Photo: Tiny House Tarentaise/Instagram
One of the new tiny house designs of 2024 is as refreshing and dreamy as the summer season. The new L'Epilobe reveals a surprisingly modern and sophisticated interior without compromising its primary focus on sustainability. A great example of smart design and impeccable style despite size limitations, this French beauty is one of the most inspiring builds of this year.
The stunning Epilobe tiny house is the latest creation from Tiny House Tarentaise, a young construction company based in Savoie, France. A handcrafted business, Tiny House Tarentaise defines its business in three key words: personalized, local, and eco-friendly. The owners, who were initially inspired by the tiny living phenomenon in Canada, specialize in a wide variety of mobile homes and businesses, including food trucks, spas on wheels, rental units, and of course, classic tiny homes for year-round living.
At the heart of every Tarentaise tiny house, you’ll find a sturdy, sustainable fir frame. Compared to more modern metal frames, traditional wooden frames offer the unique benefit of natural insulation, which helps reduce utility bills over time. Additionally, the special fir wood used in Tarentaise homes comes from a family-run sawmill located just 30 minutes away from the builder’s workshop. In other words, it’s a 100% local and sustainable resource that turns every Tarentaise tiny house into a sustainable, affordable home.
Photo: Tiny House Tarentaise/Instagram
“Epilobe” is the French term for Fireweed or Willowherb, a beautiful, brightly colored wildflower that also grows in parts of the United States. While this name clearly alludes to the home's connection to the environment and the simplicity of nature, the Epilobe Tiny is surprisingly modern and sophisticated in terms of style.
Most French houses on wheels boast a rustic, traditional look with extensive woodwork, rough textures, and natural colors. The Epilobe is an exception to the rule, moving away from the typical country look toward a more elegant, urban style.
Simplicity remains a key pillar, which is reflected in the compact size and weight of the home, as well as the hassle-free single-level configuration. The lack of loft bedrooms and stairs makes this home much easier to manage and more comfortable for a wider range of owners, including seniors.
Photo: Tiny House Tarentaise/Instagram
The Epilobe is just over seven metres long (7.40 metres/24.2 feet) and is easily portable. Despite being all on one level, an elegant solution has been used to separate the bedroom from the main social area, which is spacious enough to include a dining nook in addition to the kitchen and elegant living room.
Poplar wood paneling in natural tones creates a peaceful, soft feel and is beautifully highlighted by all the natural light that filters in, thanks to the strategically placed glass windows. The liberal use of black accents for visual contrast is what gives L'Epilobe its contemporary feel. The black joinery on the windows frames the light wood backdrop beautifully, and the matte black cabinetry in the kitchen creates a striking contrast. The finishing touches are the golden yellow furniture and fixtures in the main living room and bedroom for a pop of color and a touch of glamour.
One of the distinguishing features of the Epilobe is the beautiful row of five windows on one side, including the glass door. It instantly makes the house more sophisticated both from the outside and the inside. The large windows also keep the entire house bathed in natural light, with beautiful views of the surrounding nature from every angle.
Photo: Tiny House Tarentaise/Instagram
Another standout feature is the floor-to-ceiling partition wall between the bedroom and the main living area. It’s ingenious because it helps create separation and privacy without actually blocking the view or closing off the area. In other words, it maintains a sense of unobstructed flow from one end of the home to the other, which is essential in small spaces.
Thanks to this elegant partition panel, the bedroom seems more spacious and open, while also benefiting from sufficient privacy. A large panoramic window keeps it connected to nature and bright. In addition to the comfortable bed for two, there is also space for a built-in storage area on the back of the wooden panel.
A classic sofa dominates the living area and is cleverly positioned to get the best view and plenty of natural light. It pairs with the matte kitchen cabinets for a sleek, sophisticated look. The versatile, multifunctional dining nook adds functionality while blending in seamlessly with the overall style. This is both a practical dining area and a home office with plenty of window space, a great fit that takes up minimal floor space.
Photo: Tiny House Tarentaise/Instagram
As for the bathroom, it follows the same principle of elegance mixed with sustainability. While the toilet is an eco-friendly and dry option, it is integrated into an elegant design with a remarkably spacious shower (120 x 80 cm), a large sink and an elegant oval mirror.
Although it is a one-bedroom home, Epilobe encourages people to spend time together despite its compact size. The open plan living and dining area is perfect for entertaining guests while taking in the beautiful views. Additionally, its sustainable features will give owners peace of mind and a more balanced lifestyle in harmony with nature, as well as greater long-term convenience.
Like all Tarentaise homes, L'Epilobe was designed and built to suit the needs of its owners. Those who want to go a step further in terms of sustainable living can opt for the off-grid package, which includes a solar panel system and dedicated features for water storage and purification.