apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time


Small Cool 2009: Cynthia's Austin RV Lifestyle
Tiny Division #13

thumbs up

Who Lives Here: My husband, myself plus a dog and a cat
Location: Austin, Texas
Size: 336 square feet

What is your one favorite element in your small, cool home? Affordability combined with location! It's cheap and it's a block to Austin's greatest treasure: Barton Springs.

Give Cynthia a THUMBS UP if you think this home belongs in the finals!
Thumbs Up Voting is only activated for 48 Hours — so don't delay!
 
 

What was one of the biggest challenges you faced in furnishing your small home? The awful "RV-like" built in style -- we ripped out a plasticy-wood built-in table, a plaid sofa, a dresser, a king-sized bed, and brown carpet.


Give Cynthia a THUMBS UP if you think this home belongs in the finals!
Thumbs Up Voting is only activated for 48 Hours — so don't delay!

room-board-banner09.jpg

Do you have a Small Cool Home? Enter Here by April 13th!

Comments (39)

Is that orange oval thing a bread box? Whatever it is, its fabulous! Where'd you find it?

posted by BornSlippy on April 7th 2009 at 8:22pm
view BornSlippy's profile

This is an RV???? OMG. Wonderful!

posted by Jesse Lu on April 7th 2009 at 8:42pm
view Jesse Lu's profile

I like how all of the typical RV furnishings have been removed and replaced with real separate furniture pieces! There could stand to be some decluttering and general tidying though. I also think the couch area is a bit squished, maybe the desk would work better at that end and instead create some sort of couch/tv area by the kitchen table? And... I love the curtains in the bedroom!

posted by alaylam on April 7th 2009 at 8:45pm
view alaylam's profile

Clear up some of the clutter around the desk and countertops and I'd call this a hit!

posted by erinpeace on April 7th 2009 at 8:48pm
view erinpeace's profile

Bedroom darling, the rest needs some tidying--maybe a bigger & cuter area rug, too.

posted by SQ on April 7th 2009 at 8:55pm
view SQ's profile

great job!

posted by mahoganymoon on April 7th 2009 at 9:29pm
view mahoganymoon's profile

I agree with the area rug comment, but I would never have expected such a cute inside to a teensy trailer.

posted by seraph on April 7th 2009 at 9:36pm
view seraph's profile

I want to like it, but I don't see much in the pictures that interests me. It is too bad about the picture quality, kind of grainy and indistinct; maybe some better photographs would do the job of conveying what's special about this space. I think you could do a LOT more with the patio, for one thing, and also the cabinetry inside the RV dominates the space, but doesn't do much for the decor.

Making such a small space work for 4 living beings is an accomplishment in itself, though, so that's great. I noticed the fan; hope you have some air conditioning for the summer.

posted by MansardRoof on April 7th 2009 at 9:37pm
view MansardRoof's profile

I'd love to live down in that area. We used to have an apartment on Sixth Street near Trinity but when we had kids we moved to the burbs.

Very cute :o)

posted by supershy on April 7th 2009 at 9:39pm
view supershy's profile

Not bad, I didn't realize it was an RV until I saw the outside. Although, would have been cooler if it was an Airstream.

posted by hubiquitous on April 7th 2009 at 9:54pm
view hubiquitous's profile

I love that orange breadbox. I almost bought the same one a million times but never did. I'm jealous!

posted by I Love Upstate on April 7th 2009 at 10:06pm
view I Love Upstate's profile

that orange box is so cute!

posted by ss622 on April 7th 2009 at 10:18pm
view ss622's profile

I like the art in the bedroom, too....

posted by ohjodi on April 7th 2009 at 10:20pm
view ohjodi's profile

just a suggestion for future contestants - don't download photos that is take off of camera phones. Its doesn't give your space justice. All in all, I like the fact that it doesn't look like the inside of a RV. I was surprised to see that picture next to the floorplan.

posted by MilenaB. on April 7th 2009 at 11:30pm
view MilenaB.'s profile

I think it's great. I would love to be there. Like being on summer vacation all the time.

posted by swillson on April 8th 2009 at 2:16am
view swillson's profile

I didn't know what 'RV' meant I thought it was an apartment. Well done.

posted by hrhprincessfiona on April 8th 2009 at 3:16am
view hrhprincessfiona's profile

