Small Spaces
A vintage airstream trailer gives glamping a whole new meaning
You'll love this vintage airstreams retro look.
Small Spaces
A vintage airstream trailer gives glamping a whole new meaning
A vintage airstream trailer gets a luxurious makeover complete with wallpaper, linen drapes and a champagne gold faucet.
I’ve loved Airstream trailers for a long time,” says blogger Lynne Knowlton of Design the Life You Want to Live. “A few years ago, my husband, Michael, and I toured the Airstream factory in Ohio, and it fueled our dreams of owning one.” So last spring, when a friend spotted an Airstream for sale on a roadside not far from the couple’s Durham, Ont., home, their vision became a reality – albeit a less than glamorous one.
Parked beside a spring-fed pond on owners Lynne and Michael Knowlton’s 100-acre property, the trailer is positioned to capitalize on the view. “It’s a beautiful place to take in sunrises and sunsets and to gaze at the incredible night skies,” says Lynne.
“The interior was original 1976 vintage,” says Lynne. “The flooring was carpet and laminate tile and the kitchen cabinetry was an icky wood-look veneer.” In her mind, she was already restyling the 240-square-foot space as a retreat she could park on their 100-acre property to rent out (through lynneknowlton.com and Airbnb) when she and Michael weren’t enjoying it. “I wanted a bright and airy feel while still maintaining the trailer’s retro vibe,” says Lynne.
The compact kitchenette features the original four-burner gas range and an eat-in area with a built-in collapsible table. the dining chair, a yard sale find, brings a country element to the space, while artwork from a street market in Bali adds a whimsical accent.
Lynne determined which of the original design features were keepers: the blue chenille sofas, panelling, gas range and layout of the bedroom. Everything else was cleared out to let the decor reboot begin. White paint and wood-look flooring made from partially recycled vinyl spruce up the compact quarters and provide a neutral backdrop for the sofas to pop against. New custom lower kitchen cabinets were coated in the same white as the walls and then gussied up with brass hardware.
“The original chenille upholstery is still in beautiful shape – how cool is that?” asks Lynne. The blue sofa, which opens into a double bed, is reflected on the range, making its white door appear a watery hue.
She carried the warm metallic through to the faucet, wallpaper and even the gas range. “It was trimmed in stainless steel, which I covered with gold using a permanent marker,” says Lynne. A finishing touch of soft linen drapery makes the space unexpectedly luxurious and serene. And the serenity seems to be catching on. “Our guests love the comfort here. Most don’t want to leave, but when they do, they’re well rested.” Happy campers indeed.
“I considered a queen bed, but the two twins with a nightstand in between them maintain the vintage feel,” says Lynne. She accessorized the pale bedroom with cheery yellow toss cushions and a patterned rug. A rope of twinkling LED lights casts a warm glow at night.
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