The Magical Astrild Might Be One of the Most Beautiful Two-Loft Tiny Homes Ever Built

The rustic, almost raw look of natural wood is one of the signature features of all Baluchon models. These are not homes for folks in search of a sleek, luxurious abode with extensive glazing and a modern indoor/outdoor flow.

They are cozy nests that seem to come straight out of a fairytale with fantasy creatures that live in the woods. Astrild doesn't try to hide its mythical vibe – it's even named after the Nordic Cupid in Norse mythology. Indeed, this tiny home was built as a loving, warm haven for a small family.

Astrild is as compact and lightweight as it gets, with no more than six meters (19.6 feet) in length. On the main floor, it houses a delightful lounge area, a tiny kitchen, and a separate bathroom. Since it was custom-built for a couple and their daughter, Astrild included two separate bedrooms in the loft area. The layout is rather simple, but one of the unexpected surprises that makes this house so charming is a beautiful dining area, something that isn't often found in tiny houses this size.

The living room area is more of a lounge corner. A big, plush sofa takes up the entire end wall in width. In order to make the most of the available space, a practical storage shelf was placed high above, taking advantage of the home's height. It's a good idea for storing things without getting in the way and also being easy to reach.

Another important detail is that the sofa is practically surrounded by glass, with double windows on two sides and the main door opposite. This means great views for everyone and an abundance of natural light.

By keeping this lounge setup to a minimum, the builders were able to add a lovely dining setup somewhere between the lounge and the kitchen, although there's no formal separation. It's so simple, with just a tiny table and a couple of chairs, yet tremendously impactful. Being able to enjoy meals together is one of the pillars of family life, and this makes Astrild feel as homely and cozy as any traditional house.

The kitchen also benefits from ample natural light, thanks to several large windows, which makes it seem more spacious and airy. Here, we see the seamless blend of rustic and contemporary – the wooden furniture harmoniously integrates all the basic appliances, including a washing machine that's nestled under the countertop and an electric fridge.

In order to add those beautiful, extra-large windows, the design team had to drop the typical overhead cupboards. Still, the drawers underneath the countertop offer reasonable storage, including an adorable mini-pantry for fruits and vegetables.

An ingenious use of space makes this configuration supremely harmonious. The miniature rustic wood-burning stove, for instance, is mounted on the wall in order to save space. Instead of a bulky staircase stretching over the entire wall, which would take up way too much space, a partial staircase leads to one bedroom, while a ladder is preferred for the other one. The staircase adds more storage, but it's also compact enough to blend in seamlessly with the overall layout.

The rustic, natural wooden craftsmanship has a surprisingly sophisticated visual effect. Natural wood tones predominate instead of the common white color or a more contemporary, colorful look. It's part of the signature Baluchon interior design and its timeless beauty.

Spruce was used for the walls and the flooring, while the exterior cladding is Red Cedarwood, known for its exceptional durability and built-in resistance to moisture and termites. The Cedarwood was combined with thermally-treated poplar and treated with an anti-UV coating.

One of Astrild's special touches is the lovely built-in miniature garden. A couple of shelves were built into the home's exterior façade, right under the oversized kitchen window, specifically for keeping pots of herbs – what a wonderful way to transform a typically dull exterior into a living part of the home. It's also an unusual but charming way of connecting to the outdoors and making this dwelling sustainable.

As a custom-built family home, Astrild boasts two different bedroom layouts. The children's room, which is the loft connected to the staircase, is smaller. It fits in a single bed, there's no built-in storage, and there's only one window.

The master bedroom, on the other hand, was fitted with a queen-sized bed that takes up almost the entire space and a practical full-height wardrobe. Two windows on each side bring in extra light and ensure proper airflow. Each bedroom is protected by a solid wood partial wall, which also adds privacy.

The home's only bathroom is downstairs, hidden behind a wooden door that seems to mesh with the walls for a seamless look. It's fitted with the basics, including a separate shower cabin, and accessorized with a couple of dainty black-framed shelves made of glass and a window mounted on the door since there's no conventional vanity.

The lovely Astrild tiny continues to be one of the most charming models built by Baluchon, and a timeless source of inspiration for those who believe in the magic of tiny living and in the unique beauty of wooden, rustic dwellings.