Dudes! We are overhauling a 1972 Bell Travel Trailer! Follow the entire series from the beginning here!
If you are following along with this series, you might remember that in Demo Round 2 we took out a cabinet and widened the door frame on the little closet. Taking out a cupboard in such a teensy space with so little storage was a pretty big deal, but the openness that it added was SO worth it. The next step was adding back in the storage we had taken out (and then some).
Once the door was off the closet there was just no putting it back on (again with the space!) so that meant that using it as an actual closet was off of the table. I wanted to add shelves, but shelves in a trailer didn’t seem super functional (especially shelves for storage, not shelves for pretty things) So the idea came about to add lawyer style doors to the shelves, so that you could still see what was inside, while keeping it safe and secure.
Building said shelves and doors was easier said than done. Not ONE SINGLE SPOT in this trailer is actually level. Because tires, also because they apparently weren’t sticklers. So instead of just being able to use a level to build simple shelves, we had to rely a lot on measuring and what looked right to our eyes.
I roughly spaced out where I wanted the shelves to go and marked it with ScotchBlue Painter’s Tape.
We started off by attaching the braces to the studs. The little pieces of tape pictured below are marking the vertical stud.
Oh! In case you are wondering, that big box on the wall houses all of the plumbing that runs from the sink to the outside of the trailer.
Next we added the shelves, as well as a piece of MDF on the front. This is what the hinges and sash lock attach to.
Next we built the cabinet doors. They are just a simple frame, that we attached Plexi Glass to. *Just a tip if you are cutting plexi. We went through 3 of the cutters that are made for scoring before frustration took hold and I pulled out the jigsaw. It worked SO MUCH BETTER to use a fine tooth saw blade. So if you have ever wondered, yes you can cut plexi with a jigsaw. I decided that a cabinet door on the floor, while it would look cute, would be a complete waste of space because really, who wants to lay on the floor to be able to get inside a cabinet? I think I would put a basket or something there.
All I wanted in the world was to be able to use a sash lock to close these puppies. Seriously, every time I walk past them in Home Depot I want to take them home with me and kiss them goodnight before I go to sleep. This was a pretty perfect place to use them.
Also welcome to the Nugget, where there is a fine layer of dust on everything.
I still need to add stoppers behind the doors (they swing in a hair) that is why they are looking a little wonk, but that project is on the chopping block today.
The little guy is sure coming along!
I am SO happy with how this little project turned out, and hello creating 4x the storage that we killed when we took out that upper cabinet was SUCH a win. Also seeing them done makes me want to go shopping for cute dishes and art supplies.
Hope you have a great weekend!
Very nice! When you add the basket, make sure there is some way to secure it for travel, you dont want it sliding and flipping around 🙂
For sure! It is going to be interesting decorating something that moves!!
xo
m
Two words. Museum putty and velcro. Oops that’s three. Seriously, we use both in our travel trailer. You won’t believe how those little trailers (ours is 13 feet) bump around down the road. When you get it road-worthy, have someone drive it a VERY short distance while you are in it. It is an experience. We hung a clock and a painting in the wall in 2009 on screws and then velcro at the bottom behind them. Haven’t moved a speck. This makes it so it is possible to remove them like to change out the battery. Enjoying seeing your transformation.
I will second the velcro! Dad keeps a giant roll in the camper at all times for on-the-go updates. It’s holding the tv, the towel rack, the dining table, all the tiny souvenirs… pretty much everything!
Abby
These look amazing! Who knew you could make shelves like that? I think these would work well in a bathroom or instead of a linen closet too.
ahhhh so clean and pretty
These look great! What an awesome idea.
You are cooking with gas now, girl! Those shelves look amazing : >
Why not carry those lawyer doors to the top cabinets over sink? Couldn’t you use those hinges that they use in toy boxes to keep in closed when you need but open when you want? You can tell I don’t build things, huh? Lol
I love this! I want to think of somewhere to build shelves like these in my house!
AH! I love them! I spied the sash locks and plexi on the post about the new backsplash and I was hoping you’d blog about the new shelves!
I would gave hung the doors the other direction so they opened from the top.
These look awesome! I would put the door on the bottom, though, too, for a cohesive look. Store less used stuff or put a basket in it anyway.
Ya know what would go perfect in that spot on the floor a couple of bowls for your pooches!
You are SO right!!!!
So freaking cute! You could even use the circuit and label the front of the windows.
Bowls
Stuff
Goodies
Love it!
oh yesss. that is amazing!
