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Brilliant Tiny House by Tiny Diamond Homes


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This is a Brilliant model tiny house by Tiny Diamond Homes that has triple-axles and is 30′ long.

Outside, you’ll notice this simple but classic design for a tiny house on wheels: a rectangle with tall ceilings to provide room for two lofts. It has beige vinyl siding, white trim and cranberry red shutters and metal roofing.

When you go inside, you’ll find knotting pine paneling contrasted with lovely white wainscoted cabinets. The kitchen sits kitty-corner for optimizing space and includes a tiny oven and stove top. Through the kitchen, you’ll find the bathroom, complete with a composting toilet, and a washer/dryer combo. Over the kitchen and bathroom is one loft where the bed sits, and across the house is another loft over the gray L-shaped couch. A pine ladder can be moved around to give you access to both lofts.

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Brilliant Tiny House by Tiny Diamond Homes

Brilliant by Tiny Diamond Homes 001

Images © Tiny Diamond Homes

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Images © Tiny Diamond Homes

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Natalie C. McKee

Natalie C. McKee is a contributor for Tiny House Talk and the Tiny House Newsletter. She's a wife, and mama of three little kids. She and her family are homesteaders with sheep, goats, chickens, ducks and quail on their happy little acre.
{ 23 comments… add one }
  • hunter
    February 19, 2016, 4:07 pm

    why do people place the lofts so high up. can’t they be framed starting at say 6 foot from floor? we all are not 6 foot or over. that way the lofts would have more head room, and not so high from floor area. just a thought…..

    • Sharon
      February 20, 2016, 7:23 pm

      Hunter, if you build your own tiny house you can design the loft as high or as low as you want, but I think that lower than 6 ft would be a little uncomfortable. Most lofts have plenty of headroom where even someone 6ft + can sit up in it, on the mattress and have plenty of room between their head and the ceiling. Someone suggested a pop-up ceiling which is a nice idea 🙂

  • david
    February 19, 2016, 6:50 pm

    I FULLY AGREE with Mr Eric Zachary Ryder above! He says exactly what I am thinking every time Alex is kind enough to show us these many wonderful ideas. The one thing that’s always missing in american THOWs is the extendable roof.
    In my opinion every THOW should have one. It’s easy (at least my design), it’s cheap to do, it’s weatherproof (at least my design), and it is a MUST for permanent livability. You can crawl in your bed on a weekend holiday, but I cannot do that through to old age. And I don’t WANT to do that for more than a weekend. We are not caveman or rabbits!
    A mattress on the floor to gain height? Every THOW does that. Why? No need to! It attracts bugs, you don’t have air circulation above your head (SO important for quality of life!), and you FEEL like a rabbit. Arrgh! Not for me. Not one of them. No matter how clever in all other regards some of the THOWs here on Alex’ blog are.
    The Biggest problem of today’s tiny house movement is: All the builders (in US at least) make us feel…… tiny, unimportant, unworthy! What a waste for human growth and happiness!
    Create room above your head, live BIG in a tiny house. This is what US builders need to learn to incorporate as standard in every THOW.

    Now, Mr Eric Zachary Ryder goes even beyond that: pop-outs on the side as well. That would be ideal, again I agree. Only problem with those: I have no side pop-out design that is fully weatherproof (think of -30C, gusts, monsoon rain, … and you know what I speak of). And seemingly no one else has: all pop-outs I’ve seen are NOT. They may still be usable in some locations though, sure.

    But two full-height floors? Easy! And SO worth it for quality of life! And of course, a proper staircase. Narrow is fine, just not a ladder! Are we all teenagers or what? If you can foresee to live in your THOW into old age, do you have any idea how you will struggle to climb down a ladder at 70? Or, when you are sick? Good night.

    This is why you see so many people having built their THOW, and shortly after, they rent it out or sell it! They realize: F&CK, I can’t feel well in this S&ithole! I want to breathe, I want to open up my mind, I want to LIVE. I can’t do that with barely a meter above my toes. I would never pay 50k, 70k, or even 120k on a THOW where the builder didn’t think of the most important thing: Humans walk upright. Everywhere. Where we don’t, we feel like a monkey.

