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GROUND FLOOR PLAN

The 1,120-square-foot structure is compact enough that it doesn’t encroach on the kids’ play area.

In such a small space “you have to organize, and every piece takes a decision,” says resident Heidi Wright. The couple keep things they use less frequently, like guest bedding, in the higher cabinets.

“Try to group uses and find solutions that solve multiple problems,” Borowski counsels. As an example, Pozner cites the idea of having the loft stairs double as clothing drawers. Though he eschewed a handrail, preferring a cleaner look, Pozner says that the slipperiness of the stairs “remains a work in progress. We had grooves, but they hurt my feet.” The pair are now looking into heavy-duty felt treads.

The wooden box is as functional as it is finely crafted, with room for clothes up top. Each niche holds treasures from travels, family keepsakes, books, and more.

“The seven foot long couch is more than adequate for use as an extra sleeping surface and all five of the stair steps are a great location to sit, often times with make shift pillow cushions taken from the couch,” says Robert.

Photo caption: The second floor features this clever storage design—a “hidden space,” as co-design studio refers to it.

Perforated cabinet faces above the reading nook conceal an energy-efficient, mini-split heating and cooling system. Bleached and whitewashed maple lines the nook, while drawers below provide plenty of storage.

Built-ins reduce the need for furniture.

In the living area, a sliding door conceals the loft from the hallway leading to the office, thus opening the space up by revealing extra square footage in the bedroom. When it’s time for bed, the door slides shut for privacy.

When redesigning “Madmen” actor Vincent Kartheiser’s Hollywood cabin, architect Funn Roberts installed custom shoji-style screens of to conceal the closet and provide privacy for the adjacent shower and soaking tub.

Sliding fritted glass doors provide privacy and sectioned-off spaces when needed.

A child's sleeping area has curtains for privacy.

Inspired by the Sydney Opera House, architects Andrew Maynard and Mark Austin paid careful attention to the extension’s “fifth elevation"—the way it’s seen from the sky. Its tiny houses, clustered at the southern end of the property, are clad in white steel panels and western red cedar shingles, contrasting materials that emphasize their geometric forms.

The living room sports a panoply of wood: Douglas fir for the ceiling, hemlock for the walls, and stained oak for the floor. The sofa is the Neo model by Bensen and the rug is vintage.

The design team wanted to create a cabin that felt connected to nature, both in the exterior and interior. The organic form sits easily in the landscape, while large windows invite garden views inside.

According to Remijnse, since the only direction they could build on the small site was up, they decided to add height with a gabled roof.

Located in sunny Southern California, The Zen Cottages offers three different models—as well as custom-built tiny homes—that are typically between 16 to 32 feet long and between 8 to 10 feet wide. Although the larger homes aren't ideal for transporting, the smaller Alpine model is built for long hauls and can even travel through rocky terrain. The interiors are light-filled, simple, and efficient, with careful attention to natural materials.

Here are the 'after' plans.