Amazing Modern Cabin Build - From DIY Kit-Set To Epic Off-Grid Getaway!

In this weeks episode we start an exciting project turning an awesome kit-set cabin into the ultimate modern, off-grid getaway! To find out more about these cabins, visit: www.palmako.ee/en-us/houses?u...
You can find Palmako kit-set cabins all over the globe! Find your local distributor here: www.palmako.ee/en/find-your-n...
There's nothing quite like a cozy cabin. In fact, when I think of simple, close to nature human shelter the cabin is one of the first things that comes to mind. In this episode, we are building our own dream getaway cabin using the Palmako kit-set as a base and then adding onto it to take this cabin to the next level!
In this first video, we cover the site preparation, the foundations as well as the construction of the kit-set cabin itself! Built from beautiful nordic spruce timber, these kit-set log cabins are quick and simple to construct and the result is very impressive!
I want to say a huge thank-you to Palmako and their local NZ distributor, Trade Tested (www.tradetested.co.nz/c/sheds... ) for supporting this project and helping to make what we do possible.
If you enjoy our show and would like to help support our work, please consider supporting us on Patreon: / livingbig
Our Socials and Links: linktr.ee/livingbig
Find out more about this tiny house and others on our website: www.livingbiginatinyhouse.com/
Please subscribe for more videos on tiny houses, architecture, DIY, design, and sustainable, off-grid living.
Presented and Produced by: Bryce Langston
Camera: Rasa Pescud & Bryce Langston
Editing: Sarah Binder & Rasa Pescud
Title music in this video by Bryce Langston: / brycelangston
'Living Big in a Tiny House' © 2024 Zyia Pictures Ltd
#BringingJoytotheGarden #DIY #CabinLife

[@livingbig]

This was such a fun project! We had an absolute blast building this and we can hardly wait to show you the next episode where we take this cabin to the next level! We hope you enjoyed this video as much as we did making it. A huge thanks to Palmako and Trade Tested for helping to make this project possible. Let us know what you think in the comments below! With Love, Bryce & Rasa

[@abcd-jk7mx]

Hi Bryce,i love your videos so much and just cant stop watching them,i realy think about living in a tiny house but i was wondering,can you make video about safety and precautions when living in a tiny house? I live in a condo so i feel very safe,but tiny house just looks so scary because anyone can break into your house so easly! Not just people but also animals,and maybe other things that i cant think of right now,thank you for your amazing work!!!!❤❤❤

[@nancilfilsaime]

So far so beautiful! Can’t wait to see the final results! I hope 🤞🏼 you and Rasa have a beautiful cabin!

[@hamey]

I'm so excited for you! This is such wonderful spot to build and I'm looking forward to seeing more of it. We can see the happiness in your face 😊. And I'm thinking it smells terrific! I LOVE timber smell! ❤

[@deborahcooper9945]

Can't wait to see the end result ❤ Very interested in the actual cabin and the overall costings ❤

[@BeeKay4444]

I super stoked for you and Rasa what an amazing cabin that will bring years of cozy times. I look forward to following along throughout this project.

[@youssef_1763]

Keep going, you are a true hero for the younger generation, small houses will be the future for those who cannot afford a regular overpriced home

[@SimplySheilaB]

Not just the younger generation, this is my dream. I’d love everyone to have this as their dream ❤❤❤

[@livingbig]

❤

[@DarkCrimsonzZ]

@@SimplySheilaBit’s my dream too

[@DarkCrimsonzZ]

I first got hooked on tiny houses after watching Eamon and becs van tiny home build

[@sandrapersaud3105]

I absolutely love this cabin 😍. No one needs a big, overpriced house where you don't use more than half of it.

[@TheKnittedRaven]

I don’t think I've ever seen you so excited!

[@livingbig]

This was so much fun! I am absolutely in me element when I'm getting to work on new projects.

[@Jambenoire-kn4lk]

​@@livingbighiiiiiii...haaaaaaa

[@jackalopexjackalope9870]

Beautiful location, what an exciting build! The closeness to the gully terrifies me especially with how natural disasters and climate are getting wilder and less predictable, but I realize the builders know their locality best.

