Her Debt-Free Life in a Stunning Tiny Home

Thank you Wild Grain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TINYHOME30 and use code “TINYHOME30” at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life!

Her Social Media Links:
Her Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/van_zanni/
Her Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/suzanne.lacey.79/
Her Facebook Business Page – https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61586201559072

VIDEO DESCRIPTION:
After two years of traveling and living in just 77 square feet, Zanni was ready to slow down and put down roots. In this full tiny house tour, she shares how she transitioned from van life to a 397 sq ft tiny home in Florida, and how downsizing gave her financial freedom, creative space, and a deeper sense of purpose.

If you’re considering downsizing to a tiny house, retiring into a smaller footprint, or simplifying your life, this tour is packed with practical insights on layout, budgeting, storage, and designing a home that supports your lifestyle.

TINY HOUSE SPECS
• 35 ft long x 8.5 ft wide x 14 ft tall
• 397 square feet
• Purchased shell for $19,500
• Finished build for just under $50,000 total
• Paid in cash – no mortgage

From a three-bedroom chalet in Vermont… to a van… to this grounded tiny home, Zanni walks us through every decision she made to create a space that reflects her healing-focused lifestyle.

FUNCTIONAL TINY HOUSE KITCHEN (DESIGNED FOR REAL COOKING)
As an herbalist and natural foods enthusiast, Zanni designed her tiny kitchen to double as an apothecary. Despite limited square footage, she prioritized:
• Deep farmhouse sink
• Full-size refrigerator with generous freezer
• Soft-close cabinets (budgeted splurge)
• Extended counter space for prep and herbal medicine
• Functional kitchen work triangle (sink, stove, fridge)

She worked around existing plumbing to create an open layout that doesn’t feel cramped—proof that smart design matters more than square footage.

DINING AREA + HOME OFFICE + HERBAL APOTHECARY
Her entrance area functions as:
• Dining space
• Work-from-home desk
• Herbal tincture and essential oil station

This multi-use layout is ideal for entrepreneurs looking to run a small business from their tiny house without renting additional commercial space.

MEDITATION ROOM + GUEST SPACE
One of the most unique features of this tiny home is the dedicated meditation “temple room.”
• Futon converts to guest bed
• Custom tall bookcase
• East-facing windows for morning light
• Yoga and meditation space
• Peaceful, layered ceiling detail

Instead of choosing a downstairs bedroom, Zanni prioritized this grounding space—an intentional tradeoff that reflects her values.

LOFT BEDROOM
• Queen-size bed
• Skylight and cross-ventilation window
• Minimal clothing storage
• Downsized wardrobe (selling extras, storing seasonal items)

If you’re worried about loft living as you get older, she shares her honest thoughts on why she chose it anyway.

TINY BATHROOM WITH SMART UPGRADES
• Custom tile shower (built with her son)
• Window for natural light
• Composting toilet (upgraded to a new system)
• Open wardrobe storage with IKEA bins
• “One in, one out” decluttering rule

Her bathroom layout shows how thoughtful planning can make even the most challenging room functional in a small space.

OUTDOOR LIVING IN A TINY HOUSE
Living in Florida allows her to expand her footprint outdoors:
• Outdoor shower with on-demand hot water
• Garden space
• Future deck plans
• Shaded slab seating area

WHY SHE CHOSE TINY LIVING
After paying off debt, selling her larger home, and taking early retirement, Zanni intentionally designed a low-overhead lifestyle. Living mortgage-free in her tiny home allows her to:
• Travel when she wants
• Garden and live close to nature
• Spend time with her grandchildren
• Grow her herbal business (Soulroot Botanicals)
• Live simply without financial pressure

If you’re exploring downsizing for retirement, financial freedom, or lifestyle flexibility, this tour offers real numbers, real tradeoffs, and real inspiration.

KEY TAKEAWAYS FOR ANYONE DOWNSIZING TO A TINY HOUSE
• Design around how you actually live (not trends)
• Budget carefully—but splurge on what matters
• Prioritize multi-use spaces
• Embrace ongoing decluttering
• Use outdoor space to extend livability
• A tiny house can support business, creativity, and family life

Filmed by – https://www.instagram.com/theaveragebrad/
Edited by – https://www.instagram.com/filmbro_/

TINY HOME TOURS LINKS:
Business Enquiries – tinyhometours@thestation.io

00:00 Introduction
00:13 Her Tiny Home Kitchen
03:52 Thank You Wild Grain For Sponsoring This Video
06:32 Her Tiny Home Dining Room
07:49 Her Tiny Home Meditation Room
09:29 Her Tiny Home Journey
10:26 How Much She Paid for her Tiny Home
12:13 Her Tiny Home Bedroom Steps
13:01 Her Tiny Home Bedroom Loft
14:20 Her Tiny Home Bathroom & Cloths Storage
16:57 Her Tiny Home Exterior Shower
17:26 Her Tiny Home Exterior Layout
18:20 Her Insights To Tiny Home Living