Photo: Tiny House Tarentaise
Nanuvat was designed as a tribute to the northernmost part of Canada and draws inspiration from traditional Nordic aesthetics, even though it comes from a French builder. A sleek and eye-catching silhouette is paired with a sophisticated interior with a unique cuisine and a warm atmosphere.
Tiny House Tarentaise is a young name in the world of tiny living and has been a true pioneer in the Savoie region of France. Its founder, Damien, first discovered the tiny living movement in Canada, which inspired him to offer similar solutions to the people of Savoie.
Companies in this particular field often start with the bold and enthusiastic vision of a single founder or a small team that has personally experienced life in miniature, and they manage to grow rapidly because mobile homes are still a novel concept in many parts of Europe. The more the merrier, and Tiny House Tarentaise has certainly succeeded in increasing the popularity of mobile homes throughout the region.
Photo: Tiny House Tarentaise
The Nanuvat is a clear nod to the brand founder’s close ties to Canada and his well-known status as one of the world’s top tiny house builders. The Northern European aesthetic is also classic in the architecture and design, and it’s a popular choice among individual homeowners. This custom home on wheels is all about having a big personality despite its size restrictions. It looks instantly recognizable from the outside and reveals a truly sophisticated interior for the contemporary minimalist.
Two exterior elements stand out the most: two sets of three tall, thin windows on each side and the handsome front design, which is the main entrance. The mix of traditional wood siding and dark, opaque accents is another element that adds visual interest. What’s clear right away is that Nanuvat is not one of those contemporary designs that focus on openness and indoor/outdoor spaces. Instead, it boasts the formal, mysterious silhouette of a traditional Scandinavian cabin, hiding a warm interior (both figuratively and literally).
Elegant rows of windows on each side elevate the overall design from the inside as well. What you get is a beautiful, spacious living area with plenty of natural light despite the lack of traditional panoramic views. Designed and equipped for a colder climate, the Nanuvat doesn’t try to open up too much to the outside world, but rather to create a welcoming sanctuary even in the harshest conditions.
Photo: Tiny House Tarentaise
A hidden desk is part of the home’s high-end functionality. It’s literally hidden next to one of the windows in the form of a fold-out desk. In a second, what looks like a floor plan wall transforms into a practical and modern home office space, positioned to maximize natural light. When not in use, it frees up a large chunk of floor space for other purposes and activities—the best of versatile miniature living.
What immediately catches the eye is the unusual design of the elevated kitchen, separated from the living area by a custom-made sofa and a beautifully crafted open-design wall. The sofa is strategically placed for maximum light and views. The room itself is large enough for flexible layouts and various furniture and storage options.
The fabulous kitchen is what really makes Nanuvat's tiny home shine. Style-wise, the dark matte walls, backsplash, and cabinetry create a visually striking contrast with the calm, neutral tones of the woodwork and light floors. A large countertop provides a generous cooking surface, and the cabinets blend into the overall design for a balanced, elegant effect.
Photo: Tiny House Tarentaise
The unusual raised design offers an unexpected bonus for a Scandinavian-inspired tiny home: a cozy, modern dining area that’s perfect for both romantic dinners and brunches with family and friends. The location is perfect for beautiful views and an enhanced sense of spaciousness, which is rare for tiny homes that often skip dining areas altogether. It instantly elevates the style of the home, adding a fresh, urban touch that makes it feel luxurious.
While it doesn’t include a fully enclosed shower with glass doors, Nanuvat’s bathroom is still more sophisticated than most. Beautiful built-in wood shelves provide easy-to-reach storage in addition to the compact cabinetry, and a sleek geometric pattern (partially mirrored) adds a touch of glamour to the neutral color scheme with matte and dark accents.
Nanuvat’s master bedroom is located upstairs in the loft area, and is reached by a simple stepladder rather than a ladder; it might seem like an odd choice considering all the other sophisticated features, but it’s a space-saving move, and this tiny home is ultimately all about efficiency. High-quality materials and a bold feature wall transform the loft from a simple room to a stylish oasis, while built-in shelving across the wall provides ample storage.
Photo: Tiny House Tarentaise
The Nanuvat tiny house was delivered in the summer of 2020, and Tiny House Tarentaise has built many more custom homes since then. And this French builder doesn’t just make individual homes; they also build and outfit food trucks, mobile offices, and mobile spas. Among them all, the Nanuvat Tiny stands out as a beautiful example of Nordic-style aesthetics inside and out, as well as ingenious craftsmanship.