What Is It Like To Live In A Belle Tent?

The Lotus really has been a spectacular home and get-away for me and life there has at times been nothing short of enchanting. It hasn't always been easy though and with my time in the Lotus now coming to an end, I would like to share with you my experience of living in a belle tent and look at some of the pros and cons of tent living. Read More: www.livingbiginatinyhouse.com/...
Help me create more videos: / livingbig
Follow me on Facebook at / livingbiginatinyhouse
Follow me on Twitter: @TinyHouseNZ
Follow me on Instagram: @livingbiginatinyhouse
Please subscribe for more videos on Tiny Houses, design, and sustainable, off-grid living.
'Living Big in a Tiny House' © 2015 Zyia Pictures Ltd

[@nav8475]

I appreciate your honesty.

[@livingbig]

+John Mcleveish Cheers John! :)

[@lynnescaddan8919]

You've got a lot of courage. Thumbs up to you 👍dont you know, candles are bad to read by.

[@phillipperobinson769]

Thank you for explaining the practicality of living in a tent dwelling and for talking about actually living in it.

[@chilllzoneee]

Thank you for being honest about living off the grid. It can be a fairy tale to some people but the practical uses can be very challenging. I admire the fact that you persevered through the harsh weather to put a smaller footprint on the environment.

[@livingbig]

+chilllzone Cheers. Yeah, it really was an amazing place to live, but there are challenges that you do need to deal with when living in that kind of situation. I had intended on staying there right up until the Tiny House was finished, but the cold, and the practicality of the location (when it gets wet and muddy) does make things difficult.

[@pamjohnson5691]

@@livingbig l

[@SunnysRoyalSkipper]

I appreciate the honesty with this. It's easy to romanticize living in a tent, but you showed the reality of such a situation.

[@livingbig]

You're welcome! I wouldn't change this experience for anything, but it certainly did have it's downsides!

[@SunnysRoyalSkipper]

I'm sure you wouldn't give up this experience, but I'm glad you showed people the ups and downs. Great series, btw!

[@gibby237]

I live year-around in the woods in Michigan in a tent that is only 8x10 and I only heat it when I get into and when I get out of my sleeping bag. The temps I've recorded so far (going on my 3rd year) ranged from 96 degrees F to minus 12 degrees F (with the wind chill a LOT colder than that). I wouldn't recommend it for everyone but, if you want to do it, buy the best equipment you can get your hands on because your life may depend on it.

[@Shadow2084]

Hello Bryce - I have always enjoyed ALL of your videos but honestly, this one was the absolute best. It gives us - your subscribers - some insight into you, the person. You have so much valuable information to give. I always enjoy listening to you and your take on things. I so appreciate all you do and I definitely look forward to all future videos!! Much respect my friend.

[@calxtra5361]

Great update .... wool blankets and quilts could be the insulation solution (like yurt dwellers) ... and yes a rigid bridge and maybe perspex walls to keep the weather out of the bathroom

[@blondeboyy]

Your drone shots are fantastic. Looks like nobody lives close to you for miles. Great video!

[@livingbig]

+blondeboyy Thanks! I really love being able to capture these spaces from the sky.

[@nancyanneberg932]

Was wanting to know that. Drones be gud.

[@cher-amirose7109]

Thank you for sharing your story. I so get the disconnecting part of living away from internet access and the outside world. I lived off grid in a remote area a few years back. I absolutely loved it. You do have to get your act together though before it gets dark and cold since the shed had zero insulation. The only light was from candlelight. And I cooked on a wood burning stove for my family. What absolutely wonderful memories of living with nature.

[@purposewine7920]

I'm going to start my tent adventure now. Thanks for the info! Be blessed 🙏.

[@annesmeets9304]

It's great that you're so honest about your experience living in this tent. I can't wait to see how your tiny house is coming along! :)

[@cowsmooloud]

Hey. For about six months I've been following your videos on tiny homes. I hadn't gone back much into your archived videos until recently. This is probably your best video, and one of the better I've seen on KZbin. I tend to get very skeptical of all the positive hype surrounding whatever the 'author' is covering (tiny homes... food... diets... exercise... politics). You RARELY see realistic critiques of negative aspects of their content. This video gives an amazing insight into the realism of this type of living, one I haven't seen before, with great content on how to make it viable. Great work!

[@57Strudel]

Interesting to hear how it's all been going! I wondered about the bad weather aspects when you first built the place but it seems you're doing well in spite of it. Keep up the great work!

