I Turned this 100sqft Historic Tiny House into an Incredible Compact Home

[@gemmawheeler]

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[@mrmensa1096]

i think using the ground floor as a bedroom is by far the best option. Then you can have a kitchen and a loung on the other floors, where you also get the best views, where you'd spend the most time.

[@jondejoy5780]

Hi Gemma, have you heard about that secret apartment that was made in an apartment in Rhode Island? People lived there for 4 years before they were caught. Its a super odd space, and I was wondering what you would do with it if you had the ability to turn it into a real apartment?

[@amyking2922]

From a practically stand point, would you need the input of a structural engineer for these designs? Because I love them and am desperate to do my own!

[@lomalinke5042]

For the first time I‘d rather lose the sofa and dedicate the ground floor to kitchen and bathroom, while having a sleeper sofa and dining area on the first floor. But that’s just personal preference. Gemma rules, as always. What a privilege to see and hear her think. LOVE this channel.

[@kumorimori9674]

Very true, especially if you come home carrying heavy groceries or something similar, but I think the floor space would be cramped for a kitchen/dinning room. But I could get behind the idea of using a sofa bed on the floor and leaving the dinning/kitchen as it is or add a sofabed for possible guests.

[@IceLynne]

I agree!

[@kimb5245]

My thought too, but I was thinking kitchen, dining, and laundry on the main floor, with a bedroom and bathroom up. The bed could be a convertible couch or lower from the ceiling as shown. This is the first layout of Gemma's I didn't care for.

[@matyoukee799]

Would an iron spiral staircase not be useful instead of the alternating stairs?

[@GradKat]

I’d prefer the kitchen on the ground floor too. And I wouldn’t feel secure with a glass door as an entrance to the property.

[@colinneagle4495]

This toll house design looks like a perfect place for a writer's retreat! I can imagine someone with their laptop at the desk gazing out over the canal and feeling inspired to write a small town mystery or a seafaring adventure

[@shawnrobertson9618]

…and making toll house cookies. 😊

[@mambi74]

Nice touch with the pigeons :)

[@zoeeleanor301]

Glad I'm not the only one who noticed them! 😂

[@uniszuurmond]

This is what good architecture is all about. Your videos have become my favourite pastime.

[@valeriemulholland4282]

I misread the title of this video; thought it was a troll house.😂 Great channel, great designs.

[@thecrazygardenernz3271]

😂😂

[@blackforestwanderer]

I think the small kitchen would be perfect for downstairs, so there's more room (and light) for the living area. Looking forward to every single video of yours!

[@yoleta]

Totally agree. Utility àrea downstairs with a kitchen on the opposite wall of the entrance and an wall mounted table. Upstairs relaxing àrea with sofàs that bend and when the bed goes down it relais on the bended sofas. Big wardrobe to the roof where the kitchen is in the original design, with some accent color and texture. Keep the fireplace

[@camillelemmens1745]

You'd have to take your food upstairs though and with those stairs that's a hassle

[@yboris]

I love the intentional gaps between levels to allow more light to enter the lower level 😍😍

[@taniawatt7944]

Maybe fill the gap with clear Perspex? I can imagine dropping an onion on the kitchen floor and it rolling through the gap down onto someone’s head below.

[@zhmw]

@@taniawatt7944 That's what I am thinking, what if hot sauce or a broken egg dropped on that kitchen floor. A thick plexiglass would allow in the light and yet, prevent spills from dripping down onto the first floor.

[@nellenejooste4636]

What I really like about the bed, is that you don't have to dig out all the bedding every time and pack it away again. I could live there full time, as a single person

[@emily_nelson]

Seriously, I could totally go for this one!

[@kaudsiz]

@@emily_nelsonBreakfast in bed will be a daily occurrence then

[@rumilb]

wake up babe, the new gemma vid just dropped

[@knoxfullspectrumdoula3621]

😂 literally

[@gregpendrey6711]

Agreed

[@draganmisanovic942]

I say this all the time to my girlfriend 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@hannahsinclair3421]

Lol I say this to myself, then plan for a quiet moment to watch it. So lush!

