She Turned a 500-Square-Foot RV Into a Designer Dream Home
Beige carpet and basic cabinets are what most people picture when they think of “RV interior.” RV Trader’s Nichole Mondshein recently stepped inside a renovation that pictures nothing of the sort – a space so stunning it looks lifted straight from the pages of Architectural Digest.
The space belongs to Tessa Terry, founder, owner, and master designer behind Alchemy RV Renovations. For this project, Tessa took a 2023 Forest River Wildwood Lodge – a 42-foot destination trailer – and transformed it into what she calls her “editorial retreat”: a space built around old-world European elegance, layered textures, and a level of craftsmanship rarely seen on wheels.
The Vision: Sherlock Holmes Meets Beatrix Potter
Tessa draws inspiration from unexpected places – music, architecture, and even film. For this renovation, she landed on a mashup of “Sherlock Holmes library mixed with Beatrix Potter cottage feel.” The result is a kitchen and living space that feels simultaneously grand and cozy, with calming yet elevated colors throughout.
The layout itself sold her on the project. Tall ceilings, abundant natural light, and generous square footage gave her room to fully realize her vision – no small thing, since even tall guests don’t have to duck inside.
A Kitchen Built to Impress (and Hold Up)
The kitchen is the showstopper, and every detail in it serves double duty – beautiful and functional.
- Custom wallpaper walls: Rather than risk standard wallpaper near water and cooking splatter, Tessa custom-built the walls from plywood, applied the wallpaper, then sealed it with an epoxy pour for a fully wipeable, solid surface.
- Window film backsplash: Tessa makes her own window treatments throughout her renovations, but near open flames and propane, she opted for window film instead of fabric – adding privacy, a European aesthetic, and fire safety all at once.
- Black stainless appliances: Chosen specifically to pair with the gold accents she wanted throughout the space, since she felt gold paired better with black stainless than traditional stainless steel.
- A statement gold sink: An oversized single-basin sink with a built-in reverse osmosis filtration system – a personal priority for Tessa.
- A genuinely showstopping chandelier: Since the unit is a destination trailer (built for long-term living rather than constant travel), the chandelier hangs on hooks and simply unhooks for transport, with dedicated storage to keep it safe en route.
True to her philosophy, Tessa says aesthetics are only part of the equation. Functionality, durability, and weight are just as critical – especially for anything that has to survive being moved down the road.
Designed for Real Life, Not Just Photos
Tessa’s approach to weight management challenges a common RV myth: that residential-style furniture automatically adds bulk. In this build, she swapped a 300-pound sofa for a far more comfortable 90-pound replacement, kept the original cabinets (painted, not replaced, to save weight and money), and used thin LVP flooring – just three to four millimeters – to stay lightweight without sacrificing durability.
Even the dramatic backsplash, made with wallpaper and a vinyl finish, weighs under a pound for the entire wall.
A Loft Built for Kids – and Booktalk Girlies
Upstairs, two lofts offer custom twin headboards, luxury mattresses, blackout insulating curtains, and clever hidden storage – including spinning bookshelves built right into the wall. Tessa designed the space with her own kids in mind (she calls them her harshest critics), but it doubles as a cozy reading nook for anyone who needs one.
A 45-foot run of custom wallpaper ties the whole upper level together, giving it the same cohesive, intentional feel as the rest of the home.
The Bedroom and Bathroom: Sanctuary Status
The primary bedroom features a hand-carved headboard, a custom Deep Sleep Solution mattress, and a deep green wallpaper Tessa repainted the room three times to get exactly right. Because RVs face extreme temperature swings, she avoids peel-and-stick wallpaper altogether, opting for traditional paste and commercial-grade adhesive built to last through every season.
In the bathroom, a personal gallery wall sets the tone, paired with hand-picked hardware (including a genuinely show-stealing swan faucet) that took weeks to track down. Practical upgrades round things out: a shower curtain in place of hard-to-clean glass doors, a full-size washer and dryer for true full-time living, and a toilet that flushes just like one at home.
More Than Just RVs
While Alchemy RV Renovations is best known for projects like this one, Tessa’s portfolio extends well beyond trailers – she’s worked on residential homes, businesses, restaurants, hotels, and even movie sets. You can see more of her work or book a consultation at alchemyrvrenovations.com, or follow along on social media under Alchemy RV Renovations.
Ready to Find Your Own Blank Canvas?
Tessa’s biggest takeaway is one worth holding onto: no matter how much square footage you’re working with, you never have to sacrifice a good design. If this tour has you dreaming about your own renovation project, head to rvtrader.com to find the make and model that’s right for your vision.
Which space from the editorial retreat was your favorite – the kitchen, the lofts, or the bedroom sanctuary? Let us know in the comments.
Amber Elizabeth
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