Abbe’s newest van conversion presents a glimpse into high-end RV life, showcasing her experience in designing compact but luxurious areas.
As her fourth undertaking, the construct incorporates a Mediterranean-inspired model, premium kitchen home equipment, and a spacious format.
A House on wheels: A brand new chapter in RV life
An skilled van dweller, Abbe introduces her newest undertaking: a rigorously designed van that redefines RV life.
She calls it “Luna,” a reputation that displays her imaginative and prescient of mixing practicality with high-end design.
As her fourth van conversion, this construct marks a big step in her journey.
Designing for consolation and performance
The van’s format is crafted for each consolation and connection to nature. The primary residing space serves a number of functions: a lounge, eating house, and sitting room.
A flexible desk could be adjusted in numerous instructions. On the similar time, a hidden slatted system permits the seating space to rework right into a second mattress.
Abbe positioned the seating space for optimum views.
“I like having it proper right here as a result of whether or not you’ve got your door open or closed, you’ve got a very cool view and you’re feeling such as you’re actually immersed in your surroundings.”
Close to the doorway, two compact storage cubbies assist arrange necessities like footwear and moist gear, making certain a clutter-free house.
Privateness and insulation
A key improve on this van conversion is a pocket door separating the cab from the residing house.
In contrast to her earlier builds, the place the cab remained open, Abbe noticed this characteristic as essential.
“This was one thing I completely wanted to have in my van construct,” she stated.
The door enhances privateness, reduces noise, and improves insulation by blocking warmth from the dashboard.
“Once I’m driving, I actually can’t hear something within the again. I really feel like I’m simply in a automotive.”
Above the cab, a big storage compartment supplies house for blankets and backpacks.
Luxurious options that elevate RV life
One of many van’s standout parts is the bathe, designed with high-end Spanish handmade tiles and stone pebbles, complemented by brass fixtures.
It additionally features a Leo dry flush rest room and a waterless system that eliminates odors and chemical use.
Abbe acknowledges a normal joke about van life showers: “Lots of people prefer to chortle that oh, you possibly can sit on the bathroom when you’re having a shower, however I by no means have truly completed that in my life.”
As an alternative, she removes the bathroom when showering to maximise house. The bathe additionally incorporates a light-weight, self-cleaning Nautilus door.
Air flow is one other precedence, with a Maxxair fan and two rear home windows making a cross breeze to maintain the inside cool.
“This fan simply actually pumps air by way of the house… attracts hardly any energy, so should you don’t wish to put the air-con on, this can just about preserve you cool throughout the day.”
Adjoining to the bathe is a full-length closet with pull-out drawers, providing ample storage for meals, cleansing provides, and clothes.
A van with a totally geared up kitchen
The kitchen consists of an induction range, which Abbe praises for its effectivity.
“It solely will get sizzling when you’ve got a pan on it… I cook dinner three to 4 instances a day and by no means have any points with energy consumption.”
A 160-liter Nomadic 12V fridge, divided right into a fridge and freezer, supplies sufficient house for 2 folks.
A central management panel manages the van’s key techniques, together with air-con, solar energy, alternator charging, and battery ranges. The electrical water heater runs on a timer to preserve power.
For local weather management, Abbe put in a Cruise and Consolation air-con system.
“I made a decision to go exhausting or go residence. I simply bought the perfect air conditioner I may presumably get my fingers on.”
The system, principally put in below the kitchen space, features a compressor, condenser, and evaporator.
The kitchen’s design is each sensible and trendy. A Moroccan plaster sink is a novel contact.
“I’ve by no means seen anyone use this materials earlier than, by no means thoughts construct a sink out of it, but it surely’s 100% waterproof, so I took the danger, and it’s truly held up improbable.”
The kitchen has an air fryer, convection oven, and toaster combo, providing versatile cooking choices.
Though a microwave will not be included, the setup compensates with environment friendly, space-saving home equipment.
Storage can be a key characteristic, with a hidden pantry beneath a bench that gives ample room for meals and on a regular basis necessities.
A comfortable bed room inside a tiny residence on the street
The bed room features a side-to-side queen-size mattress with ample storage beneath.
“I actually like this model of mattress since you get tons of cupboard space beneath.”
The under-bed compartment homes electrical and plumbing techniques and has room for giant objects like bikes.
Abbe provides, “This mattress is only a actually comfortable, fastened place that I can nestle up into on the finish of the day.”
Initially unplanned, a skylight above the mattress grew to become essential after eradicating a factory-installed air conditioner. Constructed from tempered glass, it’s sturdy sufficient to face on.
Abbe opted for a ceiling design impressed by Spanish Mediterranean structure to reinforce the van’s aesthetics.
“I keep in mind after I considered this, I actually bought chills in my complete physique. I used to be like, I want to try this.”
Out of doors options an RV life necessities
The van’s exterior features a ladder, a spare tire provider, and an outside storage field for tenting necessities.
Storage beneath the mattress holds a 42-gallon contemporary water tank and a 30-gallon grey water tank.
{The electrical} system consists of 600 amp-hours of lithium-ion battery capability, powered by 400 watts of photo voltaic panels and a DC-to-DC charger.
A Victron 3000-watt inverter helps the setup. “It is a actually sufficient system for my wants. I by no means actually run out of energy.”
The journey to RV life
Abbe’s love for various residing started in childhood at her household’s campground in Stafford, Connecticut.
She discovered pleasure in constructing campers and designing practical areas from an early age. When she moved away, she noticed van life as the best strategy to mix her ardour for design with the liberty to journey.
This led her to purchase and renovate her first van, permitting her to take pleasure in RV life and discover the nation on her personal phrases.
Her newest undertaking, a yellow Sprinter van, grew to become a artistic milestone in her profession.
She took a daring method to its design, drawing inspiration from Spanish and Mediterranean structure.
With an funding of $120,000 to $140,000, she crafted an area that balances model, consolation, and practicality, turning her imaginative and prescient into a totally practical residence on wheels.
“This van was extra of an artwork undertaking to me. I simply went all out and didn’t actually care. I simply purchased what I needed.”
The affect of RV life and future plans
Residing in a van modified Abbe’s life in methods she by no means anticipated. Downsizing launched her to a brand new way of life she hadn’t thought of earlier than.
As she traveled throughout 48 states, she discovered extra than simply new locations—she found new alternatives and a deeper understanding of her strengths.
The expertise pushed her to step outdoors her consolation zone, and the connections she made opened doorways to paths she had by no means imagined.
Wanting forward, Abbe plans to proceed in design and van conversion.
“I’d like to remain within the design house as a result of that’s what I’m good at and what I like.”
Her subsequent undertaking could also be one other tiny house, whether or not a van, a home, or a tiny residence.
Right here’s a fast tour of Abbe’s van conversion, the place she enjoys her RV life:
Subscribe to Tiny Home Big Journey’s YouTube channel to see extra wonderful tiny residence movies like this.
You’ll be able to observe Abbe on Instagram and her web site to study extra about her van-dwelling build-out.
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