Two Months, One Bold Move — The 280 sq ft Lily Pad
She wanted simpler, cozier, and less to maintain — so she made it happen fast. In North Carolina’s Maggie Valley, Lillian downsized into a 24-foot custom tiny home and named it The Lily Pad.
Welcome In — The Den and Living Room
Right inside the French doors is the den,
with a fireplace and a sitting area that set the tone for the whole place.
The stairs climb to a lofted sleeping space where nights are quiet and close.
The home measures 24 feet and roughly 280 square feet, built by Daniel Kilmer with Sherwood Innovations.
Her style is eclectic,
a blend that reads farmhouse with Asian-inspired touches tucked into view.
The futon didn’t last; she swapped it for a larger couch that invites lounging and the occasional overnight guest.
One of the few items she’ll never part with sits nearby — her de ballerina, a meaningful keepsake that’s followed her through every home.
The Kitchen & Coffee Nook That Fits Everything
Moving into the tiny kitchen was an adjustment,
but it revealed how few pots and pans she truly needed.
Utensils and gadgets were pared down until the essentials actually felt like plenty.
Day-to-day storage lives under the sink and does its job.
She doesn’t miss a dishwasher — not even a little
— thanks to a deep sink that makes quick work of handwashing. Across the way, a dedicated coffee nook holds a Keurig and Nespresso with tiny canisters just right for the space.
With everything within reach, cooking here is easy and surprisingly joyful.
Storage, Closet Choices, and What She Let Go
Downsizing meant letting go of casserole dishes and extras that once seemed necessary,
and discovering that living with the minimum simply works.
She carved out a little more room opposite the sink for what stayed, and the flow makes sense day to day.
Her closet is compact but dialed in — a place for hanging clothes that gets the job done.
A small shelf separates categories for quick grabs,
and baskets keep shoes contained without eating floor space.
There isn’t a lot of storage for clothing, but it turns out she doesn’t need it.
Bathroom Details — Copper, Shelves, and Accessibility
The shower feels generous,
anchored by a copper pipe she loves seeing every morning.
She added shelves for the daily lineup
and mounted dispensers for shampoo and body wash to keep ledges clear.
A sturdy grab bar makes stepping over the higher tub edge feel safer now — and will matter even more later.
There’s a beautiful mirror above the vanity for a touch of glow.
Under-sink storage holds the basics without fuss,
while extra shelves pick up the rest.
She even keeps lots of jewelry organized here because there’s room for it.
The toilet sits opposite an exhaust fan and window, with a cat tapestry adding privacy when needed.
Sleeping Up High — The Loft, Stairs, and Lighting
She chose stairs over a ladder from the start,
and she likes how sturdy Daniel made them.
Going up and down is easy with a careful hand on the way down.
Up top, a full-size bed tucks under the slope,
flanked by windows that open out and down to usher in cool winter air.
Lights — some built in, some added — make the loft feel warm and settled at night.
She’d have preferred a higher ceiling, but it’s a cozy place to end the day.
Why She Moved — Cost, Community, and Lessons Learned
When the old house was staring down a new roof and a new HVAC with no resources to cover it,
she started looking for alternatives that would simplify life. She found this tiny home on Facebook Marketplace and said yes [00:05:07], then sold her house and moved in December of 2023 [00:05:12].
The numbers made it real: $72,000 for the home [00:06:29], bought outright from the sale so she could also clear debt. Lot rent is $600 and includes water, Wi‑Fi, on-site laundry, and yard care [00:06:52]. Evenings stretch outside on the deck when the weather’s right [00:09:49], and there’s a cat patio so her two felines can lounge, too [00:10:11].
She wanted a simpler life and community, and she found it. Now she describes tiny living as low-maintenance and easy to love, a move she’d recommend to anyone seriously considering the change [00:11:06].