This Father Turned Dirty Old Prison Van Into Awesome Family Camper.

Alex Saunders bought an old prison van on Ebay for £3000 (US $ 5,034 ). It originally had holding six cells, lockable cell doors, and peep holes for the security guards. He spent 18 months and another £4000 (US $6,700 ) fixing it up. Alex installed everything himself including bunk beds, kitchen, and the heating and water system.

Alex plans on doing lots of traveling with his wife and two children.

It even has a flat screen television so the family can have all the same comforts of home.

Alex said, “It was pretty grim when I first went in there, it smelt like a mixture of blood and old soup which had been spilt everywhere.”  He gutted the van of the cells and starting measuring first.

The van had great insulation. Most prison vans have better insulation than homes.

Alex had to add framework for the kitchen and sink area.

These were the windows from the old prison van.

Alex constructed the cabinets and wood ceiling.

Alex takes a look at his work through the drivers window.

He also installed a bathroom and shower. 

The bunk beds  are for the kids. 

This handyman is planning on traveling his family around the country in his new finished project.

He turned something very dull and depressing into an awesome and cheerful family home on wheels.

Woman Lives In A 84-Foot-Square House And Only Owns 305 Things

Dee Williams was living in a three-bedroom home in Portland, Oregon. When she was 40, Dee had a heart attack and was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, a condition that can be fatal. She decided she didn’t want her time left here to be spent doing household chores. While in the doctor’s waiting room, Dee read a magazine article about Jay Shafer, a man who lived in a tiny house. She was taken with the idea of a much simpler life and shortly after she flew to Iowa City to meet with Jay. The rest is history.

Dee says she has found peace in her little house, and feels less fearful and more alive.  She enjoys smelling raw cedar and knotty pine and listening to the weather. To find out more about Dee’s tiny house and the inspiring way she scaled back, you can read her book The Big Tiny: A Built It Myself Memoir.

She currently only owns 305 possessions and her house is 84 square feet. Without a mortgage, she only works part time and is able to travel and visit friends.

Stuart Isett for The New York Times

The stained-glass window from a church was found at a junk store.

Stuart Isett for The New York Times

Old cow bells are from the farm Dee grew up on in Missouri. 

Stuart Isett for The New York Times

Stuart Isett for The New York Times

Her monthly housekeeping bills are about eight dollars, and it takes her about ten minutes to clean the entire house.

Stuart Isett for The New York Times

There’s a kitchen counter with a propane burner, but no oven or refrigerator.

Stuart Isett for The New York Times

The sleeping loft holds a full-size mattress.

Stuart Isett for The New York Times

Stuart Isett for The New York Times

The kitchen sink consists of a ceramic basin and a jug. A jar in the cabinet below catches waste water.

Stuart Isett for The New York Times

There’s a sink and a toilet, but without running water it means composting and no shower. When she wants a shower, Dee uses her neighbors.

Stuart Isett for The New York Times

Dee’s young neighbor, Oliver, loves playing in the tiny house.

Stuart Isett for The New York Times

Dee and Oliver prepare a vegetable garden next to the tiny house.

Stuart Isett for The New York Times

A solar panel powers everything in the house including her laptop.

Stuart Isett for The New York Times

Dee built the house in 2004 with the help of friends.