Sometimes, wanderlust just gets the best of you.
That's what happened to filmmaker Felix Starck and musician Selima Taibi, who are both originally from Germany. They were tired of living in urban Berlin, and decided to make a new kind of live exploring the wilds of the Americas.
But the the mobile life has its drawbacks. After all, it's stressful to live out of a suitcase, and to sleep in a different place each night. The couple wanted to travel, but they also wanted a home that reflected their personalities.
And with a little hard work, they got to have both, as well as a safe place for their dog, Rudi. And it was all thanks to the decision to buy a school bus.
Converting a school bus into a home isn't a new idea, and there are all kinds of amazing school bus tiny homes to drool over.
But Starck and Taibi had the added challenge of making a bus home that was both livable and drivable. After moving to the U.S. and buying the bus, the pair (and Rudi) planned to drive all over both North and South America.
And amazingly, they did it! All by themselves, too, using mainly salvaged and recycled materials. They named it "Expedition Happiness." The resulting design is cozy and homey, but still functional enough to handle the open road. Check it out below.
[H/T: Country Living, Treehugger]
Selima Taibi and Felix Starck swapped a city life in Berlin for one on the open road in the Americas. To do that, though, they had to have a place to live and a way to travel.
So they thought, why not combine the two?
They started by purchasing a school bus, and immediately set to work on it.
First, the seats were removed.
Next, the entire passenger area was cleared out so they could start fresh with the new design.
Next, using mainly reclaimed and pallet wood, the couple started building the frames for what would become the attached seating, counters, and bed.
Cabinets were installed in the kitchen area. When you have a home this small, storage is everything!
Parts of the interior were also painted. A lighter color would give the small space the illusion of being airier and more open.
In the bathroom, Taibi added in some tiles for more flair.
And while the outside didn't change much, its iconic school bus yellow was given a calmer update with some white.
The finished product is sleek but cozy, with lots of blues, grays, and pale woods for a warm, rustic look that's still clean and modern.
And the original windows let in lots of light and allow for maximum view appreciation.
The kitchen has a sink, a stove, and a fridge, and a surprising amount of counter space.
Opposite the kitchen counter, there's also a work space with two computers so Starck and Taibi can keep up with their artistic endeavors even on the road.
In the very back, there's a bed on a slightly raised platform, and they took full advantage of the bus' emergency ceiling hatch, too, turning it into a perfectly placed skylight.
The seats in the living space open up for easy storage, too.
And there's even a bed for Rudi, seen sitting here behind the driver's seat.
Because this bus was built to travel!
With the bus complete (at least, about "98 percent done," according to the pair), they hit the open road.
They started their trip in Canada, where they took in some starkly beautiful landscapes in British Columbia. They're currently headed down the West Coast for all points south!
You can keep up with their travels on their website (you'll have to hit the translate button unless you speak German), as well as on Facebook and Instagram, and see all the breathtaking natural beauty along with this adventurous, cheerful couple.
If you know someone who loves both DIYs and adventure, SHARE Expedition Happiness with them!