I lovelovelove those latches! They are super cute and practical. I also love that you just ran the cabinets right over the plumbing box; I bet when you fill them up you won’t even notice it’s in there. And I would have probably dithered for a week about what to do about the dang thing, so I love the bravery too!
Abby
happyfoodhappyhome.blogspot.com
Love that cabinet door style! The shelves look great! I love all of the great style you are injecting into such a small space.
I spy pretty new cabinet doors, too! Can’t wait to hear about those!
The doors look awesome and those shelves are a great space upgrade! I’m also wondering why decided to hang them from the top rather than have the hinges on the bottom? Are you going to have a way to prop them open?
I loooooove this project. By far my favorite thing in the trailer so far! And that’s saying something because it’s all beautiful.
Love the storage……it looks so sleek and crisp!! Still, there’s a vintage vibe, especially with the use of the window hardware. Kuddos on this one mama!
looking great! I am always scared to use see through cabinets because i like to hide my mess but in a camper it might be a little easier to stay less cluttered
Now we’re talking! Way to stick with the Nugget renos. Looking soooo amazing!! You are truly such an inspiration.
You sounded pretty defeated a few blog posts ago, but like someone said, it only makes you more real; plus it is far better for readers to have you make the mistakes for them/us (sorry). 🙂
Once the little fella (The Nugget) is all done, you should rent it out on Airbnb when not in use personally. My daughter and I recently spent the night in an Airstream. So cool!
Keep up the great work (give our best to Court too).
I am so impressed-those are fantastic! And I love the brass against the white. Good choice and good work!
“The little guy is sure coming along!” This whole time I have thought of the nugget as a girl.
WOW. Those look awesome. I love the white and brass, so clean and crisp AND classic. Great choice.
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!! My favorite kind of bookcase so artfully recreated! You never cease to amaze me!
I really like what you do with this trailer. I think it it was courageous of you to recognize that the green tiles did not fit in the kitchen: the white one are so much brighter! Go on!
http://www.herthings.wordpress.com
Perfection! A dramatic color on the inside of them would be exciting since you can see through the doors.
I’d love to know where you find the stoppers. My daughter ‘rescued’ a barrister bookcase and refinished it. She hasn’t been able to find stoppers at Lowe’s or Home Depot.
Love how the Nugget is transforming, truly amazing!
I just found your “Nugget” link and have been catching up on your journey so far. I love all that you have done and am in Major Awe at the time, energy, creativity and love yall have infused into this vintage lady. I noticed in a past update that yall had decided to take out the bunk. Did you know that many of the trailers had cloth bunks that you could pull out to use and then roll up and store away during the day? This is one example: https://littlevintagetrailer.com/2011/06/61-shasta-compact-canvas-bunk/ , and if you look at this picture, https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M6SytSYWHRY/U8voW_WOvKI/AAAAAAAAC_I/LFljpZoV77c/s1600/image.jpg , you will see two “pipe” looking holders on the wall above the bed. Those are to hold the poles to the hammock bunk. Just thought you might be able to still use a bunk, but not have it there 24/7. I can’t wait to read about your continuing journey, and to see the finished much loved project. Cudos!!!
These are freaking awesome. I love these cabinets!!!! Great work!
Hello, I love your blog and I love what you have been doing with the Nugget! I remember seeing a renovation of a different trailer on here but now I cannot seam to find it. I would like to look at the other post as well thanks for your help!
OMG! I’m so glad I found you! 5 years ago my boyfriend hauled a trailer home, parked it in the backyard and it still sits in the same spot today. I have finally made my peace with the trailer and have decided it needs a major overhaul. Everyday I would walk by with some tool in my hand, ready to start, and then turn around and head back to the house, not trusting that I could get anything done. You have given me inspiration and the okay to change things I may do that I do not like. (Why is it so hard to say let’s just start over?) Anyway, we are now engaged and will be having a camping wedding in the summer and the trailer is coming with us. Time for me to start! Thanks again!
Wow, very nice project… seems like a lot of work though. Is it possible for a girl alone to make it? If yes, I may give it a try after all…
Hi! Love this little camper SO MUCH! I want one so badly! One question: is there a bathroom anywhere in this camper? I thought there was one where the closet was. I love it, but I would have to have some sort of bathroom. You did a remarkable job! Have fun in it!!
Nope no bathroom! The closet was just used for storage so it wasn’t a huge deal to take off the door. Peeing in the wilderness is really fun 😉
xo
m