apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I think it's already pretty cool. Personally (because I am a fan of tacky, and also because I'm not sure what else you could do with that stove backdrop) I would go with a super-tacky retro theme - flamingos, retro diner (pink seafoam green, or red/black/white), or do some 50s-space-age thing...which would fit in pretty well at all the music festivals I'm thinking of...

I am so jealous of your design project! That quilted backsplash is actually quite similar to one I just saw in Sunset.

ps. Yes, you can totally make it cool! A think just a recovering of the furniture in the fabric you mentioned and a new coat of paint, will be a great start. Keep us posted as to how it goes. (can you tell I have a thing for trailers?)

Love the shiny back splash. I'd take the cue for the decor from that and aim for a shiny fresh corvette/diner look. Paint out the panelling and aqua woodwork in a bright white, or maybe a frosty pale blue. Change all the hinges and handles to chrome. Ditto the light fixtures. For the floor - I'm assuming that's linoleum of some sort? - maybe a sharp black and white diamond pattern?

The curtains - burn 'em.

Good luck with your project! We bought a Boler a couple of years ago and we stripped it completely we redecorated the inside and painted the outside...Maybe our story will inspire you! We posted all the pictures of the renovations on Flickr photostream.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dentremont_boler/

I'd think that the Amy Butler prints in the teal/brown colorway would be a nice compliment to the teal cabinets and brown appliances. Just get a professional to make your cushions for a neat tailored look and consider off-white contrast welts for the edges.

As far as window coverings, I'd take down the spring rods and draperies and install some pleated window coverings on vertical tracks that can be easily pushed up and pulled down - perhaps even have your upholsterer fabricate some valences in the same Amy Butler fabric.

Lastly, I'd consider removing the colonial light fixture above the kitchenette and install a plate for a hanging lamp that would swag over the dinette. Remove the paper-towel holder and install several low-voltage puck-lights under the upper cabinets for the kitchen instead. Also install some IKEA Grundtal rails on the bottom of your cabinets against the back corner (instead of on the wall) and use hooks and organizers for utensils, cutlery, handtowels, etc.

Down the road, you might consider replacing the counter and tabletop with new Formica Aqua or Skylark "Boomerang" tops with the aluminum edging: http://www.formica.com/publish/site/na/us/en/index/laminate/colors_collections/patterns.detail.6959.0006.html

I'm soooooo jealous! That camper looks great...and there are a million, skillion ideas that jump to mind. The obvious, paint, new hardware if possible, new upholstery, lighting is open to your imagination! You can even sand/prime and paint the enamel on the appliances with a rust-o-leum high heat paint to give it a new color. New curtains, if you need to do the floor I think the vinyl plank flooring tile that looks like hardwood would look great and it interlocks so it is waterproof/resistant and I've seen that plank installed as baseboard also and a bead of clear silicone caulk applied at the meetup of the floor and the baseboard. Good luck I think a look through an Ikea catalog will give you most of your ideas. Also go to some of the Airstream makeover sites online and you'll be amazed at what people have done with cosmetic only changes. Someday my wife and I will have one of these little beauties! Someday.

I think your camper is great! I love Amy Butler fabric but I'm afaid that it might be too lightweight to use as uphostery fabric. I think you might be better off going with a heavier fabric for the cushions and just use Amy Butler fabric for the curtains.

Maybe striped fabric on the benches in some bright colors - I'm envisioning red, white and aqua. In the alternative, you could try aqua and lime green and add some punches of pink. If you go with AB fabric curtains, you could work with the colors in the fabric to look for accents to tie it all together. I have a new soft canvas-y slip cover for an ottoman that I'm really loving lately. It's a light natural color. I can take it off to wash which you might not be able to do though.

I'm imagining that you won't be switching out the brown appliances, so I suggest a pink and brown color scheme with your aforementioned amy butler fabric, perhaps from lotus/tea box:
http://www.amybutlerdesign.com/products/fabrics_top.php?fabric=lotus&flid=10

and some retro linoleum tiles for flooring.

