Nothing compares to the feeling of living the rest of your life in your dream home.
We all have our own version of the ‘humble abode’ we dreamed of as kids.
But for Nicholas and Francesca, their ideal home meant having a place that understood their adventurous spirit.
It all started with a documentary.
Inspired by a couple traveling across the country, Nicholas and Francesca looked at each other and knew this would be their next big decision.
After a month of preparation and hard work, the loving couple transformed an old school bus into an elegant home on wheels that runs on solar power!
“We didn’t really need all the space we had in our house in Chicago.
We liked the freedom to explore and have adventures.
And I think we felt like we were stuck in a rut.”
Nicholas and Francesca were unhappy with their day jobs before converting their school bus into a self-sustaining mobile home.
Each week in Chicago, they both had to work at least 60 hours.
This couple had always had a strong desire to travel, lurking in the back of their minds, just waiting to be unleashed.
On weekends, Nicholas and Francesca love to go hiking, take walks with their dogs, and explore the surrounding area.
The couple thought that if they could make these activities the focus of their lives, they would regain their freedom and enjoy their youth.
The adventurous duo didn’t want to wait several years to make their dreams come true.
They found an old school bus from North Carolina at an auction and turned it into a downsized home.
With five 100-watt solar panels, a wood stove, and an 80-gallon water tank, the “Skoolie” can remain fully functional even in the mountains and the most remote areas.
The bus is 38 feet long and 7.5 feet wide.
The first thing you’ll notice is the elegant stonework at the entrance, the solar panel, and the dashboard converted into a couch.
Several photos from @happyhomebuddies, the couple’s Instagram account, show how their furry friends love lounging on the comfortable sofa Francesca made.
Not far from the driver’s seat is the 10-foot sofa that converts into a huge bed.
It’s wide enough to accommodate both Nicholas and Francesca, with plenty of room for their dogs.
The large convertible bed also comes in handy for guests.
At the back of the “Skoolie,” you’ll see what Nicholas and Francesca consider the most important part of the house.
The couple loves to cook and spends a lot of time in the kitchen.
From the start, they knew their dream kitchen needed plenty of counter space.
Since the freezing cold in Colorado can be harsh, the wood stove is all the family needs on a cold winter night.
The couple’s home is also equipped with air conditioning and a generator to keep the entire bus cozy and warm.
Just behind the kitchen, you’ll see the shower with matching stone tiles, similar to the entrance steps.
Opposite the shower area are the composting toilet and the sink.
Both parts of the house blend well with the design and aesthetics of the home.
A little further on is the couple’s bedroom with a double bed.
Nicholas and Francesca have now been living in their dream home for almost six months.
The couple had to learn about solar-powered energy, plumbing, construction, interior design, and engines.
With a total cost of nearly $60,000, they were able to have their dream home while experiencing the most exciting adventure wherever their mobile home takes them.
“We never really settled into our houses, and we could never really express ourselves in our home and get everything we wanted.
And by downsizing, we were actually able to create our dream home.”
Take a full tour of this epic school bus conversion by watching the video.
