RV TOURS
The interior of this 2014 Forest River Crusader feels like a boutique hotel
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about this RV renovation
Type of RV: 2014 Forest River Crusader Touring Edition M290
Renovated by: @alchemyrvrenovations / Timeline: 4 Months / Budget: $10k
An entrepreneur at heart, Tessa wasn’t your average kid. She started her own baking company at age 8(!), and by the time she was a teenager, she was working with designers to make lampshades for her parent’s Victorian Lampshade Company.
Growing up with parents who purchased fixer-uppers, she naturally fell in love with the process of transforming spaces into something unique, beautiful, and practical. And after selling her first renovated travel trailer, which she bought on a whim in 2021, she decided to follow her newfound passion for turning ordinary campers into luxury tiny homes. That’s when Alchemy RV Renovations was born.
Today we’re taking a peek inside her last RV renovation, a 2014 Forest River Crusader. The bold design choices and playful details make the interior of this fifth wheel look more like a boutique hotel than an outdated camper.
Before Photos
What inspired you to renovate RV’s?
I grew up with parents who always bought fixer-upper homes and turned them into something beautiful. When I was 23, my husband and I bought our first home on the east coast and completely renovated it ourselves. I’ve been in the interior design business for most of my life and came across a travel trailer I knew I could do something with. So I bought it on a whim, put my all into it, loved how it turned out, and it sold within 24 hours. After that, I decided to go full-time into RV renovations, turning them into luxury tiny homes!
What made you choose this Forest River Crusader to renovate?
Of course, the year and condition come first, but if that checks out, I am all about layout. I loved the space this one had to offer!
How would you describe your decorating style?
My own home is a mix of Transitional, Parisian, and Modern Victorian with pops of color. I adore designs that feel simplistic but have depth to them. It’s all in the details.
Was this renovation inspired by anything specific?
I have family from New York, and it always amazed me how these high-end apartments in the city could be made to look so high-end and homey. This one was inspired by those.
What’s your favorite aspect of interior design?
I love making spaces functional but classy, and including colors that even if it wouldn’t be a first choice for someone – it just flows naturally into the design and adds that wow factor.
“My ultimate goal with every RV Renovation is to turn a small space into something unexpected; something like home!”
– @alchemyrvrenovations
What are your favorite places to source products and decor?
Anthropologie, West Elm, Crate and Barrel, and Etsy to name a few.
Is there a local shop, artisan, or Etsy shop you’re really into right now?
I love Heirloom Print Shop on Etsy! It’s a one-woman run company, and her prints are out of this world gorgeous.
What’s the most splurge-worthy item you incorporated into this RV interior?
The Anthropologie Mural in the living room is one of my favorite parts of this entire design. Never gets old.
What was most challenging about this RV renovation?
There are always challenges working in such small spaces – but one thing I’m passionate about in RV reno’s is using high-end 3D backsplashes. In this one, the glass subway tile is real glass, so it takes time to cut and secure for travel; I also built a custom marbleized recessed shelf over the sink, which was tricky but worth it in the end.
What project made the most difference?
Getting rid of all the brown cabinets!
Watch video highlights on Instagram:
Photo Gallery