BTW - Suggest your Hubby that he paint those steel wheels Teal and install a pair of Baby Moon hubcaps on those wheels:
http://www.hubcapmike.com/smoothie_hubcaps.html

Boy, I would definitely leave the aqua paint and brown appliances because they are just too cool looking as is. I dig the tacky flavor to it, too, so I'd just swap out the upholstery and curtains since there's no real harmony between them and the existing paint and be done with it. Maybe paint the paneling since it looks a lil dingy. I'm super jealous.

I love your camper. It does need new wall paint, new floors, and new window and chair covers. I recommend covering the applicances w/ a sheet of stainless steel and perhaps adding aluminum tiles on the ceiling. Good luck!

Wow! This is a great camper. I really like the brown and turquoise. I think the Amy Butler Gothic Rose Turquoise fabric would be nice to pull a color palette from (even if you don't like the pattern). There is olive and beige as well in this fabric. Also, changing the hardware (hinges, pulls) will make a world of difference. That backsplash is fantastic! Maybe you could put up a stainless ikea system! You could take down that light fixture, spray paint it, and change the globe. I like the idea of roman fabric shades hung a few inches above the window so when they are up they don't block any light (since windows are small). Is the floor vinyl? If you could spend money on two expensive things I'd would pick flooring and professional cushion covers (with piping). Everything else is very do-it-yourself. Let us know how is turns out!

Oh, whatever you do please don't change the backsplash! And I dig the teal color, so I'd go with it. I think the appliances are great, I wouldn't change them unless they don't work. DEFINITELY need new curtains and new lighting and paint the panelling. I like the suggestion to use that fake hardwood flooring.

Good lucK! What a fun project!

I agree that the brown would be too hard to cover up, so I'd run with it -- something cute and slightly retro, but updated. I'd paint the cabinets chocolate brown, and then do the remainder in brown, ice blue, white, and silver. Switch out the hardware and the lights on the cabinets for silver fixtures (stainless to match the backsplash). Maybe do white grosgrain ribbon as edging, curtain tiebacks, etc. I like a nice ice-blue upholstery on the seats with a white ribbon trim and some comfy throw pillows. Do stainless countertops. Freshen up the insides with a new coat of paint (Ice blue again).

Also, to go with the retro theme, maybe find some fun melamine plates and crazy-glue them to the wall for a little display? I also think a hula girl would go a long way toward retro kitsch. :)

Try restoring as much of the original detail as possible. It is such a sweet camper. Reminds me of the inside of my parents 71 VW camper. You have a real gem so shine it up and enjoy!

I am not sure exactly what style you are going for, but my creativity is chugging along anyway. I would:

1. Change out the two light fixtures for something different. I see the colonial one and also the one just to the right of the little sink. Here is where I might go a little funky and find one or two really artsy modern glass fixtures. Or maybe chrome -- something that looks really funky.

2. To avoid clashing with the stove/dishwasher, make sure you are incorporating touches of brown in your color scheme. I didn't see where you had a color scheme in mind. White/pale aqua (nearly white) and coppery-milk chocolate-brown sticks in my head.

3. Paint! With those groovy slat-like walls, I'd even like to see you paint stripes onto at least one of the walls, following the slats. (Alternatively, paint the walls a solid color, but paint a thin contrasting stripe inside the groove where the slats meat. What I am seeing in my head for this is maybe a cool white or a VERY pale icy aqua, with a very thin milk chocolate brown stripe along the grooves.)

You could add some further life to your walls with silvery stencils. Go to the craft store and pick out a couple of patterns you like -- I have in mind something with lots of curlique patterns in it. Then randomly stencil the designs onto the walls in silvery paint.