[@Articolate]

aw, stole my line 🥰

[@jenniferharris7633]

Ok, this has just proven to me that some spaces just are too small. I have no doubt Gemma tried every layout possible, but for my liking, I would have wanted the kitchen down and the bathroom up by the bed. Or foregoing keeping the authenticity of the exterior and finding a way to enclose the original exterior staircase and make it part of the interior rather than removing it and taking up half of an already tiny footprint.

[@tack-on-titan]

Yes, I thought they might enclose the outside staircase in glass, which would've retained it's original form and given a storage place for outdoor clothes and shoes too.

[@bridgetoconnor7229]

A suspended floor level- how incredibly clever! What a wonderful design!

[@MorganMagnus]

I really don't like the gap in the kitchen for the floating level. All I envision is a dropped gallon of milk or any other cooking mishap spilling all over the living room below.

[@lukestoolbox]

One day I'm gonna buy one of the buildings you showed, turn your plans into reality and post everything on KZbin😋 Mark my words🤞🏼

[@hannahsinclair3421]

Do iiiiitttt! 😊

[@candaces3959]

Wow! That was really a puzzle to make such a tiny space habitable! It is very tiny and I am not sure anyone could live there long term, but the plan is really ingenious! Amazing as always! Thanks!

[@dorygeancunningham8027]

I smiled when I saw you included the toll house here in Maryland. I love that little house and stop there when I’m traveling out of Maryland towards the west. I enjoy your ideas for small spaces. I used to own a very small house with my husband and son and was constantly trying to maximize the use of the home…wish I had found you then.

[@chrisgreek4285]

Gemma, YOU are brilliant! I dare someone to tell me that this wouldn’t make a screaming pile of cash as a holiday rental - it is just so cute, unique, and most importantly, complete!

[@boggytrails]

I have my bed on an electric winch in my courier truck / van. When in the ceiling cavity it's really not noticeable, above the living space / office / dining. When it drops down, it feels like a bedroom. Amazing work again Gemma! Thank you for your constant inspiration!!

[@karladenton5034]

The suspended and out of the way bed is one I've actually experienced in a vacation rental. They are easy to use and hide an unmade bed away. Much nicer than a pull out sofa. But the stairs in this one would be a deal breaker for me at my age (I'm almost 70 with dicey knees.) If it were my property, I'd have to keep the shallower stairs, maybe enclose them to bring them into the house envelope? But clever as always, Gemma. Your designs make me wish that I had taken the opportunity to purchase an old stone house from the Kansas frontier days. It would be interesting to see what you could make of it!

[@MaureenTheTemp]

Why not a spiral wrought iron staircase? I do love this layout

[@Mizri1]

I actually gasped out loud at the bed solution. You are SO CREATIVE it blows my mind every single time. If I was living alone I would be perfectly happy with this kind of living space, especially if you get a beautiful scenic neighbourhood in return! Although I think personally I would find a way to move the projector to the kitchen level so I can watch TV from the bed, and replace the couch downstairs with a desk.

[@cjrecord]

I like the idea of the winch, but I know myself: that bed platform would never raise, and underneath would be permanent storage. Work would be done on a lap tray downstairs or on the balcony.

[@khills]

Exactly. Bed would only go up if company came over for dinner. 😂

[@mrs.manrique7411]

I really did enjoy this design. Whenever I see such a cramped tall space, I already know the bathroom is going beneath the stair/lowest ceiling height. The couch might double as a bed. Oh, and there might be ceiling storage in order to maximize the height. Alternating stairs are always a good choice when needed. It’s lovely!! 🥰

[@brendangarske553]

The only channel I have notifications on for

[@quietestkitten]

Oh, wow. I really didn't think it could be done when I saw the inside. But Gemma made it actually work. I know people who probably could actually live in it long term. (They're very outdoorsy, so don't need a big indoor space, and wash their dishes every night, so sleeping next to the kitchen would be fine.) For most people this might be better as a temporary living opportunity when they're young and looking for cheap opportunities