[@pandapoof8798]

I can listen to you talk all day. Not only are you crazy informative and intelligent but you are also very attractive. I am ashamed to say that first your personality pulled me in and then the physical stuff was a bonus.

[@livingbig]

+Jennifer Nicnick Aw, thanks Jennifer! Cheers for watching!

[@Joesfosterdogs]

are you ashamed...men think like this 24/7

[@jutkabenedekne3789]

9

[@LorddOfChaoss]

Why are you ashamed for noticing his personality before his looks? Hell I wish more women around Texas for like that. Most of them ONLY go off looks & what you drive. Thr dude could have a terrible personality, but as long as he's good-looking & has a big truck he'll always have any woman he wants. Hey nobody Texan women more intelligent right?

[@yesman7376]

are you still crushing on bryce ?

[@sweetheartrose437]

just to see you makes me feel better. .I hope you'll be able to live comfortably in your new tiny house looking forward to seeing it..

[@norahts]

Your home is lovely, thank you for your honest and objective review.

[@sheila220947]

Aw love your honesty and passion for what you do, love watching your video’s bryce keep up the interesting things you do x

[@kuraqueen6593]

Thanks for your practical, down to earth summary. Honest information from someone who has experienced this lifestyle allows others to make informed decisions about permanent lifestyle options. Once again, thank you for taking the time to share.

[@konstantinostzanakis2050]

Bryce , can not wait to see your tinny house ... nice design , nice materials & the spot is amazing !!! Honest information from someone who has experienced this as an option ... Thank you for doing this !

[@davidlongeuay1]

Great post! So cool to see the honesty in your videos and and see your integrity. Looking forward to your Tiny House completion. About to embark on my own adventure and your videos have helped inspire that.

[@livingbig]

+David Longeuay Cheers David. Awesome about your own adventure! What are you planning?

[@jn-mh4eb]

Me my wife and my 3 children went camping for 2 years. We started in a cheap Canadian tire tent (well expensive for Canadian tire. ) but no canvas tent. It definitely had hard ships but it was also the best times as well. I too found i slept way better. It was hard to stay up late, there is something about living in the woods, only cooking over the fire and spending your day out side instead of in the house that makes life so much better, and makes you sleep so much better. I wish I had your set up though. I might still be doing it.But with three children to take care of it was really really hard at times. Being in Canada it gets really cold hear to some days around -30. So we had to get a trailer and stay in hotels in the winter. That destroyed it for us. Some day I hope to live in a tent again, but it would have to be a custom made one that will keep me worm. Living in nature just seemed more like living, living the way we were meant to live. If only it didn't get so cold here in the winter.Great set up, thanks for sharing.

[@carlagarrett3244]

I can see that being a great place to visit as a family with little kiddos too. They would love it! Have to keep it around for visiting friends if you are planning on staying on the same plot of land with your tiny house.

[@DavidRoseberry]

Great info, Bryce. Thanks for sharing!

[@cowgoesrawr2388]

Very informative, thank you for uploading this.

[@livingbig]

+Daniel Kasten Cheers Daneil!

[@bitworkx6028]

I've been enjoying your videos quite often. I'm not in a tiny home, although mine is around 950 square feet in an community of folks with 1200 or more.. I do enjoy the tips for downsizing stuff to what's needed and ways to create more storage while opening up living areas. Thanks again. Keep up the good work.

[@sandraparisi4540]

Great and thorough review. Gave me a great understanding of what I’m looking at as far as maintenance and practicality and comfort . I am considering this as an Airbnb. Thanks again.

[@CharLunAtic04]

Love that you're stating the cons and not just the pros

[@yohanessulimin9066]

Again... thank you for your honesty.. Really inspiring

[@Greye13]

I have finally watched your Belle Tent videos. The tent looks very light, airy, and welcoming inside. You made it comfortable and homey, and the location is amazing. Great job! I love your ingenuity and creativity, especially with the bamboo walls to the outdoor bath. It's not only functional, it's beautiful to look at. The first thing I thought of was the "Swiss Family Robinson" treehouse. Lol. I love it.

[@ginamartindale8095]

You are an awesome person inside and out. I hope you continue to enjoy in your home and i hope that the tuff things about living in it gets easier for you. Thanks for another great video. It is inspiring as much as it is informative.

