How We Fit EVERYTHING in Our Tiny 200 Sqft Stone Cabin Design

We can’t wait to share our ambitious FINAL DESIGN for our DIY tiny 200 sqft stone cabin with you! We wanted to fit everything into our small living space, (bathroom ✅ kitchen ✅ staircase ✅ mezzanine ✅ king size bed ✅ ample storage ✅) & after MANY conversations & hours of tweaking our computer layout plan for the interior of the stone house, we’ve got a winner! On a total building renovation project like this you make a 100+ decisions a day but this was by far the toughest design choice yet. We hope you love it as much as we do!
Meanwhile, building progress on the project continues to push forward as Ricky negotiates some tricky areas around the ring beam & Victoria tries her hand a stonework skills for the first time & builds a traditional stone wall (or at least a part of it!)
LIKE THIS VIDEO if you enjoyed it & SUBSCRIBE to follow our journey as we document our life here in Portugal & the many DIY projects that we'll be tackling including renovating a tiny stone home, setting up systems to grow some of our own food & finally restoring the 100+ year old farm house.
Also say hi in the comments! We'd love to hear from you 😊
Ricky & Victoria x
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We're Ricky & Victoria 👋 We're slowly bringing an abandoned off grid Portuguese farm back to life & transforming it into a beautiful homestead for us & our two rescue dogs Teddy & Poppy.
We both agree that we’re not experts in anything that we do here, however we don’t let that stop us from giving it a try. We live our life by trying. We live our life by doing. We live our LIFE BY LIVING.
#stonecabin #tinyhousedesign #homesteadlife

[@ExpectMiracles55]

Congratulations on your first 100K subscribers! You lovely people are a joy to watch. Cheers!

[@LifebyLiving]

Thank you!

[@lorrainekalmin9944]

Love people who incorporate things for their pups pleasure as well as theirs, good going folks.

[@stevena.larkins4757]

Victoria went from “I can’t wrap my brain around this “ to creating a masterpiece. Great job guys. Niche is a good idea too.

[@jaynerichards7527]

I do hope that once the Tiny House is completed, we will be able to enjoy more episodes watching the Big House renovation. I really enjoy seeing your progress.❤

[@andrewdaniel653]

Congratulations on hitting 100k subscribers. Another great video about your progress.❤❤❤

[@LifebyLiving]

Thanks Andrew!

[@nancibishof6462]

Its a nice layout. Stairs are definitely better than a ladder and safer too. Love how you have built in cubbies for the pups. It will make a wonderful guest house for your family and friends when they visit.

[@LifebyLiving]

Dog cubbies are essential in this family!😂

[@AbigailGerlach-zt1sh]

Suggestion: a lot of camper vans have a bed you can store stuff under. The bed frame is on a lift so that you can grab a handle at the bottom of the bed and lift the top of the frame and the bottom of the frame is a huge box where you can store whatever you want. Huge space saver!!!

[@ExpectMiracles55]

That's right! One of the best solutions for tight spaces.

[@barriegannon3572]

Congratulations on the 100k subscribers, richly deserved.

[@LifebyLiving]

Thanks Barrie!

[@gaynor3976]

Wow the plan looks like it's going to be really practical and comfortable. Can't wait to see it cone into fruition. Well dine on your stonework Victori xx

[@LifebyLiving]

Thanks Gaynor 😊 There’s a looong road ahead of us to get it completed but we’re both so determined to make it the best little house we can

[@anniemac3075]

Love the plan for the house, it'll be perfect. ❤

[@fritzvanorden9712]

The old plan was good but the new plan is great

[@PaulaMReyMelcon]

I didn't think the previous design could be improved, and then you went and made this second one... LOVE it! Looks so spacious, you are making such a good use of that small space! Great stone work, Victoria! you two are a pleasure to watch! Congratulations on the 100K subscribers! ❤

[@flyingcheff]

After reading an oldie but goodie, "Committed " by Elizabeth Gilbert, I find that I am rejoicing in not so much the house your are building, but your sweet, poignant, and terribly enviable, marriage/partnership. It's most excellent to see you just doing it!! With so much grace and fun, and patience! 👏

[@ladylibertywdc8324]

"terribly"- sounds like someone's social circle needs to expand or relocate. You're not alone in that.

[@flyingcheff]

@@ladylibertywdc8324Thank you. I feel it's more of a quality thing than a quantity thing. 😌

[@carolwoodward6141]

I subbed after your first vid when your channel was Life by Ricky. Must tell you, your journey gives me joy.

[@LifebyLiving]

You’re too sweet Carol ❤

[@MirandaHorger]

💯! 💃🪩🕺

[@tigercatartist]

You two kids are just adorable. That stone house may be so nice you won't want to move out.

