Mernie Curry, sister of Heritage student Clara Curry, recently designed a sustainable tiny home in Colorado.

This tiny abode is a combination of canvas and wood and was built using a sustainable frame. The majority of the materials and furniture were either found or recycled, including the entire canvas tent.

Their brother, Chris Curry, builds tiny homes so his input and direction was crucial to the design, development and construction of the space. The tent home doesn’t have the amenities of a typical home. The lights run off solar, plumbing is substituted by a composting humanure outhouse, and an outdoor kitchen and solar shower might be added in the future.

When it came to designing the inside, Mernie’s first thoughts were to use what she already had to create a space that is comfortable, stylish, and functional. The chandelier is made from a crochet hoop with sage and juniper branches cut from the land and the side tables are made from left over concrete and rebar. Hints of green, blue and purple are spread around to mimic the colors of the desert outside.

“I wanted to create a space where the peaceful energy of the structure and design would transfer to the people experiencing it. Because that’s what design is all about right, to initiate a feeling in someone and hope they feel the same way you do when you find yourself tucked away in the desert in a tent house…. still and at ease, and happy.”

Nestled in the juniper trees and sage bushes of the southwest corner of Colorado with a mixture of red earth from the desert and snow capped mountains in the distance, it is the perfect surrounding for an outdoor adventure and quiet serenity. It’s just a short walk from a cliff band for bouldering as well as great mountain biking, hiking, and town night life.

This off the grid escape wouldn’t have been possible without the help of her family, friends and Spice Box Homes.