In my most recent personal entries post I talked about how I recognize how bad I have been about keeping the blog updated. (This seems to be a common topic here on the school of life blog!) However, when I actually looked at the conversion page...WOW! I have been terrible. Seven busy months later, I'd say it's about time to play catch up. Last August I had started full-time student teaching and I wasn't home to be as active in the process and to take photographs. When I was home, my time was so limited so we just worked and I myself didn't take many photos. Jt and our friend Chris worked on the bus most days and let's be honest, most guys are not the best at taking pictures to document stuff. So a lot of the building will not have pictures, but I will explain everything and please feel free to ask any questions!
After we had running water, it was then time to get the electrical done throughout the bus. We started with a reclaimed fencing panel and began building our 'power wall'. Based on reviews, affordability, and quality we decided to go with Renogy Premium 400W 12V kit (http://www.renogy-store.com/400W-12V-Eclipse-Premium-Kit-p/kit-premium400mb.htm). We originally had just started with two VMAX SLR 155 ah batteries, but after a month decided to up it to three batteries. They have an 80% discharge rate and a 'promised' 10 year lifespan. We purchased a MicroSolar - 2000W (Peak 4000W) Pure Sine Wave Inverter - with Remote Wire Controller. Used a Square D by Schneider Electric breaker box, Blue Sea Systems fuse box, two ALEKO® 30AINWH White 30A RV Power Cord Twist Lock Inlets, we put one inside on the power wall and one on the outside of the bus, Camco 55501 PowerGrip 25' Cord with 30 AMP Male Standard/30 AMP Female Locking Adapter, three E2 by Scoshe EWFH Single ANL Fuse Holders, and Scosche EANL125 125 amp ANL Fuses.
After we had running water, it was then time to get the electrical done throughout the bus. We started with a reclaimed fencing panel and began building our 'power wall'. Based on reviews, affordability, and quality we decided to go with Renogy Premium 400W 12V kit (http://www.renogy-store.com/400W-12V-Eclipse-Premium-Kit-p/kit-premium400mb.htm). We originally had just started with two VMAX SLR 155 ah batteries, but after a month decided to up it to three batteries. They have an 80% discharge rate and a 'promised' 10 year lifespan. We purchased a MicroSolar - 2000W (Peak 4000W) Pure Sine Wave Inverter - with Remote Wire Controller. Used a Square D by Schneider Electric breaker box, Blue Sea Systems fuse box, two ALEKO® 30AINWH White 30A RV Power Cord Twist Lock Inlets, we put one inside on the power wall and one on the outside of the bus, Camco 55501 PowerGrip 25' Cord with 30 AMP Male Standard/30 AMP Female Locking Adapter, three E2 by Scoshe EWFH Single ANL Fuse Holders, and Scosche EANL125 125 amp ANL Fuses.
Our friend Graham Henry at Stainless Drains in Caddo Mills, TX built the battery tray for us. The batteries are supposed to be non-leak, but better safe than sorry!
All that stuff combined, gives you the finished product. We can run our refrigerator, and daily usage items with no problem. The hot water heater seems to drain the batteries pretty quickly so that is going to be something we will have to use conservatively if we are not connected to shore power. However, the hot water heater is propane capable so we can just run it off propane when we are off grid as well.
With our electrical ran, we installed all our outlets flush with the furniture instead of in the walls. This one is on the entertainment center, we have one in the kitchen, and two in our bed area. We also ran all our wiring in casing behind the walls. We used a 1" flexible fire proof blue tubing that you can find at Lowe's or Home Depot.
Once all that was done, it was time to finish the walls. For most of the walls, we used reclaimed wood from my Uncle's fencing company, Fisher and Sons Fencing in McKinney, TX. We painted it white to give a brighter and bigger feel to the small space, and still accented with a dark stained trim. We did start running low towards the end of the bedroom, so some of our walls are cedar that we purchased at Home Depot. You will see that below in our closet and dog area.
