We've explored many types of tiny house terraces before, ingeniously integrated into compact designs, but this cat-dedicated balcony is a first. It's part of Christelle's tiny house, a purely custom abode created and built by a pioneering, family-operated company in France. This cabin-style home on wheels for full-time living was beautifully tailored not just to its owner but also to her cat.
Christelle's house on wheels isn't impressive in size – it's only six meters (19.6 feet) long – but it stands out due to its architectural embellishments. The rear part boasts a beautiful, oversized window with an unusual semi-circle shape; above it, an even more unusual terrace adds an element of surprise and a touch of old-fashioned elegance.
This is just a small exterior extension for the owner's pet, yet it's beautifully built, adding to the home's overall style. A discrete cat door allows the pet to easily move from the terrace to the interior loft area. On the inside, this tiny door leads to a small storage loft, connected to the bigger one (which is the designated bedroom) via a hammock floor – which is also cat-friendly. Plus, the pet has access to a second door located downstairs, allowing it to go outside and come back in with no trouble.
Photo: Lou Tiny House
As you can see, Christelle's house was personalized for the cat just as much as it was for the owner. In the words of the builder, "We make beautiful things even for the cats." At the same time, we find that tiny home interiors are generally ideal for cats because of the open spaces and overall fluidity that makes it so easy for felines to explore and reach every corner. This French home, in particular, highlights this fluidity perfectly.
For instance, the living room is a modern-style indoor/outdoor lounge. The sofa is almost surrounded by large windows and glass doors, which results in panoramic views and a burst of natural light. Three tall vertical windows, displayed in a single row, add luminosity to the interior and are one of the home's most remarkable features from the outside. The symmetrical display, in perfect harmony with the steps leading to the loft bedrooms, creates a sense of geometrical balance with a surprisingly modern visual effect.
The floating steps are another unexpected contemporary touch. They look much more sophisticated than a traditional staircase, in addition to the huge space-saving advantage. They're much more convenient than a ladder, yet without the bulkiness of a classic staircase. These steps lead to the only bedroom in the house, a two-person loft with enough space for a comfy bed and a practical built-in cabinet. The cabinet is big enough to double as a closet and a bookcase, and the open-shelf design makes it more versatile.
Photo: Lou Tiny House
According to the builders themselves, Christelle's home was a challenge, mainly because of all the functional features that had to be incorporated within the not-so-generous 13 square meters (140 square feet) space. One clever way to use every inch of available floor space was to add a custom-made office desk under the stairs; this meant it was considerably slimmer than a regular one, with just enough room underneath for a bar stool. Right next to it, the builders also squeezed in a slim fridge – all of this was possible by opting for modern floating stairs instead of a staircase.
The kitchen also had to be properly equipped because this dwelling was intended for long-term living. A beautiful wooden countertop with rustic cabinets and open shelves offers the comfort and convenience of a traditional farmhouse cooking area. Even a washing machine was squeezed next to the full-size stove since there wasn't enough room for it in the tiny bathroom. A range hood was also carefully added, while two big windows bring plenty of fresh air and, equally important, offer the most delightful views when cooking and enjoying meals.
Hammock floors are often found in two-loft artisanal tiny homes like this one; aesthetically, they go great with the rustic, traditional style of wooden dwellings. From a practical point of view, they're a huge space-saver that adds connectivity and functionality with virtually no extra space required. The rugged net insertion is basically a way to connect two loft areas but, as its name suggests, it typically doubles a suspended lounge, and sometimes even as an occasional bedroom.
Photo: Lou Tiny House
The same charming and well-balanced mix of rustic and contemporary features defines the bathroom. Waterless toilets are always the go-to choice when it comes to French artisanal tiny homes as the best eco-friendly option; still, these sauna-like bathrooms with heavy woodwork also come with modern shower cabins, large sinks, and decent storage – which is more than enough for comfortable long-term living. Plus, a big window, matching the colorful frames of the other ones, keeps the air circulating.
Christelle's tiny home with a cat terrace and two cat doors is one of the lovely custom creations by Lou Tiny House. "Lou" stands for Loubajac, the location of the company's workshop, close to Lourdes (France).
Founded in 2016 by two brothers who fell in love with the tiny living concept in the US, this small family-operated business was the first of its kind in the southwest of France and the second one in the country. Since then, it has fulfilled many people's dreams of living in a fully-customized home on wheels. Christelle's tiny house once again proves there are no limits to creativity and personal touches when it comes to tiny living.
