from the blue shed

caravan no. 2

I was disappointed when the gypsy caravan refurb came to an end. I know that some of you really enjoyed watching the transformation as well. For those just tuning in, the first caravan was done up as a bedroom for two girls whose family is starting to renovate. Their parents will be camping out in the newly built shed for the duration, leaving only their son without a space of his own. That is until now... 

Mission 

Create an awesome dwelling deemed acceptable by a teenage boy that doesn't resemble a cave.
Reupholster bench cushions 
Make new curtains
Decorate with an automotive theme.....oooh have they got some goodies for that.
Limited budget as this second caravan was quite a bit more than the first (the first being a few hundred bucks I think) That just makes the challenge more fun!

So here is caravan no. 2...

Snuggled up next to caravan no. 1

 
Same fabulous interior but in much better shape.

 
Lovin' the green fridge. That is definitely staying.

 
Fabric chosen for upholstering benches and for curtains.

 
I am so excited to be doing this all over again. Will keep you posted on the progress. Start your engines.

gypsy caravan ~ impatient semi reveal

Ok, so a few more curtains need to be made and the mattresses brought in from the girls room, but besides that, the gypsy caravan is finished and I'm moving in!  As a reminder, this is how it use to look. You can also see previous posts here.

Now, just imagine that this is your room for you and your sister (if you had one) to live in while your family renovates. DREAMY!
   

 The table and bench seating can be changed into this beautiful spacious daybed;
   
Cosy bedroom;
  
The process;
This dusty ant riddled caravan was scrubbed and ant bombed (several times) before they got started. The tired old linoleum floor was pulled up and replaced with the rug from the girls room for the sleeping quarters, while faux wood vinyl tiles cover the other half of the caravan's floor. The kitchenette was pulled out and replaced by two side by side dressers that fit like they were made for that spot. The laminated surfaces of the caravan were impossible to paint. Wallpaper was used instead to cover the front of all the cupboard doors and drawers, making the remaining brown walls unnoticeable. Sheer curtains were hung to divide the space into two separate, but not over crowded  areas. Sheer fabric was also tacked to the ceilings to disguise some more brown surfaces and give it a softer feel. Inexpensive ikea fabric was used to make the curtains and seat cushions. Luckily there is an upholsterer in the family so the latter have been professionally finished. They look sooo good. Finally, Telea, the owner of a new fabulously decked out caravan, used her creative talents (with her mum) to make beautiful pieces to detail every nook and cranny. Total refurbishment cost, approximately, $600.
Ladies, well done. It looks unbelievable. I'll be bringing my suitcases over in the morning. 

gypsy caravan

Friends of ours, Zoe and Kurt, are renovating their home in early spring. They are planning on living in their "shed" while they build. This is no ordinary tin shed. They are, however, going to be living in close quarters with little privacy. They have been looking for a caravan to park next to the shed to act as their girls bedroom. My mother and father in law had this old caravan in snakeland on their rural property.
       
It was dragged up this past weekend and given a good clean. Lookin' better already.

 
I've been asked to help decorate the gypsy caravan to be. Zoe came by during the week for some craft talk in anticipation of the caravans arrival and overhaul. They have chosen their color scheme...

 
... and have been very busy this week creating lots of lovely things to dangle. Aren't these beautiful?

 

This weekend we crack open the paint tins. With a lick of paint and a lot of love, watch this caravan be transformed into a beautiful retreat/bedroom for two very excited girls. Stay tuned......