Tiny houses are pretty by default, given their compact size and the design tricks they have to employ to make the most of every inch of space. But even in such fine company, this one tiny house is able to stand out – and might actually put others to shame.
This is an Adorable Abodes tiny house, a unit that's exactly that: an absolutely adorable abode, thanks to the gingerbread-style design, twin exterior decks, and excellent craftsmanship. Adorable Abodes is a Canadian company founded by Ralph Villman in an attempt to offer more affordable and sustainable housing alternatives to retirees.
Unlike most tiny house companies on the market, whether from the U.S., Canada, New Zealand, or Europe, Adorable Abodes takes a different approach to building these units, one that focuses on quality and artistry, as well as on creating the most comfortable space within the smallest layout. They're tiny works of art with clearly defined functionality.
As such, these tiny homes are no longer trailer-based. Villman chooses a modular design, wherein he can add different modules to an existing space to offer a larger living footprint, if that's what the owner wants. This makes his units future-proof, where the owners can add modules later on in life, so the house "grows" with their family.
Photo: Adorable Abodes
Since Adorable Abodes are not trailer-based, they're not as mobile as standard tinies. Villman notes that they're still movable, though that requires more effort and time since you have to break the unit down to its basic modules, which can then be flat-packed and transported onto a trailer to the next location.
An Adorable Abodes unit is now up for sale at a considerable discount compared to its original price.
The unit was completed last year when Villman was still in talks with authorities to obtain the permits to start a retirement/tiny living community on his property in Brighton, Ontario. At that point, the initial plan for a larger but completely off-grid community had been shut down, so he was adjusting it to include a smaller number of units, all of them on the grid.
Photo: Adorable Abodes
This double-deck unit is an excellent example of Villman's vision for a sustainable future. It might very well be one of the most artistic and gorgeous tinies we've come across, and it's all thanks to the builder's promise not to sacrifice quality for a quicker buck.
The home offers two bedrooms upstairs, where you get standing height and a gorgeous hardwood barrel ceiling that's bound to make every day feel like a vacation. In fact, the entire home has that rustic, log cabin feel, with ample woodwork throughout, hardwood floors, heavy furniture, and vintage styling.
Described as an ideal home for a family with one or two smaller kids, the unit can actually fit a larger group with some modifications. It has a bathroom on the ground floor, currently unfinished to allow the owner to personalize it, a full kitchen (ditto), a dining area and a separate lounge. Either of these could be turned into an additional bedroom.
Photo: Adorable Abodes
The upstairs holds the main bedroom, which can fit a king-size bed, and a smaller bedroom with two bunks. Everything here, too, is done in wood, down to the cabinets and framing.
The highlight of the home is the two exterior decks, one doubling as a patio and the other as a private terrace or exterior dining area when the weather allows it. The two decks also serve a purpose that is not immediately obvious, which Villman devised as a way to create more space inside: they connect the two levels of the home.
In other words, by putting the staircase outside of the home, you won't be tripping on ladders or bulky steps inside. With the original plan of making this a retirement home, Villman imagined the residents would take up the ground floor, while guests (presumably younger and still willing to climb up and down stairs even in the dark) would take up the second level.
Photo: Adorable Abodes
Offering 325 square feet (30.2 square meters) of living space, it's the smallest unit you can build while still retaining that home-like feel, according to Villman.
The house is built of SIPS (structural insulated panels) and a total number of five modules and comes with a propane heater, on-the-grid wiring, and Italian-style metal roof shingles. It can be rendered off-grid if the owner wants to, but that will add to the final price. The unit is now listed at CAD120,000 (US$89,200), with the unfinished bathroom and kitchen. The same spec came with an original price of CAD140,000-160,000 (US$104,100-119,000).
If you check out Villman's interview in the video below, you will find an explanation for the higher price tag, but, mind you, it won't come as a surprise. Spoiler alert: quality costs more.
Elena has been writing for a living since 2006 and, as a journalist, she has put her double major in English and Spanish to good use. She covers automotive and mobility topics like cars and bicycles, and she always knows the shows worth watching on Netflix and friends. Full profile
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