[@claireroberts5051]

Agreed. So close to the edge! They must have thought it out though.

[@fredio54]

It won't move provided the trees are not removed and it's not naturally unstable.

[@drayner2517]

First thought in my head too! No amount of vegetation will stop a hilllside going if it’s wet enough.

[@fredio54]

@@drayner2517 Guaranteed his block had some horrific record breaking rain in the last few months and years, worst seen in decades at least, and nothing happened, so chances are his particular piece of hill is stable.

[@livingbig]

Have no fear. We made sure we did our homework on this spot and you'll see why we placed the cabin there in the next video. :)

[@MsLinz1975]

When I can't sleep I design log cabins in my mind...from modern designs to very traditional....one room with a bed, kitchen with table and chairs. And of course a loft bedroom for the boy!

[@Nalatnuom]

The vegetation in that gully looks positively prehistoric. I love it! Looking forward to part 2.

[@mah1ro267]

I just love that you are so excited about this. Not the typical TV-exaggerated-fake-excitement, but one that comes truly from the heart. Often when I didn't sleep well (like today) and I'm a bit down I watch your videos as a kind of mood lifter 😄

[@livingbig]

Thank you so much for your lovely comment. I'm sorry that you've been feeling a bit down and have trouble sleeping, but I'm glad that we can help to keep you company and lift your spirits a little. ❤

[@becmoran9119]

It's 7am here in Darwin Australia, getting picked up at 7.30 yet this runs for 29mins !! Eek can't stop watching

[@melissasueferrin3409]

1.25 speed!

[@Maple-sirop]

Thank you Bryce! I live in Canada and have been thinking about building a small house for a long time. Will you come to film a few episodes in North America one day?)))

[@livingbig]

We sure will! We filmed a lot in North America before covid and we plan to travel back to do more episodes there agin later this year. Canada is one of our favourite countries to visit!

[@loui1064]

@@livingbig Hi, great news ! And if that's possible in Ontario or colder places than BC :) Looking forward to the video next week

[@chaman004]

@@livingbig Awesome! I'd be really interested to see some tiny houses in Quebec, Ontario or even Alberta, (as @loui1064 said) where climate varies significantly and where it therefore seems harder to live in one

[@lynnemcdonald465]

@@livingbig If you build it, they will come!

[@ansigbg]

@@livingbig @myBIGtinyhouselife love her tiny house in canada

[@Sponge1310]

This is so awesome! When I was younger, every time we went to a garden center or hardware/home improvement store, I would go out to look at the ‘sheds’ or ‘garden houses’ they had and imagined what it would be like as a tiny house 😊 You’re now pretty much realizing that ‘fantasy’ I always had 😃 Can’t wait to see how it turns out!

[@debramck6231]

Back in the 70s, when I was a preteen on Vancouver Island, Canada, my family bought a "Panabode" double garage kit. Incredibly similar building process to what you have done here, but on a slab. We put patio windows in where the garage doors would have been, to get a view of the ocean and access to an added deck, and added a few interior walls to divide the space (bathroom, tiny bunkroom, open kitchen/living area). Oh, and a back door. I have fond memories of watching my dad and two granddads hammering all the precut "logs" together for the walls, then adding the roof (in the pouring rain).

[@buddymccormack8668]

I have been following your channel for many years and one thing I have noticed is the pride I see on the faces of those who have put a lot of effort into the design and build process, the people who did everything they were capable of. I'm glad to see you involved with the build. Can't wait to see more. BTW, that leather hat looks good on you.

[@reejoyce6305]

A solution to the housing crisis. A quality home built in such a sort time... let's hope this type of housing takes off. Great job

[@whirledpeas5717]

I know you're skilled. Even so, the closeness of the cabin to the gully edge makes me nervous as I'm from a place known for landslides.

[@Mr44magnum0706]

Exactly what I was thinking, like is no one concerned with erosion 🫣

[@livingbig]

Don't worry. We did our homework on the spot. Also, you'll have to wait and see what happens after the kitset is built. Next week, you'll see we build a lot more, including a lot more supports. Fear not. 😉

[@whirledpeas5717]

​@livingbig - great to hear! Deal- I'll watch next week. 😊

[@mavahuth5044]

I don't have landslide near me but it would make me nervous.

