Real estate is a tricky business. The ever booming housing market has never failed to raise the bar for the amount of blood and sweat one needs to put in to build their own home-sweet-home! The pace at which we are running never lets us sit down and think of other options that might be around for an affordable abode. But buying space for a dream house for just $4,500? Sounds like a scam, but it is absolutely true. One couple found an unconventional option for their residence with some “DIY-Home Building”. This is how they did it.
Love Hate Relationship With Real Estate
In today’s world, being one of the most evolved species, we somehow made chaotic lifestyles a new normal. We have to do so much and have so little time to make the ends meet, that we couldn’t even teach ourselves or our kids how to build a house. The moment we started to outsource home-building and systematized land ownership, the shiny-dreamy housing market was born. But with the reins in their hands, the price of living rises every year and more people struggle to root themselves.
The Need For Alternate Housing
The way real estate business has established monopoly over housing people and using it for evil, it is bad news for people looking to call a place their own. But what if there was a way to have a house that suits your dream lifestyle without having to take the conventional route? If you are proficient with building you can save the labor costs but you’ll still need the land and expensive construction materials to build a house. Unconventional housing options solve these problems.
Not Up For A Conventional House
Iona Stewart and Martin Hill of the UK are travel enthusiasts and like to feel at-home wherever they go. They were sure that it wasn’t a good idea for them to buy a house, as it would crush their financial freedom and the house they will own, will end up owning them. Plus with their traveling, the hotel costs will also be indispensable, which would discourage them further for living an explorer’s life. But there was an alternate option, and as soon as they conceived this idea, they nosedived into it to make it possible.
A House On Wheels
Wouldn’t it be cool to travel inside one’s bedroom and enjoy meals to the breathtaking views? Iona and Martin knew this would be their dream lifestyle and after a lot of brain storming and careful analysis, the couple bought a ready-made box to fit their home into: A bread truck! They went with the idea in full throttle and bought a perfectly sized yellow bread truck on eBay for just $4,670, and spent a net total of $25,000 to convert it into their travel nest.
A Vision To Transform
Iona and Martin got a really good deal on the bread truck when they bought it from Hovis that used it to transport their products from the factories to the distributors across the UK. The couple was excited and wanted to transform this truck into something unique and special, something they could call “home”. Soon, they stripped away all the details of a simple bread-truck and replaced them with a traveling home that would travel the globe while living an inspiring lifestyle.
All Set To Work
It was clear to Iona and Martin that they were not ready to say goodbye to their traveling lifestyle and at the same time, they wanted a house to call their own. A house on wheels was just the perfect solution to their problem. They wanted to save on the cost of land, construction material and labor costs. Now that they already had a box ready to be converted into a home that wouldn’t need to confine itself to one geographical address, they were ready to start working on it.
Dividing And Conquering
Martin and Iona knew their strengths and planned their house building adventure accordingly. They wanted to put all their heart and passion into their dream home and diving responsibilities just seemed logical to them. Martin took charge of the renovations and Iona indulged herself into the craft of designing the interiors. A lot of hard work and whooping four months later, their personal housing project was ready to be revealed to the world. They were proud of what they created and drove to France in their truck-home.
Offering A Surprise Inside
The old yellow truck sold at a throw-away price on eBay definitely underwent a revolutionary transformation in four months. They peeled off the yellow paint and wanted it to look like any other truck on the road. Wouldn’t this be a nice surprise to enter a normal looking truck and find a beautiful home inside? The ordinary truck they converted it into, did not offer much from outside on purpose. The moment one opens the door and checks out the interiors, one would naturally exclaim “extraordinary”!
Blending Into The Crowd
If the people at Hovis decided to check on their sold truck again, they would hardly recognize it. The unmistakable yellow truck was now any other truck one would find on the road. Just changing the color of the truck made a huge difference. The couple had the intention of blending into the crowd while drawing minimum attention. They wanted to be able to park their truck-home in normal truck stops and rest stops across the globe without having people ogle the windows of their little secret home.
In Need Of Modifications
Iona and Martin figured they didn’t need to change much in the truck itself, rather a few modifications would do a great job. The couple wanted a solid and safe home inside the truck which could withstand thousands of miles of journeys across all kinds of terrain. They needed certain aspects of the truck upgraded to suit their traveler lifestyle. A fiber glass wheel arch panel replaced the original one since the fiber glass is waterproof and doesn’t embrace rust, while maintaining top-notch sturdiness. This was just the beginning.
First Thing’s First
The task of building something requires patience, planning and execution along with tiring amount of work. Iona and Martin too, started from the bottom and converted the months of their work into a beautiful home. All they started with was an empty truck and they had a long way ahead. The first step of the whole process was to design the whole interior space. They knew one mistake would ruin their dream home, so they started with measuring the space and created a blueprint to base their home on.
A Ton Of Work To Do
This wasn’t going to be easy but Iona and Martin were ready to take up any challenge to build their dream home. Soon, using insulation, wood and a whole lot of other material, they figured out where to place cupboards, walls and worktops for an efficient and functional home. The process was tiresome, but the end result was so rewarding that they felt proud of all the efforts put. After all, it was a unique house inside a truck and not many are experts in the subject matter.
