Campers revamped
A few summers back, interior designer Bridget McMullin found herself without access to a family beach house at the Jersey Shore for the first time in her life. “I was so bored on the weekends; I was sitting around twiddling my thumbs,” she says. Renting a house in the area for the season would have run her about $2,000 to $2,500 per week, so she got creative. ROTD McMullin trailer Save Email Always intrigued by a seasonal trailer campground that sat right between the bay and the coast in Strathmere, New Jersey, she decided to stake her claim. She hitched her design skills to a used 1998 28-foot Wilderness trailer, spending $5,000 to buy it and keeping to a budget of under $5,000 to renovate it. While she has to rent her spot, she doesn’t have expenses like property taxes or pricey flood insurance. “When I told my parents about my idea, they looked at me like I had 10 heads,” McMullin says. However, she convinced her cousin to get a trailer and join her that first summer, and they plan to hold court in the campground for years to
William Johnson Architect Save Email Of course, the point is to be out enjoying the great outdoors, which they do most of the time they’re out there — either relaxing under the awning or canoeing downstream to their favorite fishing spots. But should it rain, the camper makes for a great spot in which to spend the day reading together.
BEFORE: But that isn’t to say the camper looked new. Nothing had been updated in the interiors; they still sported a 1970s aesthetic, with dark brown cabinetry, mustard-yellow surfaces and orange and brown shag carpet. “Not one thing had been done since it rolled off the lot,” says Bill. This picture shows the after.
The previous owner, a former client of Bill’s, had kept the camper in pristine condition, even developing a homemade manual that detailed special care and maintenance considerations for preserving the plumbing and mechanical lines during winter. The aluminum exterior paneling, naturally corrosive resistant, was still in good condition. All the Johnsons had to do was give it a good washing.
Here the camper sits at Piney River Escape, a former farm outside of Dixon, Tennessee, west of Nashville. The Johnsons parked their camper in this spot all this summer. From the banks they can launch their canoe and travel downstream for the afternoon. A shuttle service drives them back to the campsite, along with their canoe, at the end of the day.
Jazzing up a plain camper with a custom exterior paint job can add a lot of style for a relatively low cost, and the way you finish the interior will make a huge difference in how it feels to stay in your camper. A small investment in personalizing your camper, whether new or vintage, can have a big impact.
Mobile summer home. Bill and Cathy Johnson bought and restored the 1970s Avion camper seen above and below to use as their summer home, parking it near their favorite canoeing and fishing spots in Tennessee. With new flooring and upholstery and a freshly painted interior, the camper feels bright, airy and comfortable — string lights illuminating the “patio” in the evenings are the perfect finishing touch
Shepherd hut. Roundhill Shepherd Huts in the U.K. creates portable structures (like the one shown above and below) based on the accommodations that English shepherds traditionally stayed in while tending the flock. The huts can be customized to include kitchens, sleeping quarters and even a personal pub positioned conveniently in the garden.
Retro color. With a budget-minded approach and a major love of color, the owners of the 1967 Travel Trailer seen above and below transformed it into a glamper perfect for weekend trips. The ceiling boasts cotton-candy-pink glitter paint, and the original range and hood were custom painted aqua. Retro curtains in a diner-style eating nook paired with vintage details (hello, lava lamp!) complete the picture.
Mom cave. The vintage 1964 Airstream Sovereign seen above and below was completely renovated by Hofmann Architecture to create a remote office and guesthouse for a Malibu, California, mom. The interior is comfortably furnished with a convertible sofa bed, a full-size desk and new appliances. A large awning extends to provide shade inside and out.
The vintage trailer has two sleeping areas, a small kitchen and an eat-in area.
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