Texan alley turned into barber shop turned into skinny house

[Meanderer]

"When metalworker George Sacaris bought an old barbershop in Marfa, Texas 15 years ago, he removed the leaking roof and took the space back to the alleyway it once was. At home in Houston, he prefabbed a metal and wood structure and drove it the 600 miles to install it in his West Texas retreat. After just 2 days of demolition and 4 days of installation (with the help of friends), Sacaris had a weekend home for himself and his family".

"Using leftover material from other jobs- Sacaris has done metalwork on other Marfa homes-, as well as materials and appliances from garage sales (e.g. antique suitcases turned hanging cabinets) and the Marfa dump (a sink, a bathtub), Sacaris was able to outfit his home affordably and in keeping with an authentic Western feel".

"At just 8 feet wide, the space requires custom furniture. Sacaris first installed a pulley bed that could be raised when not in use. He recently replaced this with a spring-loaded bed that folds up to the wall. Using scrap metal, reclaimed zinc and marble, he built a kitchen unit (only the IKEA drawers are new), complete with a camping stove and airline food storage units for cabinets".

 

[Aunt Bea]

Interesting!!!

I enjoy stories about people that can see the possibilities and make good use of things that most of us overlook.

This is the skinny 13' wide alley curiosity where I live. I used to go and buy ravioli from the sisters that ran a little pasta shop on the main floor and lived upstairs. It was recently restored as a home and office combination.

 

[jujube]

I used to go to an Mexican restaurant in downtown Detroit that was built in an alley. It was just big enough to have tables for 4 on one side and tables for 2 on the other, with a narrow aisle down the middle. "Mama", wife of the owner, wore Mexican dresses with huge wide skirts and when she'd come down the aisle to serve food, everyone would instinctively protect their plates and glasses. Otherwise, her skirt would brush things off the table.

 

[NancyNGA]

The Skinny House is reported to be the narrowest house in Boston, MA.

It spans 10.4 feet at the front and tapers to 9.25 feet at the back. Not much is known about the history.

Believed to have been built after 1874, but "...one legend has it that the structure was built as a "spite house" shortly after the Civil War. Two brothers inherited land from their deceased father. While one brother was away serving in the military, the other built a large home, leaving the soldier only a shred of property that he felt certain was too tiny to build on. When the soldier returned, he found his inheritance depleted and built the narrow house to spite his brother by blocking the sunlight and ruining his view."

 

[Meanderer]

 

[Meanderer]

"The Grill on the Alley is a well-renowned steakhouse near Rodeo Drive. It presents fine cuisine and attentive service in an atmosphere that is both familiar and dignified. With its hardwood floors, leather booths, white-jacketed servers, and timeless dishes; The Grill on the Alley exudes a sense of nostalgia that is always in style".