Inspired By: Rich Moriarty, Certified Master Builder

“I’m proud about every inch of it. This is why I build.” ~Rich Moriarty

PHOTO CREDIT: Anna Yanev Photography

The tiny house movement is about living in less space with fewer things. The reasons for going tiny are as diverse as the tiny-house dwellers themselves. Some are looking to simplify life and minimize their carbon footprint, while others see it as a step toward financial freedom. With a typical size of less than 400 square feet, these homes are designed to maximize every inch.

Custom-home builder, Rich Moriarty, Integrity Remodeling & Custom Homes, Inc., and his wife Sonda, recently designed and built their own tiny home in Oviedo, Florida. The couple’s five children are grown and the new empty nesters set out to downsize from their 1,800-square-foot house. Their project is featured in an episode of  DIY Network’s “Tiny House Big Living.”

This was Rich’s first tiny-home build and he turned to Build.com for all of the lighting and plumbing fixtures, door hardware, sinks, and the shower enclosure. Rich worked with Build.com advisor, Maggie Phillips, to help find the perfect fixtures for the project. Rich said, “I can attest to Build.com being a powerful tool in my business. Having a partner who knows the needs of your business is priceless!”

Living tiny doesn’t necessarily mean living without. Rich said, “I wanted it to be better than most homes. I wanted it to be very high end.”

Sonda’s goal was to reduce their footprint without sacrificing style and convenience. In the kitchen, they paired an apron front sink with a Moen Touchless Pulldown Spray Faucet in oil-rubbed bronze. The high-arch gooseneck spout makes it easy to fill tall pots and the 68” hose pulls out to reach every corner of the sink. A matching built-in soap dispenser keeps dish soap close at hand without wasting valuable counter space.

They illuminated the kitchen and dining area with three Kichler pendant lights from the Brinley collection. The vintage mason-jar style shades and Olde Bronze finish complement the rustic-chic decor and warm wood finishes in the space.

Sonda said the bathroom was “a very important feature for us.” She wanted a two-sink vanity and Rich was set on a full-sized shower. At the vanity, they installed a chrome Kichler 5-light fixture with etched glass shades and a pair of rectangular sinks with double-handle faucets in chrome from the Moen Voss collection.

For the shower, they chose a Moen Waterhill rainshower head and Moen single-handle valve trim from the Voss collection.

To unify the look, they added accessories from the Voss collection, including a robe hook, towel ring, and toilet paper holder.  

The couple created a warm welcome to their new tiny home with a Kichler Becket LED porch light and a Century Touchscreen Handleset in aged bronze from Schlage. The door lock includes a built-in alarm, smartphone capabilities, and easy integration to home automation systems.  

Rich and Sonda completed the build in about five months and stuck close to their $100,000 budget. Rich said, “I’m proud about every inch of it. This is why I build. I like to showcase what I can do.”