Our Tiny House in the Making

The idea of building a tiny house on the Hounds Run property started as a chat with Lucy’s parents. Robert and Jo are long time entrepreneurs who grew their love of art, antiques and vintage from humble beginnings in Armadale in the 1970s into the iconic Melbourne store Kazari + Ziguzagu.

The couple shared Lucy and Hadyn’s excitement about the potential of the property and were captivated by the possibilities and beauty of the landscape. On a slightly more practical note, Robert and Jo also wanted to spend as much time as they could at Hounds Run and needed some accommodation while the farmhouse was being renovated. After some basic online research Lucy and Jo attended the Tiny House Festival in Bendigo in 2019 for some inspiration. It was here they discovered several Tiny House specialist builders.

From these discussions and the visit to the festival, the tiny house was conceived. It would provide comfortable, self-contained lodging for family and friends, and share the beauty of the landscape and region with guests. The addition of the tiny house would also enable Lucy and Hadyn to diversify their offering at Hounds Run beyond the vineyard, helping the couple to continue to work towards developing the potential of the property.

Lucy and her mum Jo threw themselves into researching tiny house design, and worked closely with local builder Living Little Tiny Homes in Ballarat to design a completely off grid home. Living Little were engaged in March 2019 and the tiny house was delivered just in time for Christmas in December 2019. Sustainability was a key consideration in the design process and the bespoke tiny house is built to ensure comfort and accessibility with a low carbon footprint. The house is equipped with a composting toilet, full solar power, double glazed windows and energy efficient appliances.

The interior design of the house, amenities and aesthetic ensure a relaxing and comfortable stay for guests. With thoughtful touches and a fully equipped kitchen, you don’t need to leave if you don’t want to. You can explore the region and return to this cosy base, or just relax right here and enjoy the spectacular views. There is a firepit for the winter months, high windows for maximum views and a mezzanine for chilling out and stargazing at the incredibly clear night sky. You can even stargaze right from your bed.

Image credit: Hounds Run Vineyard and Take Us With You

The house is located on the secluded far northwest corner of the property at the top of the vineyard,  overlooking Shiraz vines with spectacular 360° views of the Eastern Grampians. This location was originally earmarked for a cellar door by the previous owners. A Black & Ginger (*link to B&G blog or website) cellar door is a future project for the property, but the tiny house is sitting pretty for now.

Hounds Run Vineyard and Tiny House with a view to the Grampians Ranges

The Hounds Run tiny house is a totally off grid escape. Secluded, private and nestled within the stunning landscape, it really feels like your own corner of the world. Whilst Lucy and Hadyn work towards expanding their accommodation offerings on the property, the ability to offer a private retreat remains central. The sense of seclusion, and escape from the everyday world is key to accommodation at Hounds Run. And luckily for you, what started as a private space for family and friends to enjoy the property can now be shared with guests.

 View more photos and check availability for booking the house through Airbnb or Riparide

Written by Catherine Seccombe