This old Mercedes bus, transformed into a quirky little house, is an exquisite work of art
When converting an old standard vehicle, such as a box van, school bus or cargo trailer, into a mobile living space, the possibilities are endless and each DIY conversion is a uniquely creative process, whether you want a cozy RV for weekend trips, a mobile office or a permanent living space.
Today’s story is about an amazing DIY project that shows what you can do with an abandoned, disused bus if you use your creativity and artistic flair. It’s an old Mercedes bus that was transformed into a lovely little forest house by Chelsea, a young Australian artist. She wanted an alternative housing solution that would allow her to live a life of freedom, financial independence and tranquility surrounded by nature.
The old Mercedes bus that Chelsea bought on Facebook Marketplace is no longer roadworthy, but that hasn’t stopped her from transforming it into a little piece of paradise. While most who decide to convert old vehicles into living spaces do so for the mobility benefits, this artist from Brisbane, Queensland, transformed the vintage bus into a stationary little home, complete with an outdoor living area among the trees.
Chelsea’s journey into small-space living began with a Toyota Coaster, which she also converted herself. It was much smaller, however, and because she wanted more space, she bought the Mercedes bus about a year ago, spending around $15,000-20,000 AUD (approximately $10,000-13,500 USD) on it. She transformed it into a magical space that combines a strong sense of aesthetics with effective design principles. She used recycled materials and items from her previous build, as well as inexpensive vintage items she found on Facebook Marketplace, which kept renovation costs down.
Photo: Living big in a tiny house/ YouTube screenshot
She chose this particular bus because it is longer than other models at 11 metres (36 feet) and has both a front and back door and plenty of windows all around, which fit her vision of creating a peaceful oasis that lets nature in and blends seamlessly into the natural surroundings.
Chelsea wanted a place that would give her the freedom to be artistic and to truly pursue her dreams and desires. She also wanted a small house that would blend in with the forest area and have as little impact on the environment as possible. So she painted the bus green and planted greenery around it. Since she doesn’t plan on moving it any time soon, it is slowly being overgrown by the surrounding flora.
As soon as you approach the bus home, you can sense that this is not just a tiny house but also an art gallery, as Chelsea’s artistic flair oozes from every corner, starting with the spectacular outdoor space she created. It’s a relaxing covered patio that she likes to call her “quiet room,” where she occasionally does her online work and entertains guests. It’s furnished with chairs, tables, and even a sofa, and shimmers with a myriad of fairy lights that give it a magical atmosphere.
Photo: Living big in a tiny house/ YouTube screenshot
The interior of the bus is just as enchanting, if not more so. It perfectly reflects Chelsea’s personality and artistic interests, and stepping inside is like being transported to a magical world. She chose to take an eclectic approach to the interior design, bringing together different styles, pieces of furniture from different eras and movements, and vintage or handmade decorative items. She used her artistic eye and a certain level of boldness to bring everything together into a harmonious whole that feels homey and warm and fits perfectly with her lifestyle.
It’s a truly inspiring living space where she is surrounded by things she loves and that inspire her to create beautiful art. From the vintage furniture and gorgeous natural wood edge countertops to the color contrasts and variety of textures, everything has been handpicked and brought into this space to add value and character.
Thanks to the high ceiling and lots of glass, the interior is super bright and feels spacious and open. In addition, Chelsea has decorated the interior with tons of potted plants, which means that the feeling of being in the middle of nature is maintained inside. The only thing that reminds us of the bus’s former life is the dashboard, which peeks out through the plants and decorative items at the front.
Photo: Living big in a tiny house/ YouTube screenshot
In terms of layout, the interior consists of an open shared living area that flows seamlessly into the kitchen, a bedroom, and a separate bathroom. A large portion of this open space is taken up by a quirky kitchen with a unique red gum wood countertop that she brought from a local mill and an old sideboard that she repurposed as a kitchen cabinet. This buffet provides plenty of space for all of her cooking essentials, while a mini fridge, sink, portable cooktop, microwave, and other smaller appliances make this kitchen functional.
Across from the kitchen, a used vintage studio desk has been converted into Chelsea’s own workspace, where she sits and works on her illustrations and books whenever she feels inspired.
A green velvet two-seater sofa and a small side table in the same color create a cozy lounge area decorated with a crocheted blanket and some colorful pillows.
Photo: Living big in a tiny house/ YouTube screenshot
Venturing further into the bus, you’ll find Chelsea’s cozy bedroom, which is just as eclectic and magical as the rest of the house. It’s furnished with a queen-sized bed decorated with an impressive pillow collection, a huge wardrobe that acts as a divider between the sleeping area and the living room, and a long storage unit with drawers and open shelves where she displays all sorts of knick-knacks, including things she’s collected on her travels, books, gifts from friends, and even items she’s made herself. Both the living room and bedroom are custom designed, and beautiful artwork hangs on the walls.
The bathroom at the back of the bus is completely private and has tons of character too. It has a full length natural tree edge countertop that matches the one in the kitchen and underneath are a couple of vintage cabinets that create a unique vanity. A beautiful sink that used to be a hand carved bowl is the centrepiece and three large mirrors and fairy lights add depth and elegance to the space. The bathroom also has a large tiled shower and a composting toilet.
Chelsea’s bus dorm is not only a shelter and an exquisite work of art, but also a masterpiece of what it’s like to live in a space where everything is designed to her exact taste. From the layout of the room to the smallest details and other details like the height of the benches and the type of seating, it is tailored to her needs and lifestyle so that the entire space reflects her bold, passionate personality.