[@theMermaidRhonda]

Thank you for this video! I love the Lotus Belle tents. I don't know if I could live in one for an extended amount of time, but they're wonderful tents!

[@Cunningcrow]

Thanks so much for your honesty and thorough info Bryce. We're about to embark on Bell tent living for our TH build and your personal experience and tips are really valuable

[@danbolton3180]

I am interested in alternative dwellings, but what is in short supply are honest reviews of what happens after the novelty wears off. Your honest appraisal of living in the belle tent brings out aspects not realized early on. I often wonder how long it takes for the person to go stir crazy in their 80 sq. ft. off grid tiny house, if at all.

[@debraoakley4444]

if you live on land...acreage...you spend time outside...gardening..taking care of livestock...you do not have time ti go stir crazy....so much to do all of the time....it is never boring....collecting firewood....cooking...planting gardens...sprouting seeds to grow in containers....it is a wonderful adventure living off the grid....no bills except for the cell phone...internet access on my android....oh well I enjoy the internet access....

[@teaforkhuncafe6656]

Dan Bolton

[@CatherineSTodd]

Dan, remember our hero talks about going into town to visit friends in his car, going to the market, internet cafes and more. If someone was completely isolated, they might miss human companionship, but it doesn't sound like he does. Lots of "great times with friends" and more. Alone would be much harder. Many years ago, I lasted four months alone up in Netherlands, outside of Boulder CO, until it snowed so much I had to fight my way out to the road. Scary but incredible experience!

[@wisequeens]

Catherine S. Todd s

[@jamwar764]

Dan Bolton w

[@CatherineSTodd]

Love your video, and glad you are pointing out "both sides" to living close to Nature. But it's worth it, at least part of the time!

[@rollingtinfist]

Thank you for your serious candor in this video. You've given me a lot to ponder

[@dianateixeira2417]

It was such a great adventure! Thank you. Sending you love.

[@hollybowenyoga1590]

Yay! Can't wait to see you in your tiny house Bryce!!

[@dopkasa.1171]

Thank you for sharing! And a big thanks for speaking about security issues in your tiny home. As a young, petite woman interested in alternative living spaces like tiny homes, security of belongings, of self, and of the house is big concern for me.

[@ElSuegroyElYerno]

YOUR A PIONEER THANKS FOR SHARING

[@rossied198]

Absolutely brilliant vlog, I sat enthralled, so informative, I can't wait to see your tiny house.

[@daytripper3601]

Beautiful video...mainly I wanted to say; You're gorgeous, and that accent! I'm sure I'm not the only one thinking how I could singlehandedly make your heating challenges disappear! :)

[@CatherineSTodd]

OMG- daytripper, I was thinking the same thing! If only I were younger, I'd be up there in a heartbeat. LOL - good on you! :) I don't see a response, but let us know if you receive one!

[@mademoisellekaya1438]

daytripper3601 I know it's a Year later but this answer made it to my nr 1 of this YT day! Fantastic! 😂👊😎

[@mr.wizard2974]

daytripper I'm also gorgeous

[@jaydainton6237]

Yah killin me 😂😂😂

[@sapphiro15]

Thanks for sharing your the honest and detailed experiences! Really gave me alot to think about as I was literally about to do the same thing!

[@NorthEastFamilyfun]

Oh I love the side effect of not being able to use the internet! We stayed in a Belle Tent in Scotland a few months back and the bird song was SO loud at around 4am that I woke up! Apart from that, I loved it.

[@lugzitho]

I have been looking for this kind of video...thanks for sharing this dude!

[@summer-xo6us]

love your chanel so much! i love the way you speak with so much passion & emphasis & enthusiasm. i watch other tiny house chanels but was so excited to find an NZ one (i live in nz). i have watched most of your vids and look forward to more!

[@JoonPo]

Thanks for your information data of living (Pro and Con) that help me a lot. I love Lotus!

[@themustardfox9259]

Wow!!! That property though! Your space seems so tranquil, you're incredibly blessed. I would love to be that close to nature! New Zealand really seems amazingly beautiful. I've always wanted to visit.

[@g.t.g1111]

Great experience.... Thank for sharing

[@TantrumsToSmilesBlog]

Great video and love your honestly. It looks so relaxing and tranquil and you don't really think about the problems faced so thanks for sharing! xx

[@twominutetips]

An excellent and very informative video. Thanks sooooo much for your wonderful report. Can't wait to see what kind of Tiny House you decide on.

