A COUPLE has turned a shuttle bus into their “fairytale” tiny home, no fairy godmother needed.
Instead, they have spent $25,000 to make their tiny dream a reality, using vertical space savers to ensure their cats had a comfortable happily-ever-after.
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In the video, Mary Lou and Jacob showcased the Prancing Pony, the name given to their newly transformed humble abode.
They previously lived in an apartment in Los Angeles, but Jacob always had the ambition to build their own home.
The opportunity arrived unexpectedly in the form of a 2006 E-450 shuttle bus.
THE AMERICAN LIFESTYLE HAS A NEW TINY FACE
The couple had been familiar with the tiny home trend reimagining American living and jumped at the opportunity to turn the 23-foot-long shuttle bus into a tiny home on wheels.
“We got interested in schoolies because of the size possibilities… Shuttle buses in particular are just easier to stand up straight in,” said Jacob.
To put it in perspective, Mary Lou is five-foot-nine inches and Jacob is six-foot-two-inches tall.
The project took the couple a year and a half to build it, and the investment tallied $25,000 to complete.
Jacob appreciates that the shuttle bus is relatively easy to drive compared to school buses or RVs.
“I don’t feel like I'm driving a tank,” he joked.
GO VERTICAL FOR MORE SPACE
An unexpected component of the tiny home was the bed.
Initially, the couple didn’t plan on a makeshift bed that they had to construct and deconstruct every day, but Jacob said they really enjoy such an intentional part of the day they do just for them.
It also has been a game-changer for space since they originally planned to do a loft.
Utilizing a vertical bed helps maximize a tiny footprint.
Instead, they made a couch and dining area that transformed into where they sleep.
Mary Lou and Jacob used the vertical component to save space as storage, including bedding, and the area serves two functions as a playpen for their spoiled pets.
CATS ARE THE REAL PRINCESSES IN THE STORY
Although the Prancing Pony was a fairytale for the couple, they finished their mobile happily ever after with their two cats in mind.
“We built this rig with our two hobbit kitties in mind,” said Mary Lou with a cheeky smile.
For example, they ensured keeping all wiring behind walls because the cats chew on “everything.”
They also put perches and window sills everywhere to give views the cats could never enjoy in their apartment in Los Angeles.
Additionally, they chose the material for couches and closures for cabinets, prioritizing their furry friends.
And they creatively wrapped sizzle rope around a stool for the cats to scratch.
Most recently, the couple took out a passenger seat by the window to create additional storage and a cat lounge on top.
“We thought we were building this bus for us,” added Mary Lou, “No, no, it’s all built for the cats.”
The tiny home phenomenon is increasingly motivating Americans to rebuild their lifestyles on wheels.
Meet a woman who turned a Ford shuttle bus into a tiny pink home complete with solar panels and an outdoor shower.
And a creative influencer made herself a tiny home while only spending $3,000.
