Abbe Minor has transformed a 2022 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van into a luxurious, artistic living space, a project that cost her nine months and $140,000, and that she now values at $235,000. Inspired by the flowing shapes and natural materials of Mediterranean architecture, Minor’s custom van features handmade tiles, organic curved plaster walls, and hidden elements that elevate it beyond a typical recreational vehicle. Minor told Business Insider that the space is a work of art, a sentiment that reflects her broader approach to van conversions.
Minor, 24, found inspiration from a community of van converters in San Diego. As she sought a unique challenge for her most recent project, she purchased a bright yellow 2022 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter in April 2023. The conversion became a journey of learning and creativity.
Minor’s design incorporates Moroccan plaster to create the curved walls and Spanish handmade tiles in the shower.
“I wanted to learn new skills and create something that scared me,” she said. “At the core of all this is art.”
Minor began her journey into van conversions in college when she and a boyfriend converted their first van for cross-country travel. Recognizing the potential of the luxury camper-van market, she launched a business after graduation. She would buy a van, renovate it, sell it, and then live off the profits for the rest of the year. This allowed her to hone her craft and build a unique business model. She explains that with each build, she worked to blend artistic expression and entrepreneurial savvy.
For her most recent conversion, however, Minor shifted her approach. She decided to prioritize artistic innovation over immediate profitability, embracing the opportunity to challenge industry standards.
“With this build, I said, ‘Screw it,'” she said. “I don’t really care what the market wants. I don’t care how much money I spend. I’m just going to create something that has never been done before.”
The bright-yellow van, ideal as a canvas for Minor’s vision, cost $66,000, and the conversion then took nine months.
Minor spent months working from a relative’s shed on a small island off the coast of Washington, drawing inspiration from Pinterest and AI renderings. She gravitated toward Spanish and Mediterranean styles, using materials like liquid fiberglass and Tadelakt plaster to create an organic feel.
Her van features unique elements like a hidden bed and concealed storage. The conversion, including the van’s purchase, totaled $140,000, with expensive materials like plaster and Baltic birch plywood contributing to the cost. After completing the build, Minor brought her van to San Diego’s TinyFest, where it received an award for best use of space.
Minor plans to live in the van and create content to capitalize on the build, something that she believes will generate value. Minor is also writing a book on the subject as a way to diversify her revenue streams. All the while, this allows her to maintain a lifestyle of freedom and independence.
“I wanted to be more of an artist and keep my life as free as it can be,” she said.
Minor values the van at $235,000, and she’s continuing to refine and improve it as she lives and travels in it. She’s also created a space that reflects her personal style and creative vision.
“It’s the best feeling ever when you can create a space that makes someone feel something,” she said.