[@kalievesely3200]

Literally wanted to do this before I found your video now I'm completely convinced 😂 thanks you goddess

[@joffrey.ph_]

I'm now a big fan of you Bryce. Looking forward for many more videos from you. Cheers!

[@RichardsLive]

I appreciate this video it’s wonderful to experience this in someone’s eyes

[@dogie1070]

So glad this video popped up on my feed! I am looking into camp hosting for the summer and I am condidering a canvas tent in addition to my Prius Hotel (BTW a really comfy place to sleep!). The job is in the PNW rain forest and has no internet or phone service, but it's Paradise! Just need to maintain it properly! (Then go camp in the desert to dry it out completely!)

[@ben_stace]

Thanks for the review man. I was thinking of doing this and wanted to see what people had found it too be like. So thank you.

[@EIIjot]

Really informative and well done. Thanks.

[@LeethLee1]

That's amazing you experimented yourself and shared the results, and what I always love to hear since I am so never sure myself, 'What do I think will work great, and what actually does work great (especially long term)'. So many things you said allowed me to evaluate and think more about what I would love to include and look out for with a tiny home, even a fully insulated one :D All the best with the future and look forward to see where the year takes you :) -Lee

[@livingbig]

+LohnS Awesome! Glad this was helpful for you.

[@BlueyMcPhluey]

definitely understandable that the reality doesn't quite match up to the fantasy, looking forward to the next stage!

[@livingbig]

+josh mcgee There where certainly times where it really did. Some days there were completely magical - but after 2 weeks of wet weather, not so much!

[@NealNilsen]

Bryce, Good to see another great VID from you. I have watched every one of your productions, and have used several of them as tools to help me design my THOW. You are blessed with such a creative mind so many talents in front of and behind the camera. I look forward to your journey in your Tiny House. All the best...

[@livingbig]

+Neal Nilsen Thanks very much, and thank-you for watching the videos. All the best with your own THOW project!

[@danijelatomic6835]

Fantastic video and fantastic experience for You! Thank You for info about tent. Keep going, looking forward next...

[@dennischandler9579]

Bryce,,just met ya. You are a breath of fresh air. Great job you did with Asha. Very informative on this for city folk. Me too I reckon. Good thing I never came to visit.. I may still be there. Possible that one of my two habits could have gotten me gone.Constant guitar playing and writing or shAvings from customizing beaver sticks. Pullen for you Bryce. ✌

[@boomerangsruckflug8513]

Thanks for showing us the inside of that tent... ...

[@SonicYogi]

Thanks for sharing your experiences

[@freerooted3608]

Thanks for these insights. Really love your book collection.

[@hayesalazar]

Thats magical dude. I love your channel

[@AMTO1834]

Another great video. Looking forward to seeing you live in a tiny house! :)

[@chirples]

Great to see you again. Looking forward to next!

[@livingbig]

+chirples Thanks!

[@nehadhemse7388]

@@livingbig . No no

[@skittlemenow]

That tent looks great for a camping event with family like a reunion for a few weeks at most. Probably for a similar option that was meant to be long term you'd want to go with a yurt for sure. Can't wait to see the progress on your tiny house!

[@livingbig]

+Skittles McStabbypants Cheers, hopefully updates on the house coming soon.

[@JonandGreyVideos]

I hope I can have one tiny house. Been watching all your videos and its so relaxing. I loved your videos. I was subscribed to your channel for two years now. Keep safe!

[@MsLostnThought]

I love your honesty in this video. I would love to go tiny but I don't think I could do the Lotus. It seems a little too extreme for, like you said, long term living. Good luck to you Bryce and I look forward to seeing the video of you all moved into your tiny house!

[@livingbig]

+MsLostnThought Thanks. Yeah, it's certainly a great option for a glamping escape, and there are ways you could make living full time in this really dooable. You need to make sure it's a space that will work for you though.

[@TheNails3]

Wow, what an amazing location

[@TrishTruitt]

Very helpful. So it sounds like most of the issues were the actual structure - not the environment. I appreciated your reports on how not having web access had some pluses. Thanks so much.

[@manlykilt]

Wow, I remember the first time you showed it off about the time of your breakup. It's been that long? Thanks for continuing to post videos. They give this American city-dweller a view into another way of doing things!

[@livingbig]

+manlykilt I know! It's amazing how fast time speeds past. Thanks for watching!