    • Sandi B
      February 19, 2016, 8:15 pm

      I fully agree with what both you and Eric have to say. There should be minimally pop up roofs over the main bedroom area at least. You do have to remember with a roof that raises and a foundation that is a trailer that high winds will take it over. My RV is 9 feet from the ground to the top of the roof and high winds almost blow it over. You would want to remember that if you are going to have high winds you would want to lower the roof to ride them out, or have really good anchors. I am not sure you would really need the roof to rise up high enough where you could fully stand up — if you look at lofted park models that is not the case, but the roof is high enough where you do not have to bend over that far and you would be able to make the bed etc. Also, you can go, as I have been told up to 11 feet wide and still tow it on the road yourself, you just need to get appropriate permits and be sure of the requirements for each state you would tow it through. Lets face it, these units are really not intended to be towed all the time, but to get around zoning laws. I have a 36 foot RV with a super slide and even that, while certainly easily towed and I did use it for weekend camping up in Washington, I have only moved it six times in the last 16 years — I towed it down here to Southern California, then in the first two years I moved it five times to different parks due to San Diego’s time limits for living in an RV Park and then in the last 14 years I have only had to move it once. I would love to see the design you have for a raise-able roof. My thought would to basically have the roof section and side walls where they are just enough larger where they could easily slide down over the lower part and to use rubber gaskets to seal around the bottom of the upper section.

      Also, there is no reason you can not have a slide, most all RV’s these days have them and they are actually easy to weather proof for the extremes in weather that you talk about. I also agree as to the ladders — stairs are not that difficult and if your living area has a slideout it would really not take up living space, so-to-speak. You just need to header in the slide and create pieces that you can cover over the flexable part of the slide on either side to create a solid, insulated enclosure without openings at top and bottom. Not that difficult to do.

      I also believe they need full size refrigerators and ovens to be truly doable for full time living. Who want to have to made trips to the store everyday because your frig is too small? I also do not see how one would get away without having a storage shed, because unless you are truly a minimalist who has been living in a tent you need to have some storage available, Plus you need closets for clothes and such.

      • Sandi B
        February 19, 2016, 8:22 pm

        oops, please excuse the wrong words, my keyboard does not seem to want to use the correct letters for the words I am trying to say LOL.

      • Eric
        February 20, 2016, 4:41 am

        Sandi, creating a pop out for an RV is very different than for a tiny home. Reason being that a Tiny Home is made of sturdier materials etc. RV’s are made to implode in 5/10 years. Part of the infamous money go round politics of the economy.

        So, because they use lightweight (junky?) materials they can create a barrier to the weather quite easily. But RV’s typically have zero insulation, and walls that are just a few millimetres (fractions of an inch) thick. Makes them easier to move and click into place, but at the cost of lack of durability and insulation levels.

        • Sandi B
          February 21, 2016, 6:05 am

          Aaaah, where is your inventiveness — not everyone is going to be living where the temp gets to 30 below. And RV’s are not that flimsily built — mine is a 1994, and doing just fine except where a tree came through the back end and basically totaled it, but this tree would have taken out a “house” built THOW as well. Moving the slide in and out easily depends on the motor and winch assembly you use and the over all torque of the motor. One needs to look at doing the slide using 2×2’s instead of 2×4’s and utilizing better insulation. I do not have a problem keeping my rig heated or cooled and the temps where I am are in the triple digits and the nights can easily get down below 30 degrees. AND I have an 8×2 foot hole through my roof. My rig is not a bottom feeder and was made with sound materials or it would not have withstood the tree as well as it did, but alas it needs rebuilding. Where there is a will there is a way and with today’s materials pretty much anything is possible. Men, no foresight.

  • Kristina H Nadreau
    February 19, 2016, 9:01 pm

    for a tiny that is 30 ft long, I expect better layout. no part of this one works. small badly laid out kitchen, bath with a litterbox toilet??? washer? Who is this house designed for?? someone agile enough to climb a ladder, affluent enough to purchase a large tiny house, who is also willing to use a litter box, while seldom cooking, who wants to do their laundry at home. I do not know who fits this house

    • BruceMcF
      February 19, 2016, 10:27 pm

      As far as who it would be designed for, the starting point would be someone who does not share your animus toward composting toilets.

    • Sharon
      February 20, 2016, 11:34 am

      Kristina, it seems that you don’t really understand the true concept of tiny living. Not every design suits everyone, but the purpose of living small and with less is to have a bigger and better life focusing on the important things. Litterbox???? The compost toilet is what everyone on this earth should be using. The ladder can be replaced with stairs, but who determined that we can’t climb when we are 70 or even 80? You can cook as much as you want – it’s an individual choice. . And I thought that most people do their laundry at home, which to me is more convenient than hauling clothes to a laundry mat. It sounds living tiny does not fit you. All the best!

      • Ann
        February 20, 2016, 7:35 pm

        Hi Sharon, I agree with your comments. However, I doubt most people in their 70’s and 80’s would be willing to take the daily risk of falling off a ladder. The fact is, the older we get the easier it is to be injured and the harder it is to recover. I’m only 50 yet the notion of going up and down a ladder just to go to bed is daunting (not to mention late night pee runs). It would only take one spill off that ladder to ruin an older person’s dream of tiny living and independence. When I looked at the pictures for this TH the first thing I thought was: I could put the bed where the couch is. lol.
        Cheers.