Then it was time for the flooring! We try to be as eco-friendly as possible while still being reasonable in cost. I originally wanted to do a reclaimed floor, however, with three dogs and the great outdoors we figured it would not hold up or stay very clean. So we opted for a bamboo floor, bamboo is quickly regenerating so it is a very sustainable choice compared to hardwood. So that was an easy choice for us, we purchased 'brown' bamboo flooring from our local Home Depot and we laid Roberts Air Guard underneath. The air guard gives it some cushion, seals out moisture, and has microban to inhibit mold growth.
All that stuff combined, gives you the finished product. We can run our refrigerator, and daily usage items with no problem. The hot water heater seems to drain the batteries pretty quickly so that is going to be something we will have to use conservatively if we are not connected to shore power. However, the hot water heater is propane capable so we can just run it off propane when we are off grid as well.
With our electrical ran, we installed all our outlets flush with the furniture instead of in the walls. This one is on the entertainment center, we have one in the kitchen, and two in our bed area. We also ran all our wiring in casing behind the walls. We used a 1" flexible fire proof blue tubing that you can find at Lowe's or Home Depot.
Once all that was done, it was time to finish the walls. For most of the walls, we used reclaimed wood from my Uncle's fencing company, Fisher and Sons Fencing in McKinney, TX. We painted it white to give a brighter and bigger feel to the small space, and still accented with a dark stained trim. We did start running low towards the end of the bedroom, so some of our walls are cedar that we purchased at Home Depot. You will see that below in our closet and dog area.
Then it was time for the flooring! We try to be as eco-friendly as possible while still being reasonable in cost. I originally wanted to do a reclaimed floor, however, with three dogs and the great outdoors we figured it would not hold up or stay very clean. So we opted for a bamboo floor, bamboo is quickly regenerating so it is a very sustainable choice compared to hardwood. So that was an easy choice for us, we purchased 'brown' bamboo flooring from our local Home Depot and we laid Roberts Air Guard underneath. The air guard gives it some cushion, seals out moisture, and has microban to inhibit mold growth.
Our friend at Stainless Drains in Caddo Mills, TX, the same one that built the battery tray, also built our one piece stainless steel shower and custom drain. JT went up to the shop several weekends to help him work on it, but he came out to the house and measured and drew up a plan that they would implement in building. We bought the brass shower equipment from Amazon, but ended up buying a different brass shower head because the rainfall style just did not provide the shower pressure that we prefer. The flexible shower head on the wall though has been great for giving the dogs a bath and will come in handy for baby Kalon as well. The shower curtain was ordered custom on etsy from, MadeInBurlap, the making and shipping were both super fast considering it was from Greece. I think we had it in hand within a week, quality is great too, and I love the fringe trim at the bottom.
The brass shower rack we also bought on Amazon.com and it has been just the right size for us. It was a PAIN to install, didn't come with the best hardware, but it all worked out in the end. Above to the right is our custom drain from our friend at Stainless Drains, it was a total surprise and it is so beautiful, we cannot thank him enough for everything he did to help us.
Now our kitchen, the most used and messiest room in the bus. Our countertops and walls are reclaimed wood from my uncle's fencing company, Fisher and Son's Fencing. We treated the countertops with a butcher block sealant from Lowe's to help with cleaning and stains and it was food safe. The cabinets we bought off Craig's List from someone remodeling their kitchen. We re-constructed them a bit to make them work for our tiny home. The cabinet and drawer pulls are amethyst chunks and they were a Home Goods find, by Cynthia Rowley. The back splash is Smart Tile from Home Depot in white subway tile, we had to order it online. Everyone that has seen it though thinks it's real tile so I'd say it was a "smart" choice! You can see above in the middle picture the produce rack, does it look familiar? It should, it's the same rack as our shower rack and works perfectly in the kitchen too!
