{"id":1325,"date":"2026-06-02T15:33:06","date_gmt":"2026-06-02T15:33:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/silvybrand.com\/?p=1325"},"modified":"2026-06-02T15:33:06","modified_gmt":"2026-06-02T15:33:06","slug":"this-wisconsin-couple-lives-in-a-yurt-and-winter-is-their-favorite-part","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/silvybrand.com\/?p=1325","title":{"rendered":"This Wisconsin Couple Lives in a Yurt, and Winter Is Their Favorite Part"},"content":{"rendered":"


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\"Elaina<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cThere was no big aha<\/em> moment,\u201d says Elaina Jindra<\/a>, a public school dean who lives in a 350-square-foot yurt with her husband, Zach, in rural northern Wisconsin. \u201cOver time, we just grew curious about what life could look like and wanted a new experience.\u201d Today, Elaina gives us a tour, with photos by Xee Vang<\/a>\u2026<\/p>\n

\"Elaina<\/a><\/p>\n

On changing things up:<\/strong> Zach and I lived in a house in Milwaukee, when we realized that we were at a stage in our lives where we could uproot ourselves and do something different. So, we quit our jobs, purged 65% of our belongings, and put our house on the market.<\/p>\n

\"Elaina<\/a><\/p>\n

Dining table and chairs: thrifted.<\/em><\/p>\n

On choosing the yurt:<\/strong> We considered things like moving abroad, getting a tiny home, or living out of our Subaru Outback, but in the end, living in a yurt felt like the easiest and most cost-effective option. A tiny home can be expensive, takes longer to set up, and has utility costs. A yurt comes in a DIY kit that we could build in one day.<\/p>\n

\"Elaina<\/a><\/p>\n

Sofa: Crate&Barrel<\/a>. Light pendant: \u201cI made this pendant using an old shade from a Target lamp<\/a> we got as a wedding gift.\u201d Basket: World Market<\/a>. Desk: vintage.<\/em><\/p>\n

On planning:<\/strong> It took us 15 months to find a piece of property that didn\u2019t have any county rules, since those usually require lots of building permits. Before we officially bought the land, we were out here marking the yurt\u2019s dimensions with our footsteps in the snow, and measuring out each piece of furniture that we\u2019d be bringing. <\/p>\n

\"Elaina<\/a><\/p>\n

Stove: Ace<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

On yurt necessities:<\/strong> You cannot survive in a yurt in Wisconsin without a wood stove. Also, candles. You gotta have that cozy, intimate lighting.<\/p>\n

\"Elaina<\/a><\/p>\n

On neighborhood critters:<\/strong> When living in a yurt, you can hear everything<\/em>. The spring peepers and loons are incredibly loud. There\u2019s also a big owl that perches itself on a tree nearby and hoots all night. We\u2019ve heard howls from a neighboring wolf pack. We never have those peaceful evenings that we envisioned we would get out here! But hearing the sounds of wildlife is amazing. <\/p>\n

\"Elaina<\/a><\/p>\n

Bed: West Elm<\/a>. Throw pillows: made by Elaina. Rug: thrifted. <\/em><\/p>\n

On thoughtful details:<\/strong> A lot of yurts have a tight lattice with a vinyl interior, which many people prefer because the vinyl is very durable and lasts for years. But we chose a yurt with a very large lattice and wool interior. Aesthetically, it\u2019s a lot prettier. We also want parts of this yurt to decompose, so we can leave as small of a footprint as possible. <\/p>\n

\"Elaina<\/a><\/p>\n

On living without Wi-Fi:<\/strong> We don\u2019t have Wi-Fi but we have really good cell service for calling and texting family and friends. We also live three miles from a trailhead that has excellent Wi-Fi, vending machines, and overall good vibes. Zach is a wedding photographer, so we go to the trailhead when he needs strong internet connection to edit photos and upload clients\u2019 galleries.<\/p>\n

\"Elaina<\/a><\/p>\n

On a smart meal hack:<\/strong> One of the ways I clean out the fridge is by gathering whatever bits and bobs we have leftover and throwing them on a pizza. I call it \u2018garbage pizza\u2019 and it\u2019s inspired by Anne-Marie Bonneau, the Zero Waste Chef<\/a>. I\u2019ve been obsessed with her since college. She\u2019s inspired me to get creative about eating everything in the fridge, instead of tossing stuff out. <\/p>\n

