To an outsider, this 1998 Mercedes 814D with a maroon paint scheme is just a horse lorry used to transport horses from A to B. But to Ashley Webber, founder of SupertrampedCo, it was an opportunity to create a Moroccan-style house on wheels called Nora.
So, that’s exactly what he did.
Nora’s owners left their Mercedes in the capable hands of Ashley, and he got to work transforming it from a horse transportation truck into a gorgeous house on wheels. When he was done with it, the previously ‘horsey’ interior was replaced with a striking blue, grey, and teal Moroccan and geometric interior combined with dark woods and a disco ball as the icing on the cake.
Nora is now fully kitted out with four driving seats, four dining seats, sleeping areas for two adults and two children, and a 280-watt solar panel for plenty of off-the-grid travel. The transformation will blow you away.
‘Nora’ is a 1998 Mercedes 814D with 103,000 miles on the clock. While she spent her initial life as a horse lorry, her owners enlisted the services of Ashley Webber from SupertrampedCo to transform her into a beautiful Moroccan-style house on wheels. Here she is in all her glory with an attractive and fresh maroon paint scheme and a 280-watt solar panel for off-the-grid adventuring.
Ashley’s clients wanted to see a Moroccan and geometric theme in their truck, and SupertrampedCo more than delivered. Blue, teal, and grey are present throughout, with a CNC-cut Moroccan-style teal arch installed between the kitchen and living area for separation. When paired with natural wood, the finish is striking.
The gorgeous Moroccan styling and geometric patterns aren’t just reserved for the living space. Blue colours and patterns also dominate the children’s area, where a ladder leads to an L-shaped double kids’ bed.
Ashley spent much time planning the charming kitchen, and it’s clear to see that no stone was left unturned in creating perfection. From the Belfast sink and farmhouse-style faucet to the gorgeous dark wood bench and blue wood walls, it’s a match made in heaven. The large window also lets in plenty of natural light.
The gorgeous bespoke brass sliding windows are easy to open for ventilation during those warmer months of the year. This window is positioned in front of the CAN three-ring hob, letting Nora’s owners cook up a storm.
Nora has everything a family needs to prepare meals on the road, including a convenient Dometic fridge-freezer and a built-in Smev oven and grill. These have been built into the cabinetry for a seamless and clean look.
Storage space can be important in any house on wheels, and Ashley came up with innovative solutions in the kitchen. There’s a pull-out shelf between the appliances in the kitchen, which is the perfect size for spices, bottles, and other everyday essentials.
The intimate dining table in the rear of the former horse lorry is set on a pedestal. It has plenty of space for up to four people to dine at a time.
During the day, the dining area is an excellent space for work and play, but it can also transform into a comfortable bedroom at night. Ashley incorporated a wall bed into the house truck’s design. It can be folded up out of the way during the day and quickly folded down at night.
Natural light is vital in any home, and a converted horse lorry is no exception. Ashley installed an electronic Velux skylight, ensuring plenty of light and ventilation in the dining space during the day. Homeowners can then look out at the stars when lying in bed at night.
Winters can be brutal, even more so when living or vacationing in a former horse lorry. However, winters need not be a problem in Nora. A Salamander Stove Log Burner takes pride of place in the living room with a backdrop of gorgeous blue tiles. This ‘Hobbit’ stove features cast iron and is highly regarded for small spaces like cabins, boats, and tiny homes.
Despite its compact size, it has an exceptional heat output in an area of up to 500 square feet. This is more than sufficient for Nora’s occupants.
While not every house on wheels has a shower, Nora does. This Moroccan-style 1000mm x 760mm shower features a stone resin shower tray and lovely blue tiles.