        • Sharon
          February 20, 2016, 8:00 pm

          Hi Ann, while it’s true that it’s harder for older adults to recover from a fall, I feel that sometimes people limit themselves because of their age. But that’s another subject for discussion! And while there are ladders I’ve tried that are more comfortable than others, I personally do prefer stairs that are built along the side of the wall that are definitely easier to use and because they can also be used for storage 🙂 Also, I’ve seen several designs that allow for a couch bed downstairs, even a niche in back for a single mattress. The sky is the limit 🙂

        • BruceMcF
          February 21, 2016, 12:43 am

          And it’s not just about the risk of falling off a ladder, it’s also about wishing to climb up and down a ladder. A loft bedroom would have been a much better fit to me when I was in my 20’s and 30’s than now in my 50’s, and its not going to become a better fit in the decade ahead.

          But it’s possible to have both … a main floor bed and a loft space with storage and also a possibility for a visitor to sleep.

          I do like the murphy bed approach … I would very much like to have a work desk / table structure that becomes the central support for a murphy bed that folds down from a wall. If this is furthest from the entry, then that places the kitchen area closer to the entry.

  • Bigfoot
    February 19, 2016, 9:59 pm

    David, I agree with you regarding those ridiculously small loft spaces (I’m 6’4″ – not 4’6″) . I’ve only seen one loft (guy from New Zealand) that might remotely work for me but the reality is I really don’t want to be climbing ladders or steps. Lofts are for kids IMO & a bed on the floor? No way. I’ve thought about a rising roof/wall system for awhile now. I have a few ideas. I’d love to check out your design. Do you have any plans or time for a detailed description of the mechanics? Built one yet? Pictures?

    I think I have a slide out design that would be very strong, well insulated, AND watertight. I’ll be building a small single axle THOW this year. It will be set up more as a heavily built/insulated traveler & will be built from scratch. I have the trailer frame/suspension design complete (could not find anything commercially available that was acceptable to me) & have the complete driveline/suspension on hand (5,200lb axle less suspension with self adjusting brakes). Currently sourcing the steel for the frame. I have numerous design layouts & many ideas. A few favorites but nothing finalized.

    I am currently employed, nearing retirement age, & want to get started building THOW, travelers, & skid based TH’s full time as a small business in the next year or two. I’m in Florida. Not looking to do large scale production, just whatever me, my wife & a helper can produce with the emphasis on top quality materials/techniques & design/build options for the customer. I was self employed for 2 decades in construction until the 2008 implosion.

    There are many nice THOW units out there. However, after checking them out for several years, the majority seem near cookie cutter in design to me at this point. Mostly wood interiors/exteriors, gable roof with dormers, lofts with steps/ladders, metal roofs. I mean no disrespect to any of you builders out there & I’m not knocking any of your creations. Many are truly beautiful & well done & every once in awhile something unique & ingenuitive crops up. Also, I get that it’s fairly difficult to step outside the box with such a small footprint to work with. I just see room for some different options in many areas of these builds.

    For anyone reading, I’d love your input on what you would want in a small single axle THOW designed to travel. While trying to keep the GVW down is an important aspect, building an ultralight is not in the cards for me. I’ll leave that to the factories. Any input is appreciated!!

    • Eric
      February 20, 2016, 4:48 am

      I agree about no beds on the floor. For crying out loud, when I get out of bed, whether to go to the toilet or just getting up (or getting into bed for that matter) I don’t want to struggle up from (or down to) the ground/floor. I’m too old for that sort of malarkey. While I’d not have a problem with a loft zone for the bedroom I’d certainly want some space above my head for reading and other recreational pursuits (read whatever you like into that). My knees ain’t great. My lower back even less so. If it doesn’t work for me I ain’t going there. Simple really. Life’s too short. I groan and creak enough as it is.

  • Valerie
    February 19, 2016, 11:44 pm

    I like the look of the cottage too. Stairs would be so nice.

    • Eric
      February 20, 2016, 4:48 am

      Cottage? What cottage??

  • Chel
    February 20, 2016, 11:05 am

    Good comments on here.
    Kitchen storage and equipment need not take up an enormous amount of room. Several ordinary homes I have lived in have had small kitchens and been functional. Just need to be properly planned for use, not appearance. Good equipment not novelties, fold/pull out extra workspace, space for moving about and doing chores easily doesn’t require the dimensions of a mansion.
    Murphy beds with hinged shelves that become bed supports whilst still holding shelf stuff in place are good. Proper bed height and air flow for mattress, easy mechanisms for moving them for the infirm, plenty of breathing space for night time activity. Or beds on pulleys that can be raised out of the way during daytime living. Overcomes the problem of climbing up and down to claustrophobic lofts.
    A wall of cabinets facing a wall of windows allows for access to all work and hobbies yet still close them away when not needed. Long term storage can be found in shallow loft cupboards or under seating.
    Having lots of belongings isn’t possible in the smallest of houses. Having space for treasured possessions should be worked into the layout and décor so that they don’t have to be hidden away in boxes. Ledges and hanging space can be found wherever movement isn’t required. A shelf formed by a gap between upper and lower cupboards would allow a sense of the full dimensions of the space to be felt and still have somewhere to put books and ornaments. Or several shelves like a bookcase between said cupboards. Collapsible open boxes made out of sturdy textiles could easily be stored away and used to hold loose items on the few occasions the house is moved.
    Just a few ideas to add to yours for the mill.