No Room To Expand
Martin earned Iona’s respect while he worked really hard to build their dream house. The couple was very practical with how much they could do in a limited space inside the truck. There was no scope for any kind of expansion. They had to make it work with whatever they had. Taking a step back every time a new section was completed helped them to plan their next moves in a better way. After the basic framework was built, they were able to add electricity and furnishings.
Smiling All The Way
Martin and Iona worked really hard, but that doesn’t mean they didn’t have fun. This project was very personal to both of them and they enjoyed every moment they spent working on it together. The thought of how it was going to change their way of living never failed to bring a smile on their faces throughout the construction. When they installed their ottoman bed, the space underneath it resembled a coffin. It had to be made into a joke and that’s what Iona into did.
Devil Is In The Details
While Martin tried to do his best work in construction, Iona got involved in whatever she could get. Whatever section Martin finished building, Iona would work in detailed design of everything. She would grab her paintbrush and start painting whatever component she found completed. The couple wanted to stay true to their natural and simplistic form of living. They made sure that even the color schemes or the smallest of designs complemented their personality to have the home match their personal vibe.
Cooking Up A Storm
Mike and Iona wanted to travel the world while still having home cooked food. This was the idea behind their kitchen. When you look at the kitchen from inside, it looks almost as big as the ones in small studio apartments. One would be surprised how a good design can make a congested space feel fairly big. The kitchen has ample space and is fully functional to cook up a storm. There is a facility of an oven, a hob, a large refrigerator and many different cupboards.
A Kitchen To Envy
Building a home inside an old bread truck was no joke. There were hurdles at every step of the way but the couple knew they wanted a comfortable home that they could travel in. Having a proper kitchen was important to them even though there was limited space. But their smart ideas of storage made it easy for them to whip up a meal in the evening. Their modern appliances, wooden countertop and beautiful tiles made their kitchen a fun place to cook together.
Not A Temporary Arrangement
Tiny homes need smart solutions, especially for storage. Iona and Martin were well aware of the storage problem and so, they came up with various storage options suited to their needs. Little shelves were built into small expanses of wall and some hooks were added to the mix. This gave them enough space for all their food and they didn’t have to light up camping stoves in the middle of some isolated place like a traditional camper.
Need For Partition
The confined space inside the truck couldn’t be built into many rooms so Martin installed little steps to create a distinction between the kitchen and living area. This visible barrier has done wonders for the architecture of the truck home. The feel of the whole area is simple with a few fancy things smartly fitted. Every wall is used as a storage space in addition to the boxes above the pull-out couch. The couple utilized every part to its maximum capacity.
A Comfortable Den
There is quite enough space for both Martin and Iona to relax and chill out in the living area after a long day’s work. They installed a corner couch which doesn’t occupy too much space and there is a TV to get some entertainment in the evening. One can find personal touch in every corner of this tiny house. Little cubby-holes in the walls provide space for trinkets and memories, and even pieces of art have been added to the walls.
A Touch Of Personality
Most of the living area in Iona and Martin’s house is made using wood and they have smartly used these natural accents to their advantage. The wood has been left exposed to add personal touches throughout. The couple has created storage space to hold their camera, books, calendar and some decorative items to make their truck house more interesting. Giving the truck a homely feel, they have put up string lights on the side of the cabinet, keeping them away from the main space while still utilizing the light.
A Warm Place To Huddle
Though Martin and Iona have ensured that there is proper insulation in the truck home, there is also a beautiful log burner which would keep the whole truck warm. They wanted to find a single source of heat that could keep the entire truck warm and they got that with this burner. While traveling across warm countries and locations, they wouldn’t need this heat source but winter evenings and nights can get pretty cold. By having a log burner facility, they can make their house a warm and cozy place.
Double The Story, Double The Fun
The couple wanted their tiny traveling home to appear a little larger than it actually is, and they did this by creating different levels inside. Just two wooden stairs up, one would find a bedroom. The truck is enough for two people, but the couple built a provision for friends and family to visit them as well. The pull-out couch has enough space for extra two people to stay with them, which makes it pretty comfortable to accommodate even four people without making the space congested.
Spacious Yet Neutral
The bedroom that is sitting on top of four wheels is actually bigger than some people’s bedrooms in normal brick and mortar houses. They have gotten a large double bed and there is a closet inside the bedroom along with quite enough storage space. Iona and Martin intentionally designed their truck home to be as light as possible. There is enough space to walk around the bed and get ready in the morning. It sure doesn’t look like the inside of a bread delivery truck.
Dinosaur Themed Bedroom
Iona and Martin decided to choose a dinosaur theme for their bedroom. The theme looks fun and the couple found exciting ways to incorporate it into their furnishings. They incorporated the theme while using the space very smartly. High shelves were used to replace large or wide drawers to save a lot of floor space. Making use of height in a house is an extremely smart way to declutter the house and the couple used this trick to move around the house freely.
