Building a One-of-a-Kind Home on Wheels

Three builds. Seven years. One incredible collaboration.

When someone trusts you to build their dream van once, it's an honour.

When they come back a second time, it's humbling.

When they drive across Canada for a third build, you know you've built more than furniture, you've built a relationship.

That's exactly what happened when Chrome Valdez of YouTube's, The Chrome Project  (formerly Vancity Vanlife) made the journey from Vancouver Island to Dundas, Ontario to partner once again with Andy and the team at Overland Interiors.

This wasn't just another van conversion.  It was an opportunity to push the limits of design, craftsmanship, and creativity.

A Build That Challenged Us...in the Best Possible Way

Every build teaches us something.  The Chrome Project challenged us to think differently.

Rather than our signature Baltic birch cabinetry, Chrome envisioned a more dramatic aesthetic using beautiful bamboo plywood paired with premium black laminate. The contrast between the natural grain and matte black finishes created a warm, modern interior unlike anything we'd built before.

Every cabinet, trim piece, and detail had to work together to create a space that was equal parts home, DJ studio, office, and adventure vehicle.

It stretched our design process, and if you watched the build series on YouTube, you'll know we loved every minute of it.

Collaboration Makes Great Builds

Projects of this scale are never completed by one company alone.

For this build, we partnered with Jared and the team at Vancini Conversions, who handled the installation of all things electrical - from the sophisticated electrical system powering Chrome's mobile lifestyle to his AC unit and MaxxAir Fan.  

Over the course of three months, our teams spent countless long days (and more than a few very late nights!) bringing every detail together.

The result is a seamless blend of custom cabinetry, advanced electrical systems, and thoughtful design that allows Chrome to live, work, create, and travel from virtually anywhere.

The sophisticated off-grid electrical system was expertly designed and installed by our friends at Vancini Conversions, featuring four SOK 314Ah lithium batteries and Victron Energy components to power Chrome's adventures

 

Designed Around Real Life

One of our favourite parts of any custom build is solving problems most people would never think about.

Chrome travels with his two beloved bulldogs, Cruz and Mixxie, so making the van comfortable for them was just as important as designing it for him.

To help their shorter legs reach the bed, we designed a set of custom Doggy Steps, finished with the same Lonridge Smokey Black marine-grade vinyl flooring used throughout the van for durability and traction.

Sometimes the smallest details become the most meaningful.

The Showpiece: A Mobile DJ Studio

Every custom build has a signature feature.  For this one, it was an incredible height-adjustable DJ studio and workstation.

Designed specifically for Chrome's creative workflow, the custom desk moves effortlessly between sitting and standing positions, allowing him to edit videos, produce music, and work comfortably wherever he's parked.

To complete the setup, Andy designed matching custom speaker covers, integrating the equipment into the cabinetry so the entire space feels intentional rather than cluttered.

It's functional.

It's beautiful.

And it's unlike anything we've built before.

 

Every Cabinet Built with Purpose

Throughout the van, every piece of cabinetry was custom designed to support life on the road.

Highlights include:

• A custom kitchenette with a premium Corian countertop
• Exterior pull-out work surface
• Hidden pull-out dog feeding station
• Custom coffee station designed around a Keurig
• Dedicated cabinet for a Breville convection oven
• Front-loading ICECO refrigerator integration
• Rear pull-out drawer and garage storage system
• Two custom upper cabinets - one above the bed and another above the DJ workstation
• Bamboo trim and black laminate accents that tie the entire interior together

Nothing was off-the-shelf.

Everything was built around Chrome's lifestyle.

 

More Than a Van

Watching someone you've worked with for years drive away in a finished build is always rewarding.

But this project felt different.  We weren't simply building furniture.

We were helping create a home, a creative studio, a workspace, and a basecamp for countless adventures still to come.

Seeing Chrome share this van with hundreds of thousands of viewers around the world has been incredibly rewarding, and we're grateful he trusted Overland Interiors once again to help bring his vision to life.

Thinking About Your Own Sprinter Build?

Whether you're dreaming of a weekend adventure van or a fully customized home on wheels, we'd love to help bring your vision to life.

At Overland Interiors, every project starts with a conversation.

Whether you're looking for a complete custom build, modular cabinetry, or a few carefully designed upgrades, we'll work with you to create a space that's built around the way you travel.

 

 

Ready to start your own Sprinter build? We'd love to hear your ideas.

Contact Overland Interiors today to schedule a consultation with Andy and discover what's possible!