Falling down the world of Vintage Trailer makeovers on Google had left me with one conclusion. Actually 3. Red, Turquoise, and Cherries. Also lots of tchotchkies.
Now don’t get me wrong, I love those colors. I love tchotchkies a.lot. I was just itching to see something more modern. There are little moments of fantastic trailer designs (Design Sponge has a great before and after here) it just takes some sifting. I will say though, I LOVE how people get this boost of confidence when they are working on these things. I mean, there are some pretty gutsy moves happening and while it might not be my style, color me impressed.
Please for a moment, imagine my squeal of delight when an awesome reader emailed me pictures of the trailer that they had just overhauled. I emailed her right away and begged to be able to show them to you guys. She also might have thought I was nutso when I asked if I could interview her over the phone. But not tooooo nutso, because she agreed. Ba-bam!
Welcome to Michelle’s 1961 Avion aka The Bean:
When they bought it off of Craigslist for $3500, it had a few things going for it. The adorable shape obvs. Those brass sconces are the things that dreams are made of. And the stove. The stove is the cutest. In Michelle’s words, there is good vintage, and there is decrepit vintage. The Bean had moments of good that they worked with all of the other things were replaced.
The majority of their time and budget went to things that you cant see. Rewelding the frame, converting the propane to electrical for the fridge, internal plumbing, you know… the fun stuff!
Michelle wanted the trailer to be an extension of their home. So a lot of the colors and finishes were things that she used inside their house.
After 4 months of work they turned this baby into a place that is gorgeous, and comfortable, and completely magazine worthy.
The biggest undertaking was polishing the aluminum. When I asked how they did it themselves, Michelle’s AMAZING husband sent me super detailed instructions that I will be putting to good use on The Nugget and sharing with you guys then. Can you even stand this before and after!?
Kyle said that it was a 40 hour job, and one of the messiest things he has ever undertaken. Gulp. (Fingers crossed that Court skimmed this post and didn’t read that last sentence.)
And Michelle very wonderfully sent over a few pictures that were taken inside their home so that we could see just how perfectly it matches the vibe.
Just because I cant get over it. One more time.
Also, they are obviously a family of super models. So there is that.
Michelle, THANK YOU for sharing this amazing before and after with us!! Seriously, it is so inspiring!!
So friends, I have to know, what is your favorite part?
Amazing! Simply amazing. Thanks for sharing…..such inspiration.
love the color scheme inside; and those beautiful sconces and stove!!! the outside looks fabulous, too!
too cool.
Wow! I love it all! Also, the brass day bed! Please tell me that is new and not vintage so that I can buy one!
this is everything!!!!! we are selling our house to travel the country in an rv and I have sooo been there on pinterest. there are a handful I like but I totally agree with you- very disappointing selection. This takes the cake! I would love to know where she got those latches for the kitchen- they’re adorable!
https://www.vintagetrailersupply.com/
…Here is where we purchased the latches!!!
Such an honor, Mandi!!!! Thank You!!! 🙂 So excited to see The Nugget transform!!!! xoxoxo
Do you have a blog, Michelle?
No….sadly, it is just blog-less, little ol’ me!!! 😉
Holy Moley I think you need a blog right this second!! Loving this trailer & your home pics.
Hi Michelle, my family is acquiring a 1966 Avion Holiday II, with the goal of remodeling it to be beautiful like yours! I was wondering if in the couple of years since this post have you written any more details about your remodel? We are pretty handy and creative, but it’s an undertaking completely new to us! At the moment I’m most curious about mattresses and cushions, What do you use!? I suppose for cushions you can get foam at a craft store, but mattresses I’m not sure (or do you just use cushions?!) Also, did you make your own covers? (somehow that seems more daunting to me than the whole trailer, lol, I’m not so good at the sewing machine! ha!) Thanks so much for any input!
Clearly, the trailer is amazing…but I LOVE the attitude radiating from that little boy! He’s too awesome for words — that picture of him adjusting his bow tie in the siding is perfection. Where can I get me one of those? ^_~
Hey Mandi! Just wanted to bring up a glitch that I’m experiencing in Feedly. For the past few posts (every post back to and including July 30’s Thrifting Finds), some of your pictures are wonky. It could be Feedly, but yours is the only blog I’m experiencing it on, and it’s not the same on your actual blog website. Let me know if you want me to email you screen shots (I don’t think I can put them here), but it’s about half of the photos on any given post and they are compressed into a long bar shape which obviously leads to weird stretching/skewing.
yo, mandi. just wanted to let you know that your pictures are looking all crazy in feedly lately. this is a new development…like in the last week. and it’s not every picture either. some are mad squished (vertically) and some are stretched. looks fine in newsify (on my iphone), though. just a heads up! ps: this trailer is awesome!
This is amazing!! It is so nice to see a reno that has been designed well, preserved and styled perfectly.
Also…put these people in a magazine! BEAUTIFUL!
-Courtney
So amazing and inspiring! I SO want to do this someday!! I have one question: All the decor is super cute, but do you have to put it all away when you tow it? How practical are the chochkies, or do you have to hot glue everything down?
….I stored everything in a wood crate when we traveled…..the clock, the dishes, the lantern…..of course, the succulent…..and then…put everything back up when we parked!!! It took only a few minutes to ‘re-decorate’….. 😉
I LOOOOVE everything about this! What is the name of the paint color you used on the kitchen cabinets???
