Meet Luna, a Spanish Villa-Inspired Camper Van With a Smart Layout and Luxurious Vibe

A motorhome that is not only well-equipped with creature comforts but also aesthetically pleasing will certainly make spending time in your camper more enjoyable. That's why a tiny space like the interior of a van requires creative solutions to maximize functionality, comfort, storage, and style. Abbe Minor, the designer and builder of Luna, paid attention to each of these aspects and included unique features to achieve all of the above-stated goals.

But for Abbe, opting to live in a compact home on wheels is much more than just a lifestyle; it's a way to embrace freedom, simplicity, and nature. That's why Luna was designed with the aim of blurring the lines between living space and nature. The design is inspired by Mediterranean/Spanish architecture, with a focus on indoor-outdoor living, round edges, thriving greenery, and an earthy color palette.

There are a lot of details that make Luna a unique van build. It is based on a 2022 4x4 Mercedes Sprinter 170 that Abbe bought from Pennsylvania. She wanted a yellow van because she believes the color matches her personality, and this was the only yellow Sprinter she could find in the entire country. She drove it back to San Diego and then north to Island County in Washington, where she worked on the conversion for about eight months.

Starting with the exterior of the Sprinter, apart from its eye-popping color, the van received some chassis upgrades, including military-inspired Black Rhino 17" Arsenal wheels, BF Goodrich K02 tires, and off-road front fenders. A Backwoods Bull Bar front bumper, a roof rack, a bike rack, a side ladder, and 400 Watts of solar panels have also been added.

The magic happens once you slide open the side door. From the moment you step inside, you are enveloped in a warm, inviting ambiance and an unparalleled sense of comfort achieved through the use of all-natural materials, soft textures, and smart lighting. It is all the more special considering everything in this van is handcrafted, from the beautiful round-edged cabinets and all the handles to the faux ceiling and unique lighting design. The result - a cozy, welcoming, and clean motorhome that looks like the perfect gateway to a life full of adventures.

Innovative and inspiring are the best words to describe this build. Not only does it have a unique, spacious layout that cleverly integrates all the creature comforts you might need and want in your mobile home, but it also pioneers the use of some natural materials that we seldom see in camper vans, such as pebbles, stone mosaics, and hand-made Spanish tile in the bathroom. All the interior walls have a porous concrete-like look, but they are actually made of Tadelakt, a Moroccan plaster that is durable and waterproof.

There are two round indentations decorated with stone pebbles on the side wall and the ceiling has an interesting wave design and some circular details with indirect lighting that add style and make the whole interior look intimate and warm. As mentioned before, the interior design is dominated by curved lines and soft edges. The wall and the ceiling on the passenger side seamlessly blend in smooth curvature achieved with the use of Wiggle wood, a bending plywood designed to flex and take the shape and contour that you want.

Luna's smart layout won the Best Layout Use of Space Award at TinyFest California 2024, an event that celebrates tiny living, van conversions, gypsy wagons, skoolies, and more. The living space is separated from the van's cab by a pocket door and comprises a dinette/seating area right in the doorway, a bathroom behind the driver's seat, a gorgeous L-shaped kitchen, and the rear sleeping quarters.

At first sight, the seating area at the front is a regular setup for two made up of two benches and a Lagun swiveling table. But in reality, this is a versatile, multifunctional area that can actually seat four with two slatted extensions on heavy-duty drawer slides. Just pull them out, add some matching cushions, and you can even host dinner here. Its strategic placement in the doorway allows campers to take in the views regardless of whether they eat, work, or just socialize.

Everything flows so beautifully inside this camper van, and the kitchen keeps up with the stylish aesthetic. It occupies most of the van's central area and has a clean design with Spanish plaster countertops and custom cabinets. Modern appliances, including a Dometic fridge, a two-burner induction cooktop, a huge sink, and a vintage-looking oven/air-fryer, are cleverly integrated into the design to ensure its functionality.

In terms of sleeping capacity, this van can actually accommodate four people with a queen-size bed in the rear and a modular guest bed up front. The doorway bench system converts into a full-sized bed in the blink of an eye. The rear bed is located at window level to gain some three or four inches of extra length. With two round windows on the back doors and two side windows, you get plenty of natural light in the sleeping area.

Luna's wet bathroom is as beautiful and elegant as the rest of the van, with an arched opaque door, tiled walls, India-imported stone mosaics on the shower floor, and a blue-colored dry flush self-contained toilet.

Storage needs are also well catered for, with plenty of upper cabinets on the driver's side, a floor-to-ceiling closet, pullout drawers built into stairs and benches, a cabinet for blankets, and a spacious garage area under the rear bed.

Of course, for year-round comfort inside the van, a robust electrical system, a diesel heater, and air conditioning are also part of the design. Other noteworthy features include a 40-gallon freshwater tank, 7-gallon grey water tank with electric empty valve, trash and laundry hamper under the kitchen sink, and mini projector with hidden role down-screen.

Abbe's excellent craftsmanship and attention to detail are evident throughout this unique build. The sleek design and quality finishes help create a living space that is both efficient and visually pleasing, serving as a great source of inspiration for anyone looking to embark on a DIY van conversion. Watch Abbe giving a tour of her camper van conversion in the video below.