Many people of the younger generations worry about how housing is becoming increasingly unaffordable. Contrary to stereotypes, younger people are not necessarily the careless spendthrifts wasting their money on lattes and avocado toasts, but rather have been confronted with one setback after another – economic recessions, stagnant wages, and ballooning student debt—all of which have affected their ability to afford the astronomically rising price tag of a conventionally built home.
Young people like Fort Worth, Dallas-based interior designer Sydne Gold have, in fact, thought long and hard about conventional homeownership as previous generations have defined it. Yet, even after careful consideration, and doing all the “right” things like saving up money for a home, Gold eventually realized that designing and living in her own tiny home was actually a better fit for her, rather than owning a typical single-family home. We get a tour of her carefully designed tiny world via Tiny Home Tours:
As Gold explains, transitioning from an apartment to a tiny house was easy and made sense for her:
The tiny house’s exterior features wood siding, done with a modern aesthetic and profile. There is some artificial greenery around the bottom of the home to hide the wheels underneath.
The interior has been designed in a way that creates distinct zones that function almost like separate rooms, yet is all visually connected. High ceilings are the emphasis here, in addition to integrating as much hidden storage as possible.
We enter the laundry room area first. This space was designed with a separate washer and dryer in mind, as Gold didn’t want the longer drying times of a combination washer-dryer. The long counter here serves as a place to not only fold clothes but as a place to sort groceries or papers. The wooden screen structure here provides a sense of spatial separation, without closing the area off completely.
The raised level of the living room platform subtly suggests a change of space, while also providing an opportunity for some underfloor drawers on both ends of the living room.
The living room’s design is centered around a vibrant painting on one wall, and a large television on the other, since Gold is an avid watcher of films and television shows. The scheme also factors in some of Gold’s furniture from her old apartment, like the convertible couch-bed, and a storage ottoman. The omission of windows here means more privacy, yet ample sunlight pours in via the overhead skylight.
This swiveling tabletop is one of Gold’s favorite things in the house, as it serves as a strategic place for her to work, eat (while watching television), or prepare food.
The kitchen is simply gorgeous and includes a long counter outfitted with a farmhouse sink, a compact dishwasher and refrigerator, microwave, portable cooktop, and open shelving to display her dishes.
Beyond the kitchen sits the bathroom, which also has a lot of storage cabinets, and a nook for washing up.
The shower is almost spa-like, thanks to its larger size, and the use of natural-looking and patterned materials.
Back into the kitchen and up the stairs, which have integrated storage drawers, we come into the bedroom loft, which features a section where one can stand up and access the closet. To keep things feeling open, there is a picture window and a skylight. Of course, there is an extra television here where Gold can watch films in bed.
Gold’s tiny house is really an expression of who she is, and is a result of her conscientious thinking about the current housing market, and how wasteful it can be:
In the end, Gold’s smart use of level changes, high ceilings, and storage everywhere has helped to create a space that really feels well-designed, and a home that is uniquely hers to enjoy and thrive in. To see more, visit her Instagram.
