Exotic 248 Sq. Ft. Tiny Home Inspired by India & Morocco (Video)

One might not imagine a tiny house as an exotic refuge from the daily tribulations of the world, but that is what Anita of Portland, Oregon has done with this spacious tiny specimen. She has dubbed it "The Lilypad." Decked out with sumptuous fabrics from far-flung places, the Lilypad's 248-square-foot interior is inspired by colours and textures from Morocco and India. It features a clever layout with two lofts, freeing up the central area as a full-height space, lined on one side by two decorative stairs.

There's a lot to love about this enticing eco-sanctuary, as you can see in this great video tour from Tiny House Giant Journey below.

© Lilypad Planet

Anita chose to downsize in order to make her dream of becoming an animal massage therapist come true. She sold everything of value, saving up for a qualified builder (Small Home Oregon) and worked with a design consultant (Lina Menard of Niche Consulting, see the post on Lina's tiny home here) to realize the Lilypad. Built on a 24-foot long trailer, the Lilypad measures 8.5 feet wide and 13 feet 5 inches tall at the highest point.

© Lilypad Planet

This is one of the most intriguing two-loft designs we've seen. There's an emphasis on openness and height. The lofts overlook a large, central space, and are defined by a gorgeous set of decorative lattice screens that are reminiscent of the jali found in traditional Indian interiors. There are two almost-full-size flights of stairs leading off to either loft, one of which is the sitting room, and the other, the bedroom. The stairs act as storage, hiding a multitude of things, including a pull-out table and kitty litter box.

Tiny House Giant Journey/Video screen capture

Tiny House Giant Journey/Video screen capture

© Lilypad Planet

© Lilypad Planet

© Lilypad Planet

On the ground level, there's a generous galley kitchen with an 8-foot long counter space. Cooking is done with a pressure-free denatured alcohol cook stove (think of those buffet food warmers). Painted sliding doors on the ground level lead to a bathroom with a tub, and also to an office specifically sized to Anita's petite 5-foot height. The office also doubles as a dressing room, outfitted with two closets.

© Lilypad Planet

© Lilypad Planet

© Lilypad Planet

© Lilypad Planet

The Lilypad is built for both on- and off-grid living. A wall-mounted Dickinson woodstove and Envi unit provides heat; a four-panel, 940-watt solar panel array provides power; there's the requisite composting toilet; and there's a rainwater harvesting and storage system that provides filtered water for bathing and washing.

© Lilypad Planet

In all, Anita invested about USD $30,000 for the whole build, including labour, and is now experimenting with aeroponics as a water-saving way to grow some of her own food within this small footprint. Her exuberant style and love of animals shines through in this unique project, and in addition to her budding pet massage service, Now & Zen, she is planning to give tours and workshops in the future.