When you close your eyes and imagine your ideal home, what does it look like? Is it a sweeping mansion or a humble abode? Does it sit on hundreds of acres or on a busy city street? Is it modern or historic?
Personally, I've never been quite sure. Some days I want something teeny and contemporary, while others I dream of something massive and grand.
But when I saw this rustic cottage, my mind was made up: Without a doubt, the house you're about to see is my dream home. Of all the tiny houses I've ever seen, this is by far the best I've come across.
Dubbed the Shabby Chic Tiny Retreat — or, affectionately, the "Menopause Cave" — this house is absolutely dripping with rustic charm. Its lovely owner, Tonita, has clearly spared no detail in its design — and she wants others to follow in her footsteps. "I hope that my little retreat will inspire more women to create their own little sanctuaries," she wrote to us. (After you see our photos below, be sure to check out her beautiful blog to see more!)
As you tour its adorable details, can you picture yourself living here? Let us know in the comments below!
Please SHARE if you'd love a tiny sanctuary all your own!
In Washington state, a tiny house of epically cute proportions sits nestled on rolling green hills.
Measuring just 8' x 24' and totaling only $10,000, this tiny house started off simple.
But in the hands of Tonita, what began as a Plain Jane tiny house quickly transformed into a shabby chic dream home.
Complete with old shutters, a white picket fence, and some plump hens, this house is a rustic fairytale.
Throughout the warm little home, no nook or cranny was neglected. Every corner of the house is drenched in detail.
Tonita's decor changes with her whims and the seasons, so this shabby chic home is a revolving door of precious decor.
The front porch, which measures 8' x 6', is complete with lace curtains and weathered furniture. It's perfect for chilled lemonade with friends.
The beauty only increases when you walk in. The home's interior, measuring 8' x 18', might be small, but it's packed with detail.
For Tonita, the house plays many roles: "A place of enchantment, security, safety, whimsy, fun, entertainment, a studio, a hideout, a guest cottage... My chic shack, my menopause cave, my inner child playhouse, and whatever else it involves into."
The little space glitters with warm lights, glowing chandeliers, and flowing curtains.
The galley-style kitchen features gingerbread trim, a tin tile backsplash, and a sweet two-burner cooktop.
Every cup, saucer, and spoon is a loving detail. No utility items here!
The ladder, used to access the two bedroom lofts, was designed to align with a set of kitchen shelves.
An apartment-sized refrigerator and freezer were built into the walls of the little kitchen.
Though the space is pint-sized, Tonita is able to entertain friends and family for any occasion.
During the holidays, her little space comes alive with fresh boughs cut from trees outside.
The bathroom, closed by a screen door, is plenty big enough for a miniature bathtub and, of course, more rustic frills.
The house is tiny, but it boasts three beds in total. The first is a cozy nook on the ground floor.
Draped in breezy curtains and fluffy pillows, hours could be spent reading or just admiring the view.
When evening falls, the billowy curtains are pulled shut and the chandelier glows.
Above, the guest loft is like a charming attic space, complete with its own chandelier. The floor is downy with soft rugs.
Climb the ladder on the opposite side and you'll find the master loft.
Another chandelier and more warm florals decorate the sweet loft.
Back in the living space below, Tonita repurposed an old screen door to make a built-in pantry.
For dining, she sometimes uses a 200-year-old farm table.
When it's time for tea, she switches out the rustic country look for a softer, more feminine feel.
But the shabby chic eye candy doesn't stop there! Outside her tiny house, Tonita has a whole charming village! To the right of her house is a chicken coop and its attached run, followed by a shed for storage.
You might think a chicken coop would be a feathery mess, but not Tonita's!
Her chickens enjoy a home no less cute than her own! She stores their feed in an antique milk jug, and she lights the coop with another dainty chandelier.
The walls are lined with a vintage paper and decorated with cute touches she found at yard sales.
Their nesting box is 150 years old and lined with organic hay. Their names are delicately scrawled above each nest.
When she finished decorating her fowl retreat, her dogs of course had to inspect. It looks like they approve.
It seems like the hens and roosters approve, too!
So, can you picture yourself in this shabby chic cottage?
Personally, if I ever move into a tiny house, I'll be taking a page out of Tonita's book!
Please SHARE if this is the house of your dreams!
