- In 2020, David and Amelia Bay-Brown started refurbishing recreational vehicles as a way to increase their earnings.
- Since then, they have purchased, refurbished, and resold 17 recreational vehicles across the country; the most expensive one was sold for $60,000.
- Currently, they are utilizing their expertise in revamping compact areas to renovate apartments in New York City.
In 2020, David Bay-Brown along with his spouse Amelia decided to leave behind their professions—his as an actor in Broadway and hers as a professional hair stylist for theater and TV—to embark on a fresh endeavor focused on renovations.
recreational vehicles, or RVs
.
Although we had jobs in New York City, the pandemic brought everything to a halt,” Amelia, who is 33 years old, explained to Business Insider. “We needed to find an alternative way to earn income.
The pair initially invested $3,000 into a 1979 Dodge Cruise Master, which they planned to use for their own cross-country travels. They chronicled the extensive refurbishment journey over several months on
YouTube
and
Instagram
, revamping the worn-out RV into a chic haven with new floors, cabinets, and a bespoke dining area. Several viewers showed keen interest in purchasing it, leading the Bay-Browns to sell it for $27,000.
“As we informed others who were considering the vehicle, we assured them that we could either replicate something similar for them or craft a customized version instead; this approach helped us attract our initial clients,” Amelia explained.
After five years, the pair have refurbished 17 recreational vehicles nationwide. Their labor fees may vary between $15,000 and $45,000, contingent upon the scale of repairs and reconstruction needed for each RV. As for material expenses, these can fluctuate from $5,000 to $15,000, depending on the degree of opulence and quality specified.
Definitely anxiety-inducing to take on a project as distinctive as building a mobile home,” said David, who is 37, to Business Insider. “Every component needs to be adaptable and light, ensuring it doesn’t affect fuel efficiency.
The Bay-Browns have recently extended their operations to include stationary residences: small apartments.
New York City
.
Beginning the renovation of RVs was not without challenges.
The Bay-Browns were motivated to undertake renovations.
RVs
Following a rental experience with a dilapidated model during their 2020 journey out West, they opted to purchase their own and tailor it to fit their preferences before embarking on various expeditions.
The first RV they bought — the Dodge Cruise Master — was in bad condition with water damage, rotting floors, and evidence of a mice infestation. They taught themselves how to restore it through
YouTube videos
and got assistance from a vibrant online group of RV enthusiasts.
They took apart the RV until only the frame was left, then they swapped out the ceiling, supports, panels, and subfloor.
I believe we were naive enough to take the plunge,” David said to BI. “And the rest is history.
Choosing a purchaser for the asset
RV
was just as difficult as designing it.
Initially priced at $19,790 because of its manufacture date in 1979, the cost increased once 200 individuals showed interest in the recreational vehicle, with several being prepared to offer more than the requested amount.
Ultimately, they selected a “lovely family” from Kansas, as dubbed by Amelia, who proposed $27,000 and had grown fond of the RV.
Reflecting on their experience, the pair acknowledges that the effort they invested in refurbishing the space probably amounted to greater expenses than they initially anticipated.
Completing the renovation required around six months of working full-time,” Amelia stated. “Although we earned quite a bit, considering our time investment, we likely only received something like two cents per hour.
Their pandemic venture turned into a fully developed enterprise.
The Bay-Browns invested two years
traveling the country
And refurbishing recreational vehicles while residing in a motorhome they purchased for $23,000 with part of the earnings from selling their initial RV.
Amelia mentioned that they have assisted numerous individuals in relocating from traditional houses—whether this involves choosing to reside on the road, working remotely, or a blend of these situations.
When taking care of client projects, they resided in their personal RV, which was parked either on the premises or at adjacent campgrounds.
The Bay-Browns informed BI that they seldom undertake renovation projects involving total overhauls. Nonetheless, they consistently sand the walls, apply new primer, and paint every RV.
A lot of vintage recreational vehicles feature basic linoleum flooring and walls, which can make them seem less cozy. To add style and individuality, the Bay-Browns upgrade their mobile homes with elements such as wood, tiles, wallpaper, and textured surfaces.
David mentioned that the conventional approach to building recreational vehicles prioritizes rapid assembly and usually doesn’t emphasize visual appeal for consumers, leading to rather plain interior designs. He explained that they inquire with clients about what would make them feel at ease, as they do when at home, and then construct their ideal living area accordingly.
They frequently concentrate their remodeling efforts on optimizing area usage and boosting seclusion within confined areas. As an illustration, they have installed sound-insulating barriers between walls intended for households with several offspring or designed adaptable chambers. In one instance, they transformed a main sleeping quarters into dual-purpose room combining sleep and storage space for a pair of individuals wishing for the motorhome to function simultaneously as living accommodation and movie production vehicle.
David stated, “Our real passion lies in assisting individuals in developing tailored solutions for their specific requirements.”
Their customers come from across the entire US.
In 2021, the Bay-Browns bought a 18-foot long recreational vehicle called Jute, which they imagined as a “book-filled space with scenic views.” To enhance this concept, they added a bespoke work station along with a projector screen and a terrace area where visitors could watch films during pleasant evenings.
After finishing the refurbishment, they sold Jute for forty thousand dollars.
Another recreational vehicle named Elle underwent renovation costing $45,000 in components, supplies, and workmanship. This was intended for a pair of individuals from Utah, as per David’s account, who insisted on nothing but absolute opulence.
For an upscale look, the Bay-Browns chose a deep chocolate brown for their kitchen walls and installed a bespoke slatted-wood backsplash along with butcher-block countertops. In the media zone, they used black Italian plaster as a backdrop for a TV encased in a frame.
After finding an inspirational design piece to be out of their client’s budget, they crafted and covered a rounded banquette seating in the eating space themselves.
Another recreational vehicle, called Oakley, is the priciest one the Bay-Browns have handled; it was sold for $60,000.
A 35-foot recreational vehicle owned by a family of six had an interior makeover as per the client’s request. Every part of the inside was covered with genuine white oak veneer throughout the space, including the walls and ceilings. Additionally, Italian travertine tops were installed in the kitchen area.
Furthermore, the Bay-Browns created a bespoke breakfast nook table featuring an adjustable makeup mirror along with a specialized bunk bed for their kids, equipped with climbing grips.
They renovate apartments now
The Bay-Browns rented out their apartment temporarily.
Queens, New York
, while
living in their RV
.
Now, having gone back to their apartment, they have picked up their former professions again, yet they’ve also included apartment interior designing as an extra skill on their resumes.
David, known for his iconic role as Elder Price in the Broadway production of “The Book of Mormon,” mentioned, “We’re utilizing the expertise gained from refurbishing recreational vehicles—such as optimizing compact areas—to enhance our apartment living experience.”
Up until now, the pair have finished four initiatives throughout New York City.
Not long ago, they renovated a 150-square-foot children’s bedroom on Manhattan’s Upper West Side that also serves as a homeschooling space.
To make the most of the available space, they constructed a customized bunk bed where one of the beds is artfully concealed within additional storage units.
In Sunset Park,
Brooklyn
The pair transformed an unused office into a livable area by installing a bespoke Murphy bed. This creation was crafted entirely from scratch, with the total expense amounting to approximately $12,000 for both labor and supplies.
David mentioned, “Working within a confined area is actually more enjoyable than designing expansive estates.” He elaborated that when constrained by limited space, it turns into an engaging mental challenge. Despite being highly demanding, he finds it far more rewarding as it compels one to engage in creative thinking.
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