If you’re a big fan of travel, you might have vague dreams about owning your own camper van and using it to tour the world. For many of us, life has an annoying habit to get in the way – there are bills to pay, children to raise and career ladders to climb. But some people decide to wave goodbye and drop it all in order to go on an adventure.

Aiden and Nicola are a young couple who did just that. The pair live in their self-renovated Toyota Coaster, called Frank, and plan to tour their native Australia as soon as the Coronavirus risk passes.

The couple are far from experts when it comes to getting hands-on with a vehicle renovation, but they were prepared to learn as they went – and the finished result was worth every minute of their time!

At the moment, Frank is stationed at an organic lemon myrtle farm in Mareeba, where Aiden and Nicola currently work. They’ve got plenty to keep them going until they can finally travel.

Transforming Frank from his original state to the way he looks today was a long process. Aiden and Nicola didn’t like much of the way Frank looked to begin with, so they ripped out almost everything and started again from scratch.

A lot of Aiden and Nicola’s finds were old or recycled materials. They found their beautiful wooden slab countertop at the side of the road, and installed it for just $150. The drawers in the van were saved from Frank’s original fit.

You might first think that the item pictured is a large pot, but it’s actually fully functional as a sink. The couple picked up the vintage piece from an antiques shop. They secured it onto the counter using a silicone base for extra support. The brass faucet is a perfect match.

The space inside Aiden and Nicola’s home is small but cosy. The kitchen takes up most of the room – but with its textured wooden panelling, that’s far from a bad thing. Even the refrigerator-freezer is covered with a wood-vinyl laminate. We can’t imagine the original stainless steel design would have matched well with the rest of the space.

At the back of the van is the couple’s bed, with a large window for gazing out of at whatever breath-taking location Frank is parked at in the future. There’s also a small storage cupboard that contrasts nicely with the wood panelling on the walls.

The driver’s space has a very interesting turf flooring. The couple fitted this in place of the original carpet, which was looking a bit tired.

The kitchen has its own set of windows for admiring the view while preparing dinner. Imagine chopping vegetables while watching the sun set over the sea, or gazing into the wilderness of an uninhabited forest. Absolute bliss.

It’s unsurprising that Aiden and Nicola are so pleased with their van refurbishment. Now that their hard work is over, they have everything they need to live a sustainable, laid-back life on the road. And think of all the places whey will be able to visit!

Congratulations to the couple for putting in the time and effort to create their own dream home on wheels. We’re certainly tempted to follow in their footsteps – or should that be tire tracks?

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Source: Smallerliving.org