Houzz Tour: Rock Musician’s Tiny House Wakes Up the Neighborhood
Asha Mevlana likes to make noise. She’s an electric violinist who tours with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra rock band every year, and who has performed with Roger Daltrey of The Who, Alanis Morissette and other top musicians. Her on-the-road lifestyle caused her to keep all her belongings in storage units in Los Angeles, Boston and New York. “It was all over the place,” she says. “I never felt I had a home.”
Mevlana’s situation changed recently when she decided to build a tiny house on land her brother and his family owns in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Inspired by Marie Kondo’s The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, Mevlana wanted a clutter-free place where she could decompress after a long tour, build a community and, yes, make plenty of noise, which she does in a practice trailer designed to look like a real Marshall half-stack amp.
It would be good if you would always give readers an idea of how much they would have to budget for such a house. Minus, of course, the land but including the savings she got through her connections and relatives, as an ordinary person wouldn't be that fortunate.
I am awestruck looking at your home and studio. I was and still awestruck by the greatest rock orchestra ever - TSO! And my condolences to TSO on the loss of the fanatical, mind bender composer and musician and co-founder Paul O'Neill last year. But as it has been said a zillion times - the orchestra is powered by the fans! Rock on ......
This is a pretty chic setup with much to admire. But, it would have been really cool if you had done a video of it with her playing music in the background. Now that would have been totally outrageous!
I haven't been a fan of tiny houses, but this one rocks! Literally! Maybe it's the 10 ft. width, the large bathroom, or the finishes. this is the first tiny house that I actually like! Go Asha! Rock on!!
" like " does not even begin to cover my reaction to this wonder-to-behold living place!!!!!!
Rock on Asha! Very cool tiny house. I love it.
I am inspired!
The extra 2 feet in width make a huge difference! Gorgeous!
The absolute best tiny house ever! I could very easily live in something like this. Perfect use of space makes it look bigger than it really is.
Outstanding.
Am amazed at how well every square foot of the house was utilized without appearing cramped. Mini home builders could take a lesson. Very impressive!
Wow! What an amazing tiny house! The thoughtful design and quality construction is outstanding!
By far the best layout of any tiny house I've ever seen! This is a total WIN!
Great design. Wonderful natural light in such a small house. Genius coffee table!
Absolutely beautiful! Nothing feels cramped or forced, it's a beautifully laid out home that coincidentally happens to be "tiny." The use of color, wood and texture is perfect. I love the glass paneled garage door - with it and the trailer open to the deck you could easily host a party.
So cool! The perfect retreat for a musician, best use of space in a tiny house that I've seen. The glass garage door makes a huge difference in the sense of open space and a great idea for indoor/outdoor living. Inspiring!
My family and I LOVE the Trans - Siberian Orchestra, you ROCK!!!! Your house is beautiful!!
One of the nicest tiny homes I've seen. Beautifully designed, furnished and decorated. Enjoy and live well!!
Okay, this is the first tiny house that I could actually see me living in if I was just one. I would love the simplicity of having less of everything! Since I can't play a radio without getting static, the extra room would be for my hobbies.
Outstanding. My favorite is the physics-inspired bicycle wheel to move the pot rack. NW Arkansas and Fayetteville is a beautiful area of the country (we plan to retire in a few years on Beaver Lake) but it is HOT in the summer. The garage door windows permit great sunshine, but I'm left wondering about thermal insulation issues with a garage door. How do they manage this?
I saw her perform with TSO in Tampa a few years back. Yes, on a platform, in the air above my head. She's fantastic. Lovely home, as well. Love the glass garage door.
Outstanding customization. Artful home building for an artist. It's inspiring!
Wow is right! The tiny house is great, but what about that gal, Mevlana. She is creating one amazing life for herself. Go girl!
a very beautiful concept, I like the simplicity of the room.and also the installation of the computers under the table, that's such an excellent idea.
A perfect wedding of client, program and designer. Wish I could see an aerial shot of the neighborhood context. Arkansas - the land of wonderful swimming and hiking.
The house is a gem. But climate control has to be a problem And with a sleeping loft above it has to be a awfully warm space what with the metal siding and glass door and so much sun For a mobile person with property within a property the logistics for seclusion and security work to great advantage. I especially like the custom table -- an idea worth considering for any small living space. The all weather amp is perfection for a rocker! Bravo!
Freaking awesome!
nitpicker - when you look at the thought that went into the deign you can be pretty sure all things were considered.
Um this tiny house looks familiar. I think it was built on an episode of Tiny House Nation
This is incredibly cool, especially that giant exterior amp. I got vertigo just looking at her up on that platform, the way her fearlessness pays off shows in a lot of ways through her home.