I love it! Don't change a thing:) And where did you get that orange breadbox?
Kim

posted by k_west on April 8th 2009 at 6:35am
view k_west's profile

It needs a little decluttering and some tidying up - but beyond that, bravo.

posted by ChrisGal on April 8th 2009 at 6:58am
view ChrisGal's profile

Target sells the same (or very similar) bread box for $50.

posted by flipper on April 8th 2009 at 7:24am
view flipper's profile

Still can't believe it's an RV. Well done!

posted by BlueLM on April 8th 2009 at 7:51am
view BlueLM's profile

I could never live in an RV just because of how UGLY they are on the outside (I've turned down apartments in the past for the same reason), but for what it's worth, you've done a bang-up job here :)

posted by bfootnovellista on April 8th 2009 at 10:08am
view bfootnovellista's profile

props on the ikea hack curtains and kudos for entering the contest. this is the most interesting space ever entered.

posted by Lady J on April 8th 2009 at 10:12am
view Lady J's profile

Reminds me of my parent's 40' Dutchstar Diesel Motorcoach, but theirs isn't as cool as yours...

I wonder - Did you have to give up on retracting the slide-outs and towing your trailer with the wood floors and other changes?

posted by bepsf on April 8th 2009 at 11:21am
view bepsf's profile

I am super impressed. Coolest RV I've ever seen.

~Q

posted by hishtafel on April 8th 2009 at 11:38am
view hishtafel's profile

Love love love RV's and mobile homes. In fact, we have some amazing mobile home parks in So Cal in mind blowing, beautiful locations.

Thanks for sharing your home! Love it love it love it!

posted by Seaside on April 8th 2009 at 12:32pm
view Seaside's profile

Who woulda thought an RV could look cool? Good job!

posted by crash on April 8th 2009 at 1:13pm
view crash's profile

I love the elegant dark stools (so useful in small spaces) and the shots of orange. And the use of traditional furniture (with white to keep things from getting too dark). And of course, there is the spaciousness of the outdoors close, where one can sit and have one's coffee.

The one fly in the ointment for me is the shiny strip of metal on the floor. Wonder if that could be painted black or dark brown to take the curse off it?

posted by monarda on April 8th 2009 at 1:24pm
view monarda's profile

I agree a larger area rug might work better (that one looks kind of accidental), but kudos to you for fitting 2 adults, a dog and a cat into that space! And managing to work around some traditional RV limitations.

posted by WickedElf on April 8th 2009 at 2:19pm
view WickedElf's profile

That's what I want to retire to...cute, orgainized and paid off.

posted by browncoatkarrie on April 8th 2009 at 2:30pm
view browncoatkarrie's profile

wish it were all mine

posted by irenegarnett on April 8th 2009 at 5:31pm
view irenegarnett's profile

love it

posted by bonehead on April 8th 2009 at 6:43pm
view bonehead's profile

Lookin' good.

posted by mconnell on April 8th 2009 at 8:12pm
view mconnell's profile

Like what you did with the built-ins! Kudos! Now if Austin would only stop building those darn condo projects and destroying the funky vibe of the RV parks on Barton Springs Rd. life would be cool.

posted by laleeha on April 8th 2009 at 8:18pm
view laleeha's profile

OK -- a little clutter means you're human -- but the fact that you live in such a small space with another person and 2 animals.. nice digs and I love the use of orange!

posted by pdx_ecl on April 9th 2009 at 11:34am
view pdx_ecl's profile

I like it, especially like the replacement with better furniture and built-in--didn't realize an RV park could be so nice!

posted by maven on April 9th 2009 at 12:02pm
view maven's profile

Great space!

posted by curlyq2283 on April 9th 2009 at 4:06pm
view curlyq2283's profile

Woo...lots to love here. Its on its way to fabulous. But yes, tidy up and take better pictures so we can actually see it, please.

posted by kristen verity on April 17th 2009 at 8:15am
view kristen verity's profile

Great!! Don't change anything!

posted by teapotrose on May 5th 2009 at 6:33pm
view teapotrose's profile

Hey, how long is it? I'm trying to compare it to my own camper. Thanks!!

posted by teapotrose on May 5th 2009 at 6:38pm
view teapotrose's profile