The tiny house with a big secret
By Jen Grimble, Lovemoney
A stylish and affordable alternative to traditional homeownership, the tiny house movement is taking the world by storm, showing just how inspiring small can be. Make no mistake, pocket-sized pads can still pack in plenty of surprises – as this modern mobile cabin proves. While it may look fairly ordinary, all is not as it appears.
Tiny house goals
Sleek, cool and contemporary, this tiny house is known as Stephanie, after its proud owner. Designed and built by French firm Optinid, the compact pad is entirely mobile and can be moved from location to location – the ideal set-up for a modern nomad.
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Prefab home
Optinid's sustainable tiny homes are built to order in its French factory and come complete with a wheeled trailer. Each space is designed to the homeowner's unique spec, however, this particular model has a pretty amazing extra that we haven't seen before. Stay tuned and all will be revealed...
Living on wheels
Constructed from eco-friendly fir cladding, Stephanie offers cozy year-round living. The pad's thick insulation makes it incredibly thermally efficient and perfect for those who want to journey to remote corners of the world with all the comforts of home.
Open-plan living
Measuring 13 feet high and 19.6 feet in length, the tiny house offers ample room for modern living. Inside, Stephanie features an airy open-plan layout, fitted out with plenty of clever storage solutions to utilize the compact central space.
Plenty of room
Covering a floorplan of just over 220 square feet, the house weighs in at only 3.15 tons, meeting France's strict towing laws. The chic, pared-back interior is finished with lightweight spruce and poplar plywood, giving it a gorgeous natural finish. Can you spot the home's clever concealed feature yet?
Practical kitchen
The tiny home’s neat kitchen is sleek and contemporary, with natural wooden detailing and plenty of storage space. The compact yet useful space boasts an oven, a double electric induction hob and a sink.
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Kitchen chic
If you're entertaining for a larger party, the kitchen is equipped with a retractable table concealed inside the cabinetry which can be pulled out for extra worktop space. One thing's for sure, this nifty tiny home is no stranger to covert contraptions.
Innovative use of space
The clever pad features plenty of other smart storage solutions too. The sofa in the lounge harbors clandestine cupboards in its base, while the office desk doubles up as a piano, because who doesn't enjoy a sing-a-long on the road?
Clever storage solutions
Whenever the owner needs to work, she simply closes the piano lid, revealing a generous desktop workspace. The desk also forms part of the staircase, which leads up to a cozy mezzanine level.
Double whammy
This tiny office area also contains a sewing machine and an additional built-in tray unit, which unfolds to double the desk's surface space! Think this is cool? The property's best-kept secret is still to come...
Room for half a dozen
Incredibly, the compact home can sleep up to six people, with a double bed on the main mezzanine level and a secondary mezzanine accommodating two beds. In the living room, a made-to-measure sofa transforms into a bed that sleeps two, making the home both attractive and practical!
Powering up
The pad is heated by electric radiators, powered through a standard mains hookup, while hot water is provided via an electric storage tank. However, the home doesn't necessarily need to be attached to the grid, thanks to photovoltaic solar panels which can be set up outside the pocket-sized property.
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Glazing goals
Swathes of windows and a large glazed door allow plenty of natural light to flood the interior whilst offering fantastic views across the surrounding landscape – wherever that may be!
Stepping up storage
As with many things in this tiny house, the handmade staircase is much more than it first seems. The first two steps are actually storage boxes, which can be tucked away under the desk when not in use, while the otherwise redundant under-stair space has been turned into handy vertical storage units. The home's biggest surprise, however, will be revealed very soon...
Bathroom basics
The tiny home’s bathroom features a smart shower with a glass door to maximize light levels. There's also a dry toilet which is sectioned off with a sliding door, allowing for plenty of privacy when it's needed!
Cozy bedroom with a hidden surprise
Yet the home's big wow-factor feature lies upstairs. The tiny dwelling's master bedroom sits on a mezzanine level above the main living space. Although it may look like a pretty ordinary loft, this boudoir has a very cool secret...
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Seamless sunroof
That's right, the roof completely retracts, opening up the top level to the sky. The steel sunroof sits on rails and can be unlocked and slid open whenever the weather permits. Talk about show-stopping!
Sleeping under the stars
The innovative roof is part of the company's Head in the Stars range which allows homeowners to get up close with nature without having to leave their beds. Imagine stargazing by night or soaking up the sunshine with your morning coffee!
An open-air room
Completely open to the great outdoors, the mezzanine doesn't have to be limited to just a bedroom. You could turn the top floor into a dining area for eating alfresco or even create a cozy snug packed with cushions and throws to make the most of those long summer nights.
Big impression, small price tag
If you're inspired to create your very own bespoke tiny house, the Stephanie from Optinid will set you back just $61,000. Plus, with each cabin bespoke-designed, you have the chance to create a truly one-of-a-kind home that can be taken anywhere in the world. What could be better than that?
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