Cape Town design duo Romy du Toit and Antony Spence are living out big dreams by creating tiny homes. Not just any tiny homes – they’re converting vans into self-contained living spaces. Their most recent project takes the form of a Mercedes Sprinter 309.
“As furniture manufacturers, we shifted our focus to building interior tiny spaces in the form of modular homes and van conversions. We also have some very exciting projects planned for the near future!” Romy told Cape {town} Etc.
They’ve just completed the conversion of the Sprinter, that’s now called Dusty. Dusty was put to the test on three camping trips in the Western Cape and succeeded in proving that van life is seriously cool.
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“The freedom of travelling in a van is absolutely mind-changing. You will never truly know until you do it yourself. Life in a van is a daring adventure, filled with purpose and is a reminder that it’s the simple things that matter. We are completely hooked, even if it’s just for weekend trips,” says Romy.
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Romy and Antony want to share their joy with others by building a business, giving South Africans the opportunity to purchase beautifully converted vans that feel just like home. Together, they’ve started BOXED Micro-Living.
“We are individuals that really appreciate details so this is translated into our builds. A huge amount of time, energy and love goes into our work. We hope that people will see and appreciate that.”
The pair want to encourage everybody to dream big and take the leap. And you can, because Dusty is looking for a forever family.
Specifications for the Mercedes Sprinter 309:
- 144 inches.
- 2.2-litre diesel manual.
- 200 000km on the clock.
- Selling for R489 000.
The exterior:
- Full Raptor liner re-spray
- A large rooftop deck and side ladder.
- Electrical and plumbing: a fully off-grid system.
- A 12v electrical system and 1500w inverter.
- A 200ah deep cycle battery.
- A 300w solar panel.
- A 20 amp DC-DC charger with alternator charging and MPPT solar charge controller.
- A water pump and gas geyser.
- A 55-litre water tank and an external shower.
- Multiple USB charging points and two plug outlets.
- LED lighting in the ceiling as well as reading lights.
The interior:
- A kitchenette with a two-burner gas hob and basin.
- Ample storage for kitchen items and a fridge.
- A pull-out table for extra prep space as well as a clip-on table that can be used in four different locations around the van.
- A custom-made, king sized pull-out bed.
- A couch that pulls out to create space for a third sleeper.
- A single seat with a large pantry below.
- Ample storage compartments for clothing and other storage for the toilet.
- A large garage area to store camping gear.
The vehicle can be viewed by appointment in Cape Town. And remember to keep an eye out for Romy and Antony’s exciting future projects.
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A wintery escape! 5 Camping spots to help you get connected with nature
Picture: Supplied