This Woman Combined Mediterranean Architecture and Van Life – and the Result Is Magic

Abbe Rose Minor has built four vans—but her latest creation, a sunshine-yellow Sprinter named Luna, might just be her masterpiece. Equal parts Mediterranean villa and modern tiny home, Luna is a rolling reminder that small spaces can be both wildly functional and deeply beautiful.

Abbe’s passion for creative living started early. She grew up on her family’s campground in Stafford, Connecticut, where her parents ran everything from the maintenance to the marketing. Surrounded by problem-solvers and makers, she learned early on that “impossible” was just another challenge to figure out. That do-it-yourself spirit, paired with a love for art and design, inspired her first projects as a teen—renovating RVs, park models, and cabins before most people her age had even learned to drive.

After earning a degree in Real Estate Investment from UConn, Abbe hit the road—literally—traveling to 48 states, building custom vans, and documenting her adventures online. Her community grew, but by 2022, she was ready for something new. The constant hustle of custom builds left her feeling burned out, so she turned her experience into a guidebook instead. The result was Flipping Freedom: Your Ultimate Guide to Buy, Build, and Sell Vans, a mix of memoir, how-to manual, and love letter to the van life movement.

Ironically, it was while writing about her journey that Abbe rediscovered her creative spark. What began as a personal side project quickly became her most ambitious build yet: a bold, sun-soaked Sprinter inspired by Spanish and Mediterranean architecture. Over the course of 1,500 hours and three workshops—and with an investment between $120,000 and $140,000—Luna took shape as a space that feels both elevated and effortless.

The finished van is light, airy, and full of soulful design details: hand-tiled surfaces, arched ceilings, and warm, earthy tones that evoke the coastal homes of southern Europe. Every inch was considered, from the spa-like bathroom to the clever storage built seamlessly into the stairs.

Now, Abbe has teamed up with Rogue Vans to offer a limited run of Luna builds, starting at $230,000—so others can experience her signature blend of artistry and adventure.

Let’s step inside and take a closer look at this stunning van that’s redefining life on the road.

Described as a ‘cozy, airy, and clean gateway to life without boundaries,’ Abbe Rose Minor put all her passion and knowledge into creating the yellow Sprinter van. From the Mediterranean architecture and earthy tones to the focus on ergonomics and comfort, it’s hard not to be impressed with what Abbe has created. It’s also packed with goodies, like a projector with a flip-around screen, a Bose soundbar, an outdoor storage box, and a quality electrical system. Abbe paired with Rogue Vans to create a limited run of LUNA vans, starting at $230,000.

You’re met with a serene, beautiful, and functional space as you enter the Yellow Sprinter. A multi-functional living, dining, and seating area with a pivoting table greets you. Adjacent to the door are cubbies to store shoes and other items you don’t want to put in the living space.

It’s easy to forget that you’re in a van as you enter the living space. Abbe cleverly designed the area to have a pocket door, which closes off the cab area. The door enables more privacy and improves insulation. It also blocks out noise while driving.

While the bench seating in the living area is the perfect social space, it’s also so much more. Thanks to an innovative pull-out slat system, it converts into a second bed. Behind the bed is a floor-to-ceiling closet with pull-out drawers for everyday essentials like food, clothing, and cleaning supplies. There’s even a hidden pantry in the bench!

One of the most jaw-dropping features in the van is the bathroom, particularly the custom-tiled shower. Abbe used handmade Spanish tiles and added stone pebbles on the floor and in the niche to create a spa-like, Mediterranean-inspired space. Brass fixtures complete the look, adding warmth and elegance.

The toilet is a dry-flush model by Laveo that seals waste into a bag—no water, no chemicals, and no odor involved. While it’s technically possible to sit on it while showering, Abbe notes she never has. The unit lifts out easily, freeing up the entire shower area for full standing room.

The space is enclosed with a Nautilus self-cleaning door in a soft bone color that complements the tilework. It’s super lightweight and rolls neatly into itself, making it an ideal solution for compact van living.

The kitchen is a spacious and practical meal preparation station with everything you need to cook up a storm. It has a safe and energy-efficient induction cooktop, a convection oven, a 160-liter Dometic fridge/freezer, and plenty of storage space. For cohesion and warmth, Abbe created an accent in the kitchen featuring the same tiles as the bathroom. There is also a Moroccan plaster sink and two faucets – one for regular use and the other for filtered drinking water.

While the stairs leading to the bedroom area are for easy access, they serve more than one function. They feature storage space, with one even functioning as a laundry hamper!

The queen-sized bed area is a tranquil place to rest and relax. While lying in bed, you can stare up at the tempered glass skylight and the beautiful curved ceiling. Abbe created the ceiling after being inspired by Mediterranean arches and curves. If you have a bike, outdoor gear, or other bulky items, there is a generous amount of storage space under the bed.