Luxury Tiny House Build: Nico's Five-Star Home for Under $100K

Tiny Lux Life: Inside Nico’s Tiny House

A French-Vietnamese entrepreneur, a 28-foot trailer, an iPad floor plan, and a vision to bring Beverly Hills luxury to tiny house living.

Nico didn’t want a mortgage. Growing up in France, he learned early that the word “mortgage” comes from the French for “death pledge” and after twenty years of working in Ohio just to pay rent and bills, he decided he was done. In 2017, he designed his own tiny home on an iPad, hired a two-person crew, and built the life he actually wanted. One that is intentional, luxurious, and entirely on his own terms.

The Build: Beverly Hills Aesthetic on a Tiny House Budget

Nico built his home in 2017 on a 28-foot by 8-foot flatbed trailer, designing the entire floor plan by himself before purchasing materials. The total build cost came in at under $100,000 and took between 8 and 10 months to complete. The guiding philosophy was simple: make it feel like a five-star hotel. Every detail was chosen to create a space that looks like it belongs in Beverly Hills, not a tiny house community. Now parked at Tiny House Block, Nico has moved the house three times and the rooftop deck is still standing strong.

A Smart Home in a Small Package

The entire house is designed to function as a smart home. Phillips Hue color-changing lights allow the all-white interior to transform into any color or mood at the touch of a button. Electric blackout blinds roll down at the tap of an app. A central control panel manages lighting, blinds, and home systems from one spot. Alexa integration allows voice control throughout. Even Dexter (Nico’s dog) has his own automatic door so he can come and go independently. A telescopic magnetic ladder leads to a loft workspace with an iMac setup and a day bed and there’s a hidden hatch that opens directly onto the rooftop deck.

A Kitchen Designed to Impress

The kitchen features a waterfall-edge countertop, handle-less push-open cabinetry, and hidden pop-out electrical outlets that keep the surfaces completely clean and minimalist. A reverse osmosis water filter sits beneath the sink. An induction cooktop keeps the surface easy to clean and versatile. A combo washer-dryer unit saves space without sacrificing function, and the Bosch glass-top refrigerator (one of the hardest design details to source) anchors the kitchen with a sleek, high-end aesthetic. Deep pantry cabinets line the entryway wall, providing serious storage that disappears seamlessly into the overall design.

A Bathroom That Goes All In on Luxury

The bathroom is where Nico truly committed to the five-star concept. A whirlpool bathtub with multiple jets and integrated lighting sits alongside a rain shower head and a handheld option. A full-width mirror with detailed lighting runs the length of the vanity. The faucet swivels to become a fountain for rinsing, no cup needed. And the showstopper: a $5,000 European incinerating toilet that burns waste into ash, eliminating the need for a black water tank entirely. A coffee-filter style liner system keeps the process clean and completely odor-free. Nico chose it specifically to avoid dealing with black water or composting toilet maintenance, and he has no regrets.

The Rooftop: The Crown Jewel

What sets Nico’s build apart from almost any other tiny home is the flat rooftop deck. It’s a fully usable outdoor space accessed directly from the loft hatch. Custom collapsible railings fold down for transport and lock back into place when parked. On the rooftop Nico practices tai chi, does yoga, meditates, and takes in the surrounding trees. Below the main deck level, a lower outdoor area houses a Japanese garden, a wooden martial arts dummy, a pull-up bar, and workout equipment. The coolest part, there’s two feet of storage underneath the deck holding dumbbells and gear.

Mindful, Intentional, and Entirely His Own

Nico’s tiny home isn’t just a place to sleep, it’s a philosophy made physical. After twenty years of working to pay rent, he now spends his time on creative pursuits, martial arts, meditation, and building the life he actually wants.

“Life should not be about going to work, make money, and pay rent,” he says. “Everything has a purpose.” In Tiny Lux Life, every single thing does.