[@SuperBotanica]

When I was a child, the children's rooms were only heated once a week in the winter with a tiled stove. That meant that we children slept in our feather beds with hot water bottles and bed socks. There were often frost flowers on the windows in the room. But we were hardy and never had colds.

[@elizabethfleck6536]

I love you guys even more now! Working "doggie habits" into your design thrills my heart! "None of this randomness makes sense to my brain". . . WOW! You hit the nail on the head of why learning can be so difficult. I am 58 and have finally realized inconsistencies with my ability to "learn" when I was young. Beautiful job Victoria!

[@macsgrandma]

You are such an inspiration for all do-it-yourselfers and I look forward to each episode.

[@H2Dwoat]

Hi, have you considered building a lean to veranda on the front and side of the cottage? Some outside shaded living space and perhaps an outside cooking area? I know it would add some time to your building schedule but I’m thinking it would be difficult with heat of the summer inside quite a small space.

[@emmaslow]

I think you've made the best decision regarding not having a woodburner ... I used to sell them, and have two myself, and they need a lot of space! It's not just the stove & flue but the tools, kindling & the wood store. Plus in a small space they can create quite an unhealthy internal environment without very specific air management. Liking the layout, especially the staircase design 😊

[@LifebyLiving]

Exactly, it’s not just the space for the burner itself but the clearance around it & all the extra stuff you listed. Where space is at such a premium, it would be wasted 8/9 months of the year

[@ginacrusco234]

Women who lay stone! Great work, you two. Love that you planned doggy space into your home.

[@anneta71]

Watching your videos makes me happy 😊❤xx

[@LifebyLiving]

& being told that watching our videos makes you happy makes us happy!😊

[@portugaldreamzzz920]

Layout looks amazing. Glad you decided to put a sink in the shower room. 😊

[@LifebyLiving]

So are we!😁

[@nicolaharris3709]

The tiny house will be amazing when done. I love it that you've even considered poppy and Ted in the design plan's so they can have space to be comfortable. ❤❤

[@leafcutter333]

Love the new plan! Especially fond of the space you're creating for the pups 🐕, so sweet.

[@focus19551]

100,000 hurrahs! The design looks fab!

[@diannebalderrama1721]

I’m watching all your 1 year ago videos right now. You two are delightful and I love your dogs too, even with all the work they are. I’m 73 years old and I actually remember when I had the energy you have to do all that work. I can hardly wait to see the finished projects.

[@SusanBentz-f2s]

I love that Victoria is learning the construction trade! And your work looks great! The new plan is much better. Love that you are giving teddy a landing. Can't wait to see it's completion. As always, fun watching you two, and the dogs.

[@ExpectMiracles55]

Please let me ad Teddy's landing comes with a view! Squirells, be aware!

[@user-uk8sm4ec3l]

Wow guys, the layout of your home is fantastic. It was difficult to visualise as to where and how your rooms would fit into your space. Thank you for sharing. Congratulations on your 100k subscribers - so well deserved. You both work so hard, but you still find time to have a laugh. Well done. 💐👏👏🎉🥂🍾🎉

[@bettybryson9637]

What I love about stone work - it’s like putting a puzzle together, or quilt pieces together, which my brain really likes! Thanks for shares the plans!

[@margaretlehmann-berry263]

Thanks for another great video, and for allowing us to follow your journey. It's a privilege.

[@LifebyLiving]

You’re too kind Margaret 😊 Thsbk you for watching

[@claymccleery9451]

I love that you thought of the pups, when designing the cabin layout.

[@pathardin7580]

Love how you take the dogs into consideration.

[@HeatherNaturaly]

I think it's amusing that you are "Ricky and Vicky", and you are 'properly' Victoria but Richard is casually 'Ricky'. Love you guys!

[@LifebyLiving]

We're actually neither of those combinations Heather 😁 Victoria doesn't like being called Vicky (so never is) & I'm not a Richard, so we're always just Ricky & Victoria, both full 'proper' names 😊

[@loulauer5853]

Very cool to see the computer rendering. Looks like it will be a comfortable space. My wife and I lived in a small RV, about 150 sq ft, while our house was under construction for about a year and we are still married so you should be good to go! And congratulations on 100K!! WooHoo!

[@taniadevilliers348]

Lovely people. 😊❤

[@LifebyLiving]

Lovely Tania ❤

[@lindabrooks8242]

I love how you always think about your fur babies. It says a lot to me. The plans couldn't look any better, and I agree with the kitchen space. Gotta make lots of good, healthy food to keep your bodies in renovations form.❤

[@steveallen1635]

Great work guys!

