An Atypical Paint Job and a Dedicated Dog Cabin Complete This Clever $3K Camper-Van Conversion
Texas-based artist and designer Rachel Farrington was inspired by the rocky ground, prairie grass, sandstone, and bright open skies of the Southwestern U.S.—where she and her family intend to head next.
Texas-based artist and designer Rachel Farrington was inspired by the rocky ground, prairie grass, sandstone, and bright open skies of the Southwestern U.S.—where she and her family intend to head next.
Last June, after a year of project setbacks, artist and designer Rachel Farrington acted on the advice of an architect friend: Do something fun. "It had been a tough year, and I wanted to make a gift for my family and play at the same time," recalls the painter and sculptor, who’d had few opportunities for manual activities while being glued to the computer screen at her home in Lago Vista, Texas, laying out furniture and interiors. "I decided to work with my hands again."
Shiny plastic interiors may be fine for some RV owners, but Rachel Farrington wanted natural materials to create a warm, room-like vibe for trips with her husband, Mark (right), their son, Jonah (left), and the family’s dogs.
Photo: Jack Thompson
The fun project, her friend emphasized, should also be a small one. Rachel looked no farther than the Ford Transit cargo van in her driveway and spent the summer customizing the vehicle’s interior as a "green" camper for her husband, Mark, their 14-year-old son, Jonah, and two family dogs. Perfect for vacations and fishing trips and as a solar-powered mobile workspace, the van has also been useful closer to home as an extra bedroom.
"We love that feeling of independence when you can get by on almost nothing," says Mark. Traveling light means everyone can be ready to move in 15 minutes: "We wake up, put the dogs inside, and go." The upcycled bamboo cups and bowls are from World Market.
Photo: Jack Thompson
The van’s snug interior allows for one bag per person and a simple sink. The project relied on Havelock wool insulation and a Toproad water bottle pump from Amazon.
Photo: Jack Thompson
See the full story on Dwell.com: An Atypical Paint Job and a Dedicated Dog Cabin Complete This Clever $3K Camper-Van Conversion
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