[@kathrynaston6841]

If the exterior staircase was already permitted, I would have a hard time agreeing to give up so much interior floor space for the interior stair access. I would prefer reimagining the exterior staircase footprint and design to better incorporate it into the toll house. My brief would be to have the access to the staircase originating from the interior of the toll house bottom floor and creating the steps such that the original toll house retains the historical while incorporating an exterior staircase that looks better than the current wooden steps and has access securely inside the reimagined building structure. I would prefer having the living and kitchen area on the bottom level and having the upper level contain the sleeping and wash area. I would want an exterior “room” incorporated into the ground floor garden area to extend the feel and usage of the ground floor, and the split ceiling to gain some height while maintaining current window levels might also be used with the lower ceiling area used over the cooking areas. Maybe a telescoping table to use as a coffee/eating table in the bottom floor, and a Murphy bed that folds up into the wall to reveal a fold out desk for the perfect library/writers haven.

[@d.upfold]

I appreciate how what seems foremost in your designs is an emphasis on and exploration of how one can truly live in a space, especially small ones. How much space do we really need when we have light, beauty and function? Love how this one turned out.

[@victoriavillegas5]

Hi Gemma: Always enjoy your work, but in this case why not to create a cristal & metal exterior staircase that “ reflects@ the square of the house, and allows a full use of the space?

[@almudenablanch2667]

As I watched the video I was thinking the same thing. 😃

[@DeborahLanglois-zz5zw]

I really enjoy your videos and love the problem solving frame. I do however think that ignoring the real issue of storage makes the solution less than. Thanks for sharing your visions!

[@estherstephens1858]

Upon seeing that “wheel” in the kitchen I thought to myself…why is that there? Of course, now it makes sense. Absolutely beautiful as always. ❤❤

[@rebeccajordan4491]

Wonderful as always! I just got a little dizzy with the animation this time and had some trouble understanding what i was supposed to be looking at. I prefer the more straight forward walkthroughs.

[@gemmawheeler]

Noted, thanks. It gets pretty tricky to manoeuvre when the spaces get this small

[@ng7669]

Remarkable use of limited space, well designed.

[@RenateHerbst-o5q]

Magnificent, wonderfully creative, as always. Makes an enchanting vacation apartment.

[@rationalinvest]

This has become one of my favorite channels - you are so talented

[@isabelle3365]

Awesome design. It fit so well into the structure. Just the steeps look so short. I love all the tiding spots hidden. : )

[@aratbafut2854]

As always, I love your creative problem solving! I also would love to see what you would do with an external staircase on this building, I’m sure it would e fabulous.

[@rebapuck5061]

I love your innovative solutions. That being said, I would have put the kitchen on the ground floor next to the bath. Keep the plumbing together. Put the sofa on the first floor.

[@29lookingood]

Yeah. I was thinking that too. Loved the design and layout as a weekend/rental. But as a "Home",would keep the bathroom where it is, put the kitchen on the ground floor with a small seated area. For the door, maybe a sliding glass door, a glass door that opens out not inward or (don't know what they are called, but the doors that have two sections - top and bottom - and can be opened independently, (maybe top half glass and bottom half wood. Then that would free up the top section for a bedroom, where the small balcony, which was previously the outside stairs, having a small table and chair. Sorry just fantasy idea 🤗😊👍🏾🇬🇧💙

[@graemecook2548]

Kitchen on the ground floor because it’s easier to bring food supplies in and take garbage out.

[@rumigirl]

@@29lookingood I think a door like the one you’re describing is called a Dutch door.

[@barryricho]

Amazing end result, as usual. I thought after the first couple of minutes it would be a lost cause. But you’ve turned it into an impressive tiny home. Very usable spaces. Well done 👏

[@MikeS29]

I don't think there is a building that Gemma cannot make functional, no matter the size or layout challenges! Brava!

