Better Home and Gardens "Trailer House"
A Trailer House?
Is that what we’re calling it these days? OK
I guess you can call a home this cute anything you want!
I found this beautiful remodeled mobile home today on Better Homes and Gardens website, BHG.com. They call this gorgeous home a “trailer house” in the article. A trailer house? Who even uses those 2 words together? A trailer is something you attach to the back of your vehicle to carry stuff!
Call it a trailer if you absolutely must (please don’t) or even a house, but we know that is completely stretching the imagination (please read the last part of the sentence with as much sarcasm as possible). A trailer house is not the correct way to describe a manufactured home and to be honest, mobile home is not either. A recent questionnaire study by a manufactured housing association cites that the word “trailer” is associated with negative connotations, something we really don’t need any more of. I digress though, here’s the gorgeous home and what BHG.com had to say about it:
Lake Home with a Secret
A gorgeous lake lot is now home for an Arkansas couple who completely transformed its downtrodden trailer house.
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| It Takes A Vision |
Rehabbing the trailer not only took vision but patience as well. The tiny spaces made it difficult for crews to maneuver, meaning that construction dragged on far longer than most renovation projects. In addition, strict guidelines from the Army Corps of Engineers had to be followed. Was it worth the trouble? The near-miraculous results speak for themselves!
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| Country Cottage Makeover |
What’s the secret to this rehabbed lake getaway? It started as a delapidated flat-roofed 12-x-60-foot trailer home! Thoughtful renovations gave this ugly-duckling structure the look of a pretty country home. The addition of several porches and decks expanded the living space from a mere 720 square feet to about 2,400 square feet. Read on and see the inside styled with a 1940s look in yellow and pink.
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| Kitschy Kitchen |
The checkerboard flooring, beaded board walls, vintage refrigerator, and turquoise kitchen underscore the ’40s feel of the home. Simple open shelving is an airy alternative to bulky cabinetry and a smart way to show off colorful collectibles and new Fiestaware. Paired with a vintage table, new unfinished chairs were painted and distressed to look aged.
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| Napping Heaven |
Custom-built wooden sofas were made to use a twin mattress as the seat. Pillows fill the back, making them comfortable both as chairs and beds. In front, a flea-market window has been turned on its back as a unique coffee table.
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| Porch Dinning |
A porch is a wonderful spot for dining. Whether yours is indoors, outdoors, or just screened, it’s heaven to throw open the windows and welcome in summer breezes. Even rainy days have their porch pleasures with a choice of reading, napping, or games.
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| Overstuffed |
An overstuffed sofa was a daring addition to a small living room, but its grand size visually anchors the space and provides an extra sleeping spot. Reminiscent of ticking fabric, the casual pink-and-white-striped slipcovers can be tossed into the washing machine, making them an easy-care option for a vacation home.
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| Room With A View |
Uninspired aluminium windows were replaced with wood windows, and old sliding glass doors removed in favor of charm-enhancing French doors. This change was one key element that gave the space the look of a home.
To simplify the style and create a consistent look throughout the living areas, all the walls and ceilings were covered with beaded board — a quick fix for walls in bad shape. The walls throughout were painted a soft yellow that’s cheery and fresh. Outdated shag carpeting was pulled up and replaced with black and white vinyl tiles. Pink slipcovers and casual accessories invite family and guests to kick off their shoes and relax.
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| Bunk Room |
Short on space? Bunk beds offer lots of sleeping space even in tiny bedrooms. These beds each have a bit of unique personality, shown off in various hues of softly striped linens. By the bed, a small green metal stool does triple duty as a seat, nightstand, and ladder to the top bunk.
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| Out Back |
Imagine sitting on the screened porch or open deck, watching the lake waters lapping the shore. This bug-free zone is perfect for outdoor dining, reading, or even relaxing on a rainy day. If needed, canvas shades can be lowered over the screens to further protect furnishings from inclement weather.
If you know who the owners are of this lovely home, please let me know, I would love to interview them. As always thank you for reading Mobile Home Living.Please like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and tell your friends and family about us! Thank you!
I used to call mobile homes “house trailers”, never heard of a trailer house.
I absolutely agree. It’s cute…but Never looks clean.
This is adorable, but I bet they are regretting that black and white tile floor. I made that mistake once, never again.
That is so awesome that you have the magazine Ellex! And you remembered you had it – your memory is great :) Thanks so much for sharing the information with us. I found it on the BHG website but I don’t think it ever gave the exact issue the home was featured in.
It’s been 10 years since they featured a manufactured home (that I know of), so I think it’s high time they featured another one..lol.. Great to hear from you and thanks again for sharing the info, and having such a wonderful memory!
As soon as I saw the outside and the kitchen, I knew it was from one of the Do It Yourself magazine. I dug though my collection and found the article. The article appeared in Do It Yourself’ s Spring 2004 magazine on pages 59- 71. The homeowners are listed as Bill and Jane Hardin. And the original article called it a trailer house, too! Lol
Hello Crystal,
Actually "Trailer House" is a very vintage term, for mobile homes. I remember as a Child, that is what these places were called. They were trailers that could be mobile and people lived in them, so making them a house also. The terminology went from trailer house to mobile home. Trailer houses usually have the hitch on them, that permitted them to be hooked up to the back of the car, and pulled. They are many that are still lived in today.
I have family members who live in a 1963 10 x 50 which was standard then. This is why I just loved finding your blog, because their place needs a complete overhaul..lol and your blog is so inspiring. I love the article posted above, because this Trailer House makeover, is just what my family members trailer could look like, because it is just a bit older and smaller than the one in the article.