Building Gravel Foundations for Sheds and Cottages
So you’ve found the perfect shed or cottage to add to your property! Now the real work begins, that is, setting a good foundation for your new building. If you want your new shed or outbuilding to last for many years, you’ll want to invest time and effort into building a solid foundation for it. […]
Solar Power for Tiny Homes and Off-Grid Living
Whether you want to go fully solar in order to reduce your carbon footprint or you are attracted to solar energy as a way to gain off-grid independence, there is a lot to consider when adding solar power to your tiny home. Figuring out exactly how much energy you will need can be daunting. Your […]
Planning to Build Your Vermont Cabin
A Comprehensive Guide to the Early Stages of Cabin Building Introduction For almost three decades, Jamaica Cottage Shop has been the leader in Post and Beam building kits. New Englanders and beyond have enjoyed the convenience of Pre-Cut lumber paired with detailed instructions, along with a dedicated team in our office to support you throughout […]
The Whimsical Charm of Cottagecore Buildings
INTRODUCTION TO COTTAGECORE Cottagecore, a lifestyle movement that emerged in the late 2010s and gained widespread popularity on platforms like Tumblr, celebrates the charm of rural living, with a particular focus on the enchanting allure of cottages and nature. This trend extends beyond aesthetics, emphasizing sustainable practices (like homesteading), promoting slow-food principles, and encouraging off-grid living. […]
Goat Houses Galore: A Comprehensive Guide to Sheltering Your Goats
Ensuring the protection and well-being of your cherished goats demands careful consideration when selecting a durable goat house. While goats are known for their hardiness and resilience, they still require adequate shelter to protect them from the elements. Giving your goats a comfortable house will promote their happiness and productivity for your homestead. Whether you […]
The Benefits of Growing Wildflower Gardens
When the warmer seasons come, many people look forward to getting outside in their garden and planting a beautiful bounty of flowers and vegetables. What you choose to grow in your yard will influence how much maintenance it will need, and how well your plants thrive. If you want to plant a garden that is […]
The Best Flooring to Install on Concrete Slab Foundations
Concrete slabs provide a sturdy and durable foundation for sheds, garages, cottages, and buildings of all kinds. But they can also be quite cold and uninviting if left unfinished. Luckily, when it comes to flooring options for a concrete slab, there are many different types to choose from. How you decide to finish your concrete […]
Grow Your Own Micro-Garden
Almost anyone can grow a Micro-Garden in their home or yard!
Protecting Your Garden with Enclosures
The health benefits of gardening are twofold. First, enjoying an active, outdoor hobby is good for your mind and body. Second, the fresh fruits and vegetables you grow are an excellent way to add nutrients to your diet. But if the bounty of your garden is getting eaten away by pests, you might end up […]
How to Build a Treehouse
No matter what your age, a treehouse can be a fun place to chill out, hang with friends, or enjoy some alone time. Plus, your kids or grandkids will love having a sky-high sanctuary to call their own. Building a treehouse on your property might seem like a daunting task. However, with careful planning and […]
Seven Ideas for Successful Spring Cleaning
As the weather gets warmer and the sun begins shining more often, you might find yourself with the urge to start spring cleaning. But sometimes looking at the amount you need to tidy up can be exhausting and discouraging. No matter what your living space is like, there are ways to break up your spring […]
Ideas for Turning A Shed Into A Music Studio
Are you looking for the perfect place to practice with your band, or mix music in peace? Renting a practice space or recording studio might be an option, but it can get expensive. To find the perfect place to make your music, you might not need to look any further than your own backyard! If […]
Beginner’s Guide to Owning Emus as Pets
Chances are you’ve seen an emu before, but maybe didn’t know what it was called. You probably remembered it though – they are big, impressive birds. But these aren’t just zoo animals! Many people across the USA keep these prehistoric-looking creatures as pets. If you are interested in having a pet emu to call your […]
How To Turn a Shed Into a Sauna
Do you have a shed on your property that you would like to turn into a sauna? Or maybe you are looking at a Jamaica Cottage Shop shed, and think it would make a wonderful sweat lodge. Whatever the case may be, converting a shed into a sauna isn’t as hard as you might think! […]
A Guide to Maintaining Your Garage Flooring
Garage floor maintenance can be something that is typically forgotten about. But when you think of the wear and tear your garage floor receives – tires, salt from the road, spills, and other daily life agitators – you’ll quickly realize how important it is to maintain this space. You’ll want to ensure you are increasing […]
How to Keep Your Garage Tidy
Sometimes we ask ourselves how to keep the garage tidy and more organized. The garage is usually a spacious area big enough to fit your car in securely. But besides keeping your car safe, the garage can be also be used to store many items safely. Garage organization doesn’t need to be a stress-inducing project […]
How To Build An Energy Efficient Home
Most home buyers are generally young people in their early thirties. Millennials are the first generation to put sustainability first. The building techniques used in newer homes demonstrate how. Therefore, energy efficiency is at the top of their list of must-haves. Additionally, Millennials are aware of the fact that energy-efficient houses are more comfortable and […]
Planning a Mini-Homestead for Urban Farming
Each year mini-homesteading and urban farming enthusiasts find new ways to make their dreams come true. Read on for some tips to plan out your mini-homestead with the help of some post and beam buildings.