[@NickiHorn78]

Hey Bryce love your channel thanx for all the great videos 👍👍

[@pringles8462]

I might have to do this myself. Thanks so much

[@callmebigpapa]

Electric lawnmower would do wonders for his area and walking path to the car. Super great video!

[@tripdontfallxyz]

What a great video! Thanks for your thorough, candid insights! :-)

[@chirogirl67550]

Excellent video….and informative. Thank you….Peace and Blessings

[@laurawolf12]

very cool. looking forward to seeing your tiny house too :)

[@kodiak7]

This was a great video. Thanks heaps for posting.

[@JenShea]

We miss seeing you more often Bryce! Great great video! You've hit on things that many people who not have thought have... The romantic dream doesn't always play out the way we imagine, in reality. Really looking forward to seeing what you've got next. Cheers ~

[@livingbig]

+Jen Shea Thanks Jen! I'm working on getting more regular content out. It's been a bit tricky recently as so much time at the moment is going into the build project - and I've had quite a lot of other work on. Thanks for watching and sticking with me! :)

[@JenShea]

+Living Big In A Tiny House Bryce, I for one, hope you are filming a lot of the bits from your build... You are really good at this. You are clear, and engaging... we can all learn a lot from you!

[@JoeKavana]

Love your work!

[@GilbertNichols]

Enlightening perspective. Thanks for sharing.

[@wisheduknew294]

I love it....absolutely very nice..

[@reikidreams9265]

I just purchased a bell tent not to live in though. I noticed you have an awesome book on your shelf...the return of Quetzecotal ... I love it!

[@TheNetymags]

Great to know pros and cons! Thanks for sharing!

[@livingbig]

+Neta McKinney Thanks for watching Neta!

[@blackwolf1066]

Very interesting thank you! This is unfortunately out for me due to a recent knee injury but a valuable insight.

[@TashaNZ]

An awesome channel to watch is Life a inside A Box. A young 20-somethings couple building a tiny house and recording every step on their channel.

[@TashaNZ]

Life Inside A Box

[@Here_Today_]

Really, really love the share. Happy living, really😉

[@paulcreatesuccess]

Another interesting episode. Thanks for sharing. Good luck with your next chapter. Cheers Paul

[@livingbig]

+Paul Chambers Cheers Paul!

[@hfs7274]

Lovely - nice and natural living. I would like it.

[@CorndogsOverOprah]

This is awesome!

[@rjaquaponics9266]

Great video! Thanks for sharing!

[@metroalgo]

me encanta tu canal.

[@catchagrip1322]

I think you've covered all the questions i would've wanted to ask. I traveled around Europe for a year and half, 25 watts solar and wild camped. When i made it back home a set up a place on gov't owned land that wasn't being used. Had a rocket stove and gas cooker for them rainy days. I've had many people asking me what's it like living such a fragile lifestyle. Anyone that found your tent could walk away with your stuff. I do what you do, take the important items with me. Now, I've been looking at emperor cotton bell tents, one thing i don't like about them is the sheer amount of guide lines that come of these things. With your experience with these things, would it be possible to erect and then build a wooden beam frame inside and then glue the canvas to the frame? If it is then adding insulation and then covering with another layer of canvas would be a nice job. I'll have a search for other yurt designs, if i can get something without all these guide ropes holding it down or having to build frames to insulate. Thanks bud, love that little spot you've got set up. Nothing like peace and quite and nature.

[@skilmer]

great video, i like your channel, keep up the good work

[@dolinkarising]

Wonderful talking points and honesty. Especially not having the internet at home, and coming into the flow of nature (going to bed earlier when it gets dark, and rising earlier with the sun). I know I would love being able to hear the trees, and I bet the star gazing is pretty nice at your location! I work from home, and sometimes I have a hard time "switching off". Something to think about, and maybe switch up my routine :) thanks!

[@livingbig]

+Katie McGuire The star gazing was amazing! Check out the website to see some killer astro-photos that I took at the tent. :)

[@dolinkarising]

+Living Big In A Tiny House Awesome will do!!

[@willmace9265]

I think I might try this in the summer.

[@GehirnfaschingDD]

Good to see you back. greetings from Germany

[@livingbig]

+Roger Günther Thanks Roger! I've got lots of new content coming out soon, but we are working really hard on the build at the moment too, so it's tough for me to keep the content so regular. I'm working on ways to improve this and make videos more regular though! :)

[@mariamoshogianni7008]

Great job Bryce