A 68-Square-Foot Converted Van Is Like a Cozy Little Wood Cabin on Wheels

Name: Marissa Lada and my pet snake
Location: Seattle, Washington
Type of home: Camper van
Size: 68 square feet
Years lived in: 1 year, owned

Tell us a little (or a lot) about your home and the people who live there: I’m an interior designer (and witch) who built out an old painter’s van into my cozy cabin on wheels. I live in it full time with my pet ball python, and together we travel the country visiting the cities and natural wonders. Back in 2020, I got let go from my interior design job with the pandemic and decided to start my own design company (with my own values of creating holistic homes). What are holistic homes? I view homes as a relationship we have. They can be good and nurture us, or they can impact our health and happiness. With a background in Feng Shui and being energetically sensitive, I use these skills as well in my traveling design business to help people improve their homes to improve their lives.

As someone who believes our homes are a direct reflection of our energy, my van definitely reflects that (or at least a part of my multi-faceted soul). Being a witchy old soul that has a strong connection to the outdoors, my van is my cozy cabin on wheels. A cedar wood interior is the backdrop to the various wood tones in the van that give it character. Keeping things neutral, I have a few accessories to add a pop of color to a small space. Since I do love old and magick things, I make it a point to include elements that connect to me, such as crystals, wind chimes, and my herbal apothecary.

Describe your home’s style in 5 words or less: Cottage Core, Witchy, Cabin, Eclectic, Cozy

What is your favorite room and why? I guess since it all is in one room, I’ll say that my favorite feature in my van is my floating mason jars that hold my bulk dried goods. They’re a nice pop of practical and functional decor. I also love my cabinet fronts. It’s quirky and feels like a rustic cabin. There is a cool story behind these too, as much of the paneling was salvaged and repurposed from the original van, giving my home a sustainable story.

What’s the last thing you bought (or found!) for your home? Found. Definitely found. Since it’s a challenge to add things to such a small space, I repurpose a lot of what I already have. For example, I installed a curtain that was an old scarf for my sliding door to give myself more privacy while I leave it open in the warmer weather.

Any advice for creating a home you love? It’s about getting to really know yourself and trust yourself! Design is so subjective and a lot of the beauty in design is about having fun, being creative, and playing around! Sure there are guidelines to help, but a big part of the process to creating a home you love is to get to know yourself! What inspires you? What is your favorite place to be? What are your passions? Find ways to bring these aspects of yourself into your home!

This submission’s responses and photos were edited for length/size and clarity.

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