We are, Marwood Makes, and we make campervans!

J and I lived in a van in Australia for a couple of years about five years ago. A 1984 Nissan Urvan. We made some of our most incredible memories and amazing future dreams and plans whilst driving for hours in our van, Betty, who we unfortunately left in Australia. Now, Etta, is far from our original van, but she has the same feel of adventure that, Betts, gave us which we hope to pass on to someone else. Life on the road offers escapism, one turn of the wheel and you’re into another world. Etta encapsulates van life, simple living with a pinch of beautiful, fanciful fun along the way.

Almost entirely crafted from birch ply with a natural lacquer. Where possible we’ve chosen organic material which is mirrored by the soft furnishings; natural stonewashed twill linen seating and cotton curtains.

Space ,and the feeling of space, is a really important thing to us and played a vital role in the unique layout we designed for, Etta.

As you step onboard, Etta, straight away you sense the feeling of openness and space. There is a sweet design on the back wall which incorporates a little half moon shelf for popping your keys on and a soft ambient light for when the sun begins to set. Hidden away in the bench seat is the battery and toilet. The cupboard next door hides everything electrical and is wonderfully accessible in this location. Above this cupboard is a pull out extra bit of worktop, you know, just in case! Next door are three decent sized drawers, one with a custom birch ply cutlery tray.

Etta, comes with a beautiful 12 piece dining set, 2 pretty drinking glasses, 4 sweet coffee cups and a 16 piece cutlery set just to get you started on your adventures.

Next door again is a cork bin underneath the sink and extra storage. When we travelled in, Betty, it was always a bit of thing that we never had a dedicated space for a bin. Hanging plastic bags around was never sightly or particularly practical! On the end you’ll find the 65L Webasto 12v fridge. All concealed behind beautiful, minimalist carpentry. Sitting on top is a sleek and beautifully light coloured maple hardwood worktop with two hobs, a sink and a little thing we had up our sleeves, a marble inlay to put all things hot on, and it doubles as a chopping board! All drawers and doors in the kitchen area are soft close and the bench seat is on gas struts to make life a little easier when opening and closing.

Overhead cabinetry spans the length of the van making up 5 smaller storage compartments. A little bit like Mary Poppin’s handbag, they may look small but are deceivingly roomy.

The spacious seating area is the perfect place to host parties up to six people or to simply lounge during the day for two. The table drops down easily and the seating twists to create a comfortable double bed for the evening. Underneath there are two big boxes that we think would be perfect to pop in all things clothes and a dedicated box just for bedding which rolls up perfectly inside. Etta comes with a double duvet, two pillows and a beautiful 100% white cotton bedding set. Pretty accents of colour make this area feel really cosy. Natural leather straps keep the pillows close to the wall, great for storage but even better for daytime lounging.

Lighting in, Etta, consists of two ceiling spotlights on entry as well as a soft light behind a half moon and six spotlights underneath the upper cabinetry. Whilst above the dining/bedroom area there is an ambient ceiling light unique to, Etta. This gives this space a lovely, warm feel as spotlights are sometimes just too bright.

At the back of, Etta, there is a huge pull out storage drawer on the left whilst to the right is an open storage space. We have opted for a lower seating and bedding area as we didn’t feel the extra few centimetres of ‘garage’ space warranted losing the wonderful open space within the van. Living tiny doesn’t have to feel tiny! On a back door there is a small fold up birch ply table for when you’re standing outside and enjoying the view or when snuggly inside in bed with the doors closed. With the sweet addition of a bottle opener you’ll never have to rifle around the kitchen drawer for one again!

We have five years of boat renovation and new boat build experience under our belts which has stood us in great stead for van building. We took our boat hats off after fourteen boats and have put our van hats back on for, Etta, our second.

Have a peek below for all the important specs and tech.

Thankyou for reading our story and your interest in, Etta. You’re more than welcome to get in touch to bend our ear with as many questions as you wish and we can (hopefully) answer them and send extra snaps your way. We are really excited to send her on a new journey with someone that will truly love her as much as we have enjoyed creating her.

We look forward to having a chat,

Marwood Makes x

SPECIFICATIONS

Citroen Relay L3H2 2018
Mileage 68,000
Webasto crx65 12v fridge
Victron smart solar 150/30 mppt
380w polycrystalline solar panel
Underslung 4kw Planer diesel heater
(With digital 7day timer)
Max air vent with remote
1500w pure sine wave inverter
220ah leisure battery
12v Sureflo water pump
External shower outlet cold
Victron 30amp battery charger
140amp Voltage sensitive relay (charge while driving)
12v sockets
underslung 13kg LPG tank
Underslung 66L fresh water tank
20L removable external waste container
Porta Potti toilet
Inboard Satnav and rear reversing sensors