A Vintage Airstream Finds Home in New Orleans

updated Apr 14, 2019

A Vintage Airstream Finds Home in New Orleans

updated Apr 14, 2019
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Bedrooms
Square feet
160
Sq ft
160
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Name: Jill Dupre
Location: Fairgrounds Triangle — New Orleans, Louisiana
Size: 160 square feet
Years owned: 3 years, owned

“Let’s hit the road, Ann.”

Jill Dupre remembers her grandfather’s catchphrase whenever she’s getting ready for travel, big or small. So it seemed only fitting that when it came time to name her vintage Airstream trailer, she chose Ann, after her grandmother. Ann’s days of road travel are currently on hold, but she’s found a stylish home tucked away in a New Orleans backyard.

Jill began renovating Ann in 2014. “She needed some work, but was in pretty good shape overall,” Jill explains. For the most part Jill gutted everything, keeping only the original upper cabinets, closets, twin bed bases, and the shower configuration. New flooring replaced the rotting original and everything was painted white, making the trailer feel bright and spacious for its 160 square feet.

The most major structural change to the interior came to the dining/bed nook. Here Jill removed the original bench, cushion and table combo, outfitting the space with new storage benches, Tempurpedic cushions, and a boat hydraulic pedestal table, allowing for easier conversion from dining table to bedroom. (The table lowers down and is covered with a cushion, converting the nook into a full bed.)

Jill’s design sense, influenced by color, light, and whimsy, fills the trailer. Vintage Airstream postcards, framed as art, and pillows with travel-inspired sayings evoke a spirit of wanderlust. “I hope to one day take Ann on the road,” Jill says. Still, she admits she and her husband, Josh, are not cut out for RV life. “You need time and we don’t have a lot of that,” she explains. “And we are a little scared to drive her around. We can’t back her up so well either!”

Apartment Therapy Survey:

My Style: My style is an eclectic mix. I like to mix modern with vintage and Scandinavian styles. Flea market and family keepsakes thrown in. Simple, but textured.

Inspiration: Other Airstream trailers. But the whole design started with the wallpaper.

Favorite Element: The bucket stool that serves as a wine bucket when the seat is removed. And the hanging table made from a round tray, bungee cords and a hook system.

Biggest Challenge: The logistics of the 12v vs 110 electrical. Battery versus plug in. Mind boggling. We ended up with a mixture of 12v and 110. I mostly wanted 110 because the options on lighting for 12v are not very creative or exciting design wise.

What Friends Say: Let’s hit the road!

Biggest Embarrassment: We really aren’t very comfortable driving the trailer around. And back it up? Well, that feat is not in our DNA. We had to get a friend to back it into a long narrow driveway. Designing it I can do. Driving it around? Terrifying!

Proudest DIY: So many faves. But I think the hanging toilet paper holder. Made to stay out of the water spray by hanging it just out of the shower but still handy to grab for restroom purposes. I love that it is hung using a belt, so it is easy to change by unfastening the buckle. I used many belts in this project, as handles on door, drawers, curtain tie-backs, etc.

Biggest Indulgence: The wallpaper and curtain fabric to match.

Best Advice: That I got? Go 12v where possible. To give? Start with the one “must have” and then create a theme from there. Add one non-neutral color in and use it throughout. And make a mood board, can’t do anything without that.

Dream Sources: IKEA and Eskayel

Resources:

PAINT & COLORS
Dove White — Benjamin Moore (my go to for all things white)
Wallpaper — Eskayel, Bali Stripe – Bay

LIVING/DINING/BEDROOM
Bentwood Pendant — West Elm
Pillows — IKEA, H&M, Urban Outfitters, Ferm Living, Tricia Duffy, Nancy Sin, Jill’s own designs
Vintage Airstream postcards hanging in West Elm frames.
Bucket Stool — Pedersen and Lennard.
Wall Sconces — Schoolhouse Electric

KITCHEN
Base Cabinets — IKEA
Custom Cabinet Faces — Arpa
Leather Handles — DIY, made from Target leather belts
Round Boholmen Sink — IKEA
Metal Drawer Unit — IKEA
Under cabinets lights — Vintage Trailer supply
LED ceiling light — Ylighting
School Bus Fan — Vintage Trailer Supply
Scrabble ANN Mugs — Amazon
Wall Shelf (holding mugs) — West Elm
Red & White Trailer Art — Stephanie Nance
Hairpin Wall Rack — onefortythree

DEN/ADDITIONAL SLEEPING
Trailer Painting — Hayley Gabervalage
Hanging “side table” — West Elm Tray & Home Depot bungee cords
Garland — Etsy Shop Fancy Face Studio
Reading Light — Vintage Trailer Supply
Eat More Tacos Pennant — Three Potato Four
Laminate Side Cabinet Panels — Arpa
Hanging Clock — IKEA
Bus pillow — Fab.com

BATHROOM
Vanity — IKEA
Vigo Faucet — AllModern
Nevie Resin sink — Signature Hardware
Toilet — Vintage Trailer Supply
Penny Tile — Floor and Decor
Liselott Roller Blinds (throughout) — IKEA

Thanks, Jill!


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