From Instagram Ideas to Real Life: The Campervan That Became a Masterpiece

For Tymer and Ashley, van life was about far more than building a tiny home on wheels—it was the start of a journey westward in search of new places, people, ideas, and communities. To carry them into that new chapter, they chose a silver 2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 170” wheelbase 4×4 diesel, purchased from a dealership in Rhode Island in June 2019. With full standing height, low miles, and no rust, it was the perfect blank canvas for the adventure ahead. They named her Hera Tara.

Before construction began, the couple spent countless late nights scrolling through Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube, and van-life blogs, gathering inspiration from other builds. As Mark Twain once wrote, “There is no such thing as a new idea…we simply take a lot of old ideas and put them into a sort of mental kaleidoscope.” Tymer and Ashley embraced that approach, blending familiar layouts into something uniquely theirs.

Their design echoed the old sheep wagons of the American West: a permanent bed with storage underneath, a slide-out table with seating, and an L-shaped kitchen counter at the front. Over two months of nearly full-time work—and with about $15,000–$20,000 in materials plus another $10,000 in solar—they transformed the van from a bare cargo shell into a warm, functional home. Hera Tara wasn’t just a build—it was the vessel for a life defined by movement, discovery, and the freedom of the open road.

The first thing the couple did after acquiring the van was upgrade the wheels. Tymer and Ashley outfitted Hera Tara with 17-inch Method Race Wheels and BF Goodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 tires. The setup gave their Sprinter a rugged look, handled Long Island’s beaches with ease, and—much to their relief—didn’t hurt fuel economy or add extra road noise.

With a layout in mind, Tymer and Ashley did what many seasoned van builders recommend: they built a cardboard mock-up inside the van. Armed with oversized boxes from a local bike shop and plenty of duct tape, they roughed out walls, counters, and seating areas to see how the design would actually feel in the space. The exercise helped them avoid potential pitfalls—a layout that might look good on paper can suddenly feel cramped or awkward once you’re standing in it.

To quiet the ride, they lined the van’s big metal panels with Noico butyl-backed sound deadener. The upgrade cut down on rattles and road noise, instantly making the van feel more solid and livable.

Insulation was the next big task, and Tymer and Ashley didn’t skimp. They chose Foam It Green, a DIY two-part closed-cell spray foam, buying a 600-square-foot kit for about $750—and using every bit of it. Spray foam has its perks: it fills every gap, cuts down noise, and prevents moisture that can lead to rust or mold. But it’s messy. It splatters everywhere, so they masked off anything they didn’t want coated and worked in thin layers to avoid warping the van’s panels. Once cured, they trimmed it flush with a handsaw.

For the floor, they used rigid Polyiso closed-cell foam with wood strips for support, creating a solid, insulated base. The result was a van far quieter, warmer, and better protected from the elements.

Cutting into a brand-new van is nerve-racking, but it’s a necessary step. To keep Hera Tara comfortable and livable, Tymer and Ashley added openings for windows and ventilation. Using a jigsaw with a metal blade, they followed the van’s built-in cut lines, filed the edges smooth, and treated them with rust-resistant paint.

For airflow, they installed a MaxxFan Deluxe on the roof and a tip-out C.R. Laurence window behind the driver’s seat, creating a cross-breeze that doubles as a vent when cooking. Two additional windows in the rear doors brought in more light and opened up views from the bed. While the installation was manageable, it was definitely a two-person job—and sealing leaks took some follow-up with silicone. Since glass reduces insulation, they planned to add insulated window covers for extreme hot or cold weather.

With insulation finished, Tymer and Ashley turned to paneling the van. Builders typically choose between large sheets of plywood or smaller planks. Plywood covers more area at once and can be painted or upholstered, but cutting it to fit the van’s curves and hiding seams can be tricky.

They opted for 10-foot tongue-and-groove knotty cedar planks instead. The boards not only gave the interior a warm, fragrant finish, but were also sturdy enough to anchor interior elements directly with wood screws. It was a practical solution that doubled as a beautiful design choice.

For the flooring, Tymer and Ashley kept it simple: a lightweight, waterproof click-lock floor from Lumber Liquidators, laid directly over the van’s stock subfloor. It was inexpensive, quick to install, and tough enough to handle daily wear. To finish it off, they added stair edging along exposed edges for a clean, durable transition.

Since the bed takes up the most real estate in a van, many builders design convertible setups that double as seating. Tymer and Ashley went the opposite route, opting for a permanent mattress. It offered more comfort, eliminated the hassle of daily setup, and created a large storage area underneath for gear, tools, and their electrical system.

When framing, they made sure to balance clearance above the mattress for sitting upright with enough space below for larger items like bikes. The result was a bed that was both practical and comfortable—an anchor point for the whole layout.

Inspired by the arched interiors of old sheep wagons, Tymer and Ashley reimagined the bedroom storage in their van. Instead of bulky cabinets, they built overhanging shelves secured with bungee cords, which kept belongings in place while maximizing space.