I love tiny houses except they are tiny. Can't imagine living in some of the ones I've seen. Major Claustrophobia. Not so with this design. Very airy and open. Love it!
All I can say is 'cool!'
It’s as if Mary Poppins’s carpet bag was transformed into a house! I am amazed at what can be fitted (attractively!) into such a tiny space. The recording-studio-as-amp is genius.
I am mourning a dying dream at the moment. After years of looking at pre-fab tiny houses and finished sheds/ADUs, I thought I had found my ideal (within my budget) she-shed...only to find out that the delivery truck is too big for my access road. I guess I will have to do a custom build. That will happen...like...probably never. Sigh.
@Nitpicker: Insulation? Air conditioning? Not sure where you get the idea this little house would be harder to heat and cool than any conventional home. Even the glass garage-door-style opening is likely insulated glass. You see those used in cold climates Iike NYC. They seal well when closed.
Stunning house!
What a fabulous home. The bathroom is a dream!
I would like to know what the cost was to build this.
These tiny house stories usually have more than one good idea for people like me who are considering converting a garage to a guest suite.
Love the house, studio and TSO! I've seen TSO 4 times so I'm sure I've seen her! Nice to connect the person to the home!
Love the Marshal Stack, does the volume knob go to 11?
Very, very cool.
It's not just the look its one of the few i've seen with a so great interior layout they fitted a full size bath room from a large house into this so small space without losing anything, same goes for the kitchen got more cabinet storage than my full size kitchen this is pro stuff !
such a lovely, little home....one i could definitely see myself in!
@Pierre Dalterio: Difference is the width. Most tiny homes/trailers are 8' and 6' in width. This tiny home is 10' in width. Her kitchen is 13 x 9. My kitchen is 10 x 9 and it's a moderate ranch house about 1900 sq ft.
Also take into account the height. Since the amp is 11' in ht, that side trailer is probably 12' in ht which is fine for many bridges. The main house which is not mobile is a bit taller - I take a guess over 13' which makes it precarious for many bridges if it was mobile. Limit is 13.5' for mobility.
The length is 40' which is 10' wide by 40' equals the 400 sq. ft listed above. That is above federal regs of 20' if mobile (on wheels). Tiny house associations consider square footage since many folks build permanent instead of mobile.
As for a bath 5' x 8' is a standard bath room for a guest or master (in a small house). The bath above is 42 sq ft, so it's a tiny bit larger.
The "average" one bedroom/1 bath apt ranges from 350 - 850 sq ft. The home above is 400 sq ft. For the fun of it - I look at the above homestead as a permanent standing apartment with a music studio attached. :)
No matter how you look at it, one thing -it's awesome!
As everyone else seems to be...I'm in awe of the creativity in this home - thanks so much for a great story! I also love the bicycle wheel pulley to raise and lower the pots/pans - great idea!
Oh my goodness! I would like to be a neighbor, where do I sign up?
Where does she store her clothing? I didn’t see any closet or drawer space dedicated to this purpose. Fuctional, well-designed and creatively stylish Tiny House, thanks for sharing!
@J B: I bet the photographer was standing in front of the closet. And if you look carefully behind the bed and the lamp on the table - you'll see a least one closet. There may also be smaller storage on the right side behind the bed, too.
Even though not an official tiny home, this is a great example of how one can have an efficient and yet stylish home with a small footprint, a concept that our world needs to embrace more versus the outlandish large houses that 1 or 2 persons occupy just because they can (and in some cases can't but do anyways). This was obviously designed and constructed by a very professional company, which shows what creativity can emerge when builders are challenged to do so. More builders of this calibre would benefit to encourage people to make alternate lifestyle choices such as this.
Borrowing that bathroom design- LOVE it!!!
Love it.
love it AND the coffee table-so stylish and practical for any house.
My daughter is a musician & singer. She would love this!
I saved half the photos in this article, to use as inspiration for myself. That cycle crank, the hi-tech chest, the gorgeous bathroom, the high windows, the amplifier music space - this wee house is overflowing with creative ideas that really work!
Love any story about small house living - and this is a particularly fantastic one! Love it! I think the L-shape helps it feel and look ore spacious. As I am currently converting a 65sqm flat for myself I am inspired to do some creative things in my space!
Brilliant!
The chain driven hoist in the kitchen is genius, as is the coffee table !
One of the best tiny houses I have seen....it is very stylish....love it.