NOTE: I could see this looking especially sharp if you painted alternate wide stripes of milk chocolate and white or aqua (in gloss) on the back wall of the banquette with the long curtain. Paint the side walls of the banquette white gloss. Then apply silver stencils in a random pattern on the side walls.

Also, paint the entire strip of lower kitchen cabinetry in the chocolate brown to make the appliances receed. Paint the upper cabinets in the white or pale aqua. Choose your brown carefully though -- you want a brown with a bit of a coppery tint to it and definately a gloss or I think it will just be drab.


4. Swap out the cabinet hardware for something different. Either something in chrome to match the backsplash, but in funky shapes, or for the handles artsy glass nobs or something like that.

5. Redo the cushions and curtains, definately. In something that complements your color scheme. For the milk chocolate and white/aqua color scheme, I might punch up the color in the fabrics a bit -- maybe bring in some red and turquoise or teal if you like those.

For the windows, I might consider roll-down linen shades rather than the gathered kitchen curtain look. Either that or sheets of linen on a track that aren't gathered but can be moved from side to side like sliding doors. I'd like to see something that is an opaque but almost sheer white, and maybe has a white-on-white or silver-on-white pattern.

6. Finally, I've seen that Pottery Barn has wall-hung vases. I think it would be lovely to have one of those vases on either side of the banquette window, filled with fresh flowers. Not sure if that's practical though.

P.S. - Please get rid of that paper towel holder! Funky mood killer!

P.P.S. -- If you have the budget, yuo cold replace the countertop/banquette top. Maybe with a recycled glass that has lots of green, clear and sparse brown glass in it?? Not sure if that is workable, but it would look cool.

Oh, thanks to the above poster who posted the link to Amy Butler fabrics....

I'd vote for the Camel/Geisha Fans fabric in collection 3, or the teal/lacework pattern in collection 2. Then take my suggestions above and make them fit the fabric.

Wow! I am so inspired by all of this Camper stuff! NYC is overrated! Traveling in a camper is where it's at. This is definitely going on my 10 year goal list.

Hilarious! I thought I was the only camper obsessed crazy person! But why so much harshness on the curtains? LOL
I totally agree that if you could find a balance between thrift store chic and IKEA, you'd be in business. Speaking of business, I tried to convince my husband that we could buy old Airstreams, I could decorate them crazy cute and we could resell them. So far he hasn't bought into it. What do you think?

Amy Butler does make heavier fabric, but I've only used it for window coverings. I'd recommend that, actually, for a funky accent and get the seats recovered in something more practical, like an outdoor fabric (Sunbrella, etc.) or a vinyl. Even the heaviest AB fabric isn't really meant for hard wear, which would be the case in a camper.

You can pick up vintage hardware and fixtures on eBay pretty cheaply -- an easy update for the kitchenette. And it shouldn't cost much to replace the tan faux tile floor/lower wall covering with something that blends in with the color scheme you choose. I'd go with a '50s look, something inspired by Franciscan Atomic dinnerware.

I'm not all sure what you plan on doing, but check out this photo group:
http://good-times.webshots.com/album/558020693XVkuCG

And on this page, there are two campers that were made over:
http://www.jcshop.netfirms.com/index.htm?

Someone else who has a camper and posted what things she wanted to do:
http://restyledhome.blogspot.com/2007/08/happy-camper.html

Yes, I know this is in the U.K. and that yours is not a VW, but check it anyway:
http://www.kustominteriors.co.uk/Interiors.html

Color/design examples, like the checkerboard floor and color combinations here:
http://www.kustominteriors.co.uk/Gallery%202.html

Even things like the pulls can be changed to make a statement:
http://www.kustominteriors.co.uk/Projects.html

Oh, and this red is kind of neat:
http://vwcampervans.tumblr.com/

That's a good smattering of images, everything from gutting and D.I.Y. to having a professional do some custom work for you.