[@lisaemerson8061]

THATS WHAT I WAS THINKING LOL

[@peterwillcox9429]

I have wanted to turn one of the Palmako kit sets into a tiny house for some time. They have always appealed to me to be a quick, simple, low cost entry point into tiny house living. This is going to be an interesting series to follow on multiple fronts. The most important is breaking out of the mould of a structure on wheels with width limitations. It would also appear to be a project which stretch’s a basic build concept to connecting to the natural environment around it.

[@DawnOldham]

I felt your pain when you said it would be a long night of continued staining. Can't wait to see Rasa and you enjoy the view of your own private gully. It does remind me of the beauty of Avatar!

[@mollylundquist9145]

I can't wait...I can't wait to see next episode!!!!!! Hurry up, next week. What fun to watch.

[@gsdfjhkbahj]

Waiting to see completed staining next week. All the best!!

[@jasminebauer5697]

Love this and the property is beautiful. Cannot wait to its completion. Thanks Bryce and Rasa for sharing your journey on building this log cabin. Will you be building anything else on the property, garden? 🥰🫶🏽❤️

[@livingbig]

Oh we have some big plans!!! We plan on planting some really nice gardens including a syntropic food forest. All still to come. :)

[@judithlee8776]

Imagine ............. seeing your first Puriri moth that hide out in that tree. Such a beautiful site.

[@livingbig]

Yes!!! I can't wait to see that! ❤

[@alsoknownasdriff7911]

Been watching your vids since i was 17, until now that im 22, ive always wanted to build my own tiny house, youve been a great inspiration bryce, ❤

[@flyboysnugs]

Just an idea for future Bryce, next time u need to stain something, get a pump up spray bottle with a wand, like is used to spray garden weeds, and use that as a kind of paint sprayer. Doesnt work for paint ss its too thick, but for bulk staining timber fences and the like, its pretty sweet

[@peggyhemenger8983]

This reminded me of the kit houses from Sears, Roebuck and Company and others way back in the early 1900s. When I first learned of these I was amazed, nearly everything you needed would arrive in a boxcar, and yes there was a numbering system! Pretty sure many are still standing today. I think it's great this has carried over into the tiny house movement, makes perfect sense! That all being said, I doubt any of those kits went together in so short a time or so beautifully. Also, I love the off grid aspect too. Really looking forward to the uodates!

[@maganalia]

I lived in a Sears neighborhood once. The homes were small but cute.

[@peggyhemenger8983]

@@maganalia Wow, I didn't know there were whole neighborhoods. I know some are still standing here in Michigan.

[@Undercoverbooks]

This is a great-looking kit. I once lived in an old-fashioned log cabin (built by two people with axes in the forest), and it was extremely dusty and full of spiders. The logs soaked up all available humidity so our skin was always dried out. The logs retained the heat from the wood stove so well that, more often than not, we had to throw the doors open to cool off (no opening windows). And I missed having flat walls to hang things on. Your kit looks like such a better option! I echo the comments below about coming to Canada. Would be great to see more tiny homes and less discouraging regulation here in Ontario.

[@mgrant329]

I am so excited for y'all! It's looking really great! It's so good that you're planning to be off grid. It's the smartest way to go! I can't wait until the next video! Happy staining! 😊 Whoo hoo!

[@janinafisher101]

Quality kits like this are really a fantastic way for people to build their own small homes. Here in Canada we grow great timber and could do something similar - we just need to make sure we build proper foundations for our deep frost, and kits are well-designed for our colder winters, as well as many places where it's hot and humid in summer. Showing your project will really help light a fire for this kind of project everywhere, I believe. You do things so well. My experience is that when you first apply stain it absorbs at different rates and it looks quite mottled, but it'll settle in and by your next coat it'll start looking more even. I look forward to seeing the next episode!

[@Charlotte-bn4gp]

A dream manifested right before our eyes!! Always wanted a "log cabin",(family mountain roots grow strong in my veins:}) and love the ease and short time the pros built this beautiful tiny home. Great job and can't wait to see the finished project!!!

[@bonniepwtf]

Can't wait until next week! So exciting.