The wood burning stove, since we can cook on it is part of the kitchen, but rolls over a bit to the living area too. Our friend at Stainless Drains built us a tray for under the wood burning stove and we framed it out and filled it with white rock and a mixture of genuine crystals. The back splash is from American Tin Tiles, we sprayed the back with a fire proof foam before installing. To the left you catch a glimpse of our fire tools, we found a mini set on Amazon.com and used a garage storage thing meant for brooms and such to hold them on the wall.
Below we have my favorite part of the kitchen, my spice rack. I have admired them on Pinterest for ages and now thanks to JT we have one in our tiny home kitchen. Food storage in general is a pain in a tiny home, but spice storage in any home is a pain. You can never arrange things were you can see everything so you forget what you have. This makes it perfectly convenient during cooking or any other time to go through my spices.
The wood burning stove, since we can cook on it is part of the kitchen, but rolls over a bit to the living area too. Our friend at Stainless Drains built us a tray for under the wood burning stove and we framed it out and filled it with white rock and a mixture of genuine crystals. The back splash is from American Tin Tiles, we sprayed the back with a fire proof foam before installing. To the left you catch a glimpse of our fire tools, we found a mini set on Amazon.com and used a garage storage thing meant for brooms and such to hold them on the wall.
Below we have my favorite part of the kitchen, my spice rack. I have admired them on Pinterest for ages and now thanks to JT we have one in our tiny home kitchen. Food storage in general is a pain in a tiny home, but spice storage in any home is a pain. You can never arrange things were you can see everything so you forget what you have. This makes it perfectly convenient during cooking or any other time to go through my spices.
For our bed, we built off the wall about four inches, since we used a 1x4 at the top, this was to be able to run our electrical and install the electrical outlet and then also give us a ledge to sit things if we want. Then we built off of that wall to provide a ledge for the bed frame. We used 1x3's to build two equal sized frames then attached them together and hinged them to the 2x4 base. The top is just plywood and our mattress is memory foam so it gives when we lift it. We were able to get an immense amount of storage space from this area.
Our couch is made of all reclaimed wood except the framing which is new 1x3's. We built an inset bookshelf in the wall that divides the kitchen and living area. Under the bookshelf looking at the front of the wall, we have our storage for our TV trays inside the wall as well.
My Aunt sews so I bought all the fabric either on Amazon.com or at JoAnn's and had her sew the curtains, the pillow covers, and the couch cushion cover. We purchased the foam for the couch cushion on Amazon.com.
My Aunt sews so I bought all the fabric either on Amazon.com or at JoAnn's and had her sew the curtains, the pillow covers, and the couch cushion cover. We purchased the foam for the couch cushion on Amazon.com.
Closet space was always something I was worried about. I got rid of SO much stuff either by selling it or by donation over the last two years and I still have too much. Downsizing is a process, but I am one of those people who has to feel prepared for any situation. You do not want to see my bags for even a weekend trip, it's kind of ridiculous. We decided to build our closet over the hump so that way we aren't losing that space. We still have to put the floor in our closet, but that is where shoes go. Then we have a decent rack for our hanging clothes and the baskets above are for our under garments and such. We have baskets that we put under the bed with our out of season and special occasion clothing and items like that. In the picture to the right below, you can see the small swivel mirror on the wall. That is the only mirror in the bus which is crazy!! I sit on the bed and apply my make-up and fix my hair, which is pretty comfortable. There is an emergency exit right above here so I get great natural lighting as well!
Across from our closet is our dog 'room', a shelf for bathroom storage, dog storage, and things like that. The very top spot is for our baby, Kalon's, closet. You can see our closet and this area are to two spaces where we used raw cedar. I think the contrast with the white and the dark trim looks great. | The closet and storage baskets are from Michael's and Kalon's closet storage (the striped baskets) are from the Container Store. I used small shoe boxes from the Container Store to organize bodysuits by sizes and will use them for bibs and diapers too. |