Also, check out appliance panels, like here:
http://www.frigodesign.com/php/index.php

No, they don't have a mention there of smaller sizes, they show all these jumbo fridges. However, you might be able to have something made by them or by someone, read the installation instructions here:
http://www.frigodesign.com/install_1.html

I don't know about the oven, but the fridge might be able to take a panel, if the panel was resized.

You can look at floor plans and color combos of new things, like this iCamp camper:
http://www.urvusa.com/elite_floorplan.html

Or this, check out the fabric:
http://www.skylinerv.com/product.php?brand=trailrider&feature=pg®ion=mwse

YOU get to decide how much time and money to put into the camper, and that can be based on what you'll be using it for and where you'll be going.

And here's something for a laugh...I got good sites from here, but it appears that most all the images have been photoshopped to death, with table items and scenery and all kinds of things that don't make that much sense:
http://www.travelizmo.com/archives/cat_folding_camping_trailers.html

Like this one:
"Here's your breakfast, eat your bowl of lemons and be quiet"
http://www.travelizmo.com/jayco-select-folding-camping-trailer-2007-interior.jpg

Or this one:
"I can hardly wait to set up camp, so I can make cookies!"
http://www.travelizmo.com/archives/fleetwood-highland-niagara-folding-trailer-2007-interior.jpg

Thanks so much for all the comments! You guys are too funny, and have really given me a better attitude about this thing...I'm going to keep the backsplash, go for one of the bright Amy Butler prints suggested just for the curtains & do a stronger solid fabric for the cushions--probably brown. I'll be ripping out the paper towel holder ASAP, and looking into the new light fixtures issue, as I hadn't really thought of that. This has been really helpful, and I'll send "after" photos if it looks as good as I hope it will!

fun project! I actually just picked up a fascinating book at Borders about Airstreams and how people design them. It had some wonderful photography and would be a great idea book.

I''m so totally jealous!! Compared to others I've seen this is already in great shape, can't see much to change, I like the color scheme already, except to maybe polish the backsplash and other shiny-type surfaces, replace the curtains, with a complementary color and maybe reupholster the seats with complementary outdoor fabric (to make them easy to clean). Perhaps, if you want to spend more money, replace the sink countertop with a butcher block wood countertop so it can do double duty, and maybe replace the flooring to maybe a dark brown linoleum? I'm thinking that it perhaps should be something that won't clash with the existing brown appliances. I'm assuming the appliances all work fine.

So cool...I saw this trailer on flicker a few days ago and loved it, The owners of this vintage trailer kept the original paneling and avocado appliances and by just using some new fabric and accessories renewed the space http://www.flickr.com/photos/23543808@N02/2397011023/in/set-72157604063685591/

Say, for the flooring, how about FLOR in Walnut Fedora:
http://www.flor.com/service/flor/shop_detail.html?mv_arg=P001202500%2dP00018_01

If the linoleum is in good shape, then it can stay, and cover the floor with the dark brown walnut. That will help hide any tracked in dirt. Help to block out exterior sounds and insulate against heat/cold. And if they get dirty, you can wash them. But you won't trip over them like an area rug.

======

I did go over and check out the Amy Butler fabrics. Three of the four groups say that they are "quilting weight" fabrics. I didn't know what that meant. So I looked it up:
http://www.designmom.com/2008/06/ask-design-mom-week-upholstery-fabric.html

One of the groups at Amy Butler is the Nigella line, that is "home decor weight":
http://www.amybutlerdesign.com/products/fabrics_top.php?fabric=nigella&flid=11

Says "sturdy enough for bedding and furniture, yet soft enough for quilting and fashion."

So you want at LEAST that strength for seating. For curtains, you can go with something lighter...BUT...lightweight fabrics won't block sun and noise as well as a heavier fabric.

And I would want to show husband the fabric before buying. Because it says "floral designs collide with feminine touches..."

Great for a gal. Not so great for a guy. Especially if he plans on taking the camper out with "the guys" for some adventure. You know, fishing or banjo playing.

