Most of us sometimes get the urge to downsize, but landscape architect Andreas Stavropoulos actually took the leap, shrinking his life and possessions to where they would comfortably fit in a beautifully remodeled Airstream trailer. The home, along with the mobile office he trails behind his car, were featured in Sunset. Check out a few of his small-space tips after the jump.
Stavropoulos' Airstream contains only one piece of freestanding furniture: a chair he uses for both work and dining. His bed and all of his storage is built-in. He's even downsized to the point where he has eliminated drawer and cabinet hardware, using holes instead as drawer pulls.
This is small-space living to the extreme, and there probably aren't many of us who could make this kind of a transition. But there are a few things to be learned from Stavropoulous' project:
• Built-ins are great space savers. If you've got the skills to install them, or if you've got a friend (or a great contractor) that does, think about how to use them to maximize the efficiency of your space.
• Keeping things neat means keeping less stuff. In order to keep your small-space home clutter-free, you've absolutely got to limit the things you bring into it. This is easier said than done, of course, but it pays off in the long run!
Check out the full story online at Sunset. And for more Airstream inspiration, have a look at these posts from the archives:
• Airstream as an Office Space
• Kristiana Spaulding's Airstream
• Before and After: Airstream Trailer Makeover
(Images: Mark Compton, MacKenzie Geidt for Sunset)
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where's the bathroom?
You took the words right out of my mouth. I know nothing about Airstreams other than seeing them everywhere since their "revival". Did they have bathrooms?
Other than that, it's great!
This seems excessively Type A- I need a *little* creative clutter!
I don't think they have bathrooms. I think that you are supposed to be staying at trailer parks or campgrounds with bathrooms.
Yes, they do have bathrooms. Depending on what model you get that is.
I actually grew up in one of these. From the time I was 8 months old my parents traveled all over the USA full time. I was 18 when I moved out. The one we lived in had a "full" bathroom with a fairly nice sized shower, toilet, sink, medicine cabinet, & drawers for storage. Our Airstream was 8 x 31 feet. Needless to say, nearly any small space doesn't bother me at all as an adult. :)
Here's an example of a floor plan from the Airstream website for those interested -
http://tinyurl.com/255zbz5
Airstreams are out, Scamps are in.
Scamps are sweet, but they're more built for speed than foe comfort.
I've always been fond of Airstreams and campers - in fact, after college, I considered living on a houseboat. It's a fascinating and completely unique set of challenges.
And a totally valid reason to have a captain's bed.
Scamps?! Are you kidding...the Scamp is like the Airstream's poor, ugly, hillbilly cousin.
@skeemer118 -
Thanks for those floorplans! (I love floorplans.)
I'm still wondering about this particular trailer, though. I did go read the actual Sunset article, and it doesn't mention a bathroom either way. Given the photos that are presented there, it doesn't appear that there is any "enclosed" space which could contain a bathroom. Still wonderin'!
@ emmelemm
When my parents began traveling, apparantly my mom made it very plain she would NOT be going to campground bathrooms. I mean, not too big of a deal if you're going camping for a couple of days, but for sure not cool when you live it as a lifestyle. My parents have owned 2 Airstreams & now have a 5th wheel they pull. They say they never thought they'd love anything but an Airstream, but their 5th wheel is their favorite of all the campers they've owned.
@emmelemm
And...you're welcome! :)
Lets play search the site for the subject before posting an essentially identical article. He still can't 'live' there... he tore out the bathroom.
Ah the glamour of living in a tin can! ;^) Not for me!