For a while we have been looking for a caravan for Jasper to move into – out of the house and in to his own space, everyone happy!
I found the perfect van, 22 foot, all electric, toilet and shower and renovated for one person – downside being that it was located in Perth, so only $8500 for the van, then getting it here. Monty got on board and suggested we find a van and renovate it ourselves – just so happened I had one in mind.

The inspiration

The van in Perth I was keen on…

The one we got…

thankfully from just up the road in Ballarat. The renovation journey begins…

Day 1

10th May

A wet and windy day – Jasper & Monty went and collected the van and brought it home…

..and started clearing it out

Let the fun begin…

11th May

Stripping out…

We started with stripping the inside, revealing structure in need of some attention and definitely insulation all around. The idea is to strip it back to the tin, insulate and put plywood up for the wall and ceiling. Jasper continued his journey of discovery that the hammer is not always the right tool for the job, sometimes a screwdriver is better.

14th May

Materials…

Monty and Jane went off to Geelong to get insulation and plywood, then to pick the fridge up from Harvey Normans, then to the factory in Colac to pick up tools and stuff and a trip to Bunnings – we were gone for hours. Meanwhile Jasper dealt with all the nails in the floor that revealed themselves when the lino was ripped up… and he cleaned up the shed to fit all the materials.

15th May

Ripping and stripping…

Out it all goes, but gently

Designing…

Started looking at the inside, measuring up and coming up with layout ideas. Monty drew it up on the computer to get an idea of the scale of things and how to best assemble the components. We have decided to put the kitchen at the front, living/dining in the middle and bedroom at the back. Downsizing to a king single bed to save space.

It’s all going to compact but robust, fresh and clean. Nice new appliances: reverse cycle heating and cooling, induction cooktop, microwave convection grill in one, fridge/freezer (that was the first thing we bought), rangehood. Jasper picked up a little TV from the local op shop, perfect size for mounting on the wall. We’re going to incorporate as much of the existing storage from Jaspers room – all the Ikea cube shelves. Much of the built in cupboards will be designed to fit the Ikea inserts as well.

For a bathroom we are going to make a seperate trailer “ablutions block” with a composting toilet, shower and basin.

Big team weekend

Jasper and Monty worked all day on the 19th and replaced some of the wooden structure, patched up bits and then made a start on the insulation and plywood skinning.

20th May

We all got stuck in on the Friday and worked pretty well as a harmonious team. Jasper went to work in the afternoon and Monty and I went into Geelong and picked up a king single bed … and my coffee machine from the repairer (Ahhhhh).

21st May

Jasper a bit hung over today, makes him a bit sensitive and emotional – not ideal for a harmonious working team, but we all got through it and made progress.

We unearthed an ants next in the ceiling inside the door, nasty little biting buggers.

22nd May

A much better day – back to a good working team and really kicking goals.

24th May

Jasper and Monty used the fine weather to crack on. They covered the major holes with galvanised steel, which took much longer than expected. Then back onto the inside skinning. Jasper is loving doing the insulation and will be sad when he’s done with it. A bit more progress made.

27th May

It’s been cold and we’ve all been busy – not getting much done on the van itself. Jasper has been doing some putty work. Monty has been doing and redoing the plans for where everything goes and particularly all the cupboard carcasses. We’ve been nutting away, measuring and remeasuring, checking door clearances and the way they open. After working late into the night Monty woke up early with a total rethink for the kitchen. Think it is finally nailed and the cutting list might be closer to being sent off (nail biting).

There have been BIG boxes arriving at the post office – everything, including the kitchen sink!

And we’ve been collecting loads of other stuff…

Movin’ & Paintin’

4th June

Moved into position and made level…feeling solid now

Filling in all the cracks and staples. A nice pattern of drill holes for venting behind the fridge – Monty thinks he would have done it differently, but since I went to art school I AM the creative one – and I think it looks awesome

5th June

Finally painting…

Decided on Magnesium as the colour, nice and light with a touch of grey so grot will hopefully blend a little

10th June

Jasper and I did the (optimistically) final coat of paint. Monty spent the day on the road – to Melbourne to pick up all of the cut board for the cabinetry and then to the big hardware store starting with “B” to get the vinyl for the floor (I finally, with a little pressure, made a decision – roll vinyl rather that vinyl planks). Tomorrow the guys go to the shed in Colac and start screwing all the cupboards together.

11th June

Monty and Jasper did go to Colac and didn’t make a lot of progress – spent the day sorting out all the bits and working out that Monty forgot to order some, oops!

12th June

We all got stuck in to preparing the floor for laying the vinyl – removing all the nails and staples, patching up the bigger holes and getting rid of all high spots by chiselling and sanding.

13th June

Flooring down…

Monty and Jasper got the vinyl down – yay!

The vinyl colour is called “Arctic White” – it has a nice light lime washed timber, very happy with it (and so is Jasper)

Monty also got the kickers in place for the kitchen cabinetry and the wardrobe. Now we have moved on from all the dirty work the transformation is really underway.

16th June

Cabinetry…

The cabinetry is getting put together – like a big jigsaw puzzle.

Lots has been put together but just sitting in place, shelves still need putting in

17th June

Leaking tarp on roof

Not a good start to the day – there has been quite a bit of rain and the tarp lifted and let some into the van – Aaaargh!

Jasper got the plastic off, cleaned it all off and got new (un-holey) plastic on, weighted down with sand bags (or dirt bags). We can’t stop water pooling but we don’t want to the tarp lifting or getting holes in.