I want to share my compilation of equipment, built-in furniture, and other items that I have thought of so far. It is interesting to think about what will go inside, and how much will actually fit!
Commonly, a vardo (gypsy wagon) will have a raised pull-out bed with space for a child to sleep underneath, a wood-burning stove for heating and cooking, cabinets and drawers for dishes, food, clothing, and knick-knacks, bench seating, maybe a pull-out or foldable table, and a whole lot of charm!
My wagon will have all this (including the charm I hope!) plus some extras, like a composting toilet, solar panels, a removable basin for washing dishes, and a charging station for a wireless tablet so I can keep writing while traveling. The bed will take up a significant portion of the back of the wagon. I have worked and re-worked my designs, but that bed just doesn't get any smaller while maintaining it's comfort level. At one point I considered a hammock, but I don't know that I could sleep in one of those every night for a year!
The over-all length of the wagon will be around 9 feet, so even a twin bed, which is 3.25 feet wide, would take up a third of the length. Hopefully, with a pull-out bed, it will be two feet wide when closed, and four feet wide when pulled out at night. It might look something like this:
Photo from: http://imgfave.com/view/2074661
Another important item will be a stove. I haven't yet decided which option will be best, but here is what I have found so far.
A small wood stove:
Photo from: small-scale.net
A Rocket stove and camp stove oven:
Photo from: livingprepared.blogspot.com
A BioLite camp stove:
Photo from: secure.huckberry.com
The basin for washing with storage below might look something like this:
Photo from: picasaweb.google.com
In the front of the wagon beside the door, there will be an enclosed space, probably with an accordion door, for a composting toilet. There are several designs available, but I need to learn more about how they operate before deciding which one would be best. I don't really care for how they look, which is why it would be hidden behind a screen, but I know I will want a bathroom in the wagon, and these seem like the best option - or something like them.
Photo from: http://blog.enn.com/?attachment_id=2203
The wagon will have storage space built in everywhere possible, inside and out, with shelving, drawers, and cupboards. There are many possible arrangements for this storage; here are some examples:
Photo from: flickr.com
Photo from: gypsyvanners.com.au
Along with storage boxes on the outside, I will likely have Jerry cans, or another type of water storage for the horses and for myself. The Jerry cans seem good because they are small enough that I could carry them to a water source and back.
Photo from: pangaea-expeditions.com
There are still so many items to consider, such as lanterns, to have plastic or aluminum dishes, what kind of tablet, and how many solar panels on the roof. I will continue to add to this list as I consider what else will be needed during a year-long wagon adventure!
Here's one last photo showing the beautiful exterior of a vardo, along with its practical and decorative storage:
Photo from: craftyaspirations.blogspot.com
