What began as a casual surf trip turned into a permanent change of pace for Emily, a Londoner who traded city life for a slower, more grounded existence on Portugal’s coast. Enchanted by the landscapes around Mafra—where rolling hills meet the Atlantic—she decided not just to stay, but to build a home that reflected a simpler way of living.
Today, Emily lives full-time in a 183-square-foot, off-grid tiny house perched on a hilltop just outside Mafra, about half an hour from Lisbon and only minutes from Ericeira, one of Europe’s most respected surf destinations. Designed by architect Gonçalo Marrote of Madeiguincho, the tiny home sits lightly in the landscape, partially shaded by pine, cork, and eucalyptus trees and oriented toward wide valley views.
Emily first discovered the area while traveling with friends, drawn in by the waves and the easy rhythm of life nearby. After relocating from London to Portugal five years ago, she spent time living in shared apartments while figuring out a long-term plan. The goal was always clear: live closer to nature, step away from conventional systems, grow food, and build a life that felt more intentional.
A tiny house emerged as the most flexible solution. The ability to move, adapt, and live off-grid appealed to her, especially as she envisioned a future shaped by changing needs rather than fixed walls. Early in 2025, she began researching builders and quickly gravitated toward Madeiguincho, a small, craft-driven studio based in Cascais. Instead of choosing a standard model, Emily opted for a fully bespoke build, valuing the chance to influence every decision—from layout to materials—while keeping a close eye on costs.
The result is a tiny home completed with an overall budget of $85,000. It’s deliberately modest, but far from bare. Outside, Japanese cedar sourced from the Azores gives the tiny house a refined, natural skin while keeping weight to a minimum—an important consideration for a transportable structure. Clean lines, generous windows, and a strong connection to the outdoors define the space.
Window and door placement played a crucial role in the design. Marrote arranged openings to frame the surrounding scenery, encourage cross-ventilation, and flood the interior with daylight. A large corner window in the living area visually opens the house to the horizon, blurring the line between inside and out while still offering shelter and privacy.
Material choices reinforce the home’s warmth and lightness. The interior walls are finished in pale poplar, chosen for its soft tone and ability to brighten a small footprint. Pine flooring adds durability and a tactile warmth underfoot.
To maximize both comfort and storage, the main living area was subtly raised. Inspired by Japanese interiors, the lower seating height creates a sense of calm and intimacy, while the platform hides generous built-in drawers and technical storage beneath—housing the batteries and inverter connected to the roof-mounted solar panels. It’s a single design move that quietly solves multiple problems.
The indoor-outdoor feeling is amplified by the rural plot where the house is parked, which Emily rents, allowing the landscape to become an extension of her living space.
The layout is simple but carefully considered. A loft-style bedroom sits above the bathroom at the rear.
The center of the home is dedicated to an open kitchen and dining zone. An L-shaped kitchen runs along two walls.
The kitchen is outfitted with a fold-down table, making it easy for the space to transition from cooking to eating, working, or hosting friends.
A short hallway outfitted with a wardrobe leads to the bathroom, adding extra storage along the way.
The bathroom feels generous by tiny-house standards, anchored by a floor-to-ceiling shower window that makes every rinse feel almost outdoors.
For Emily, the payoff goes beyond clever design. Life in the tiny house has brought a sense of calm she hadn’t felt in years—marked by better sleep, quiet mornings, the scent of wood, and the sounds of wind moving through the trees.
Fresh, familiar, and quietly elevated, Joanna Gaines’ Magnolia Spring 2026 collection leans into the kind of pieces that make a home feel layered over...
When people imagine life in a converted school bus, they often picture compromise—tight quarters, rough finishes, and a temporary way of living. But the...
Small kitchens have a way of collecting clutter fast—especially when storage is limited and every cabinet has to work overtime. But the right organizing...
If there’s one tiny home that incorporates tiny home company Tru Form Tiny’s design philosophy of beauty, craftsmanship, and integrity, it’s this 34-foot custom...
PBteen’s latest arrivals prove that smart design and small footprints can absolutely coexist. This new lineup is packed with pieces that work harder than...