    • Bigfoot
      February 20, 2016, 9:55 pm

      Hi Chel, all good ideas & great design considerations! Regarding kitchens, as I survey mine, there is a great deal of stuff that could be eliminated. I currently live in about 650 sq ft with my wife & the space includes a bedroom I keep for my grand daughter.

      I’ve seen a few designs that had storage in the floor. If you were to build without the height of the typical loft units, a false floor above the main floor structure could be built giving numerous areas for storage (maybe even pop up furniture) & still maintaining a lower profile than a loft unit.

      I like the murphy beds & having one that lowers down over a couch seems quite sensible to me. I’m favorably inclined to a rail/line mounted bed system that raises to the ceiling & lowers as needed. Would like a system that easily raises & lowers so virtually any able bodied person can utilize it. I’ve looked around online for a good while but have not seen anything similar (manually operated). It’s a concept I’ll be working on down the road.

      Rather than trying a bump out with living space, I believe a smaller unit(s) could be made just for storage. Pocket door? Why not build it custom sized making it wide enough to be a large but shallow cabinet (kinda like a giant medicine cabinet) for small items. I see a great deal of generic cabinetry that doesn’t do justice in regards to storage in a small unit. Those shallow cupboards you mentioned would be a great place to add lighting underneath (reading, general, or mood lighting).

      Finally, out of all the hundreds of units I’ve looked at, I can only remember a few that had provisions to be properly tied down & secured. As far as I’m concerned this should be mandatory for all THOW’s & RV’s. Having lived in Fl all my life & been through about a half dozen hurricanes has definitely influenced my thoughts in that area.

      • May 9, 2016, 6:34 pm

        One size and one style never fits all. Pocket doors are tricky on our homes, we run plumbing to the shower on one side. The other side has electrical switches and wiring, and a heat vent at the bottom. We keep all the interior plumbing inside the insulation. Every decision has a compromise, time vs money, windows vs storage and insulation, more height in the loft less clearance under the trailer, door on the end wall less sheer panel, storage in the floor may mean less insulation or less clearance. It is so much fun to read and know how different and alike we all are.

  • Gayle
    February 22, 2016, 11:32 am

    I have always wondered why designers don’t put storage under the floor instead of using a loft with a ladder or stairs. I believe this is more effective for seniors who might not want to climb frequently. We have built simple wooden slatted platforms for seating and sleeping. Sleeping/living areas can be combined for a one or two person home.

    • Sharon
      February 22, 2016, 12:21 pm

      Gayle,, there are a few THOW that have been shown here with storage under the floor. It’s a fantastic use of otherwise wasted space.

  • May 9, 2016, 6:20 pm

    Thank you for sharing our Tiny Diamond Home which was designed with and for Carl and Paula to place on their land for weekend use. They have two grown college aged children. They chose the interior layout and finishes which included Arcadia 3/4″ finished hardwood. The walls are solid pine 3/4″X5″X16′ tongue and groove planks that have been cut to length to randomize end joints. These were carefully pounded with a rubber mallet making a tight fit of the tongue into the groove before being shot with brad nails. The countertops are Corian with a 21″ 3-burner stove and over with a large drawers for pots underneath. The angled sink with pull-out faucet give ample space underneath for the propane tankless hot water heater which includes an anti-freeze mechanism. Carl and Paula were originally planning on sleeping on the L-shaped couch, which has lots of interior storage, and rolling into a queen-size bed, but the loft called to them. Even with 8 large drawers and two floor to ceiling cabinets in bead board from Ikea they added a 39″w X90″h wardrobe closet with lots of hanging spaces, shelves for blankets, and shoe holders. Electrical meets IRC 2015 with GFI outlets in the kitchen and around the sink in the bathroom. A thermostat controlled propane furnace with ducts in the bathroom, kitchen, and living room. The roof is metal with self-sealing ice and water dam moisture barrier underneath and pitched for snow loads. The siding is primed wood, double lap, that has been painted. The house is ready for gutters if desired. These pictures were taken before Carl and Paula had truly moved in. Today you will find clothes in the closet, television, mattresses and more. Every home we build is different and will continue to be different that is the fun! The next one will be a 30 ft. with a rounded roof with different window sizes and placement, and no lofts. Thank you and not only does one size not fit all, everybody likes to paint a different picture.

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