[@Agentxile]

You have a wonderful brain. You make tiny homes look old fashioned.

[@consideredwhisper]

Loved the whole concept. I missed seeing what you would’ve done in the garden tho: that area would be really important to such a small house.

[@thisnthat42]

Yes with the outside stairs removed it gives the option of having perhaps an area of cover to use as a third “room” when the weather is favourable.

[@felipericketts]

Would the fire place be functional? Very creative ways to make the tiny space usable and functional! 🙂

[@Genesis_Lightbringer]

New video🎉🎉🎉 As always your design blows my mind, I was thinking of maybe an extension to increase the floor area but that compact design solve it all. That bed (no spoilers) was also a surprise, no need to make your bed in the morning just crank it.😆

[@gemmawheeler]

🤣 I hadn’t thought of that

[@arcboy2011]

This would be perfect for an air b & b or a small bachelor pad. I love the way you play with light and volume. Very much looking forward to the next video.

[@blessingsoutlaw]

Oh yes, please! As you mentioned, it may be better for short term, yet that experience alone makes it’s loveliness worthwhile. ❤

[@alicelong5714]

Always a pleasure to see your clever designs.

[@selja26]

I love the way you explain your thinking! The micro kitchen is really cute. Questions: 1) is there enough head height to use space above the front door, to extend the upper floor to that area? if you didn't have to think about the platform mechanics so much 2) what would you say about splitting the bathroom between floors, like sink and toilet on the ground floor (ditch the washing machine, move toilet under the stairs) leaving more space for sleeping area there, and shower on the first floor 3) is there enough space to keep the bed at its highest level and just sleep there? would need some kind of ladder. Sorry your videos just make my brain cogs turn lol

[@cherylreid9165]

Fascinating! You certainly are the Queen of Storage and Thinking outside the Square.

[@christopherstaerck1112]

Genius Gemma! It has a ring to it. Seriously, all your accolades are richly deserved - thank you so much for continuing to share and for educating me. I enjoy and learn so much - wishing you all the very best.

[@alessandramedea4319]

Dear Gemma, your projects never cease to amaze and excite me!

[@focus19551]

BRILLIANT sponsor and IDEA!

[@SF-ru3lp]

Bingo! My first thought when I saw the interior was that you might need a bed platform on a pulley (I've watched alot of tiny house videos!) Now I'm off to watch the video for a second time. I love absorbevery creative detail. Marvellous conception of the whole stair and upper floor level. Again, prize-winning, Gemma. Watching your work is one of my most favourite things to do! Wishing you continued success. XG Ire

[@SiddiGorsky-xc7ub]

Wow! Was not expecting that! What fun ❤

[@AnneSmith-mu2ph]

Love this so clever

[@susanlapointe8081]

Gorgeous...as always! You always pack so much into a small space.

[@michellezevenaar]

I would have asked for a permit for an extension to house the stairs. Make it a nice entrance and stairs. That would gave preserved the interior of the building instead of having to cut through the floor.

[@kjsgarden]

I’m with you on this idea, although this design *is* very inventive. With an outside stair and entry with lots of windows, the lower ceiling of the ground floor could be okay for the bed/bath and the entire upper floor could be living/dining/kitchen, with maybe a tiny lofted area. Also the current fireplaces could still be used this way.

[@charlie1567]

I fully agree as my friends added an extended staircase with many windows and it fits beautifully plus it’s extremely useful and with wider stairs easier to use, carry things upstairs etc. Kept in line with the materials etc used, it would not stand out. That way upstairs with the large windows and beautiful view of the canal could have been the living room and kitchen. These pull up/ pull out pieces of furniture are after a while a bit annoying in my personal opinion and experience. But hey if the place is only used as a week-end retreat or short stay then you have a stunning view from your bed. If this place is meant for longer use, then a bedroom downstairs and bathroom make more sense. Overall I very much liked the materials she used for the interior design.

[@michellefreedman9265]

Very clever. Now we need the collaboration between you and The Travel Beans channel with their new home in Sicily.

