The 32-foot-long tiny house is a gentleman’s retreat with beautiful high-end amenities
You can’t boast about being “the best tiny home builder in Texas” or anywhere else without building some really awesome tiny homes. Decathlon Tiny Homes’ latest product meets the criteria that would justify that obvious lack of modesty: a beautiful, high-quality mansion.
Decathlon Tiny House is just one of many builders that regularly make headlines with their outstanding builds, but it’s also one of the few that has gained widespread popularity. The company was founded and owned by April and Jerry Terry, the lead designer and lead builder – and they also happen to be quite a charismatic couple who make the most of social media to promote their new units.
This is one of them. It’s called the Sancho Lodge and is based on their standard Athena model, which is perhaps one of the most popular in their range. The Athena is actually offered in three lengths (24, 28 and 32 feet/7.3, 8.5 and 9.7 meters), but the longer model obviously offers more living space and more features. The owner of Sancho Lodge has opted for the 32-foot (9.7 meter) version.
Built on a Pacific West Tiny Homes certified three-axle trailer, Sancho Lodge had a very specific brief: whiskey, cigars, and a speakeasy. In other words, the owner, who also happens to be an avid hunter, wanted a mansion with all the amenities of home.
Photo: Decathlon Tiny Homes
At the same time, he wanted the “cave” on wheels to have all the basic amenities for permanent living, and that was ultimately the case.
Tiny houses are a dime a dozen these days, and you’d be forgiven for thinking they’re overrated or maybe even not creative enough. This one is proof that you haven’t seen them all: a tiny house that exudes personality and charm while being self-sufficient and surprisingly cozy.
Sancho Lodge also features a downstairs bedroom, a full spa-style bathroom, a storage loft, a large living room, and high-quality appliances and equipment that make every hunting trip an unforgettable experience, even when not hunting.
Photo: Decathlon Tiny Homes
The name comes from Sancho, the owner’s cute puppy. The name and Sancho’s photo hanging in the kitchen are the only two “cute” things about this small house that exudes masculine charm and elegance. Designer April made sure to add a splash of color here and there, like the sky blue door or the white shiplap walls that match the black accents perfectly.
The master bedroom is at one end of the trailer and the bathroom at the other, this allows the storage floor to be placed above the bathroom and the bedroom has high ceilings.
Hidden behind a barn door, this space offers ample storage in two oversized drawers beneath the king-size bed and a large closet with hanging rods. Another closet is located closer to the bathroom, so it’s not the only one available. One large closet remains a rarity in tiny homes; two is the definition of luxury in a tiny home.
Photo: Decathlon Tiny Homes
The highlight of the home is the entertainment area off the bedroom, which is what you would call the living room in any other home. It features a beautiful sleeper sofa with cup holders and USB charging stations across from the wall-mounted TV. Although this piece is part of the home, it was actually brought in by the owner, so it only appears in the video tour below, not in the official photos of the home.
The kitchen is part kitchen, part bar – including a stone overhang peninsula that also doubles as a bar for a few friends who want to have a drink. The sink even has one of those bar faucets that lets you easily set down glasses and rinse them. This feature is also a great water-saving feature.
The kitchen is packed with high-end appliances from JennAir, all ordered by the owner. There’s an induction cooktop and a huge, flat 7-in-1 oven above, as well as a large fridge and freezer completely hidden in the cabinets opposite. There’s plenty of storage here too: cabinets and drawers, two large pull-outs, and an oversized pantry.
Photo: Decathlon Tiny Homes
Opposite the pantry is the second closet mentioned above. The bathroom is the size of a home and is equipped with a flush toilet, enclosed shower and sink with a cabinet underneath and even more storage space. The washer and dryer unit is also located here, on a piece of furniture that conceals the water heater.
Sancho Lodge is not off-grid and will likely remain so, as there is no mention of pre-wiring for solar or the ability to add water tanks. Most Decathlon Tiny Homes units have RV-style water and power hookups, and we expect the same to be true here.
Photo: Decathlon Tiny Homes
Since it’s a custom build, there’s no mention of price either. For reference, the smallest Athena variant starts at $79,500 without even adding the extras, which means we’re probably looking at a tiny home for over $90,000. If you get your own man cave, not be cheap, especially if it’s one like this.