[@timo1990jp]

Hey. I have been following your channel and videos for years and years. And now halfway through this video I hear the name of my country, I was surprised that this house comes from my country to yours. Thank you for mentioning where the house is from ☺️👌 Your friend in Estonia🇪🇪

[@bethneal72]

❤Reminds me of Lincoln Logs

[@rebeccaalbrecht771]

I grew up with Lincoln Logs so thought that also.

[@lormor460]

I thought of that, too 😊

[@raysun2be]

I enjoyed the video, what a great project! The base cabin looks nice, can't wait to see the customization!

[@livingbig]

It's turned out so well! We are very excited to share the finished result.

[@chrisallen7068]

Thumbs up for the Tradies, a few beers and a barbie to finish off to reward all the hard work. 👋🙏.

[@circleofowls]

As much as I love tiny houses, construction, engineering and DIY are my passions. I hope we get to see more videos like this one.

[@DuncanCunningham]

Happy for you mate. You are still living the dream and I'm pleased that you've been able to keep going through it all. I can't recall when I started to follow your adventures, but you have been through a lot and grown with each step. Never stop going.

[@badger9156]

I remember when he had a yurt with decking, maybe somewhere up in Waitakere … and now he is back in the bush with a cabin. Full circle ⭕️

[@tammyjantzen9004]

Gotta be smarter than the wood. 😂😂 Love it!!

[@nupt9473]

So excited for you Bryce and Rasa! Thanks for sharing your journey

[@annepoitrineau5650]

This already looks awesome! Hurry on next week!

[@ma.socorrolorana-limas201]

This is my childhood dream, a tiny cabin for myself❤ keep doing what you and Rasa are doing, you two are awesome😍 Godbless from the Philippines🙏🇵🇭

[@dianacampanelli3250]

This cabin is absolutely awesome! Thank you for sharing Bryce awesome!🤗💜🌻💕

[@TamaraJoy7]

Eekkk!! This is SOooooo exciting to watch! My absolute lifelong dream too, building a fantastic little timber kit cabin just like this! Watching it grow from the ground up so quickly was super special and listening to the pure joy and excitement in your commentary filled my heart with the same joy and excitement… can’t wait for the next episode! 😉🥰🩷🩷🩷🏠

[@ChristieinFlorida]

Oh my goodness. Did I miss an episode where you told us you would be building a cabin? This is amazing Bryce. What a beautiful piece of land. And the cabin looks amazing. I'm so excited for you. Can't wait till next weeks episode. Have a great weekend. Well I hope there is a next episode next week. Lol.

[@MsLinz1975]

Can't wait to see it finished, and that deck over looking the trees. That is going to be magical!!

[@kimkennedy7272]

Looking forward to seeing the final result. Typical kiwi summer sounds of the cicadas in the background- love it.

[@teresamcdaniel3554]

How exciting! Although our home is not tiny, it was so exciting to watch it being constructed. There’s something really magical about knowing what is underneath everything and how it was put together. Your site is so beautiful and adding a deck to the back is going to be beautiful. Can’t wait to see what’s next!

[@violetmartha916]

It's going to be AMAZING Bryce .... It already is... WoW.... What an awesome location too. Keep up the great work. 🎉🎉🎉

[@livingbig]

Thank you! 😊

[@janlint7434]

How exciting!!! This is gonna be fun!!!

[@livingbig]

It sure is! We had a blast doing this project. Can't wait to share the finished result with you!

[@stevenfrazier8939]

Bryce, it is good to see a project like this on your channel. well done and can't wait to see part 2.

[@dovh49]

It seems like the hardest thing of this build would be to make sure everything is level as it goes up and making sure you make adjustments as things become slightly off.

[@anaderol5408]

Agree - some serious skills were essential for both the concrete pylons and levelling of the foundation

[@sassyh154]

You've picked the perfect spot to put that cabin, can't wait to see it all done with deck and solar power... It was great to watch the cabin go up so fast... Cheers for sharing....

[@chrisdusty8134]

There are steps you can take to prep the wood for stain if you have the time. Softwoods don't accept stain as smoothly and easily as hardwoods. It looks great! Looking forward to the finished results.