[@bonntv]

This building reminds me of old railway signal box buildings but it looks for me romantic and great.Extra fine extraordinary work

[@Josh-yr7gd]

I never knew a Toll House was a real place. All this time, I thought that was where the cookies came from!

[@kallymavromatis123]

Just when I don’t think Gemma can surpass herself…! This is amazing - but what else could we expect from our queen??!

[@nataliapieta]

Love your designs, always! And that you pick such the restricted spaces ❤ If this was for a long term living, I would have designed a thicker platform for dining "room" & hid the matterace inside ("under the floor" - opened like stairs to the basement in old country houses).

[@joaneperso]

Fantastic job, Gemma! I find the bed solution extremely smart and fun.

[@27Spiritgirl]

Absolutely adore everything you do Gemma! Your brain continues to surprise and delight! Xo from Canada ❤️

[@gaveintothedarkness]

You're almost at 100K subs. Lets gooo!!!

[@neon.neutral]

When you first mentioned the problem with the staircase i ummediately envisioned it put on the exterior of the building, encased in frosted glass. This was a great mental exercise and you came up with quite creative solutions. I would prefer having the bed always a bed not having to move it up and down, though it is an interesting concept.

[@clairedaigle5199]

Love your comment that architecture isn't all about math. Unfortunately, in high school, my guidance advisor said architecture was a career choice that I should follow, based upon test results. Like you, I thought the profession was totally math/physics based therefore I ignored that advice. Wish I knew then what I know now! Love the show! Totally fascinating ...

[@Kate-or9um]

Wow! I never, in a million years, would have guessed that such a design is actually possible

[@Beth74]

I so look forward to every video from Gemma. ❤

[@flashflame4952]

WOW!! Your imagination and talent really turned this toll house into a really nice place to stay.

[@tombassman]

So many great ideas in such short videos. I always watch them again immediately.

[@jmk1962]

Me too. There's so much in them I always have to watch at least 3 times to take it all in.😊

[@ElizabethBarone]

I love your creativity and the puzzle approach. I’d love to see more accessibility in your designs.

[@zhmw]

Definitely for short stay and for those who are young and healthy and can climb stairs. And certainly not for kids. But it does look like a romantic and rustic getaway.

[@lisakilmer2667]

Very clever, indeed. The suspended bed is a game-changing idea that I am surprised has not massively caught on (at least that I am aware of).

[@jmk1962]

You see them quite a lot in van conversions these days.

[@sandrachalmbacher3726]

Just love all your great ideas

[@anakarine5577]

your channel is making me fall in love with architecture again after graduating ❤

[@kathlenewang539]

This is why I watch KZbin. beautiful.

[@vargavideo]

So clever and simple! Really enjoy your solutions!

[@ncc74656m]

As usual, another brilliant design Gemma. I think where I'd differ is keeping the external stair as well, while considering converting to a ladder stair for the bottom level, like you might find in a ship. Doubly so if you could make it movable/removable. This could open up more space on the ground floor while still keeping it accessible from the interior, while having a more comfortable and traditional stair to get downstairs if so desired/weather permitting. I might also consider extending the landing at the upper door over the lower to accommodate a larger balcony. If able, maybe even contemplate wrapping it around to the side facing the canal for a beautiful view and sitting area in nicer weather, adding to your living space during the warmer months. Finally, if permitted you could even lower the ground floor a single step's worth to gain that extra touch of head height. I agree, there's not much practical way to make this a genuine permanent residence even for a single person unless you're a total and committed minimalist, but it is definitely a great exercise in creative thinking on your part!

[@markt.3685]

An interesting design, although definitely a bit cramped and lacking in storage. I'm wondering if the lower level had kitchen instead of living room, this might provide a bit more on the second level. However, I couldn't see living in this long term, despite the wonderful architecture here.

[@mrmensa1096]

i think using the ground floor as a bedroom is by far the best option. Then you can have a kitchen and a loung on the other floors, where you also get the best views, where you'd spend the most time.