Already mentioned by palindrome, the Sunbrella fabric would be a wise choice for the seating:
http://www.sunbrella.com/na/en/furniture.pl

It's hard to tell exactly how close the colors would be to the paint, but there is a color called Canvas Spa, and if you look at the image of the chair indoors, you can see how nice the dark brown legs look with the color of the fabric.

In the Nigella line, then, check out the Stone grouping, and scroll down to the dark green / imperial fans
hdabs5

I think it might look nice (if it hasn't already been mentioned) to run the window fabric ALL THE WAY AROUND THE TABLE/BED area.

That way you could push the curtains off to the sides on the side windows and on the front window, for light and ventilation.

You'll get a pop-up sample/swatch, and put that next to the Sunbrella in Canvas spa, the FLOR Fedora in Walnut and the current kitchen colors in the camper. The camper cabinets look greener, but I don't know if my monitor is fully reflecting the color of ANY of the above things.

For the lighting, remember that these are not the same as home lights. You don't HAVE unlimited electricity all the time, unless your campsite is equipped and your camper is equipped.

A lot is NOT very attractive, it's just utilitarian:
http://www.dyersonline.com/showcategory.aspx?categoryid=92&show=all

And sometimes it's costly:
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f206/led-camper-interior-lighting-29081.html

======

OK, that's the kinds of things to do, check fabrics before buying. So you don't have a costly mistake of covering the seats with something that tears the first night!

And more camper humor...

If you can't find a good campsite or just can't travel too far with the cost of gas, feel free to camp in your local public parks:
http://www.travelizmo.com/archives/fleetwood-americana-folding-camping-trailer-2008.jpg
http://www.travelizmo.com/archives/fleetwood-evolution-folding-camping-trailer-2008.jpg
http://www.travelizmo.com/archives/fleetwood-highland-niagara-folding-trailer-2007.jpg
"Pull it in over there by the bench!"

First camper on the moon:
http://www.travelizmo.com/jayco-select-folding-camping-trailer-2007.jpg

This one is floating downstream:
http://www.travelizmo.com/archives/fleetwood-americana-folding-camping-trailer-2008-interior.jpg

This one is levitating in the trees:
http://www.travelizmo.com/archives/palomino-elite-folding-camping-trailer-2008-interior.jpg

This one flies:
http://www.travelizmo.com/archives/viking-rv-viking-legend-folding-camper-2007-interior.jpg

This one could be careening over a cliff:
http://www.travelizmo.com/archives/forest-river-rockwood-folding-camping-trailer-2008-interior.jpg

And last, but not least:
http://www.travelizmo.com/archives/starcraft-13rt-folding-camping-trailer-2008.jpg
"I pulled this here with my mountain bike!"

======

Erm, and NO, I don't have anything better to do.

I like the teal/chrome/brown appliance thing going on already. If you put a coat of paint, I like the going totally 50s with maybe a light pink or yellow, and recover the seats and windows with something graphic (more geometric than pictures), thats already a great start. Seems like a good place to use some of those cool ikea fabrics

I can't get this out of my mind.

Check out the links that Leslie put in at the top for related posts. Like the Airstream ones.

That shows the wrap-around curtains, that are also tethered on the bottom so they don't flap.
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/chicago/inspiration/small-space-bedroom-ideas-from-airstream-043263

There are all kinds of goodies, like solar battery chargers and specialty sheets and ready-made curtains (not fancy ones) here:
http://www.campingworld.com/browse/skus/index.cfm/Outdoor-and-RV-Accessories/RV-Maintenance/RV-Electrical--Solar/Sunforce-15Watt-Solar-Battery-Charger/skunum=31282

Get ready to get real excited about your camper:
http://www.retrorestoration.com/

This one is for sale, what caught my eye was the reversible seat cushion idea:
http://www.retrorestoration.com/62compact.htm

While it says they aren't taking new work right now, they can apparently do most anything, including repaint appliances.