[@1um0]

I am totally with you on the opinion about paying tens of thousands to connect to service provider who might or might not serve you 24/7. I am really much liking the off-grid idea.

[@Ulbre]

I hope, at the end, there will be the trademark "And can I ask how much this all cost?" :) :) :)

[@rebeccaalbrecht771]

Super nice And exciting1 I look forwaed to the next video.

[@ThaP8perDoll]

Nature is going to do what nature does!! Being that close to the edge just seems like a bad idea. Maybe a deck in that spot,but the cabin ( IMO) should have been set back a few feet. Look forward to seeing it completed.

[@livingbig]

Fear not! We did our homework on this spot. Also, there's a lot more to come, so you don't get the full scope of the project in this first video. Next week, we add a lot, including a lot more support.

[@virginiatolles1664]

Fantastic! You're really going to enjoy that!

[@curtpowell1]

So cool. This gave me ideas to transform the old barn we hope to buy here south ofSilicon Valley. The power is disconnected, but we can use temporary solar power immediately.

[@marianfrances4959]

The sheer size of those ferns in the gully! "...smarter than the wood." 😅 Awesome to watch.👍😎🇨🇦👌🌿

[@landaliveourlittletinyhome7958]

How exciting! I love timber structures as well. It's going to be beautiful!

[@debbienewman4701]

I so enjoyed watching this. I love cabins. Can wait to see the end.😊

[@angiereinecke9608]

How exciting!!! That's going to be such a serene place. I'm so happy for you all.

[@creationslandscapedesigns]

So wait this is going to be your new digs? RAD!!!

[@gamtngirl3655]

Nooooo. I wanted to see the whole thing now! Looking forward to next week. Wish you would do it sooner!

[@olga138]

I love it and I love the location.....but I would be really worried about building so close to the edge of the gully. I don't know how deep your pilings are, but in a raging hurricane, a lot of soil can be washed away. However, I'm sure your contractor knows what he's doing.

[@eydiegarcelon8889]

Wow, what a neat project this is, turned out so nice!!!

[@reuben1974]

Great work Bryce! Tiny homes don’t just have to be built on trailers ❤

[@marileecampbell5463]

excited to see the finished product

[@missmoiraanne]

Aww, it looks beautiful, Bryce! Every project looks a little rough at this stage. I have total faith it will shine by the time you reach lock up. Can't wait to see the next video!

[@francesgraham5411]

Can’t wait till next week. Looking amazing so far. Perfect bush setting. Would also make a great granny house.

[@Onecent703]

Thank you for taking us on this journey! I would love to see you use hemp or straw bales for building in order to save trees. And as a side note sun is our friend and no need for a chemical sun screen. Our bodies love the direct sun! I’m nearing 80 and gave up sunscreen 40 years ago and my skin is still youthful🙏❤️. We are all removing previous programming😍

[@ameliaxford]

I assume you haven't experienced New Zealand sun! It's very different and more damaging; we have one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world, and you can feel it burning into you if you stay out for more than 15 mins or so without adequate protection in the summer.

[@lucianafigliola6141]

So happy for you Bryce!! I could feel your happiness and excitement! Can't wait for the next one

[@beckyheidi625]

Super excited for this series 😊

[@lormor460]

This is amazing to see! 😮. I am looking forward to watching the transformation from beginning to end ❤

[@dolletemyu8388]

Wow! It’s so amazing!🥰

[@JanesDough855]

Amazing piece of property. I wish you the very best; can't wait for the next episode!

[@AO-oy4rf]

What fun watching these cabins go up - if I had the land and the $ .... always liked the look of them and great for a work from home office & even a bach.

[@seandesmond5560]

Looking forward to seeing the Cabin completed!!!

[@cmsmith3010]

Really LOVE watching your complete process in building your dream cabin! Very cool! 😎

[@ttbirdie4816]

Anticipating the next building stage☺️. Like your positive mindset to deal with the unexpected hiccup!

[@melissaconrad4665]

Best thing I've watched all day! I can't wait for the next episode!

[@paulaharley6951]

I can not wait for the next episode. From a South African Fan

[@TheUndisputedGodFather]

Well done Mr and Mrs Bryce... Looking awesome!

