage and outdoor deck projects for any home.
Ken’s 3 Bears Tiny House arrived at Tiny Tranquility Park on July 4th, 2019. We are tiny house neighbors and working together on projects for my tiny house. In working with Ken, I knew I wanted to know his story. I had the pleasure of filming his tiny house arrival and interviewing him on building tiny houses.
3 Bears Tiny House in Tiny Tranquility
Tiny B: Hi Ken, can you tell us a little about yourself.
Ken: I grew up in Maine close to the ocean and made rustic furniture. I lived there for sixty years before moving West. I lived in a 2300 square foot home, which I sold and began building my first tiny house.
First tiny house called the Schroom.
Tiny B: Can you tell us how you came to build tiny houses?
Ken: I had this jelling in my head and built a scale model. While caretaking a friend’s home in Hollis, Maine, I asked if I could build a tiny house in his driveway.
The Schroom's curved vardo style roof.
Tiny B: You downsized from a traditional 2300 square foot home to building your first custom 280 square foot tiny house. Tell us about it.
Ken: My first tiny house was a fifth wheel named, Schroom. It was 32’ by 8 ½’ and built in 2015/16, taking a year to build. The exterior was red cedar clapboard and cedar shingles. The interior had a full-sized bed above the fifth wheel, a large 8’ by 12’ great area with a kitchen, and 4’ by 8’ bathroom with a shower, sink and compost toilet. The curved roof looked Vardo style, like a mushroom, hence, the name. It was comfortable, spacious, and I enjoyed living in my first tiny house.
Schroom's 8' x 12' great area.
Ken: Then, I packed the Schroom up and hit the road to attend the Tiny House Festival in Colorado Springs.
The Schroom on the road to Colorado.
Tiny B: What did you do while in Colorado?
In the shop at MitchCraft Tiny Homes.
Ken: After staying in Colorado Springs, I moved the Schroom to Fort Collins for an opportunity to work as a Cabinet Maker for MitchCraft Tiny Homes. I made the interior wood specialties such as cabinets, furniture, stairs, shelving and storage. Then, I sold the Schroom and started building my second tiny house while residing and working there.
Ken's work on a MitchCraft Tiny Home.
Tiny B: 3 Bears tiny house, you are now residing in, is your second tiny house, can you tell us about the build?
3 Bears Tiny House
Ken: While, working at MitchCraft, I built a 27’ fifth wheel with cedar clapboard and cedar shingles with an 8’ by 8’ fold down exterior deck off the back. I did not do the framing, roof, plumbing or electrical on this one. I did the interior finishes. The great area has a couch and fireplace. I designed the kitchen cabinets, which are on both the driver and passenger sides of the house. The bath has a large corner shower to fit a 6’ person, sink and dual flush toilet. It has a storage staircase, shelving, spice rack and queen bed over the fifth wheel.
Backing tiny house into its new spot.
Tiny B: I remember the day your tiny arrived. I filmed it with your permission, having not known you at the time (laughs).
Smooth Parking - Home Sweet Tiny Home
Ken: Yeah, (laughs) I arrived on July 4th, the trucker, Marlo Taylor of Transportations Solutions, LLC out of Aurora, Colorado drove through a heavy winter storm, but the arrival was smooth.
3 Bears Tiny House Great Area
Fireplace
Coat Rack
Ken: I love living in my tiny, the colors, coziness and the warmth of it. I enjoy the community, and have it made as far as gender does. (Tiny B: At the time the article was printed, the park residents are mostly females, lol.)
Storage Staircase
Bedroom over the fifth wheel.
Shelving along the staircase.
Tiny B: The interior of Ken’s tiny is simply stunning!
Kitchen
Upper kitchen cabinets.
Kitchen cabinet door detail.
Tiny B: Obviously, I can see fine carpentry and cabinetry is your specialty, am I correct?
Custom cabinets for a foundation home.
Ken: Yes, I am a visionary, designer and tiny house builder with an attention to detail and sometimes whimsical. I will create what you visualize and build what you want with flow and balance.
Custom Cabinet fine detail.
Tiny B: Now, that you are settled in the park, what are your plans? What type of services are you offering those who are interested in having a tiny house built or custom project?
Ken: I am an independent contractor that will work with other companies and clients. I am interested in building new tiny houses, as well as remodeling, and other custom wood crafting projects. A project does not have to be a tiny house on wheels, I do foundation home cabinetry as well.
Custom Staircase
Tiny B: If someone wants a custom project and get a quote, how should they contact you?
Ken Leigh
Tiny House Creator & Fine Carpentry
(207) 749-0600 m. kleigh0352@gmail.com
Direct Message – Instagam @kenleighcabinetmaker
Private Message – Ken Leigh on Facebook
Working on projects at Just B Tiny House
Thank you, Ken. You are a visionary, who is fun to work with. I wish you the best in all your endeavors and love having you as a tiny house neighbor!
My thoughts to my readers: My photos of Ken’s 3 Bears tiny house and his interior woodwork does not even illustrate what a fine craftsman he is. His work is not only beautiful, it is impeccable in its detail. The design flow throughout his tiny is completely balanced, subtle, warm and inviting. It is clear he is crafting his calling.
I am amazed by his know-how, artistry expertise and quality work. And, I have experienced it directly, through the projects we are working on in my own Just B Tiny house.
Please contact him for your next custom wood project. You will love yourself for doing it.
Love,
Tiny B ♥
Just B creative . . .
