Pine Ridge Tiny House
The idea of "living tiny" is a relatively new concept and for this project, the owners wanted to create a space that embodied the natural world around them without feeling "tiny". The goal was to create an environment that truly harmonized with its surroundings, both inside and out. The story of this home is unique and not like typical midwestern homes; it sits on a 28 foot long trailer and has the ability to be both on and off-grid. At just over 8 feet wide on the inside, we were met with several design challenges along the way when designing this truly tiny house.
First, we wanted to create a space that was warm and inviting and did not make it seem like guests were in a tiny house. The goal was to maximize as much space as possible without feeling too cluttered. The owners wanted lots of natural light, but also wanted the flexibility of being able to tone down some of the harsh sunlight. This was an entirely new build project, so we started early on in the process by specifying UV blocking windows to help cut down on some of those harsh rays and then later softened that by installing bamboo shades for a touch of warmth. In order for this home to be off-grid, we also installed a 100 gallon water reserve tank, a composting toilet, and water saving shower head - but without compromising on the pressure. The owners wanted an overall light, bright, and airy design but with touches of earthy tones to help ground it back to nature. We worked with a local cabinet manufacturer and designed cabinetry that would maximize every nook and cranny, and much to the owners delight of always wanting a green kitchen, we selected a soft sage for the cabinets and a warm butcherblock for the countertop.
The next challenge came with the not-so-typical fact that this home is portable, so standard design selections like tile were out of the question, since moving the tiny house would result in the tile potentially cracking. The owners still wanted to have fun accents aside from their main light and airy paint color, so we selected an olive green wall vinyl with subtle patterning as an accent wall in the bathroom and bedroom that complimented the kitchen cabinets. We also brought in an additional soft amber accent paint for a pop of color in the living room and the library loft, which was the perfect addition to the earthy palette. Lastly, we added in a fun marble backsplash in the kitchen but as a peel-and-stick tile instead, so no concerns of cracked tile here!
Finally, with all of the bones in place, we worked closely with our vendors and sourced furnishings and decor that would enhance and elevate the space. From a versatile pull out sofa for extra guests or movie nights, to a cozy reading nook complete with comfy padding for rainy days in, to a sophisticated but private bedroom loft with an array of textures. With all of the versatility this home has to offer, it's hard to believe it's only 300 square feet!
