A 420 square foot tiny home was the winner of the Best Booth Award at this years Ridge Meadows Home Show.
John and Dawn Beck, with Rolling Bear Tiny Homes, out of Surrey, were ecstatic to win the award.
"This is a labour of love," said Dawn of the tiny home on display, just outside the front entrance to Planet Ice, which she noted was built in two and a half months.
The home featured a loft that could fit a king sized mattress, a downstairs bedroom that fits a queen sized mattress, a full-size bathroom, a washer and drier stacker, kitchen with a convection oven, a living room with a fireplace, electric heating, lots of windows, plenty of storage, and a roof-top deck.
John used to be a residential builder in Richmond, but has been building tiny homes for the past eight years.
He said he followed his passion for building and creativity when he pivoted into tiny homes.
"I knew that there was a shortage of homes. I originally was planning to build one for myself on a lake, but then when I found out about tiny homes, I thought, you know what, today less is more," he said. "And, I just believe that creativity is the steam engine to our soul."
The tiny home on display at the home show, would run a person around $168,000, explained John, noting they build custom for all kinds of budgets from $60,000 to $250,000.
Friday night, the Becks saw about 300 people walk through the tiny home, and by Saturday afternoon another 400 people.
"It's been very, very steady," John said.
Graham Vanstone, executive director of the Ridge Meadows Home Show, was very happy with this years attendance, which was between 20,000 and 25,000 guests, he said.
Especially considering the way the economy has turned since the new tariffs have been put in place, added Vanstone.
And,once the gates closed on Sunday afternoon, tear down of the event was the quickest and most efficient in years, Vanstone said, thanking his crew and volunteers.
"We're more than pleased with how the show went this year. It was very successful for our exhibitors and we really hope that the public enjoyed themselves."
