Tiny houses have been around for more than three decades and, while they've changed considerably to keep up with increasing demand and the latest trends, one thing hasn't changed about them. They're still tiny over in Europe.
Many people see mobile homes as a much more convenient and affordable solution right now over traditional housing, and tiny houses are at the forefront of this trend. In territories like the U.S., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, tiny houses have also grown in size proportionally with the demand for them, to the point where park model tinies are more widespread than standard tiny houses on wheels.
This doesn't happen over in Europe. Over on the Old Continent, tiny houses are still very much... tiny, and still basic in terms of features and comfort. Builds like those coming out from Baluchon, perhaps one of the best known (France-based) builder of THOWs (tiny houses on wheels), are proof of that.
Baluchon makes very quaint tinies, with an aesthetic that is immediately recognizable. They put a lot of focus on intentional living, which translates into basic, almost too-plain interiors with subtle or surprising touches here and there.
Photo: Baluchon
They also put a lot of focus on sustainability, and that means non-toxic dyes for the woods, natural colors where possible, and natural insulation materials like cotton, linen, and hemp. If the owner is particular about this, a build can integrate upcycled materials or old pieces of furniture.
A person with a passion for modern interiors packed with tech and convenience might find the Baluchon tinies a bit too rustic for their taste, but that's exactly where their appeal lies. These pint-sized homes are built to last and in harmony with nature, which makes them very much in keeping with the original principles of tiny living.
All these also apply to the Leila, the latest commission build for Baluchon.
Photo: Baluchon
As of this writing, the builder is yet to offer more specifics on the official website, except for a note on the socials that says that the startling interior, punctuated throughout with furniture in a very special kind of blue called Majorelle blue, was "a specific color very important for its owner."
This interior would have been a pleasant surprise with any other exterior, but it's even more so with the underwhelming neutrals and soft browns used on the outside of Leila. It helps add personality and charm to a space that would have otherwise been just bland.
Leila is built on top of a double-axle trailer and has a total length of 6 meters (19.6 feet). It's clearly smaller than the tiny homes over in the U.S., where such a compact footprint makes it a rarity or, better said, the exception to the rule.
Photo: Baluchon
Using a standard single-loft layout, Leila offers sleeping for two people in that loft, a full kitchen, a compact bathroom, and a multi-functional space for eating and entertaining. That space, which would be the living room in a much larger unit, is built around a storage-integrating bench seat by the window and a wood-burning stove on one side.
The kitchen is divided in two parts – yet another surprise from a builder like Baluchon. On one side, you get a two-burner gas cooktop and an oven, while the other holds the sink, a small fridge, and a breakfast bar that will have to do for all daily meals for both occupants.
The bathroom is at the other end of the trailer, under the loft. It's a standard Baluchon space, with a compositing toilet, a small shower, and no sink – but plenty of floating shelves for storage.
Photo: Baluchon
The sleeping loft is also basic in features but not so in finishes, thanks to more smart use of that startling blue color. It offers a queen-size bed with shelves at the head, a domed roof for a bit more headspace, and windows on either side, allowing for proper ventilation and natural light to come in.
Leila features a surprising amount of glazing throughout, and that's one of the things that tiny house builders will use to make compact spaces feel less constricting. Baluchon clearly relies on natural light and contrasting colors to open up interior spaces, and Leila is a telling example.
Photo: Baluchon
That doesn't make Baluchon tinies everyone's idea of a perfect tiny home, but it does make them beautiful to look at, at the very least. Since Leila is a fully custom unit, looking at it is the only thing we can do.
The fact that Baluchon tinies are priced as premium products is yet another thing probably working against them. There's no price tag attached to this one, but an empty shell from Baluchon starts at around €85,000, so roughly $89,900 at the current exchange rate. That's a lot of money for such a small house, indeed.
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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