[@LifebyLiving]

Thanks Steve 😊

[@jennifergroen657]

HI there. Thank you for sharing your plans. The design is a great use of your space. Not sure you have considered these additions. I have seen them in tiny home builds. 1. some of the stairs can be fitted with drawers to use the space behind the stairs. 2. marine (boat) heaters are tiny and can heat up tiny spaces. Thanks again, love watching you on your journey. :-D

[@randyarnold6361]

The two of you work so well together! Each of you seem to have your own talents and, Victoria, you have an excellent partner to learn from. I really think that the new plan for the interior is first class. It covers all of the basic needs while supplying comfortable living. Great job!! I am looking forward to watching you make it all happen. Also, I live in Texas where we have very hot summers. The thick stonework will make your little house much cooler on those hot summer days. 🙂

[@katherinekurash6683]

Thanks for another great video! Great floor plans and great job on your stonework, Victoria!!

[@edithp.7213]

Your plan is perfect! This little house will be functional and cozy and plenty big for temporary living. I’ll be watching every step of the way 😊

[@LifebyLiving]

Thanks Edith! We think so too! Can’t wait to enjoy the finished product!

[@shazart1111]

😂ha! I was just thinking to look see if you had posted, and here you are 😁👏 Oh wow your plan looks lovely, cosy and stylish in my eyes and the spaces for your 2 furry faces cute as 🥰.... Victoria you are such a fast learner, a great teacher always helps😉 it is all coming along beautifully 😊🥰

[@AdinaShoshanaSturman-os6tk]

Looks like you've got everything covered!!! How about an adjustable height coffee table - final touch?

[@lutgarthanssens3659]

So happy to see you together ❤

[@joannecalcutt6724]

Great plan guys. Love you two. ❤❤

[@xftb-xq3gm]

So sweet you thought of Ted and his landing!

[@millywood6801]

I like your new design, love how your talking the dogs into account. The shutters are working well and look great.

[@HomeOfMacWoeffie]

Victoria your stonework in 1 word WAUWWWWW, supurb...

[@annecasillas5402]

I am constantly surprise by how handy the two of you are. You both are so willing to tackle the hard jobs and even when you make a mistake or are struggling, you both pitch in and find a way. Love your layout and your vision, my only hard observation, is it that it isn't a rental soon and that you also need to have the rental option of add a rent a dog or two choice!!!! LOL 🤣Great work! 💞👍🏽💞

[@MaureenHackenburg]

Can't wait to see the end results thanks for the video 😊

[@denniswray470]

The more you share skills the quicker you complete tasks.

[@JillyC5]

I love how you've considered the dogs in the design, my old dog used to love to sit at the top of the stairs and see the world too!

[@mafish7962]

Great plans! ❤❤❤🐶🐶🌸🌸🌸

[@alicemayer1297]

Love the plans for small house. Well thought out! You’re getting closer every day. Stone Laying 101 - always new skills Victoria!

[@Annsa1441]

Great layout plan! Can’t wait to see the finished product!

[@LifebyLiving]

Neither can we!

[@christinadaykin3893]

The nicer the cottage the more you can earn win win happy days 😊love your happy attitude and love love love your dogs 🐕 xx 😘

[@teresabaptistaalberto1704]

What a good improvement in your design plans for the tiny house! It will be beautiful!

[@lukestoolbox]

16:23 That was such a cute consideration🥺 love to see how much you care about your dogs :))

[@pamelawatson108]

Your plans for the house look wonderful! So cozy, functional and so exciting!

[@martinturvey8129]

Great the way you both work as a team! Love the humour as well!!

[@susanlecuirot1573]

The design looks perfect. I love the idea of the slats on the mezzanine, far better than some I’ve seen x

[@LifebyLiving]

Thanks Susan. We love the idea too…haven’t quite figured out yet how to execute it yet though 😂 Plenty of time to figure that part out!😁

[@jamesdunican1750]

Fantastic job Victoria 👍

[@alanmiller8457]

Great floor plan! Good job on stonework 101 Victoria😊

[@kathycorra1302]

You two are not only skilled, you are adorable. Livin' the dream....good for you. Enjoy your show so much from Northern California

[@BillHunstone]

Loved this weeks episode folks and the new layout looks amazing. I am certainly not a builder so this is more of a question than a suggestion: Where the shower is going, could you not lower the floor so that you would in effect step down into the tray to gain more height for Ricky? Your stonework looks great Victoria. Looking forward to the next instalment now.

[@LifebyLiving]

It’s basically just because of the drain under the shower. When we replace the concrete floor we’re going to explore the possibility of digging down a little but not sure if that’ll be possible. But yeah we love your idea of dropping it down & we’d thought the same thing, it just might not be possible

[@BillHunstone]

@@LifebyLiving Thanks for your response. It might be worth asking the life by living family. There’s sure to be a builder/plumber to offer some advice.

