Some people see an old bus; Erika and her partner saw a new beginning. After losing everything life had given them, they poured their last resources into a 1977 school bus – and through eighteen months of sweat, creativity and pure determination, built themselves not just shelter, but a beautiful, functional home.
The curved interior of their California Crown bus proved more challenging than they’d imagined. “That vintage look we loved became our biggest headache,” Erika admits. But with help from online bus conversion communities and endless YouTube tutorials, they solved each problem as it came. What emerged from the struggle was worth every moment – a 36-foot rolling residence that maximizes every centimeter without sacrificing style or comfort.
Erika’s design expertise transformed the industrial shell into a cozy, light-filled living space. The kitchen may be small, but its fold-out countertop and salvaged wood surfaces make cooking a pleasure. In the living area, built-in bookshelves turn windows into decorative focal points, while ottomans pull double duty as seating and storage. Their bathroom is a particular point of pride – though compact, it features hotel-worthy finishes like floor-to-ceiling tiles and cleverly hidden outlets. Preserving the original bus front maintains their home’s unique character, a constant reminder of how far they’ve come.