[@JazHaz]

Funny looking log cabin. No logs means it isn't a log cabin.

[@alicemorant28]

Amazing! Awesome!Beautiful!❤❤❤

[@bumblebee_mrs]

Goodmorning Bryce, from country NSW. Beautiful Cabin, excellent work!

[@AnnaOffGrid]

What a great project - can’t wait for the next episode! And such an amazing piece of land to put it on, magical place you have there!

[@dawnc5797]

This reminds me of the Lincoln Log sets we used to play with as kids. I would build a cabin, dismantle it at some point and build a different version. Once, I got fancy and built a two-story cabin. 😄 I wish I had a set of those Lincoln Logs now. I am loving this and can't wait to see the next video. I used to build houses with Habitat for Humanity here in the States and sometimes I miss it. But not right now. It's 105°F in the shade on my front deck and feels like hell's furnace out there. No thanks! 🥵 I do enjoy watching some channels of homes and cabins being built. Trent and Allie (Utah), Josh and Erin ( Wild Wonderful Off-grid in West Virginia) and Shawn James (My Self Reliance in Canada) are my favorites. Three completely different builds and processes but all very enjoyable to watch and to learn different things from each one.

[@ashdluciangurl]

Exciting!! …I’m kinda concerned about landslides with the gully right behind like this, though.

[@brucecpaine4597]

What a great project - AND you all looked like you were having fun as well - can’t wait for part 2.

[@Amanda-ei7oc]

SOOOOO excited for Part 2!! Looks amazing and that spot......😍

[@charlenerichardson2623]

Beautiful!

[@Debba521]

Watching this with great interest. I live on a modest income, but in an area where land is still reasonably priced and would dearly love to build my own home. Being originally from California, I was surprised to see you building your cabin so close to the edge of that ravine or decline. I appreciate that you installed cement pilings to anchor the structure, but that won't necessarily protect it if that edge erodes, especially if you get a lot of rain. I've watched far too much coverage of homes sliding down hills in So. CA. But maybe there's something there I'm unaware of? Anyway, looking forward to the finish. Very intrigued, thanks for sharing.

[@karenokeson2705]

Beautiful view, the old growth does have shades of Avatar. I too worry about the edge being so close and potential erosion. I can't wait for the next installment! I am one for the creature comforts, though. Hoping for kitchen and bathroom space. Very excited for you and Rasa to have a beautiful spot to make all your own! Your excitement radiated from your whole self! 💗💙🏚🔨

[@taleib]

WOW! Amazing how fast that came together, and good to know you can modify the design! The star feature has to be the bush!

[@jonchalk3855]

I love the ease of building the cabin using this lego/lincoln logs method. Fun and practical and relatively easy for DIYers to construct. What if there could be a "northern Canada" weather version in which there would be two rows for each wall (interior and exterior) with space in between each row to insert rigid insulation with vapor barriers, or the other option could be pre-made parts that have the appropriate "filler" (insulation, vapor barrier, etc.) sandwiched inside the "blocks" or "logs" and then assemble the cabin/tiny house.

[@DivyaJoan]

This is exciting. Looking forward to seeing the progress on this project of yours.

[@raylenegoodman7817]

That was so fun!! I love it guys…..can’t wait to see the next video. I could’ve watched for hours. Definitely thinking about using these in a build 👍🏽 Surprised you didn’t think of solar power from the beginning but so looking forward to seeing the process 🤗🤗🤗

[@carolynrebeccadick3907]

Awesome 🙌

[@corinnemurphy7278]

Looks like a doable project for a young group of skilled workers. You’ve chosen your site weli-what an incredible gully view you will have, dear Bryce and Rasa. Looking forward to seeing the next episode. We’ll be waiting…patiently, of course, 😊 Cheers from your multitude of sometimes rabid fans up here in Cabin Country…er…CANADA ❤🇨🇦 where we know all about log cabins, eh. 😅

[@susanharris9734]

Wow so excited for you both! I really look forward to seeing more!

[@roadiemort3589]

Don't see any logs more like lego, still a nice living space.

[@hummingbird11]

I thought the same. Just learned today that there are two types of log cabins. Round logs & square logs. Who knew?

[@rickh3714]

Lock cabin?