I converted a double-decker bus into a one-of-a-kind HOME complete with full kitchen, living room and bathroom

A WOMAN who bought a double-decker bus converted it into a one-of-a-kind home from scratch.

Ellie Banner-Ball, 36, bought the vintage bright blue double-decker bus back in 2016 after being inspired by an Instagram post.

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She converted the bus into a unique home in Devon complete with a full kitchen, living room and bathroom before naming it Betty.

The 1977 Bristol VR Series Two can sleep up to four people and the open plan accommodation has been constructed within the existing shell of the motor, reports The Mirror.

The downstairs features a fully fitted kitchen with a hob oven, fridge-freezer, double stainless steel sink and other facilities.

Also on the lower deck is the living room which has an incredible log-burning stove, a seating area and a handy removable dining table.

Meanwhile the original bus driver’s luggage hold has been converted into kitchen storage space.

If you venture upstairs you will find the bathroom with a roll-top slipper bath tub and sink, and bedroom with king-size bed complete with side tables.

However, there is no toilet fitted on the bus despite the elegant bathtub.

The upper deck front seats have been converted into a study and dressing room area.

Ellie, said: “I was inspired by an Instagram post that said, ‘buy an old bus, take out the seats and travel around your country with good people’.

“It sounded like a great idea, so I looked online and found a beautiful bright blue bus. This was a vintage Bristol VR and I picked her up in Runcorn two weeks later.”

She added: “I liked the idea of living in a home that could move with me, and living simply and minimally – although it was far from simple! My friend Willow inspired me because I stayed with her in a shepherd’s hut when I first came to Devon and I loved it.”

In her quest to turn the bus into a home, Ellie made use of available space such as modifying the bus stop buttons into handy light switches.

And Betty is also fully functional with its own heating system and solar panels.

Ellie said: “It has a hot water system with boiler and wired electrics. Betty plugs into an outdoor plug socket and has an electric box with fuse switches just like a normal house. It also has a solar panel facility to be fully off-grid.”

The quirky abode boasts a unique Scandinavian “hygge” decor and has even made an appearance on TV homes show George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces.

And the homely bus is a throwback to Cliff Richard’s iconic film Summer Holiday where he and his mates friends go travelling in a former London bus.

Betty has been used as a stationary bus home since 2018 before two years as a holiday let since April 2020.

Ellie said: “I lived in Betty for two years before moving into a bricks and mortar house in 2020 just after the pandemic hit.

“I was so sad to leave. It took me a long time to get used to living ‘indoors’ again. I adored living outside. It was such a privilege to live in such a beautiful location.”

And Ellie has now revealed that she is now selling the bus for £35,000 to raise funds for the next stage of her life.

She said: “I’m very sad to let Betty go because she was such a big part of my life and I have so happy memories of living in her.

“I’m now wanting to start a new chapter in my life and would like the capital for a new project.”

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