Most middle schoolers probably have other things on their minds besides building houses.
But Luke Thill, a 13-year-old from Dubuque, Iowa, is unlike any other middle schooler you’ve seen before.
This talented and proactive boy has crafted his very own little house — in his parent’s backyard.
The project cost him roughly $1,500 USD — and now Luke is living his dream in his little cottage.
Come on in and have a look at what it looks like inside.
I think it’s safe to say that Luke is not like many of his 13-year-old peers. In a time of iPads, smartphones, gadgets, and X-Boxes, this young man decided to keep himself busy in a different and more ‘old-fashioned’ way. As he explains on his YouTube channel, his desire to build a small house grew out of feeling bored last summer.
After some thorough research, Luke had a pretty good idea of how he was going to put his plan into action.
The Process
It took him about a year to get the money and materials he needed to build the house. Luke mowed lawns, started a fund-raiser online, and ran errands for anyone who needed help in the neighborhood to make money.
An electrician Luke was friends with helped him install the electricity in exchange for Luke cleaning his garage out, for instance.
Luke used about 75 percent recycled material, many of which were things left over from his grandma’s house. The front door of the house was a gift from an uncle’s friend.
The 89-square-foot house is 10 feet long and 5 1/2 feet wide, with electricity but no plumbing, so no water or bathroom… yet.
“I liked the minimalism,” he told The Des Moines Register. “And I wanted to have a house without a huge mortgage.”
Luke has made several video clips and posted them online, where he talks about his project as many have grown curious about the little house.
As you can imagine, Luke also received some help from his parents, both financially and with the building itself.
But dad Greg made sure that it would be Luke himself who would pay for most of his project and also build most of it himself.
“It was a chance for a kid to do something more than play video games or sports,” Greg told The Des Moines Register. “It teaches life lessons.”
Teenager’s Dream
The house is in many ways a teenager’s dream, an oasis where you can chill and hang out in. It has a microwave, a TV, and a loft with a bed.
There’s even a barbecue and flowers at the back.
Luke usually does his homework after school at his new house and some nights during the week he gets to sleep there.
Luke already has aspirations to build another house — one that’s a little bigger for when he starts college. He also hopes to inspire others to follow their dreams:
“I want to show kids it’s possible to build at this age,” he says in one of his videos.
You can really see how proud he is about his project below.
Luke’s story is a great example of what a child can achieve with a clear goal, a strong worth ethic, and support from home.
YOU WON’T BELIEVE HOW THE ‘MELROSE PLACE’ HEARTTHROB LOOKS AT 62 – HIS GRAY BEARD WILL SHOCK YOU
A former “Melrose Place” star has surprised fans with new photos showing him with a gray beard and noticeable wrinkles. At 62, the actor, who was once a TV heartthrob, is now embracing the natural aging process. His recent look has gotten a lot of attention online, with many fans admiring his rugged, mature appearance.
This ’90s TV star was known for his good looks and charm. Fans have watched him grow over the years, but his latest transformation has caught them off guard.
From his early days on television to his current status as a silver-haired star, this actor’s journey is more fascinating than it seems.
The Rise of a TV Heartthrob
Born in Detroit and raised in northern California, the actor’s journey to fame wasn’t always glamorous. His mother, Kathleen, worked as a systems analyst. Despite her demanding job with early mornings and long hours, she made sure to teach her children the value of education and hard work. Her dedication laid the groundwork for the actor’s future success.
In 1984, by his early 20s, the actor got his big break when he landed the role of Rick Hyde on the daytime soap opera *Ryan’s Hope*. He played this role until 1987, earning an Emmy nomination and setting the stage for his future in entertainment.
The following year, he landed another role as Gregory Prince III in an episode of *ABC Afterschool Specials*. This teen drama series often tackled social issues of the day.
This role made him a major TV star and turned him into a heartthrob of the ’90s. His portrayal of a tough, motorcycle-riding contractor won over many fans and made him one of the most recognizable faces on television.
As time has passed, the actor has grown from a youthful heartthrob into a mature figure in Hollywood. The days of the clean-shaven, charming Jake Hanson are long gone.
Unlike some actors who try to fight aging, this actor has fully embraced it. Now, he sports a full gray beard and natural wrinkles, giving him a distinguished look that shows his life experience and wisdom.
His recent photos have stirred a lot of attention online. Fans have reacted with admiration, praising his natural and elegant appearance on social media.
People were surprised and impressed when they saw his recent photos. One person on Instagram said, “He sure is a handsome man,” and another shared their love for “Dynasty,” saying, “How obsessed I am with ‘Dynasty’ and you all.”
Fans noted how his charm has lasted over the years. One commented, “Most handsome man in Hollywood. I watched you on ‘Melrose Place’ and kept watching because of you. You were very attractive then, and you still are. You’ve aged gracefully.”
Another fan simply said, “Handsome man, omg.” On X (formerly Twitter), a user expressed their amazement, writing, “So Grant Show is 62 years old and still looks like this?!???”
Comments like “Grant looks stunning with a gray beard” and “He has aged gracefully” show that people appreciate how he has embraced aging naturally and feel it has only enhanced his appeal.
Six months later, they met again in Vancouver, and this time their bond grew stronger. They started as friends, and after about eight weeks of dating in Los Angeles, they became a couple.
A year later, they got engaged and had a one-month engagement before marrying in a rustic California ceremony on August 18, 2012. Besides acting, LaNasa is a former ballet dancer and choreographer.
She had a successful Hollywood career with roles in movies like “Alfie” (2004), “Valentine’s Day” (2010), and “The Campaign” (2012). On TV, she starred in the NBC sitcom “Three Sisters” (2001) and the drama series “Deception” (2012) as the glamorous socialite Sophia Bowers.
Their relationship quickly became a significant part of his life. The actor often talks about LaNasa with great love. She once compared her to his caring grandmother, Blanche, who played a key role in his upbringing.
Got it! If you have any more details or need anything else, feel free to let me know.
In 2013, almost a year after they got married, the actor and his wife were trying to start a family. He mentioned, “We are working on it — practice, practice, practice.” They knew it might be a bit tricky because of their age, but they were determined to make it happen.
Despite his character Spence Westmore on “Devious Maids” dealing with romantic issues, the actor joked that they were keeping their marriage exciting both inside and outside the bedroom.
He said that they did everything together, from playing golf to shopping, and highlighted how important it was to keep the romance alive in their relationship.
Their efforts paid off when they had a baby girl, Eloise McCue Show, in March 2014. They were thrilled and said, “We are truly blessed to have such a healthy and beautiful baby girl.”
The actor, producer, and director has continued to work while balancing his family life. His most recent role was as Blake Carrington on the TV show “Dynasty,” which aired from 2017 to 2022.
At 62, he still cherishes his past role. He recently reunited with his former “Melrose Place” co-stars — Daphne Zuniga, Laura Leighton, and Courtney Thorne-Smith — to look back on their time together on the show.
The reunion took place on the “Still The Place” podcast, where the former “Melrose Place” stars looked back at their time on the show. They shared cherished memories, talked about how “Melrose Place” affected their lives, and reminisced about the strong connections they built while working together.
The actor talked about how playing Jake Hanson made him famous and helped him make lifelong friends. He and his former co-stars shared laughs and fond memories, showing how strong their bond was from their time on and off the “Melrose Place” set.
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