Dan and Anabel are performers who wanted a tiny home, but they also wanted to create something that was genuinely unique and showed their own sense of style. They found the solution in an old World War 2 train car.
Together, with care and attention, they transformed the carriage into an artistically designed guest house that any of their friends would be happy to stay in. In fact, it’s so amazing that it’s actually hard to get their guests to leave.
A piece of history
They started with an old train car that they purchased from a man at a Nebraska salvage wrecking company. Instead of painting over it, they let all of the history and characteristics of the old carriage shine through on the exterior. They wanted to make it feel and look like the train car was a piece of history that had been sitting there as a part of the landscape throughout the decades.
A train transformation
Instead, they decided to build a second story glass, iron, and wood enclosure on top.
Next, they focused on turning the interior of the carriage into a comfortable living space that is just a quick train trip out of this time.
A view from inside
Wanting to keep in line with the time that the train carriage had come from, they used solid aged wood and older styles for the floors, walls, and cabinets in the home. Walking inside feels like taking a step back several generations into a different era. They added an old tin ceiling and extended that tin to some areas of the walls to create the perfect design. In fact, some of the tin they used was repurposed from older buildings to truly bring that historic aspect into the tiny guest home.
Creating a sense of space
The ceiling opens up to show the glass-enclosed rooftop addition. It brings in light and creates a sense of space. It also allows guests to get a view of the greenery and sky above, really interweaving the design in with the natural surroundings as if the carriage truly has always been a part of that land. Hanging potted plants inside of the glass enclosure completes the connection between the two.
The finishing touches
There are plenty of areas within the small heated and insulated train car to curl up in and read a book, cook, sit down for a meal, sleep the night away, or even take a luxurious bath no matter what time of the year it may be.
The kitchen
The kitchen is functional with wood cabinets to match the rest of the design. With a functioning sink, hotplate, toaster oven, fridge, cooking implements, and a dish drying area to allow guests to make their own meals.
A masterpiece bathroom
Through a solid door is a bathroom from another place and time.
It comes complete with an old claw-foot tub, a sink, a functioning flushing toilet, an old wood-burning stove converted into storage space, a mirrored ceiling, giant chandelier, and exquisite tile work that creates a water effect, making it a unique space within the tiny home.
The bedroom
To top off the experience, the sleeping area is positioned at the end of the car, giving guests a perfect view of the trees above when they wake up refreshed in the morning, ready to reenter this era.
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