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Self-Converted Scandi-Japandi Ram Promaster


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Silas and Jillian reached out to show us their amazing Ram Promaster, converted with a “Scandi-Japandi” aesthetic that’s clean, bright and functional!

While the couple live full-time in their Austin, Texas bungalow, they are enjoying travels in their “COVID-project” van. They recently spent six weeks on the road on their maiden voyage.

I don’t know that we’ve ever seen such a tidy, crisp van build before! Take a look and tell us what you think.

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Scandinavian & Japandi Design Enthusiasts’ #VanBuild

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Images via @scandijapandi/Instagram

Wow! What a calming aesthetic.

They went with the dinette-to-bed conversion.

Plywood creates streamlined cabinetry.

Love the glow of the backlighting!

Those rounded edges help with inevitable head-bumps.

Yes! There’s a bathroom.

Tidy spot for toiletries.

That translucent wall helps keep things feeling more open

Their garage has cabinets and drawers.

Read their story below!

Story Behind Their Tiny House:

We self-converted a 2017 Ram Promaster 2500 into an open concept scandi/japandi aesthetic camper with self-contained shower & toilet and full kitchen. It cost 22k for the van itself, which we financed through a dealership, and 16k for the build. The project took 4.5 months total.

We were inspired to build during COVID quarantine because we wanted to visit our family in New Hampshire without exposing ourselves to public facilities along the way. Being that my partner is a fabricator and product designer and I myself am a digital designer with a passion for interior design, our project quickly went from utility to sparking creativity.

Our shared love for minimal, Scandinavian & Japanese inspired aesthetics was the catalyst for wanting to produce our highly unique design. We learned so much along the way from solar arrays to electrical and plumbing systems, and we were able to apply our fabrication skills to executing rounded cabinets and tapered edges, producing a custom shower pan, custom built cabinets and drawer pulls, and so much more!

We didn’t realize it at the time, but having this project was essential for our wellbeing. It really helped to keep us motivated and excited for the future in a time that was otherwise dismal and distressing. Albeit quite a challenging endeavor, in retrospect we really appreciate how fulfilling every step of the way was. As things started to come together, we felt so much pride for our build, and it has inspired us to continue to take on new projects and creative ventures in the future. Just hopefully our next major project won’t occur during the Texan summer as this one had! We’d be happy to give you any more details you may like based on what you may be interested to highlight.

We just completed our maiden voyage and we’re about to head up to the pacific northwest to continue our adventures! Our goal for next year is to apply this knowledge to start a new tiny venture: building sustainable cabins at a woodland lodge on some beautiful acreage in the Pacific Northwest.

Learn More:

Related Stories:

Our big thanks to Silas and Jillian for sharing! 🙏

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Natalie C. McKee

Natalie C. McKee is a contributor for Tiny House Talk and the Tiny House Newsletter. She's a wife, and mama of three little kids. She and her family are homesteaders with sheep, goats, chickens, ducks and quail on their happy little acre.

Latest posts by Natalie C. McKee (see all)

{ 6 comments… add one }
  • David Pedersen
    September 29, 2021, 9:37 am

    It lacks Scandinavian coziness (hygge). It is way too sterile.

    • James D.
      September 29, 2021, 2:14 pm

      Well, it’s suppose to be that way, because it’s a mix with also Japanese design influence as well and not just Scandinavian… Thus why they’re calling it “scandi/japandi” aesthetic… It’s a mix of both!

  • Diana
    September 29, 2021, 5:31 pm

    I love it. I prefer the bed rather than the dinette set up but I’m older than they are and wouldn’t want to make that thing up to sleep all the time. The bathroom is so nice and love the way they angled the kitchen cabinet/counterspace. Simple and clean lines are nice and you could always add a splash of color somewhere.

  • De Money
    September 30, 2021, 2:10 am

    absolutely gorgeous. i’d be proud to own this build, and even more proud (prouder?) to have built it. well done!

  • Sue Roberson
    October 21, 2021, 12:11 pm

    I love this. It’s light & bright. I love the dinette/bed area. I would add cushions like a sofa would have.
    Great job!

  • Sofi Kat
    January 27, 2023, 3:29 pm

    This build is stunning, great work you two!
    I do have some thoughts… your conversion cost(16k) seems like a lot. Why is it so high? I’ve done tons of research and my own calculations for what I need in my van… and it’s a lot lower than that… and you used plywood… can you explain?
    Wishing you all well!

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