I never leave comments because I just feel I probably talk enough in normal life, but I freaking love you. “They are also obviously a family of supermodels. So there is that.” Dying. That’s all I could think too. Please never stop being you!
#jealous. When can she come decorate my house? Everything was beautiful, clean, and fresh. Loved everything about their trailer and their home.
This is an amazing makeover. I seriously love the colors and all the design elements that make it feel so modern. It is just perfect, if I ever had a trailer, this is exactly what I would do!! Thanks for sharing!
What is my favorite part???? Ummm, EVERYTHING. From the amazing renovation to the adorable little boy!!!!!
I have to agree, this trailer is out of this world!!! Michelle’s design is original and super exciting. It’s so great to see a trailer that “brokes the mold!” Super inspired by this amazing woman! BTW, her family is gorgeous too!!
Wow I love everything about it. Absolutely beautiful!
Is this your Bizarro family? (Seinfeld) I couldn’t believe the hanging planters. You could move right in! What I loved was the color scheme. So different.
TOO.DARN.CUTE.
Ummm that family is amazing! They are all rock stars and super gorg!
Please tell me this mom/family has a blog!? If not, she should start one… 🙂
oh my gosh! that is AMAZING!!!!!! AND…her house!!! does she have a blog??? if not…she needs one!! thanks for sharing!! 🙂
Does Michelle have a blog? Her taste is delightful!
It must be something in the air! Melanie over at “A Small Life” is celebrating her one year anniversary of Airstream living! You would love her reno photos! Clean and homey and functional!
https://love-library.com/2014/08/07/1978-airstream-sovereign-land-yacht-interior/
OMG !!! such a great reno very talented people and a beautiful one too they have great taste and you got lucky to find them.
Ok… first of all.. this is GREAT!!! So jealous! Super fun…. and random, but is that fan in the dining area functional, if so, please tell me where you found it! I have been searching for one just like it!!! Thank you!
Kim I just Googled “silver table fan” online and found quite a few that look almost like that! 2 on Amazon for $50-80 and one from RH for $95. Just in case Michelle found it at a thrift shop (which never seems to happen to me!!!!)
I think it is weird that your watermarks are on her pictures. Beautiful trailer tough. Love the colors especially. But, wouldn’t all the decorational items fall of off the shelves when the trailer is driving?
That camper is seriously cool! I know what you are talking about with the red and turquoise camper redos…I decorated my brother’s rehearsal dinner in those colors with some yellow this past summer and every time I typed in that color combo all of these campers popped up. I guess those are the perfect retro colors 🙂 I want an old camper so bad now!!!!!
I keep telling my husband this is one of my dreams. Sadly I don’t think he believes me. But I did see whippy cake do a trailer as well although hers is more shabby glam but thought you might want some more visual. https://www.jessicadowneyphoto.com/blog/project-ten-comfort/
Oh my gosh it is so perfect! Also, can I just say how adorable her kids are? Her son has too much swagger for me to even handle. Love it, thanks so much for sharing, Michelle!
Besides the beautiful trailer, the pic of the you boy adjusting his tie on the reflection if the trailer was absolutely georgeous . He should be a model.
Thanks for sharing Mandy!
Loved this transformation! You’ve really convinced me to own a trailer. On a completely different note, where would one find your sons bed?
My son’s bed was a Craigslist find….a 1940’s iron frame that we finished with an auto primer paint!!! Happy hunting for another one……there are others out there…..it’s all about the hunt!!! 😀
Hi Mandi!
Just wondering if you could send me the detailed instructions on polishing the aluminum shell of Michelle’s Airstream?
Love this post & cannot wait to see how The Nugget turns out!
Waiting with bated breath to see the results!
Thanks,
Sara 🙂
Cool trailer, talk about done well!
Holy. Cow. Not only is this a jaw dropping before and after, her style is unbelievable!! Can she come to my house?!? Does she have a blog where we can read more about where her decor came from? Specifically those fantastic geometric pillows!!
These before and after photos are absolutely stunning. It never ceases to amaze me what people can do with a little creativity and even a meager budget. Getting a ton of useful ideas from this site, this was a happy stumble!
Are you kidding me?!? This is one of the coolest things I have ever seen in my whole life. Rock on Chica!
Goodness…. how cute!!!
i’n in luv w/ the airstream!! i aspire to one day be blessed enough to encounter the same challenge. on another note, are there any deets on that brass daybed? i need that idk something understated sexy to add to my entry/livingroom to go along with the vintage & moroccan vibe i have going on in what will ultimately be our “ladies hangout” space. thnx!!!
The daybed was an Ikea yard sale find…..it was initially black….but, I sprayed it metallic gold!!!! Good luck!!! 😉
Michelle! This is so so dreamy!! I second the wanting to know what paint color you used on the cabinets!? Love the bluish grey loveliness!!
This is just amazing! I love the colors and finishes and find it so cozy and inviting….. I just LOVE your sense of design. Wanted to ask where you found the rug in your son’s bedroom? Would love to see an extended home tour . . .
One other question…….Also, where did you find you shower / bathroom fabric? Love it!
I love the way you redecorated the carvan!! We are also redecorating our campervan and I was wandering what kind of system you used to close the doors. Could you please tell me how it works and where you got them? That would be great!
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