The setup allowed them to keep a full-size bed, created more storage than traditional cabinets, and even added an extra layer of insulation thanks to the clothes. As a bonus, the bungees doubled as a quirky, out-of-tune bass instrument—a playful touch in their cozy bedroom.

At the foot of the bed, Tymer and Ashley built simple box seats with flip-up tops, adding both a place to sit and extra storage. Practical and space-saving, the benches made clever use of an area that might otherwise go unused.

Because cooking was a priority, Tymer and Ashley wanted spacious kitchen cabinets with plenty of room for food and gear. Building from scratch wasn’t an option—working on a Brooklyn sidewalk without a workshop or table saw had its limits—so they turned to their local IKEA, just 300 feet away. With prior experience using IKEA cabinetry in a home remodel, and after reading success stories from other van builders, they decided to adapt the ready-made units for van life.

To reinforce them, they added extra corner brackets and construction adhesive at every joint. Their Dometic CFX-75DZW refrigerator slid neatly into a pull-out tray of a 36-inch IKEA base cabinet—once they removed the fridge handles. The biggest challenge was securing the drawers for travel, which they solved with a mix of internal drawer magnets for when the van was parked and locks on the fronts to keep everything shut tight while driving.

While the cabinets came from IKEA, Tymer and Ashley splurged on custom countertops and a table. With the help of a carpenter friend in Brooklyn, they transformed reclaimed oak from Sawkill Lumber into something truly special. The boards were planed, glued, and sanded smooth, but left with live edges, mill marks, and beetle holes that told their own story.

The result was a surface full of warmth and character—functional for daily cooking, yet rich with the kind of imperfections that make reclaimed wood so beautiful.

For Tymer and Ashley, no home was complete without a solid sound system. They went with a Soundboks speaker, powerful enough to blast clear, undistorted music for up to 40 hours on a single charge—or hardwired when needed. To save space, they tucked it under the bed and disguised it behind a salvaged fireplace grate, which let the sound flow while adding a unique design detail.

Having music on hand wasn’t just about parking-lot breakfasts—it kept the energy up during the build itself, turning long workdays into jam sessions.

For plumbing, Tymer and Ashley kept things simple. They set up a 5-gallon jerry can system, with extra cans stored under the bed for easy refills and swaps. A SHURFLO pump with a bladder tank provided steady water pressure, while a filter on the hot side of the faucet ensured clean drinking water.

Wiring can feel intimidating, but Tymer and Ashley found it manageable once broken down. They ran their cables after paneling, hiding them behind shelves, counters, and trim for easier access later on. In a van, systems run on both 12V DC and 110V AC (via an inverter powered by the alternator and solar), so sizing batteries, panels, and inverters to match appliances is key.

To simplify the process, they consulted with Tiny Watts Solar and purchased a plug-and-play system tailored to their needs and budget. With expert guidance over the phone, they were able to install a setup that delivered reliable off-grid power without the headaches of DIY trial and error.

For exterior upgrades, Tymer and Ashley kept things low-key to maintain a stealthy look. They focused on the roof, adding two 350W solar panels, a Fiamma 65 awning for shade, and a RoadShower for rinsing off after adventures. Everything was mounted to the van’s factory roof rails, which they installed themselves, creating a clean and functional setup without drawing too much attention.

The finished campervan is nothing short of spectacular. The bedroom features a double bed with a plush 10-inch memory foam mattress, complete with bedside reading lights and phone chargers for comfort and convenience. Above, bungee storage lines the walls, holding belongings securely in place while adding a distinctive “gypsy wagon” feel. Simple yet effective, this storage solution is one of the details people always ask about—and it works beautifully.

Built into the bed frame is a slide-out table that serves double duty—pulled out for dinners or as a convenient work-from-home space on the road.

In the kitchen, Tymer and Ashley paired IKEA cabinets with custom countertops crafted from reclaimed oak, blending practicality with character. A mobile induction cooktop gives them the freedom to cook anywhere, then tuck it away to keep the counters clear when not in use.

In the kitchen, mason jars and spice glasses are suspended from a shelf with their lids screwed into place, keeping essentials visible and within reach. Spices, teas, noodles, coffee, grains, and legumes line the wall like a colorful pantry on display, while a built-in herb garden on the windowsill brings a touch of freshness to every meal.

The kitchen features a handmade Moroccan sink with a water filter, adding both function and character.

Part of the kitchen countertop lifts up, creating an easy passage between the living area and the campervan’s cockpit without sacrificing valuable counter space.

Beneath the bed, a large “garage” storage area offers ample room for gear, with access from both the front and rear of the van.

In the end, Tymer and Ashley turned a bare Sprinter into a thoughtfully crafted home on wheels. From reclaimed oak countertops to clever bungee storage and a robust off-grid system, every detail of Hera Tara reflected their creativity and care.

Follow along with Tymer Buck’s adventures on Instagram @vansteading