Tucked into the western foothills of the White Mountains on 18 acres of rural land, Emily’s home is anything but conventional. What started as a single repurposed shipping container has evolved into a sprawling, self-sufficient homestead — and a testament to what passion and patience can build.
From One Container to Five
Emily will be the first to admit she got ahead of herself. “I bought the cart before the horse,” she laughs. She purchased her first 40-foot shipping container before she even had land to put it on. That happy mistake led her to an 18-acre property she found for just $33,000 — a steal that set the whole project in motion.
Today, the property hosts five containers serving distinct purposes: a main living space (~300 sq ft), an upstairs bunkhouse for guests (~150 sq ft), a dedicated gym, a garage, and a utility/solar container. Each one has been thoughtfully outfitted and is still evolving.
Ingeniously Off-Grid
Living off-grid adds a unique layer of complexity to daily life, and Emily has found creative solutions at every turn. The property runs entirely on solar power, with 4 kilowatts of panels feeding eight batteries capable of powering the home for three to five days on a single charge. Starlink satellite internet keeps the remote property connected.
Water is hauled in from town and stored in jugs, though a recently dug well is being tested and filtered for future use. For heating, a compact wood stove serves as the primary source, supplemented by propane heaters suited for sailboats and RVs — a nod to Emily’s resourceful, cross-industry approach to problem solving.
Repurposed, Reclaimed, Reimagined
Perhaps the most striking aspect of Emily’s home is how little of it was bought new. The staircase leading to the rooftop deck came from a theater. The bathroom vanity is a repurposed dresser saved from the trash. The kitchen countertop folds down into a mini shuffleboard table. Moose antlers from a closing sporting goods shop double as a hat rack.
“I really try to repurpose things that are going to be thrown away,” Emily explains. It’s a philosophy that runs through every corner of the property — from the fire brick heat sink behind the wood stove to the Yeti coolers that once served as refrigerators and now function as outdoor seating.
Room for Guests (and a Gym)
Despite living in under 500 square feet, Emily and her wife have managed to carve out dedicated space for visitors. The upper container bunkhouse sleeps multiple guests with a queen bed, a twin bunk bed, and a fold-out option. It has its own bathroom, a small cooktop, and a balcony overlooking the property.
For Emily — a personal trainer by trade — a full gym container was a priority. Stocked with equipment purchased during the pandemic, it doubles as a workshop and storage area, with its own solar inverter system.
18 Acres of Wild Living
Step beyond the containers and the property opens up into something extraordinary. There’s a wood-fired sauna, a fire pit, hammocks, cornhole, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards. A UTV and ATV help navigate the acreage through all seasons. Down by the river — a fly-fishing-only stretch bordered by 2,400 acres of conservation land — a dock and fire pit offer a serene escape.
Emily is also cultivating a garden using the “three sisters” method (corn, squash, and beans together), an indigenous growing practice she’s been eager to learn.
A Home in Constant Evolution
Emily is quick to point out that none of this happened overnight, and very little of it came from professional expertise. “I’m a personal trainer. I don’t have any trades or skills,” she says. What she does have is vision, resourcefulness, and a hard-won tolerance for making mistakes and moving forward anyway.
The next chapter? Possibly more containers — maybe even a larger structure her wife has been designing. Whatever comes next, Emily’s container home is proof that with enough curiosity and grit, a big metal box can become something truly worth living in.
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