A Colorful, Welcoming & Spicy Southwest Airstream

Name: Tania McCormack, her husband and their dog Violet
Location: Valdez, New Mexico
Size: 215 square feet
Years lived in: Less than a year

When Tania and her husband bought 42 acres in Valdez, New Mexico last spring, the idea was to eventually move to their land full time in a few years from their current full-time home in Boulder, Colorado. And when it came to creating a home on their new land, they thought outside of the box. “We realized our budget was a little more suited for a non-traditional house, so we scoured the internet for affordable ideas. Within 24 hours we had a gutted Airstream from Texas sitting in our driveway. We then worked around the clock to insulate, add curved walls, install electric, paint, wallpaper, and install cabinets. We basically rushed to build a small home in six months so that we could deliver the camper before snow started to fall in Valdez.”

The Airstream arrived to their land in New Mexico over Thanksgiving weekend thanks to the help of friends. And though the inside features bold colors and exciting patterns, it’s currently missing a key element: “At the moment we are using creative ways to deal with no running water, but we have installed solar and have a travel wireless box for internet.”

And while Tania, her husband and their black lab Violet are the main inhabitants of the Airstream, the couple loves to entertain, and can fit an impressive amount of people in 200 square feet! “We made sure we had plenty of room for our friends and family by building in one permanent full-size bed and two adjustable ones. Total we can sleep six adults.”

Describe your home’s style in 5 words or less: Colorful, welcoming, surprising, thoughtful, spicy.

What is your favorite room and why? The kitchen. I can stand at the counter and chop veggies while seeing the most beautiful sunset fall over Taos Valley. It’s a magical site.

If you could magically change something about your home, what would it be? Running water. It was in the plan but unfortunately the county of Taos requires a permanent structure for a well, and the Airstream does not count as one. We will have to wait until we have a house, or use alternative methods.

Any advice for creating a home you love? Allow for those involved to have a creative voice. My husband and I are always amazed at what our two styles combined can create. We may disagree along the way, but we always find something that is not a compromise for either of us and ends up shocking everyone.

What’s the last thing you bought (or found!) for your home? The St. Francis wooden painted wall plaque in the kitchen. Unfortunately you cannot link to a shop, it is from an artisan store in Taos that sells items unique to New Mexico. They sell a variety of pieces with many influences from Mexican, Spanish and Pueblo cultures. There are a few of them along the main road as you drive into Taos from the north.

How long have you lived here? Currently only twp months and part time due to our jobs. We cannot move full time until our mac and cheese company makes enough to pay ourselves.

Thanks, Tania!

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