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Building for Free

Back in 2013 my money started to run out, so I learned to build for free. I also learned there's no such thing as limitation when it comes to creation. If one road (the one that requires banknotes) is blocked, we automatically find other solutions. The solutions are nearly always an improvement. It's ironic, but the more inspired parts of my home are the ones I created on the cheap.

The Reading Room

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This is pretty much everyone's favourite area and it cost in total about £5 to create.

What you need: A forest. A rubbish dump for old furniture, and some imagination. A Mediterranean climate is also a definite bonus.

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Chairs

Cost: £0
The chairs were second hand. You can find plenty of old furniture in dumps and cover it.

Chair covers
Cost: £3 for two covers. These were damaged curtains sold cheap at the local bazaar.

Coffee table
Cost: £2 for paint.
The table was a throwaway. Originally the most ugly TV console you can imagine, it only took a lick of lilac paint to transform it.
​


Mosaic

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Mosaic is a fabulous and cheap method of turning anything into something.
And its versatile too. You can use it on walls, tables, shelves, steps... And you can stick anything you can find in mosaic. Broken bottles, mirrors, plates, cups, beads, tiles, flower pots...

The Kitchen

Here's a tour around the kitchen, which in its entirety cost about £150 to build. Most of that went on the roof tiles, which I bought in flusher days, and with hindsight didn't need. In fact, I hate those tiles. They leak for one thing, and absorb the heat for another. A living roof would have been better and cheaper.
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Kitchen sink with a view.
Cost: £15 for the sink.

Made from rocks and earthplaster, a fruit crate (drying rack) and an aluminium sink.

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Mudplaster spice shelf.
Cost: £0

Wooden worktop and shelves.
Cost: £8


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Mosaic table.
Cost: £8 (varnish)

Made from an old gate found lying in a neighbour's shed, broken tiles and plates, mudplaster and varnish.

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Kitchen Wall
Cost: Pretty much £0

Made from rocks found on the land and mudplaster.


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A minimal amount was spent on wood too. Many of the posts were used from cut branches. They are stronger and more aesthetic than those bought at the loggers yard, with no transportation headache either.

For more of my cheap/free creations, have a look at my OUTSIDE SPACES page.
Disclaimer: All the content in The Mud Home website is provided for informational purposes only. The author undertakes no responsibility for any person or entity who chooses to use the information on this website. It is not intended to be a standard and should not substitute for the exercise of good engineering judgment by engineers. It is the user’s obligation to make sure that he/she uses the appropriate practices and consults the appropriate experts when building.

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The Mud Home takes many hours a week to run, and costs a lot to sustain. If you find this site useful or inspiring, please consider supporting it so that it can continue.
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The Mud Home  Copyright © 2013  Atulya Kerry Bingham
  • Home
  • Building
    • Earthbag
    • Living Roofs
    • Gravel Foundations
    • Off-grid how to >
      • Off-Grid Prep Course
    • Earth Plaster
    • Mud as Mortar
    • Wattle and Daub
    • Lime; Hydrated, Hydraulic, and Putty
    • Mud Building Blog
  • Books
    • Dirt Witch
    • Mud Ball
    • Mud Mountain The Book
    • An Earthbag House in 7 Days?
  • About
    • Contact
  • Learn Mud
    • Courses
    • Mud Building PDF Package
    • Consultancy
    • Mud Home Facebook Group
    • Other Projects
  • Earth Whispering
    • The Earth Whispers Podcast
    • MUD MOUNTAIN