Expedition Happiness - home on a school bus

What happens when 2 creative travellers get their hands on a huge yellow school bus? 

They turn it into the coolest home on 4 wheels! Felix Starck, Selima Taibi and their dog Rudi (a rather large Bernese Mountain dog) are travelling in this converted bus from Alaska to Argentina - it's Expedition Happiness. The conversion was alot of work and there is now an incredible amount of storage without taking up too much valuable space. The sofa is designed with 2 large drawers for camera gear and folds out into a double bed. The queen sized bed in the bedroom area has one half that folds up so they can store bulky items like an outdoor table, guitar, and tools. The other half has 4 big drawers for clothes. Towels, toilet paper etc. is housed in the big closet and the cubbies behind the bed function as a nightstand alternative. There is even a 32" TV in there. On top of being totally functional with a complete kitchen and shower stall, it's beautifully designed and decorated in rustic wood and white. Simple and bright and all you really need. It is totally gorgeous and now I want my own school bus to convert!! You can follow them on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or their blog. I am soooo jealous. 

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Born again

Thank you Jeannine for sending us the link to this incredible church conversion. Currently available for sale via The Modern House (HA - this could not be further from modern), this fantastic 19th century tin church has absolutely to-die-for windows and was restored by designer Nick Kenny. You can read all the juicy details here, but I just have to say that if you put this on a waterfront property this would be my ideal choice for a cottage. 

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Carey School Penthouse

Becky of Libby Kirwin Real Estate sent over some photos of this fantastic penthouse condo in Newport, Rhode Island. Libby worked with an investor to transform a dilapidated neighbourhood elementary school into a 13-unit condominium building, which sold out pretty quickly and I can see why! With exposed brick and beams and lots of ceiling angles for added architectural interest, this is a dream! And those hardwood floors are gorgeous but I can't believe the stagers covered it up with so many large rugs. Other than that I am in love. 

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Stalking a church conversion

We are huge church conversion fans here on Desire to Inspire and this once derelict country chapel is one of my favourites. The former Catholic church was deconsecrated in 1993 and quickly fell into disrepair with the roof eventually collapsing and the remaining stone walls looking to quickly follow. Purchased by a local builder, the church has been lovingly restored with a sympathetic extension referencing it's form and simplicity. There are even remnants of the original hand-painted friezes. Yes I know that the purists among you will say that it's cheating when the new build is substantially larger than the conversion but I love how the tiny chapel has not been tampered with in an attempt to squeeze more in. Located in Yandoit in country Victoria, it is a short drive from the spa town of Daylesford. And, dear readers, it's for sale. I wish I had the just under $1 million needed to purchase it and a reason to move to so far away. Link here while it lasts.

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City church conversion

If urban contemporary is more your church conversion style than yesterday's country church with a cottage feel, then this Chicago redesign might just be your thing. Think modern, clean lines juxtaposed with stain glass and soaring ceilings. Chicago church conversion into family home by Linc Thelen Design and Scrafano Architects.

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