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Johnstone's Trade Helps Create Amazing Space from Double Decker Bus

08/02/2018

In the latest instalment of George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces, a double decker bus has been transformed into an innovative mobile office and living space with the help of specialist Johnstone’s Trade coatings.
 
The project was carried out by Ellie Banner-Ball – the owner of the 77 seater bus which, at 9.5 metres long and 2.3 metres high, has the surface area of a small studio flat. Ellie purchased the bus, which has since been named ‘Betty the Bus’, with the aim of transforming it into an office and living space, and moving from London to Devon.
 
The project sparked the interest of renowned architect and television presenter, George Clarke, and the whole project was captured to be shown on the latest series of Channel 4’s George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces. Ellie took six months to restore Betty the Bus and a further four months to create the office and living space.
 
The team from the local Johnstone’s Decorating Centre Exeter worked closely with Ellie during the project, providing bespoke advice for the best products and colour to use on the transformation.
 
To ensure the space could be used as a domestic environment, new PVC double-glazed windows were installed to replace the original, single-glazed windows. However, the modern style of the PVC wasn’t in keeping with that of Betty the Bus. The team at Johnstone’s Decorating Centre Exeter recommended and donated Johnstone’s Advanced Multi-Surface Primer, which offers ultimate grip on difficult-to-paint surfaces and allowed Ellie to disguise the new PVC windows.
 
Johnstone’s Smooth Metal paint – a two-in-one top coat and primer product which can be applied directly to bare, previously painted or rusted surfaces – was also donated for the project. The metallic paint provided a satin finish and was colour matched to fit Ellie’s brief, allowing any imperfections on the bus to be hidden.
 
Commenting on the project, Ellie said: “I’m really pleased with how Betty the Bus has turned out after the makeover. There were some unique, slightly bizarre, challenges during the project and the Johnstone’s Decorating Centre team was able to provide the understanding and knowledge to help me overcome these. The colour they recommended looks wonderful, shiny and professional, and so many people comment on how good Betty looks. I can’t thank the team enough for their help.”