I started finding all kinds of good stuff, after changing my search terms at Google to "travel trailer" and "travel trailer retro".

Even found this older article on a place you can stay overnight in one of 8 restored travel trailers:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/travel/index/stories/tunney07111999.htm

And bless their hearts over at Atomic Addiction, compiling a list of resources:
http://atomicaddiction.blogspot.com/2008/03/travel-trailer-links.html

Having all those resources available will make it easier in the future if you need help finding some miscellaneous part. Or want to get more ideas or to contact other people with the same or similar models.

You are going to have a blast with that travel trailer.

What a fun project!

I think the first thing it to evaluate if you are really going to be cooking in there. I know I wouldn't. I rip out the bottom part and start again. I wouldn't need an oven. I would need a fridge, freezer, sink, and coffee make and a place to store the mini-grill.

I'm not a fine of '50s diner theme. I'd do anything -- even super girly -- before that. I think with something small you want it clean and bright and not too much more going on. Great upholstery, new paint, new lino floor and window coverings.

Do those banquettes fold down and make a bed? I know some do: you lift up table and then seating folds out (with storage underneath). I think that would be nice.

I haven't even had time to read all the other suggestions, but love the ones I've seen.

But one thing I'm thinking is that IF you wanted to make it slightly more "today", you could either put some kind of espresso-wood-patterned Formica over the green parts, so that the dark brown appliances would blend in OR... you could get some self-adhesive-backed stainless steel bits for the fridge door and the oven door, like they do on some HGTV shows.

I think I'd get a new counter, but still have it be Formica, just newer and fresher. I really love the quilted tin backsplash, though. That's all I can think of for now.

This is a great lil camper. I like modern design and so this is what I would do.

FLOORS: strip the floors put down laminate wood floors. Then are flexable and wear well I would go dark in the stain.

WALLS: I would paint all the walls in a cream or chalk white including the stove. This will give an effect of the space being larger.

SEATING: as far as the sating. cool and airy is the way to go. As soft Robbin's egg blue. and shear matching curtains to boot.

and to add the character back in the space I would go with vintage fixtures.

ooh I'd go totally anti on the retro/tacky theme and make it super unexpected... an all white south beach-y theme. Paint all the surfaces white, add some gauzy curtains and a few pretty throw pillows. Ditto on the idea to rip out the oven, etc too - unless you plan on baking a lot of cakes on the go. For the floors I'd do some sort of slate or stone tile.

For some reason when I think of campers I just think of them being super hot and uncomfortable... which is why I think the spa/sobe theme could be cool, and sort of tacky in it's own way :)

I was just over looking at IKEA at something else. I don't know what the measurements of your cushions are, and I know this is NOT the look you wanted, but check it out anyway:
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/00125905

I'm wondering if you could find some really neat cushions made for benches that would work well for your seating area. The ones at IKEA have the zippered cover and the cover is washable.

There are MANY kinds of bench cushions, and some you can have custom made, with the Sunbrella fabric, like here:
http://www.customcushions.net/bench.aspx

More here:
http://www.cushionsource.com/deep-seating-cushions.php

And I don't know if you plan on having an awning on your travel trailer or not, but you could have one made from Sunbrella too, so it matches your interior.

TannerAdair, I made you a picture:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/96179754@N00/2570126174/

Be sure to squint and stand wayyyyy back from the computer screen.

I didn't even TRY to make ripples in the fabric or change it's color for shadow and light. Just pasted in tiny swatches that may well be off scale.

The color of the seats in color matched to what I saw on the Sunbrella site and I did make a feeble attempt there to shade a bit, and made cheesy lines to indicate the edges of the cushions.

Ditto for the FLOR tiles, feeble attempt on shading.

I put the curtains to the top. I did NOT wrap around, because I don't know how to angle the swatch I was pasting.

But it IS good enough to give you a better idea of how it would look and if you LIKE that look or not.

