This Small Home is a Design Masterpiece

This week we visit an extraordinary small home in Australia where every detail has been carefully considered. Drawing inspiration from tiny house living, Japanese design and Scandinavian simplicity, this 84sqm shed-style small house is a true masterclass in thoughtful architecture, craftsmanship and compact living.

Designed by Nolene and self-built by Steve, who is nearly 70, this beautiful black small home has been created as a peaceful sanctuary for the next chapter of their lives. With a striking exterior, soaring timber-lined ceiling, polished concrete floors, clever passive solar design, grid-tied solar power, hydronic heating and an exceptional kitchen at the heart of the home, this is small house design done incredibly well.

The home draws from both Japanese and Scandinavian influences, creating a warm, calming and highly functional space that feels refined without ever losing its sense of personality. Every corner of the house has been carefully resolved, from the hidden pantry and ergonomic kitchen layout, to the resort-style ensuite, walk-in wardrobe, handmade concrete details and beautifully framed garden views.

Surrounding the home, Nolene and Steve have also created an incredible urban oasis, complete with productive gardens, recycled-material outbuildings, a Kiwi cave, a Prosecco bar, a shipping container guest space in progress and a beautiful Japanese-inspired garden.

This is not technically a tiny house, but it is deeply inspired by the tiny house movement. It takes the best lessons from tiny homes, simplicity, clever use of space, energy efficiency, lower cost living and intentional design, and applies them to a slightly larger, no-stairs small home that is perfectly suited to long-term living.

For anyone interested in shed homes, small homes, tiny house inspired design, Japanese and Scandinavian interiors, self build homes, compact architecture or beautiful small house design, this home is packed with inspiration.

We hope you enjoy the tour of this truly special home.

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Chapters
00:00 Introduction
00:31 Meet Nolene and Steve
01:31 Designing a tiny house inspired small home
03:09 Gardens, outbuildings and recycled materials
06:16 Exterior design and passive solar thinking
07:00 84sqm small home layout
07:41 Solar power and energy efficiency
08:15 Interior design and vaulted timber ceiling
10:20 Clever kitchen and hidden pantry
12:28 Lounge, fireplace and dining area
15:19 Laundry, bathroom and storage
18:02 Bedroom and walk-in wardrobe
19:38 Resort-style ensuite
21:05 Living in their own design
23:35 Cost of the build
24:44 Future plans

Presented and Produced by: Bryce Langston
Camera: Rasa Pescud & Bryce Langston
Editing: Sarah Binder & Rasa Pescud

Title music in this video by Bryce Langston: http://www.youtube.com/brycelangston

‘Living Big in a Tiny House’ © 2026 Zyia Pictures Ltd

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