Also known as the Vegan Minimalists, Jim and Sarah Ernst live a simple, comfortable life with their infant daughter Stella in a 200 square foot renovated FEMA trailer. They left their 9 to 5 jobs to travel the country and raise their child in a more healthy atmosphere while still pursuing their own passions.
Jim and Sarah’s bedroom has a hanging crib from Nicaragua for their baby.
The 27 foot trailer, known as the Wild Gypsy Caravan, is a 2005 Jayco Jay Flight Camper that was originally used as a temporary home for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. The couple acquired the trailer in 2015 and renovated it to include a kitchen, bathroom, a sitting area with a desk and workspace, and a small bedroom where the baby has her own hanging crib from Nicaragua. A tiny closet holds their clothes.
During restoration, the couple added a small bedroom with an accent wall as well as recycled lighting.
Their home got a new birch floor and a tankless water heater.
During the restoration, the couple re-framed the entire structure and took out the camper windows and put in house windows. They installed a birch plywood floor, cedar planks on the ceiling and used pine boards to frame and finish the space. They created an accent wall for the foot of the custom made bed that also has storage underneath. Fun details in the trailer include a cute pink front door, colorful wallpaper, a kitchen light made from a thrifted wire basket, and a kitchen faucet made out of pieces of pipe.
The bathroom features a garage sale sink stand and custom shelving.
The tiny bathroom has a small sink placed on a garage sale end table, custom shelving, new windows and a skylight. The shower was re-built with a cedar shell and a new insert, and an Ecotemp tankless hot water heater supplies the shower and bathroom and kitchen sinks. The kitchen has plenty of storage and counter space, but a small dorm-style refrigerator by Frigidaire holds the couple’s food. Jim and Sarah eat primarily raw foods, so their needs are minimal.
Beautiful features include a pink front door…
…a thrifted basket used as a kitchen lamp…
…a custom cedar workspace…
…and plenty of cozy details.
Their blog, Wild Gypsy Caravan, features their writings about simplifying their lives, eating healthful foods and raising their child in a simple, but beautiful, space.
Photos by Wild Gypsy Caravan