[@lynhardie6291]

I just love the layout of your tiny house. It's going to be a show stopper 😂 You are doing an excellent job Victoria, you also have a great teacher. Greetings from South Africa 🇿🇦

[@marybarnett9645]

Wow guys your patience and dedication and patience will pay off 👌it’s going to be fantastic 🥰

[@juanitakauffman6336]

Victoria you are doing great learning to crack stones and laying the stonework. Dried pears will be good.

[@bobhale8325]

Your final design (before the next upgrade) Is really a great use of such a small space.

[@paulcoyne881]

Victoria is so cool😊

[@AnnSarasvati]

I just found your channel and am catching up. I especially loved the video of how your little angel, Poppy found you. So heartwarming. She knew where she was going. 💕 subscribed!

[@moniquevelasco20]

I love the layout of the tiny house. You can make more storage space under the first set of stairs too. Great job. Is going to look amazing. Love and be safe!😘🌻VE

[@khrisabuid4315]

Love the final design....Go guys!

[@poodlegirl55]

It's going to be wonderful!

[@nicandtris]

Wow 100k in such a short time! And such progress on the house. Great job guys, congratulations.

[@user-dx2vo6zm3i]

What a wonderful little house!

[@dawnmay6380]

That’s another very enjoyable video Victoria and Ricky. We thoroughly loved watching it and your layout plans are awesome and seem just perfect for your little cottage which we are going to love seeing it all come together slowly bit by bit when you are doing the interior. My husband said “, they are one of the best to watch aren’t they?” Of course I agreed as I did get him interested in following you as I had been doing so from the beginning. 😉what I am impressed about is that you do it all by yourselves and of course Victoria’s rock wall inside is amazing as you seem to be able to do anything and everything. Thanks again for sharing your wonderful video.

[@sharonkershaw3091]

Fantastic plans for the tiny house. You are definitely dog lovers and I am so touched by what you are building for them. I have just adopted my 3rd rescue dog who arrives from Cyprus in a few weeks. They, like yours, are our family. With love from Guernsey Channel Islands ❤

[@jonasmichaelmoir9378]

Proper mason! Go Girl!

[@TomWilson-ir6uq]

Love the plan and hope you enjoy every step of the way 😊

[@vanessajamieson7420]

I love your videos & that your dogs are family & you consider them so much. The new plan seems really lovely, just wish there’d been space to do an island, which you could use to eat at & work at & look out, or chat to, whoever’s in the lounge. Hugs & admiration from Johannesburg, South Africa

[@elsestelema6273]

It will be gorgeous when it’s all done. Your guests will be lucky to have somewhere that nice to stay ❤

[@jilllangman9343]

I thought this was to be their home, not the guest house.

[@Marie-yx5ie]

Sound's amazing guy's, I can't wait to see the finished home 👍😉🇨🇮☘️Eire

[@donaldmackinnon5779]

The final layout looks great well done. Looking forward to seeing the final result 😊😊

[@Dave_1966]

Great layout 👍 and the stonework is looking fabulous 😊❤

[@NicNac_Reselling]

That is SOME plan, looks absolutely amazing - kudos guys ❤

[@magritalourens7983]

I love those shutters

[@jacquipettitt3389]

Oooh, I'm loving the new layout. It's going to be fab and I can't wait to see you two bring it to life. Wonderful stuff!

[@carolwoodward6141]

Adore your layout and appreciate the physical depiction of it.

[@heathermorrison938]

😊What a great layout. It is going to be beautiful and very practical. You both have done a great job.

[@margjm313]

I love the floor plan, and congrats on reaching the 100k milestone.

[@nativetexson]

Well done with the final floor plan.

[@nancypelletier7590]

I love your plans. It’s going to be so cozy and comfortable not only for you but for Poppy and Teddy also. Love your videos. ❤

[@cadence9055]

You both have a great aesthetic as well as all the skills to make it reality!! 🎉 such a beautiful and practical design. What comfort your little home will be while you focus on your forever home!! 🏠 🐕 🐶

[@cherylbertolini3140]

love the plan for the cabin. Have a wonderful week.

[@richardthompson7600]

The plans for the inside of your cabin look really nice. You wouldn't think you could fit everything in there, I can't wait to see it finished. I love watching your weekly videos, keep up the good work XX.

[@julieboland22]

Wow guys, I love the new design, practical, functional and comfortable. You are both so inspiring. Thanks for sharing your journey 😊🥰

[@glenyscallaghan1195]

It’s coming on well. ⭐️⭐️👋👋

[@cathybrewer8958]

Loved the tweaked plan. Victoria your better at stone work than you thought. Also, did you ever see the animal that was stealing your oranges on the camera? You both have done wonderful work on the house.

[@sdmsdm7926]

If you go over to Never Too Small this channel specializes in demonstrating what can be done in very small city spaces and it's incredible what some of these designers and architects come up with, some pretty impressive stuff!