[@bighuge1060]

Gemma, I had wanted to improve my family home of 52 years into a unique living and working area went by the boards after the death of my parents and the family sale of the house but if things were different, I would very much have loved to hire you to redesign that house. Love your videos.

[@BohemianCrafting]

Amazing, just amazing! Your mind is another World wonder!👍👍👍👍👍

[@infopubs]

Clever! I love seeing how you work with these incredibly tiny spaces.

[@tack-on-titan]

I used to have a really nice, solid wood, 6-seater table that folded to half its size and looked lovely when folded and placed against a wall like a console table. It also didn't cost a fortune. I wish I'd kept it.

[@David-d2m2c]

Gemma, sheer genius ....my only issue would be with the stairs from the ground floor....but that's more to do with my dodgy knees, than your design.....as always, beautifully imagined and another clever, thoughtful solution

[@agatajabonska8560]

Yayyy, almost 100 000 subscribers ❤❤❤ 🎉

[@Hindsight_2020__1]

Id build a glazed addition which would incorporate the stairs and retain more floor area. Also these would be standard style stairs which are safer to carry groceries up.

[@000caro555]

Love it. ❤

[@cloverhighfive]

Brilliant (ah-ha, see what I did there) design! In my last house, I introduced more light in the bathroom by making a rectangular window (about 30-40 cm high) run along the top of a wall, with a textured glass fitted in (could also be made into a sliding window for ventilation). It might be the little detail that would make your ground floor appear more open. The bed lowering down was quite an ah-ha moment! We've seen units build for small spaces that hide a bed in the "ceiling", and somehow I didn't expect the bed to appear haha I think some ppl could live quite a few years in this setup. I watch a lot of tiny living and humans are fascinatingly adaptable. And the windows on this place make it feel really beautiful.

[@slydog7131]

Like those stairs! Innovative and clever design. I would like a larger balcony.

[@patricklilly]

you are brilliant; I look forward to each of your creations.

[@RainbowPuddles]

ive always loved the gatehouse at holyrod palce for this reason. i think (for long term living) you may regret having a built in hob taking up valuable counter space. also get a bigger sink cause its garanteed youll have bigger items you want to wash. also get an oven. i also agree that having the kitchen and bath on ground level means you have access to the gearden for entertaining and better food storage areas plus you dont have to carry all your groceries up those crazy stairs. i love the gap in the floor and the disappearing bed situation. knowing the uk weather it would be great to have a larger area for friends to come over play games, movies, dinner parties on the upper level. perhaps extend the balcony a bit over the entrance to stop all that weather coming in.

[@erikamitchell8502]

Oooh goody, I really enjoy these videos 😊

[@persiamotorman]

Absolutely amazing! This isn't about a house, but my city (Augusta, Maine) has these somewhat boring parks. I wish I could convince them to build a Labyrinth.

[@andyboy2k]

I liked it before I even started watching it as I knew it would be amazing.

[@gregpendrey6711]

A vestibule outside the main ground floor entry allows enclosed access to a enclosed staircase. If allowed which is rational. This was a good exercise if you must move the stair inside. I wish for more of these, so great. Its easy for me to put in my two cents after you've done the heavy lifting. 😂 😊

[@reginavalerie1]

Love your creativity! So glad you kept the original floors on ground level!!!

[@rangefreewords]

I like the idea of the bed... the mini sink and perhaps a microwave upstairs... larger full size outdoor kitchen under the deck/ stairs would be nice... probably would go with I beams for the second level instead of the cables.. if the outdoor area was capitalized on this would be quite a bit better.

[@bradwatson7324]

My first thought had been to fully enclose external stairs that connect to and spiral up the outside of the tower. But I think I like the idea of internal stairs with alternating treads better!

[@lindaroyal8161]

You never cease to amaze me with your designs. Taking an unused building and adding all the functions it needs to accommodate living in it. Request - could you do a walk through of your home? It would be nice to see how an engineer/designer lives and the space is decorated. Thank you.