Couple moves to Ellsworth, build home in shipping containers
ELLSWORTH, Maine —- Try as they might, Trevor Seip and Jennifer Sansosti cannot contain their excitement.
The young engaged couple recently shipped their lives from out of state to a rustic, 63-acre property they bought on Winkumpaugh Road, where they hope to build a home and future together.
They are not the first to move to rural Maine from a more heavily populated part of the East Coast — Pennsylvania in their case — with dreams of homesteading in the woods. Nor are they the first to do so while in possession of a well-thumbed copy of “The Good Life,” the 1954 book by former Brooksville residents Helen and Scott Nearing that has served as a manual for simple, sustainable living for so many.
“It’s full of life,” Sansosti said of their wooded property which abuts a stream that flows toward Branch Lake. “It has an abundance of natural resources.”
But there aren’t many who do so while living inside former marine shipping containers. Seip and Sansosti, both in their late 20s, have two, each about 20 feet long and 8 feet wide and high, that they have modified into living units, complete with electricity and running water. They have spent much of the past year modifying the containers, which they bought on eBay for a total of $1,500, in Stroudsburg, Pa. This spring they had them delivered to their former logging property on Winkumpaugh Road.
Inside one of the two containers, which they insulated, plumbed and wired themselves, is a table and bed that fold up against the wall, a cushioned bench seat, a sink, a camp stove, a wall-mounted propane heater, and a bathroom complete with composting toilet and full-size shower. In the other is a large storage closet and a folding futon that converts into a couch. Each has one or two windows and conventional residential doors.
“You need to use every inch you can when you’re dealing with 160 square feet” of floor space, Sansosti said.
“This whole thing has been done on a shoestring budget,” Seip added. “We want to build our own village up here.”
Seip and Sansosti designed their living units to exist off the grid. They installed energy-efficient LED lights, which they power off batteries, and they collect and then filter their water from the nearby stream or from a rain barrel they have on the roof. They already own electricity-producing solar panels, but are waiting to have the containers mounted on frost-proof concrete posts before they install and connect them. They also hope to erect a residential wind turbine at some point.
How To Build A Storage Bench - News
Car buyers have moved away from the layout that offered front and rear three-person bench seats. Front buckets give most people more comfort and adjustability, not to mention space for cupholders, power outlets and storage bins in the console between
a cushioned bench seat, a sink, a camp stove, a wall-mounted propane heater, and a bathroom complete with composting toilet and full-size shower. In the other is a large storage closet and a folding futon that converts into a couch.
Car buyers have moved away from the layout that offered front and rear three-person bench seats. Front buckets give most people more comfort and adjustability, not to mention space for cupholders, power outlets and storage bins in the console between
Also, furniture with multiple functions -- such as a window seat or dining bench with storage underneath -- is another good space saver. QA lot of the units are handicapped-accessible. Why is this important? A Even if a homeowner is in relatively good
“Then imagine (((yes, do go on))) that every house and building has such infrastructure and the city covers a wifi mesh parallel. Just because a single computer and / or a simple USB storage device to enjoy the features. Such a grid would allow local
Free Woodworking Plans to Build a Potterybarn Inspired Chesapeake ...
The big migration has begun for all 600+ articles from the old format to the new and improved, indexed, and tagged format and should be done shortly (I hope)...Browse, enjoy, and check back often to see what has been added to our fabulous new digs! If you reach a 'Page Not Found' error when visiting an article, check back regularly for the link to be fixed! They will all be functional shortly!
This storage bench is going to come in handy this summer and is on my outdoor to do list for sure! Our yard is being overrun by toys and tools, and this is a fabulous way to get dual function furniture that is suitable for seating and storage, perfect for my teeny tiny little yard. I will take 2 please! This piece continues our fun and fabulous Chesapeake Collection and is a relatively simple build, once you get the cutting done! Warm up your saws, and get to work, and then please share photos of you build when you are finished. You can add your photos to the Gallery or send them on over to me via email!
Consider using a specie of wood suitable for outdoor use such as cedar, redwood, teak, etc., and be sure you choose galvanized or coated hardware to avoid rust. Be sure you finishing materials and products are suitable for outdoor use as well.
Read through the entire set of instructions and all comments before beginning this project. If you print out or save plans, be sure to check in on my site to be sure you have the most up to date set of plans, as I occasionally update things for ease of building or buying. If you are new to building, read through the GETTING STARTED section and other articles found under the BUILD tab in the menu on my site, it has valuable information about how to get started, tools and techniques. If you are unfamiliar with the finishing process, visit my Finishing school for some tips and tricks for painting like a pro and for special finishing practices.
Use glue to secure your joints and Consider Painting or Staining individual sections prior to assembling. This makes the paint application virtually flawless. Coat with a spray on Poly or Wipe on Poly to protect your finish and your piece and it will last for ages. Adhere to all safety standards and guidelines, and be sure you follow safety protocol throughout your build. If you are unsure about whether you are building safely, run a quick online search for the tool or technique you are using, or contact me via email or post to the forum before you move ahead. My contact info can be found on the main page of my site.
How To Build A Storage Bench - Bookshelf
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