Build-out Idea: Repurposed Antiques in a Short Bus

by | Mar 27, 2022 | Build-Outs | 8 comments

MARY HAD AN ANTIQUE STORE. When she decided to live in a short bus she said, “If I can’t have antiques I’m not going.” She was true to her word.

There’s a 200 year old table, an old dresser with a sink added, a cupboard from a sailboat, fruit crates turned into cabinets, 100 year old kerosene heater, a toilet that rolls in and out of a trunk, an armoire, a traveling confessional (?) and lots of fun and funky artwork covering available spaces. (At least that’s the way things were before starting to remodel the bus in 2021.) “You have to screw everything down. Seriously. If it’s not screwed down it could kill ya.”

“Antiques don’t keep very much value these days. None of these pieces cost me more than thirty bucks. They all have something ‘wrong’ with them. One of the advantages of being a vintage seller is I’m also a great vintage buyer. There’s a lot of stuff out there you can get for really low prices that would work well in a vehicle like this.”

“As you can see, my style isn’t minimalist. I like to have a lot of color around. What’s relaxing and homey for me is a lot of color, a lot of pattern, a lot of design, so I get to have that in here. It definitely feels like me.”

You can see more of Mary’s skoolie on her YouTube channel, Maximalist Minibus.

8 Comments

  1. John Kennedy
    John Kennedy on March 27, 2022 at 8:06 am

    I bought a Toyota Prius with a wrecked title. Worked out well and I traveled all over the mainland. The only antique in it was me. I recommend this type of life to anyone. I am back home in Thailand now but lots of fun memories.

  2. Lucy
    Lucy on March 28, 2022 at 12:04 pm

    Beautiful & roomy home on wheels, but all those antiques might be heavy; wouldn’t the Wt be affecting your gas milage ?

    • Judy
      Judy on March 29, 2022 at 7:47 am

      Probably doesn’t weigh as much as a bus load of people.

      • Lucy
        Lucy on March 29, 2022 at 7:25 pm

        True, how come I didn’t think about it ? 🙂

      • Carol
        Carol on March 30, 2022 at 8:09 pm

        I love it!!! I have lots of small antiques in my Class C motorhome. My sink is a buffet my mom built. I inherited her place 3 yes ago. I gave most of her things to family but do have a lot of small things.
        Kudos to you. I love all color ❤️❤️❤️

    • Karen
      Karen on March 30, 2022 at 2:51 pm

      Beautiful!

  3. Penelope Knight
    Penelope Knight on March 30, 2022 at 2:59 pm

    So colorful and fun! Absolutely beautiful says I, a kindred colorful antique soul.

  4. Lj Smith
    Lj Smith on April 12, 2022 at 11:17 pm

    Vert nice.
    LJ