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Funky, Whimsical Little House Built Using 1920s Streetcars


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This is a funky, whimsical little house built using old streetcars.

This couple purchased the run-down property and turned it into an amazing house.

Please enjoy, learn more, and re-share below. Thank you!

Funky, Whimsical Little House Built Using 1920s Streetcars

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Screenshots via YouTube/HouzzTV

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streetcar-house-2

Screenshots via YouTube/HouzzTV

Video: Funky Beach House Made from Old Streetcars

Highlights

  • 1920s renovated streetcars
  • 750 sq. ft.
  • Close to beach, Santa Cruz

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Resources

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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.

Latest posts by Natalie C. McKee (see all)

{ 20 comments… add one }
  • Gail Butler
    October 4, 2016, 5:26 pm

    I love this. I never thought I would like the colors but they seem just right for this home. It’s a home not a house.

    • Natalie
      October 5, 2016, 6:01 am

      I agree! They are so bright, but work so well together. Great design!

  • Sally Schrock
    October 4, 2016, 5:55 pm

    WOW! Talk about unique, innovative and special… this is IT! I would move into this in a heartbeat. The colors and interior decor are absolutely perfect. BRAVO!

    • Natalie
      October 5, 2016, 6:02 am

      I completely agree — such a great re-use of something 🙂 And it’s beautiful!

  • Patricia Schneider
    October 4, 2016, 6:28 pm

    I love this! The size is perfect for my husband, me, and our kitties. I would change the colors a bit because we like a place that feels more serene and peaceful. but I wouldn’t change anything else. I love the layout, how it’s decorated—everything. I am only 5 ft. tall and my husband is only 5’8″, so the lower ceilings and doors would not be a bother to us. We would love to find a place like this by a river or lake.

  • October 4, 2016, 11:25 pm

    My initial feeling w/ the New Orleans street cars was “this would make a great tiny home!” I knew then I was not quite right and must have become delirious w/ the tiny house fever. I love the gypsy boho style, so the colors work for me. I will be doing some sort of green in my living room and happily I found the right shade that alluded me in this video. This has it going on a lot more than many of the boho tiny homes that are not really boho. Close to my heart as I am doing the gypsy boho decor and planning to go all out eventually. I love this beautiful real home of a home. From someone who was always addicted to black and gray modern: these colors they have work for me and as these bright colors come into my home, as well, I can’t say how much they help make for homey. Really at small sizes like this home or far less it makes it very joyful to be in.

    • Janet
      November 8, 2016, 1:12 pm

      J Dark, I was going to say the same thing. This house looks like it belongs in New Orleans not Santa Cruz. This couple is so creative, but these colors are not for me. I’m sure this house is a show stopper and they have people stopping by all the time, which is fantastic. I love the European style that is simple with light wood (spruce or light pine) with great storage. I do commend people who are brave enough to put together these bold colors together. They work and look great. I love the trolley car roof and the stained glass (real or not) accent.

      • Natalie
        November 8, 2016, 1:18 pm

        Yes they are super bold! Not for me necessarily, but kudos for them 🙂 — Tiny House Talk Team

  • Kim Pratt
    October 5, 2016, 12:37 am

    I love it, it is just right size. The colors are very nice, and I love the stained glass windows above, how beautiful when the sun shines thru them at various times of the day. This is such a neat set up. I hope you all are enjoying this house as it seems you are. Thank you for sharing this video with the rest of us, enjoyed seeing it.

    Kim Pratt

  • oxide
    October 5, 2016, 11:48 am

    This reminds me of the 1958 children’s book “The Trolley Car Family,” A trolley car operator is laid off when the trolley company switches to buses. So he drives his now-obsolete trollycar to the end of the rail tracks and moves the whole family into the car. I recall that the book even had a floor plan! There are still lots of used copies of the book for sale.

    • Natalie
      October 7, 2016, 5:14 am

      Wow that’s so interesting 🙂 Thanks for sharing! — Tiny House Talk Team

    • Roxann
      November 8, 2016, 11:11 am

      I was thinking the same thing! I loved this book as a child.

  • ger
    October 5, 2016, 2:51 pm

    Your home is awesome. Are you in a community in Santa Cruz? I think it is just beautiful. If anyone says otherwise they are jealous.

  • LadyDell
    October 5, 2016, 3:14 pm

    Unique and beautiful! The ceiling in the living room is just amazing!

  • Sarah
    November 9, 2016, 5:22 am

    This is delightful! The colors are great, not just bright and fun but also well-coordinated with each other. A streetcar! How cool. I love what Gerhard did with the lighting and the stained glass look that changes colors. I really love this whole thing. What a wonderful home you have created for yourselves.

    • Natalie
      November 9, 2016, 6:30 am

      I really love this one as well 🙂 — Tiny House Talk Team

  • ZACHARY E MOHRMANN
    November 9, 2016, 9:17 am

    Can you say Molly Croft ceiling …? Because that is what it’s called and you don’t have to have a street car built into your house to have one.. I mean yes no doubt this house was built out of a bunch of gathered different box type frames and joined together in order to create this home and yes it is different, and off the beaten path, but that is what it’s all about… Creating something from what you have around you at the time to work with, And then making a house from it, to give you what you need in life, shelter, comfort, and most of all in which the color play outside and in some cases inside this tiny house show, A happy whimsical atmosphere that you now call home….! Enjoy…! I know I did when I seen the beautiful pictures, and video of this tiny house…! Hopefully it does what I would hope all houses of this type to do, and that being to inspire you to build your own tiny house of whimsy….!

    • Natalie
      November 10, 2016, 10:08 am

      Whimsy is amazing 🙂 — Tiny House Talk Team

  • Adina Hirschmann
    June 15, 2017, 3:23 pm

    Great looking project! When I first saw the ceiling, I thought it might be a skylight that used stained glass for privacy. Very creative. I liked how everything was all on one level. All the rooms looked spacious enough for normal-size furniture and well appointed. I was just wondering how many streetcars were used for the build? Technical details how they were fastened together? Floor plan? Mechanicals and HVAC? I would have used my stainless steel appliances in the kitchen as a matter of personal preference, as well as my MCM and Art Deco furniture. Just like with shipping containers, seems like a sustainable way to repurpose materials for a new era.

    • Natalie C. McKee
      June 16, 2017, 11:13 am

      I wish I had those answers, Adina! I’m afraid I only know what was in the video :/ But it is a super cool place to admire 🙂

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