How To Install Odd Shaped Windows
Each of our customers has unique tastes and styles. That is a given with the DIY mindset that so many of our creative clientele share. Because of this, we get tons of requests for uncommon design features. While we offer various siding, roofing, and flooring options for personalization, odd, shaped windows and doors become less […]
Clever Tricks for a Sustainable Garden
There are many ways to give back to the planet. Recycling, eating less meat, and reducing water and electricity consumption are all great ways to make your carbon footprint smaller. Have you ever thought about how your garden could better for the environment?
Get Inspired: Simple Garage Layouts
Planning the organizational flow before you start putting stuff in your garage is a helpful task that can be done fairly quickly. We created some examples with the 24×24 Simple Garage in mind.
Shedding Light on Proper Firewood Storage
The best way to achieve maximum warmth is with a cozy wood-burning stove. Before you start burning, you will want to know the best methods for storing your firewood.
4 Ways to Find Tiny Home Parking
One of the biggest challenges that THOW owners face is finding a reliable place to park their homes. Buying a plot of land for your home base is an excellent idea. But if you are yearning for a nomadic lifestyle, you may want to keep your options open.
5 Steps for Winter Greenhouse Maintenance
Frosty mornings and snowy days ahead mean it is time to close up your greenhouse, or at the very least, weatherize it. Adding this winter greenhouse maintenance to-do list to your end-of-fall duties will ensure that your greenhouse is tidied up for the winter.
How to Sustainably Heat Your Cabin or Tiny Home
Wood stoves, pellet stoves, propane heaters, and heat pumps. What is the best heating solution for your post and beam home?
Building Budgeting 101: 10 Tips for Financing Your Project
Maybe you don’t want to take out a loan to pay for your next project. Here are some ideas to save your hard-earned cash and meet your goals.
Four Sugar Shack Building Essentials
Learn about the four Sugar Shack building essentials and components that you will want to consider before construction.
How to Decide on Land
Knowing what to expect will help manage your expectations and avoid hiccups throughout the process of deciding on land.
Crafty Ideas for Using Up Your EL (Extra Lumber)
Repurpose the extra lumber, pallet and temporary bracing that comes with your project into these crafty ideas.
Convert Your Shed into a Backyard Office
With remote working opportunities on the rise, it’s an ideal time to get set up with a home office. Create a separation from your work and household by converting your shed into a backyard office.
How to Prepare for Building Permits
Understand what is required to obtain a permit before buying a post and beam building.
Building Site Preparation for your Cottage, Barn, or Shed
We at Jamaica Cottage Shop know that a successful build starts with a good foundation. Whether you are adding a small shed or cottage to your yard, or planning something more on the scale of a garage or large cabin, knowing how to properly prepare your building site will save you time and money in […]
Rustic Glamping With Cabins
Summer is here and undoubtedly is the best time get outdoors and go camping. Setting up a perfect site for cabin camping can enhance the overall outdoors experience.
Termite Terror! Tips for Avoiding Infestation
No household pest causes more alarm than termites. These insects have an insatiable appetite for wood, which can lead to costly property damage. Learn how to detect and prevent a termite infestation!
Top Tips for Ongoing Roof Maintenance
Like a strong foundation, the roof is an integral to the lifespan of your tiny home. When problems arise your cabin roof can be expensive to repair and replace. Since the roof is such a necessary component in your home’s structure, it’s unsurprising that they are designed to last for many years.
How to Finance a Tiny Home or Cabin
One of the necessary things you should consider before getting financing for your micro house kit is your budget. Why? Of course, your budget will determine your amenities and location. Knowing at least a ballpark will help you stay within your means or think of creative ways to afford everything you want in your dream home.
Planning, Time Frame and Costs: Preparing for a Cabin Build
Here are a few very important points you will want to cover before you begin your post and beam home build.
Rustic Charm: 5 Wooden Storage Shed Ideas for a Small Yard
Are you looking for ideas to upgrade your small yard with a rustic flair? Check out 5 ideas with wooden storage sheds to achieve this.
Creative Storage With Wooden Furnishings
The Jamaica Cottage Shop has some native wood products sourced in the USA from Eastern White Pine, spruce, and cedar that can be fun and practical additions to your home. All these products mentioned here are not only great additions to your home but make lovely gifts. The natural, untouched finish can be embellished with a little paint and a bow, or a wood engraving tool to add a picture or a name and give as thoughtful gifts to your friends and family.
How To Turn a Shed Into a Workshop
With our smart and easy ways to turn your shed into a workshop, you will undoubtedly create a space where you can enjoy yourself even when working. Of course, your workshop should be well-organized and functional.