A lot of people are passing the time in various worldwide COVID-19 lockdowns by binge-watching their favorite shows on Netflix. Lucy Stevens, 31, and her partner, Glen Carloss, 34, are doing something completely different: turning buses into homes.
The pair, based in Surrey, had met 12 years ago through friends, then reconnected a decade later. They realized they shared the same dream – turning an American school bus into a house on wheels for an extended road trip.
So, just before lockdown in the UK, they purchased an International CE300 and set about renovating it for their adventure. When the bus arrived from the United States, it was original as they get. According to Lucy and Glen, it still had some children’s toys, uniform items, and even sick notes that children had left on the bus. Some of their names were also written on seats.
Their renovation then began in earnest. They spent £50,000 transforming it into a comfortable home, which included ripping up flooring, removing rust, insulating it, adding diesel heating, and making sure it was kitted out with an inverter and batteries. By the end of their renovation, it was valued at £65,000.
Lucy and Glen loved the process so much that they decided to purchase a second bus and raffle off the first. Raffle tickets would cost £20, and the winner would also get six months of storage in Surrey along with £1,000 towards a category C license needed to drive the bus. Tickets would be for sale until September 30, 2021, or until they sold out.
The main living area of the renovated bus consists of beautiful wood flooring and roofing materials, along with two pull-out sofa beds for every member of the family.
A family can travel quite comfortably on this bus, with a dining area set up for four people.
Meal preparation is a breeze in the International CE300, courtesy of the generous kitchen space with a gas hob, electric oven, fridge, and sink.
When you’re not using the dining area for mealtime, you can quickly convert it into a comfortable bed.
No stone has been left unturned in creating a beautiful, warm, and welcoming house on wheels. This bus has stunning custom upholstery, durable and high-quality flooring, and eye-catching tongue and groove ceiling materials.
Winters on the road need never be a problem, thanks to the fireplace with a tiled area underneath. This is in the center of the bus for heat transfer.
The main living area is spacious for every family member, with the master suite to the rear.
A lot of time and effort has gone into the bedroom. There is ample storage, a pull-down screen, and a movie projector for a cinema experience before going to sleep.
Working on the road, and even getting dressed in the morning, is a breeze. There is a bench area and dresser set up in the bedroom.
A comfortable shower makes life on the road far more convenient. It’s positioned just outside of the kitchen and dining area.
There will be no need to stop at public toilets. This bus comes with a compostable toilet which is easy to maintain, clean, and use.
