Brad Kittel founded Tiny Texas Houses to show that you can build small, environmentally friendly homes from old materials without using harmful chemicals.
He has shown that tiny homes can be made from recycled stuff, save energy, and last a long time.
We talked to Brad recently to learn more about living in smaller spaces and how simple it is to use old materials to make a cozy and efficient tiny house.
Here’s what he shared:
What makes your tiny homes different from others?
I started Tiny Texas Houses to show that we can build small, eco-friendly homes mostly from old materials we find around.
These homes don’t need new materials that can be harmful. I’ve shown that we can make homes that save energy and last over 100 years, instead of breaking down in just 15 years.
What types of tiny homes do you offer and how much do they cost?
I don’t have specific models. Instead, I create unique homes in different classic architectural styles.
I design them to make the inside space seem larger than it is. This design trick helps make the most out of the space in the home.
What is your most popular tiny home model and why do people like it so much? What inspired its design?
The Monty Grand Victorian, Vesper Casa, Miss Lilly, and my own house, Temple Tantra, are all favorites.
I have created over 75 unique homes, known as House Art, which are found from Texas to Oklahoma, and even up to the Bad Lands in the North.
The inspiration behind these homes is to offer a different way to live smaller that is good for the environment, healthy for people, and can even be moved if needed.
This is the Monty Grand Victorian:
This is the Vesper Casa:
Meet Miss Lilly:
And this is Temple Tantra:
What design features of your tiny homes are you most proud of and why?
I am proud that my houses are toxin-free and filled with clean air.
They use energy-efficient cooling with something called the Venturi Effect and modern insulation called Icynene.
These are special techniques that not many builders use. Almost all of my homes are made using materials from old buildings, like barns and houses.
This process uses very little energy, less than what 20 gallons of diesel fuel would provide.
I also save more energy by not needing to make new metal or glass, and I don’t use new bathtubs, sinks, or tiles.
There are no imported materials, harmful chemicals, or waste in my homes.
This method uses human effort to reclaim old materials from the past—a time when even young people had tough jobs like mining coal or sharpening tools.
I share how to do all of this for free on my websites because I believe it’s important and I want everyone to know how to do it.
Many people are building their own tiny houses, even without experience in design or construction. What advice would you give them as a professional?
Use old materials instead of harmful chemicals like formaldehyde, plasticizers, vinyl, latex paint, fiberglass, carpet, and engineered plywood floors.
Tiny houses have limited air, just enough for two people to breathe overnight without an air exchanger—and many builders don’t include one.
Think carefully about your health, and especially about the health of children who need clean air. Build your house smartly, not just cheaply.
Take the time to research and understand what materials you’re using and how they will affect the air you breathe.
What’s the best part of living in a Tiny House?
I live in a house that is about 300 square feet, without running water or AC electric.
I love it and feel healthier than ever after changing my lifestyle. I really love my home.
Can you share a secret about tiny house living that might surprise people?
Life is better and simpler in a tiny house. It’s healthier because you spend more time doing what you enjoy and less time paying bills for things that don’t make you happy.
Your time is too precious to spend working just to pay for insurance, taxes, and interest.
Watch Brad Kittel explain what Pure Salvage Living means in the video below: