This Modern Family Cabin Demonstrates the Art of Simplicity

One of the most successful and passionate tiny house businesses in New Zealand is called St Clair Homes. It's based in Silverdale and has gradually grown to a large team of more than 30 people. It started out under a different name, Coastal Cabins, around five years ago, with a clear goal – to bring affordable, no-compromise housing to folks in New Zealand.

Like many others around the world, the late John St Clair Brown founded his tiny house building company as an answer to a growing housing crisis. As an entrepreneur and investor, he saw how many people struggled to become the owners of a dwelling that they could call "home” without sacrificing quality and comfort. Today, the company he founded bears his name and boasts its own design and manufacturing division.

The idea behind the Coastal Cabins is simple – a housing concept that would be perfectly suitable for families yet easy enough to manage by a single person, including financially. The builder's portfolio currently includes two ranges, Coastal Cabins and Evoke, based on the same main principle of affordability.

This two-bedroom cabin is the most popular design in the Coastal Cabins range. It's nine meters long (29.5 feet) and three meters wide (9.8 feet), and it’s available in two different floor plans. This type of cabin is much more simple than other types of homes on wheels, thanks to the single-level layout. There are no pesky ladders or complicated staircases, and there are no construction challenges like the ones that come with one or two loft-bedroom houses.

The St Clair Homes cabin is wonderfully minimalistic. You have the lounge area at one end, the main bedroom at the other end, and the kitchen plus the bathroom in the center. This clever layout allows private access to both the main bedroom and the lounge area that can be easily converted into a second bedroom.

At the same time, having two separate entries makes the entire space much brighter and open to the outdoors due to the large French doors. The lounge area is basically a highly versatile space that can be configured according to each owner's preferences and needs. During the day, it's mainly designed to function as a living area big enough for the whole family or entertaining guests.

Every piece of furniture and each appliance adds functionality without creating any clutter – a simple sofa, a couple of small cabinets for discrete storage, a wall-mounted TV, and a coffee table. At night, this can easily become an additional sleeping area.

The lounge is seamlessly connected to the kitchen/dining area, creating the illusion of a much bigger indoor/outdoor setup. This kitchen isn't big at all, but it's cleverly designed. The L-shape extension integrates a convenient breakfast bar with matching bar stools – the perfect setup for enjoying meals while taking in the views or even watching TV.

The kitchen is fitted with high-quality appliances, starting with a large stainless steel sink. A small fridge and a microwave oven are neatly tucked under the countertop for a clutter-free design. Multiple overhead cabinets add easy-to-reach storage.

Many tiny homes place the bathroom at the very end, hidden behind a barn door. This open-space layout brings a different perspective. The bathroom is squeezed in at the center, freeing up more space for both the main bedroom and the lounge/second bedroom.

Although compact, this bathroom is surprisingly luxurious. First of all, customers will be delighted to see a full-size shower cubicle with a full-width glass door. The standard setup comes with a conventional toilet, but future owners who want a home that's as green as possible can opt for a composting version instead.

Small but important details like the toilet roll holder and towel rail add a premium touch. Once again, this Coastal Cabin proves that it's not about meaningless details that only add clutter but about adding carefully chosen items that enhance comfort.

The second entry leads straight into the main bedroom. This part of the house is a sanctuary on its own. It boasts ample space for a two-person bed with great front and side views. Thanks to the glass doors, it's also very luminous and connected to the outdoors, which makes the home feel more like a vacation resort. The generous size also makes room for a full-size closet, a rare feature when it comes to tiny homes and elegant nightstands.

This two-bedroom cabin comes on a high-quality trailer with a galvanized steel chassis and retractable drawbar. The exterior walls are fully insulated with eco-wool insulation, and there's premium vinyl planking throughout (carpeting is optional).

High-quality fixtures and ingenious design turn this minimalistic cabin into a remarkable mobile home. It's available for delivery across the North Island, and the St Clair Homes team provides transportation.