Asha, while finding myself awake early this morning and searching for some life inspiration I stumbled upon this wonderful surprise article about your inspiring home. I was indeed shocked to find this article! So grateful for Rachel introducing us and that I know the back story. Brilliantly done and inspiring to see the fun home you've made!
The best tiny house I’ve seen! I’m also a resident of NW AR, so Hi Neighbor!
A lovely tiny house.
Awesome!
Beautiful!
Beautiful home! Exactly the way I would want to live if I lived by myself (including the 2-monitor computer). And if a neighbour is waking me up with music, let it be like this!
Even a stacked laundry! Very realistic layout with human-sized spaces for a small house. Glass paneled garage door expands the two spaces in and out with an easy lift ... not to mention the flood of extra light-- excellent low-cost accessory.
Inspiring!
whoa! This is amazing and the space are designed so beautiful and it doesn't look crowded. I also don't like a small bathroom and I like the design of her bathroom.
Unbelievable! It looks so small, no offense. But it looks like it has more character and vivid life than most "for show" houses. I can safely say that home is jam-packed with character, fun, and melodies! Amazing!
I really am considering something like this for my retirement home, sans the loft. I'd just make the house a little wider and longer, so I could have a one floor master suite. The other building could be our home theater/entertainment space.
Love, Love your story and tiny house! It is beautiful and you have the right mindset about what is important in life. Congratulations!!!
Wonderful, inspiring story of how a home came to be. Just love it!
I could live in this house, sadly, I have no musical talent.
A beautiful, well constructed, tiny house could be the answer to a lot of housing issues as it illustrates how one or two people could, comfortably, live in style while not giving up on modern appliances/natural light or comfort.
SADLY, many towns would not allow this to be built, even on a full foundation.
If I build a two bedroom house, the septic must be for a 3 bedroom. I need 10,000 sq ft of land for every bedroom, but no construction is allowed on a lot less than 40,000 sq ft. Hello? Does that math make sense?
What alternatives? Obviously, a condo, but that means (ridiculous) condo fees, added to property taxes, can make owning a condo impractible.
I just googled raw land available in my area. Lowest price? $240,000. Highest price $7+ million dollars. And you need a boat to get home….once you build it.
Thanks, Mitchell Parker, for years your stories have fascinated (me) us houzzers.
Love the amp!
Love her...so brave.
Really well done. In another life, I could live there!!
What a great story!! your home is so cool and well thought out, love that the entertainment area faces the front. You have truly charted your own course and are living your dream, so inspiring. Best of health to you, keep doing what you love and rocking with the TSO! thanks for sharing your story and your home. (also a female baseball player ; )
What a great story :)
Beautiful story and fantastic home! You are on the right track about what's important in life. Kudos to you!
Amazing! ♥
Wow! what a beautiful story, beautiful woman! thanks for posting this. I walked through breast cancer with my wife of 32 years and unfortunately it took her life. It's good to see a "Survivor" story and the impact that the disease had to shape your perspective and the course of your life! I am an amateur musician, I play trumpet and flugelhorn in local ensembles and a church praise band. I can identify with that improvisational experience, where a melody emerges from the depths of your soul, its cathartic and priceless! I think it takes you to places you've never been and changes you!
The story is about a small house; No it's about the amazing transformation of a truly remarkable human being! Continue to soar with the melodies from your heart! Thank you, you've touched me, my life is better for it!
Lovely. Best luck to you, Asha.
Love what you have done with your tiny house. Beautiful! What brings you joy and your life's journey is outstanding. Thank you for sharing your story on Houzz.
Great Story
What a great a great story. truly inspirational... not only a overcoming cancer, but chasing her dreams, and building a beautiful home that suits her lifestyle.
loved this story, so inspirational, I would have loved to see how the house being tiny, and so modern would look at different seasons, like ddo you do winter concerts with a fire pit? I loved all the windos and light and interaction communaly, is there blinds for privacy? just curious, thanks
I really like the idea of being open to the street corner and using the space for impromptu concerts and socializing with neighbors that walk by. Front Porch living!
The only thing I would want to add if I lived in this house, would be a handrail on the front steps, for when my knee feels wonky, and solar panels.
This is the most beautiful message. Resonates deeply and I'm so grateful to hear it!
What an incredibly cool gal <3<3<3 Wish I could spend time on her porch listening and playing music!
Great job with the project!!
Not only did I love the tiny house but I am compelled to say I loved Asha’s story and how she found healing through her music. A lovely story, thank you for sharing.
Asha, you are a fascinating inspirational human being. Your story is uplifting beyond & your priorities are in perfect order. I'm a huge fan of Transiberian Orchestra. BRAVO!!! Best of happiness & health to you and your loved ones.