Oh! I'm so glad you came over and saw the picture!

And I'm glad it was helpful/useful. Seeing the mock up of the colors/patterns in the actual travel trailer, even if it's not perfectly done, can make a big difference.

I actually DO like the deer curtain fabric, because they DO pick up the colors. They have the brown and blues/greens and white.

If the fabric is in good condition, it might be fun to make a couple throw pillows. They could be reversible, with the deer on one side and a solid on the other, like the Sunbrella or whatever you use for the cushions.

Since you have a Flickr account, you can set up a page with the photos you sent in to AT and add photos as you progress. That would be neat.

I know you asked for interior advice, but I'm adding this anyway. These lil buggars can get cramped fast. Bring the inside out! An awning "furnished" in decor that matches whatever you do inside will make a huge design impact. IMHO.
Please your after pix :]

Last line shoulda read: Please post your after pix.

TRUST ME - DO NOT REMOVE THE LIGHT FIXTURES.

They are very hard to replace. Make sure you have an exact replacement before damaging what you own. The hanging lamp idea sounds great, but when I re-did my 1970 Aristocrat Lo-Liner, One Lamp was missing, one damaged and one intact. I replaced the damaged one, only to find that the one and only possible replacement (that I could afford) does not allow the cabinet doors to open.

I had to fix my frame and found that the whole thing is put together like a puzzle. Upsetting the balance will cause you a lot of grief. There is not support for the hanging lamp, there is no way to add support without MAJOR work.

Your trailer is very nice and in good shape. Don't make trouble for yourself.

Paint all of the walls and cabinets, add new vinyl flooring on top of what is there, curtains, wall decals, contact paper.

Keep your original appliances, but they make shiny metal contact paper that can change their look.

There is a group called Cowgirl Convoy that are flyfishers and they have a web site with 80 or so pictures of trailers of this vintage to look at.

use clear DAP silicon caulk around the windows on the inside. There is a little gap that can be filled. The old caulk wears out after 30 or so years.
I caulk it in and use my finger to smooth. keep a wet towel handy.

GOOD LUCK!

I went back to read more posts.

Do not rip out the appliances They are impossible to replace.

If someone wants new style appliances, they will buy a new trailer. People buy these because they are all original.

This trailer as is can sell for $20,000.

Rip that stuff out, open a big old can of worms as far as the structure goes and it will be worth maybe $1,000 to $2,000.


I have one, I've researched this a lot. I bought mine for $250 because it had been seriously vandalized. No windows, broken frame and door, but the fridge and stove work fine.
I spend the entire summer in mine. I did the "good enough" re-hab for now, and plan on popping for the full professional restoration in a few years.

I went back and read all of the posts. The ones that jumped out at me at first were the extreme ones that are not the majority.

Okay. That said.

I totally agree that painting the bottom cabinets brown or tan will make the appliances blend in instead of standing out.

I have green appliances. I painted mine a nice yellow and used a teal green as an accent. I still need new fabric on the cushions, but I bought a blue/black speckled rug on the floor and I love the way it works with every thing, so I may use that color on the cushions.


Have fun with the color scheme, people kind of expect funky on these.

Thanks Cally! I went and searched out your Cowgirl suggestion, because I'm really liking the looks of these structures!

I found Cowgirl Caravan, featured here on HGTV:
http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/dc_design_other/article/0,,hgtv_3379_2472376,00.html

And here's their site:
http://www.sistersonthefly.com/

They look like they are having WAY TOO MUCH FUN! Especially with naming their trailers "Lazy Ass Ranch" or "Cramalot Inn". Not to mention "Hacienda de la Okie", "Up A Creek Lodge", "It's Not About You" and "Helena Handbasket".

Delightful!

Are there similar groups for couples or for just guys? Seems like there should be, and I bet they would be a lot of fun too.

So, did you finish your project? Could you post pictures? We're curious how it turned out! :-)