\"Elaina<\/a><\/p>\n

On an eye-opening habit:<\/strong> A couple years ago, Zach and I started keeping track<\/a> of what we spent our time and money on. At the beginning of each month, I always predicted that my spending would be low because \u2018I don\u2019t buy anything.\u2019 However, by the end of the month, I would realize that wasn\u2019t true. Now we\u2019re actively trying to avoid buying things we don\u2019t absolutely need.<\/p>\n

\"Elaina<\/a><\/p>\n

On a much-needed break:<\/strong> As a dean, I spend most days indoors at work. Since the school district is small, I wear a lot of hats, but essentially I am there to support staff and students. I usually do something outdoors right after work, and then I\u2019m pretty happy to be nice and cozy with the fire when I get home.<\/p>\n

\"Elaina<\/a><\/p>\n

On forming new rituals:<\/strong> Everything out here takes a bit longer. Sometimes, after a long work day, I don\u2019t want to do the dishes, then haul and dump our seven-gallon jug of waste water outside. When chores come at the wrong time, they can feel annoying. But we knew about all of these trade-offs beforehand, so we try not to complain.<\/p>\n

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The yurt in the winter.<\/em><\/p>\n

On winters:<\/strong> Winter is our favorite season because it\u2019s ultra cozy. Last year, a couple days got down to the negative 30s. But we just kept the wood stove going.<\/p>\n

\"Elaina<\/a><\/p>\n

On sweet realizations:<\/strong> Zach and I got married when we were both 23 \u2014 we were babies. I feel so lucky because even though we didn\u2019t know who we were back then, we\u2019ve managed to grow well together. None of this would have been possible without him believing that we could live happily in a 350-square-foot home. He pushes me out of my comfort zone.<\/p>\n

\"Elaina<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Elaina<\/a><\/p>\n

Sauna: SaunaLife<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

On a wood-fired sauna: <\/strong> We don\u2019t use the sauna much in the summer but love<\/em> stepping inside it in the winter. It\u2019s our #1 party move when hosting friends.<\/p>\n

\"Elaina<\/a> <\/p>\n

On living off-grid:<\/strong> We have a generator that we charge with solar panels, so there is running electricity. We also have a back-up gas generator that we use every three to four days in the winter. But if things ever stop working, we\u2019ll be okay. We\u2019re both avid backpackers, so we\u2019re used to going days without access to hot water or electricity. <\/p>\n

\"Elaina<\/a><\/p>\n

Shower: Amazon<\/a>. Outhouse: \u201cIt was actually made by some people in our local Amish community.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

On showers:<\/strong> We have a solar-powered shower, which we use in the summer. For the rest of the year, we take our showers at the gym! Getting a membership to a nice gym and utilizing their shower is a frugal minimalist hack. Ours is only nine minutes away, and it has all the amenities we need. We often end our day there and have made friends with the staff. <\/p>\n

\"Elaina<\/a> <\/p>\n

Yurt: Yurta<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

On mixed reactions:<\/strong> It\u2019s funny to hear people\u2019s responses when we tell them how we live. Some people are like, \u2018You know, you don\u2019t have to live like that, right?\u2019 or \u2018I can help you out if you need it.\u2019 And then other people are like, \u2018Oh my god, that\u2019s so cool!\u2019 and want to know every detail.<\/p>\n

On big realizations:<\/strong> Living here has clarified what resources we need to actually thrive, not just survive. And we\u2019ve learned that we don\u2019t need that much. We feel so lucky to be able to take this chance and explore. Living sustainably was one of our motivators for living in a yurt, but we also wanted to slow down. To notice when the wind is blowing and pay attention to the fullness of the moon.<\/p>\n

Thank you so much, Elaina<\/a>!<\/strong><\/p>\n

P.S. Many more house tours<\/a>, including an architect couple who lives in a spaceship apartment<\/a> and a 175-square-foot apartment in New York City<\/a> (\u201cI just call it \u2018my room’\u201d).<\/p>\n

(Photos by Xee Vang<\/a> for Cup of Jo.)<\/p>\n

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