It's a fantastic not too tiny, tiny house, a house that one could actually imagine living in either full time or as a getaway. That was great. Thank you for sharing.
How inspirational!! I would have to have a bit more storage (maybe outside) for my religious holiday stuff, but overall this is a lovely home for one person.
Bravo! Houzz, a wonderful story and truly inspiring. Less is more, she proved that along with life is all about the simple pleasures, not about things at all, people are the issue and of course, God should always be number one, then everything else. Sad it takes a brush with death for us to stop and connect the dots.
Need to know what Brand the washer and dryer are??? Looking for these to install in my home!
Thank you for sharing this story. Such an inspiration.
authentic
What a great lifestyle!
Fantastic designed small space home. It has amazing features: love the huge amount of glass which lets in a lot of light, the shower, kitchen, living room, furniture, etc. as well as the exterior finishes. Bravo to all who worked on this project. It's a 10 !
Great story, great focus about what matters.
beautiful tiny house. agree with comment above, this is prob the first ever tiny house i could or want to live in. I bet she spent a lot to build this one. also love what she said life is not about things but people & experience in life. bravo!
Houzz moving beyond the limitations of “things”. Bolt step in the right direction. Thank you for this story. Oh by the way nice house.
Ah, love the pot rack !
Beautiful.
Just attended a TSR concert over the holidays and loved Asha's playing as well as the entire band. Very glad that she decided to follow her musical talent. ALSO, absolutely love her tiny house and studio. I now want one for my wife and I that looks just like Asha's. Hahahahaha
You and your design offers up new definition of WOWzer!!! You so rock on so many levels!
Thank you for sharing your beautiful home and thoughts about what matters most in life.
Terrific home. Well thought out. What kind of heating and/or cooling systems have been employed in this house?
Got a couple of great ideas for my farm house - the layout and external stair into the lawn for a nice music get together.
You are as beautiful inside & out as your beautiful home is, inside & out. Your story brought tears of joy, fullness of heart & inspiration to me. Thank you for sharing.
You can see this build on Tiny House Nation. They are the ones that built it for her and her boyfriend. It will also inform you of the cost. Beautiful house! They did a great job!
Proud to say that our DeckWise Hidden Siding Fasteners were used on this small home so that no hardware could be seen. What a beautiful design!
When you are going to have concerts on your porch are you polite and pass out notices to let your neighbors know ahead of time? I hope so. I like how your house sits I really like corner lots. Your back yard is so pretty. You don't live like so many people who are in your field. You are not closed off to the world. You live in a neighborhood of days gone by. The kind of community a lot of us who are viewing your video did. It seems like a nice neighborhood to live in. Also I like the orchestra that you play and work with. You all are so creative with your stage shows. Who doesn't like the version of Carols of the Bells that you all play around Christmas time and I am glad you are healthy once more. Bye Now
I want to live in a giant Marshall amp!
In a small home I am always curious about the bathroom situation. Bummed it was not shown in this beautiful home.
Very impressed with Asha's small house and her minimalist approach to design and life. This is the first small house I've seen that really gets me excited!
A house with such a modern concept is definitely not a regular thing to hear. Wonderful.
So inspiring. Love the idea of living with only what brings you joy,
i love your beautiful dogs. they are sooooooooo cute
Beautiful house and beautiful story, you are so very inspiring!!
Absolutely beautiful! I like simplicity and thoughtfulness of design, feels really laid out.
Well said, and so helpful to me in this moment as I must let go of my beautiful modern home and all my things that fill it, to go see the world on a catamaran. They say simplicity is a wonderful thing and you are a shining example, thank you! More LIVING, LESS “STUFF”
Angela - rock on amiga!
A wonderful use of space. Love the idea of People not Things. :)
Being a musician i can so relate to this concept! how cool is the functioning amp! Just loved it. Now i am inspired to build something like this:)
I would like to know what would be the cost for a living space this size?
Cynthia. How high is up? Many things go into a cost estimate. 10X difference between the same project in rural Arkansas vs So Cal. Across the street from this one it is the contractor.
So inspiring. Love her quote: “Life is not about having things but about people and experiences”.
love it , so kool and such kool owner. Enjoy. hozz is so helpful.
Exceptional!
Love everything about this!
AMAZING SPACE DESIGN AND DISTRIBUTION!
Omg got chills from her story!
how much did it cost to get this all rennovated?
Wonderful Home❣️
Your house is absolutely beautiful ❤️
I wish Houzz would always tell us the cost. Would love to know....