You can’t claim to be “the best tiny house builder in Texas,” or anywhere else, and not deliver some truly amazing tiny homes. The latest from Decathlon Tiny Homes meets the criteria that would justify this apparent lack of modesty: a magnificent retreat for a luxury gentleman.
Decathlon Tiny House is just one of many builders that regularly make headlines for their amazing builds, but it’s also one of the few that have gained a lot of popularity. The company was founded and is owned by April and Jerry Terry, the lead designer and lead builder respectively, and they’re quite the charismatic couple who are making the most of social media in terms of spreading the word about their new units.
This is one of them. It's called the Sancho Lodge and is based on their standard Athena model, perhaps one of the most popular in their range. The Athena is actually offered in three lengths (24, 28 and 32 feet/7.3, 8.5 and 9.7 metres), but the longer model obviously offers more living space and more features. The owner of the Sancho Lodge opted for the 32-foot (9.7-metre) version.
Built on a Pacific West Tiny Homes-certified tri-axle trailer, Sancho Lodge was designed with a very specific brief: whiskey, cigars and a speakeasy. In other words, the owner, who is also an avid hunter, wanted a gentleman’s retreat, complete with all the comforts of home.
Photo: Decathlon Tiny Homes
At the same time, however, he wanted the “den” on wheels to have all the essentials for long-term living, and so it did.
Tiny houses are a dime a dozen these days, so much so that you could be forgiven for finding them overrated or even lacking in creative design. This is proof that having seen one hasn't been seen all: a tiny house that exudes personality and charm, while still being self-contained and surprisingly cozy.
Sancho Lodge also offers a ground floor bedroom, spa-like full bathroom, loft with storage, large living room, and premium appliances and finishes that are sure to make every hunt memorable, even when there is no hunting going on.
Photo: Decathlon Tiny Homes
The name comes from Sancho, the owner’s adorable dog. The name and the picture of Sancho hanging in the kitchen are the only two “adorable” things about the little guy, who exudes masculine charm and sophistication. Designer April made sure to add a pop of color here and there, like the Celeste blue door or the white walls with wood siding that pair perfectly with black accents.
The layout has the master bedroom on one end of the trailer and the bathroom on the other. This allows for a storage loft to be stacked above the bathroom and for high ceilings in the bedroom.
Tucked behind a barn door, this room offers plenty of storage in two oversized drawers under the king-sized bed and a full-size closet with hanging rods. There’s another closet closer to the bathroom, so it’s not the only one available. A full-size closet remains a rarity in tiny homes; two is the definition of tiny-home luxury.
Photo: Decathlon Tiny Homes
Designed as a man cave (but on wheels), the highlight is the entertainment area off the bedroom, or what you would call a living room in any other home. It has a beautiful daybed with cup holders and USB charging points, opposite the wall-mounted TV. Although part of the home, this piece was actually brought in by the owner, so it’s only visible in the video tour below but not in the official photos of the home.
The kitchen is part kitchen, part bar, with a jutting stone peninsula that doubles as a bar for a couple of friends to grab a drink. The sink even has one of those bar faucets that lets you wash your glasses by simply placing them on top. This feature is also a great way to save water, to be sure.
The kitchen is filled with top-of-the-line appliances from JennAir, all ordered by the owner. There is an induction cooktop and a huge 7-in-1 low-profile oven up top, as well as a large refrigerator and freezer completely hidden in the cabinetry opposite. Storage is also plentiful here: cabinets and drawers, two large pull-outs, and an oversized pantry.
Photo: Decathlon Tiny Homes
Across from the pantry is the second closet mentioned above. The bathroom is residential in size and features, with a flush toilet, enclosed shower, and sink with a cabinet for even more storage. The washer-dryer unit is also located here, above a cabinet that hides the water heater.
Sancho Lodge is not off-grid and will likely remain so, as there is no mention of pre-wiring for solar or the option to add water tanks. Most Decathlon Tiny Homes units come with RV-style hookups for water and electricity, and we think that is true here.
Photo: Decathlon Tiny Homes
Since this is a custom unit, there’s no mention of price either. For reference, though, the smallest variant of the Athena starts at $79,500 before you even add any options, meaning we’re probably looking at a $90,000+ tiny house. Getting Your Own Man Cave Not be economical, especially if it is.