Looking After Their Sanitary Needs
A bathroom is one of the most essential parts of a house but designing it inside a truck isn’t easy. The couple ensured they had one efficient bathroom. Of course, only a small bathroom could be built inside the small space of the truck, but they made sure to put in everything one could need. They have a sink and vanity cabinet in addition to a toilet just behind a door. There is also a shower head installed just above the toilet. With their clever design, they could fit everything the needed in a small bathroom.
Conscious Of The Environment
The main purpose of building this home on wheels was to solve the purpose of traveling the world as comfortably as possible. But Iona and Martin wanted it to be environmentally responsible, thus they decided to ditch modern plumbing and kept it more old school. There is no sewer system installed, but they built a composting toilet. To complete one’s business, one just needs to sprinkle some saw dust over the top and then empty the bucket below when it is full.
A Touch Of Art
A personal touch converts a house into a home. One’s personality radiates out of the kind of art pieces one chooses to install in their home. In this truck house, no spare space is devoid of some form of art work added into the mix. A beautiful graffiti-style piece dons the side of the front door. Anyone who enters the truck wouldn’t miss this beautiful work of art. The couple tried their best to make their home look really special.
A Home For An Artist
What is a home without some personal touches? Iona and Martin put up some beautiful prints and cool images, hinting to their interests and inspirations. Iona actually sketched many of them herself. Being a keen artist, it was important for Iona to add a personal touch to their home to make it special. She would whip out her pens and paper to sketch some impressive art works. Every piece of art that Iona has created adds a special flavor to their dream home.
Let The Travel Begin
The proud couple couldn’t wait to finish off their truck home and take it out for a joy ride across the globe. It is amazing to feel at home, no matter where you go. They were in France for some time and then kept moving, to show off their piece of beauty and inspire a new travel and lifestyle culture. They can’t say for sure about their return plans. They are not even sure if they will ever return! After all, they have everything they need in their moving home.
Hitting The Rough Terrains
French mountains aren’t easy to scale, thanks to their rough terrain. There are thin roads, rough ground and bad weather, all at once. Summers are a little better, but winters in the French Mountains are pretty hard to deal with. The beautiful snowy backdrop seems breathtakingly beautiful. But the couple doesn’t seem to be worried about any location. They have a cozy place to live and travel with, and a beautiful log burner which would instantly warm the place up for a comfortable survival.
The Place Of First Meeting
The couple actually met in the French Alps while on vacation and both loved snowboarding and mountains. Their common interests did a lot to bring them together and closer. Iona and Martin have been inseparable since then. As soon as they completed their truck home, they were desperate to visit the place where they first met each other. Along with traveling in their luxury mobile home anywhere they want, they also enjoy to get their boards out and go for a thrilling slide down some famous slopes.
A Cool Place To Hangout
Iona and Martin aren’t anti-social. They love having people on board to hang out and talk with. Their friends and family often visit them in their unique house. Their living area might seem a little small to accommodate many people, but they have been able to fit a huge number of friends inside the four walls. Once, there were 13 people in total who hung out comfortably in this small truck!
A Whole Community
Iona and Martin aren’t the only ones who turned the idea of a mobile home into practice. The couple met many others like themselves. They have been traveling with a whole host of their friends over the past few months, looks like they have created their own little community. Traveling together, eating together, hanging out in snow together, and doing everything else together becomes the glue of a strong community.
A Place On Google Earth
The couple chose a lifestyle that suits them the best. They would spend days and sometimes weeks in campgrounds and truck stops across France. It has given them a chance to make use of their amazing house and explore places. Amazingly, Google Earth has given their truck its very own place on the internet. Iona was very excited to find the picture of their truck home on Google Earth and she instantly shared it with family and friends on Facebook.
House On Wheels 2.0
Iona and Martin seem to have been able to transform their wander lust into something remarkable and unique. They realized that they did not need to leave a luxury life behind to be able to live a wanderer’s life. Because their first idea of getting a truck house was hard-on hit, they decided to do it one more time. This time, they have bought a van and they are looking to convert it into something unique and beautiful, just like their previous project.
Ripping The Van Apart
The couple hasn’t been able to spend a lot of time on the van to convert it into something wonderful, but undoubtedly, they are up for it. They want it to be at par with their first project. They have already started off by ripping everything out of the interiors of the van and turned it into a blank 3D canvas. The project is yet under planning phase so there is no clarity on the vibe they will choose or the aesthetics but considering their previous achievement, this is anticipated to be just as beautiful.
More Adventures To Plan
The couple has bought a second van to compliment their first one and the bread truck would still act as their Mothership House, like the main base. The smaller van is for smaller adventures, which will make sure of the comfortable short getaways. This small van would be used to get further into the mountains, enabling them to explore more of the world. Hopes are high to see their next completed project, as they raised a bar for themselves by building the bread truck into a beautiful abode.
Just The Beginning
The couple worked really hard and smart to get the life they desired. They save a lot of money on hotel rooms and they don’t have to worry about property taxes or maintenances, which they use to fulfill their travel curiosities. They don’t want to stop just at the truck, but their next project has many eye-balls glued to the updates they post about the van they are modifying. All the best to this incredible couple and we can’t wait to see how their new project panned out.
