New York's known for its celebrities hiding in plain sight. You might pass the cast of The Blacklist filming in Astoria, or catch a glimpse of Taylor Swift's ponytail amid the swarm of paparazzi as she rushes out the door of her Tribeca apartment building.
But you probably wouldn't expect to see Olivia Wilde hanging out in a tiny-house-turned-Airbnb of her own design, parked in the heart of Madison Square Park. Oh, and that house is sponsored by Dunkin' Donuts Coffee At Home, because it runs on an alternative fuel made up of 80 percent coffee grounds.
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It sounds like a game of two truths and a lie, but the truth is, it's just a Tuesday in New York City. The Cowboys And Aliens actress is really here, and right now, she's standing in the tiny house's full-size Jacuzzi tub.
"Look at this! This is huge," she says.
At this point, you probably have a lot of questions. I sure did. I'd heard rumors Olivia loved design, but not so much that she'd help decorate a tiny house. The self-described Brooklyn Flea addict has always been passionate about sustainability, so when she heard that Dunkin' was building a 275-square-foot house that runs on spent coffee grounds and uses reclaimed materials, she was all in. Plus, given her filming schedule, she could offer a unique perspective on the features that'd make the most of cramped quarters.
"Actors spend so much time in trailers. People think of luxurious lifestyle, but for the most part, they’re in these tiny little motor homes," Olivia explains.
As she started helping with the design of the space, she focused on incorporating nods to sustainability throughout the space, adding reclaimed wood accents and scooping up flea market finds in the brand's signature pink and orange colors.
"The thing that I do really love is finding pieces that are one-of-a-kind, unique little handmade pieces," says the star, who describes her style as an eclectic mix of mid-century, boho chic, with a touch of rustic farmhouse. "I think it’s a dead giveaway when you walk into a house where everything feels like it’s from a catalog and is entirely unoriginal."
The house is full of smart splurges: There's a retractable glass garage door that brings in plenty of natural light—and opens up onto a pop-out terrace—and a loft bed that's directly above the bathroom. A short set of stairs leads you to the kitchen, but when it's time to eat, you can pull them out to create a full-size table and benches to sit on. That is, if you don't want to dine al fresco on the deck, or at the bistro table in the dining area.
After spending nearly a week in New York City, the house trekked up to Nahant, MA, where it'll be offered as an Airbnb for a limited time. From October 16-26, you can book up to two nights' stay at $10 a night there, making it one of the cheapest getaways you can imagine. As if that weren't enough, the cost also includes unlimited coffee and a range of snacks during your stay, and two people can sleep there, making this a $5-per-person vacation.
You might want to book fast, if you're interested—Olivia's been eyeing it too.
"I'm trying to convince Dunkin' to give me this for my trailer," she jokes. Not a bad idea.
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