In the summer of 2023, amidst the threatening wildfires encroaching on two sides of their South Eugene, Oregon home, Jen and Malia, the owners of Tru Form Tiny, faced a looming question. As hundreds of thousands faced evacuation: “Where would we go if evacuated or, worse, if our home was destroyed?” This question, undoubtedly shared by many, sparked a new initiative at Tru Form Tiny.
Known for their custom-built tiny homes, Tru Form Tiny had a serendipitous opportunity to complete a design for an available gooseneck trailer, initially intended for another project. This trailer was not just any option; it was ideal for those needing a swift and reliable escape option.
Malia, typically a virtuoso in 3D design, chose a more personal approach for this project. She revisited her roots, using pencil, eraser, and graph paper, reminiscent of her initial design methods back in 2015. This process added a personal touch to what would become a significant and timely design.
Tru Form Tiny stands out in the industry. While they offer standard designs and floorplans, their specialty lies in fully customizable homes. Malia Schultheis, co-owner and designer, brings her expertise to each unique project.
Since 2015, they have crafted several hundred custom tiny homes, each distinguished by their foundation-stick-built like appearance — utilizing robust weatherization, and distinctive cladding. Adding to their products allure, Tru Form Tiny offers 25-year loans or mortgages, which can include land with the purchase.
The design that emerged from this process, a tiny home named ‘Terra Haven,’ excelled in six critical areas:
- Ample storage
- Full appliance integration (including a washer/dryer, dishwasher, oven, and large refrigerator)
- An oversized doorway
- A spacious bedroom with a hydraulic storage bed
- An advanced solar system
- A water storage solution (systems all housed outside the main cabinetry, and without elevating the floor, to maintain the high ceilings).
It comfortably sleeps four, incorporating a loft space with integral storage.
Spanning 26 feet with an extra 4 feet for bed and vanity bump-outs, Terra Haven is an accolade of design efficiency. It features a floor-to-ceiling over-mantel finished with lime wash, Parisian-inspired trim work, dimmable decorative lighting, solid grayed hickory flooring, and solid Cherry woodwork throughout.
The bathroom and kitchen boast luxurious Viola Marble and black stone sinks (kitchen sink complete with nesting cutting board, strainer, and drying rack). The counters, backsplash, and display ledge are made with elegant porcelain.
The lighting in Terra Haven is nothing short of spectacular. It includes toe-kick lights, counter lights, living room sconces, strip lighting at the bed head, beautiful chandeliers, and copper exterior sconce.
A defining feature of Terra Haven is its oversized steel doors, a first for a tiny home according to Malia. The roof accommodates large solar panels, water catchment systems, and a Water Gen water system (to be incorporated in future builds when the technology is available to us).
The exterior, partially clad in cedar for ease of maintenance, utilizes low and no VOC coatings. A collaboration with European company Tricoya has led to a lightweight, durable siding solution with a 50-year warranty.
Inside, the home is filled with ‘creature features’ that optimize both space and comfort. The built-in couch with cherry storage drawers, an adjustable solid cherry marine table, and strategically placed cabinetry ensure an expansive feel. The kitchen maximizes storage with deep oversized pullouts, and the bedroom features ample storage around and under the bed. Cherry wood lines the bed alcove for a seamless transition to the cabinetry.
In Terra Haven, Tru Form Tiny has not just created a home; they’ve crafted a sanctuary, a testament to their commitment to innovation and safety in the face of nature’s uncertainties.
For more information about the Terra Haven, please contact Tru Form Tiny.
Also available from Tru Form Tiny:
- Terra Haven
- Verve Lux
- Tess
- Urban Kootenay 28′ w/ XL Dormer
- Kootenay Urban
- Kootenay Country
- Kootenay
- Kootenay Wine Tasting Room
- Payette Urban
- Payette
- Urban Payette w/ Office
Images © Tru Form Tiny