This self-built tiny house on wheels began as a bold experiment in downsizingโand slowly became a symbol of healing, sustainability, and family connection for Trish and Tony.
Today, their 10-by-30-foot home, named Leit Mezone Violet, sits on three-quarters of an acre in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado.
Behind it stands a 458-square-foot cabin. Together, the two small homes reflect their long-term dream: simple, multi-generational living.
But the journey toward this self-built tiny house on wheels started long before the build was complete.
The story behind their self-built tiny house on wheels
Years ago, Trish lived in a 2,800-square-foot house in the Chicago suburbs. Over time, she downsized by 97%.
It did not happen overnight. She slowly let go of furniture and belongings, one room at a time.
Eventually, she and her two boys moved into a 31-foot Class C RV. At first, she questioned it.
“Well, why would we do that?” she remembered thinking. Still, the RV became their real-life case study. If they could live well in that space, she believed she could design something even better.
The experience taught them two clear lessons: they needed far less than they thought, and each family member needed private space.
At the same time, Tony was walking through deep loss. “During COVID that was how I became widowed. It was literally the most challenging time of my life.” Downsizing his Lake County home was painful. “It was just… it was a lot, but it was a lot of crying breaks.” Yet even in grief, he says, “It felt more like growth and less like loss.”
When the two reconnected after 38 years of knowing each other, Trish was still building her tiny home.
Tonyโs response was simple and heartfelt: “Sounds like fun. I need something to throw passion into. I like fixing stuff. I like building on things and I get to be with my best friend.” Then he added, “So, it’s like, heck yeah, I’ll do that.”
Together, they completed what became their self-built tiny house on wheels.
Specifications and costs of the self-built tiny house on wheels
The home measures 10 feet wide by 30 feet long, totaling 300 square feet on the main floor footprint, plus two lofts.
A friend once advised, “Build on the widest trailer possible,” which is why they chose a 10-foot-wide base.
The shell was constructed by Rocky Mountain Tiny Houses in Durango, Colorado.
Trish paid $20,000 upfront and another $32,000 later. With help from friends, clients, and hired labor, the final build came to about $62,000.
Much of the savings came from sweat equity and reclaimed materials.
The structure uses SIPS, or structurally insulated panels, which Trish describes as “an ice cream sandwich of this insulation so that there is no thermal bridging.”
This keeps the home warmer in winter and cooler in summer in the mountain climate.
Beyond the house itself, they invested in the land. They spent about $30,000 upgrading the septic system to meet modern standards and roughly $40,000 to drill a well, replacing a 2,000-gallon cistern.
They are currently working through zoning rules to permit the tiny home as an ADU or Accessory Dwelling Unit.
County guidelines state the ADU cannot exceed 40% of the main structure, meaning the existing 458-square-foot cabin must expand to around 780 square feet to comply.
Stepping inside their 300-square-foot mountain retreat
Kitchen and Main Living Area
The main living space measures 16 feet by 10 feet. It was intentionally designed to be the largest area, so the family could gather.
The kitchen includes 8 feet of countertop, stained with Unicorn Spit.
Five cabinets were sourced from Habitat for Humanity, while one matching cabinet came from Home Depot. Altogether, the reclaimed cabinets cost less than a single new unit.
Appliances include a microwave/convection oven/air fryer combo and a drawer dishwasher.
A roll-top pantry once belonged to Trishโs mother. The sofa lifts for storage and was modified to work around the triple-axle wheel well.
Trish reflects on the lifestyle shift: “I was fascinated by the sustainability of it. Going small to consume less so you have more time, more money to do other things.”
She adds, “Being in this small of a space, it’s so freeing. I could vacuum in less than 10 minutes and I’m clean. It’s done.”
Downstairs Bedroom
The ground-floor bedroom holds a queen-size bed raised high enough to store paddleboards, a kayak, and holiday bins underneath.
The storage is accessed from an exterior door, creating a built-in garage.
Pocket doors save space, and the couple shares a carefully divided closet.
As Trish explains, “it is possible to roll your clothes and to store them efficiently and make it work for you.”
Two Loft Bedrooms and Rooftop Deck
Two private lofts give each teenager personal space. One loft includes a desk for video production and room-darkening curtains.
The son explained his open-closet idea clearly: “If I can see it, I’ll keep it more organized.”
The second loft includes cross-breeze windows, storage bins, and space for personal collections.
Both lofts have trap doors for privacy and direct access to the rooftop deck.
The rooftop deck overlooks the Rocky Mountains and serves as a picnic area and gathering space for the family.
Bathroom and Laundry
The bathroom features a $50 reclaimed jet tub, a composting toilet for off-grid independence, matching countertops, and custom tile work.
The home also includes a mechanical washer, a line-drying system to save energy, a coat and utility closet, and an on-demand hot water heater.
Where less space made room for more life
For Tony, the self-built tiny house on wheels represents a shift in values. “It is reinforcing the joy of the people and not the stuff,” he says.
Living smaller helps him focus and feel happier, especially when she can spend time outside in the sun.
For him, the home represents growth after grief.
As they continue navigating permits, the couple hopes to live full-time on the property and build toward generational living.
In just 300 square feet, their self-built tiny house on wheels has given them something much bigger than space: freedom, healing, and a deeper connection to what truly matters.
Watch Trish and Tony give a full tour of their self-built tiny house on wheels and subscribe to Tiny House Expedition for more inspiring tiny home stories.
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