After spending six months transforming a school bus into a house on wheels, couple Tanya Nestoruk and Arya Touserkani are now living every traveller’s dream, exploring the United States, Canada, and Mexico, in their newly transformed house on wheels.
Tanya, an environmental educator, and Arya, a photographer, were already very familiar with nomadic life in a small space. They worked remotely while enjoying life on the road in a 55-square-foot van.
Still, space was an issue. Their desire for more of it led them to purchase a 2003 International school bus in Vancouver, Canada, for $7,200. It was being retired from the education system to make way for a new fleet.
What started as a school bus would quickly become the couple’s new 215-square-foot home. According to Tanya and Arya, they spent six long months building their new home using recycled materials and cheap items they found on Facebook Marketplace.
But it was by no means smooth sailing for the couple. They often joked about setting it on fire and had to take on another job when their renovation fund ran dry. They also had to think outside the box by selling everything they wouldn’t be using to fund the things they would be using. Everything from scrap metal and wood to light fixtures, luggage racks, and seats was sold off until the bus was nothing but a shell.
After making more money and relying on friends and family for help, they finally achieved their goal. Their new Skoolie was road-ready after spending $40,000 bringing it to life. After it was finally completed in November of 2022, Tanya and Arya were able to hit the road and enjoy the best of what the United States, Canada, and Mexico had to offer.
Couple Tanya Nestoruk and Arya Touserkani sold their small 55-square-foot van and upgraded to a 215-square-foot Skoolie that was being retired from the education system. Painting it was one of the first tasks on their list. They started by washing the bus, lightly sanding it, rewashing it, and taping off everything that wouldn’t be painted. Finally, it was ready for a new lease on life.
Tanya and Arya used industrial semi-gloss enamel paint with a gravity-fed gun for an even finish. The entire exterior took two full days of preparation and painting before it became the two-tone seafoam green and white masterpiece it is today.
When a bus becomes your house on wheels, you need a few features to make it more house than bus. Tanya and Arya chose to install a solid wood door akin to those you’d find in an actual home. They removed the glass and replaced it with polycarbonate for safety. They also installed four 200-watt solar panels on the roof to take care of all their energy needs.
It’s the small details that have the most impact. Arya installed a foldable table on the exterior for easy outdoor mealtimes. They found cheap lumber on Facebook Marketplace, clear-coated it, and mounted it to the side with brackets purchased from Amazon. It can fold up for effortless transportation.
Before the conversion, Arya and Tanya’s 2003 International school bus was as original as they get. It still had all the seats and luggage racks, which they had to painstakingly remove.
Gutting the bus was one of the first steps of the conversion process. After removing the seats and luggage wracks, they had to take the emergency escape and ventilation hatches out of the ceiling and create holes for skylights. They also raised the roof in sections where they’d be installing their three custom skylights.
Tanya and Arya insulated the bus with spray foam before installing whitewashed tongue-and-groove knotty pine and vinyl flooring. They also built a couch that has plenty of in-built storage and converts to a guest bed. The light floors, ceilings, light-colored upholstery, and skylights ensure the whole bus is light, bright, and airy.
Space is limited even in a 221-square-foot school bus, so Tanya and Arya got creative with their dining area. They purchased a piece of oak wood from Facebook Marketplace and installed it along the window sill as a breakfast bar. The long, narrow table folds down when not in use and takes up very little usable space.
Winters can be brutal in the United States and Canada. Not leaving their comfort to chance, Tanya and Arya installed a Grizzly cubic stove from Cubic Mini Wood Stoves. They made the stove’s stand out of plywood, encased it in cement board for heat protection, and coated it with cement-based mortar. After sanding it, they used a concrete sealer before placing logs inside for convenient storage.
While many Skoolies have full-sized fridge/freezer units, they take up a great deal of space. Wanting to save space, Tanya and Arya opted to install a large drawer into their kitchen cabinetry to tuck away a Dometic fridge and freezer. It’s the perfect size for the couple’s needs and spends most of its time out of sight.
Tanya and Arya’s kitchen is well-equipped for convenient cooking. They have a mini oven and three-burner gas hob, with a beautiful backsplash behind them. The backsplash features a handpainted motif.
The kitchen countertops may look like heavy concrete, but they’re not! Tanya and Arya made them look like concrete by installing a plywood base, covering them with a cement-base mortar, and finishing the look with a food-safe sealant. This countertop pairs beautifully with the natural wood cabinetry.
Adjacent to the kitchen is a hallway leading into a pantry closet and bathroom. The bathroom features a beautiful handmade door, epitomizing Tanya and Arya’s ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’ motto.
Tanya and Arya weren’t initially sure what they wanted to do for doors, but after realizing they had leftover ceiling materials, they put together a beautiful and artistic door with the scrap pieces.
With the environment on their mind, Tanya and Arya decided to install an environmentally friendly composting toilet in the bathroom.
The bathroom walls and flooring give off ’industrial vibes’ with their cement-based mortar as a faux cement. However, Tanya and Arya managed to soften the concrete with a mirror and faucet with golden accents.
Floor space can be lacking in a bathroom. However, Tanya and Arya introduced extra floor space by installing the sink on a floating shelf. They can store items underneath or enjoy the illusion of more space.
Showering is a positive experience in Tanya and Arya’s Skoolie. They enjoy the extra height and light from their skylight and the character of their classy antique brass shower. They also purchased a new tankless hot water heater on Facebook Marketplace for an affordable price. It ensures easy and fast hot water for showers, dishes, and handwashing.
A great deal of thought went into the bedroom area of Tanya and Arya’s Skoolie. They wanted comfort, convenience, and storage, and their final design ticked all those boxes. They built a platform for their bed with enough space underneath for their 100-gallon water tanks. These provide enough water for around 2-3 weeks. There’s also an abundance of storage space left for tools, bus oils and fluids, clothes, and towels.
Tanya and Arya’s bedroom creation is a delightful oasis. Not only does it have a luxurious king-size bed, but it also boasts custom curtains for comfort and privacy. Tanya sewed them using canvas materials and a thermal insulating material. With the addition of wooden doweling, they can slide the curtains off easily when they don’t need them.
The bedroom area is home to Tanya and Arya’s washer/dryer they found on Facebook Marketplace. Above it is a small closet where they keep a mirror, clothing, and toiletries. Adjacent is a charming wooden ladder leading up to the roof deck.
Stay updated with Tanya Nestoruk and Arya Touserkani’s bus journey by following them on Instagram and TikTok.