If there is one thing renaissance woman Gloria Merrick knows, it’s remodeling. This California real estate investor and house flipper has a knack for taking the old and making it look new again. Her motorhome RV makeover is a perfect example of that.

This 1987 RV affectionately known as “Leila” was completely gutted, remodeled, and flipped.

First Impressions

From the outside, this RV looks like all the others. The inside had definitely seen better days. Stained carpet, dreary black kitchen cabinets, and lime greenish walls met you as soon as you opened the door. The bathroom was nothing special either. The bedroom was painted an unflattering shade of green.

Gloria had some work to do!

Out With The Old

Gloria started her motorhome RV makeover by replacing the flooring. The linoleum and carpet were ripped out and replaced with hardwood flooring and a new carpet remnant for the driver’s section.

While removing the flooring, Gloria found that several places had suffered water damage. Leaks are common in the RV world, especially older RVs. She replaced the damaged wood before repainting.

For this motorhome RV makeover, Gloria wanted to lighten up the kitchen area. The original cabinets had been painted black with brass hardware. She removed all of the cabinet faces and hardware and used metallic Rustoleum spray paint for the hardware and a white satin for the cabinets.

 In With The New

Gloria used paint to freshen the walls for her motorhome RV makeover.  A light mint was used in the main room and kitchen and a bright white for the bedroom.

The passenger riding seat was removed and a comfortable lounging chair was put into its place.  A curtain was put up to separate the driving section with just a string of rope because the size of the space made it impossible to find a rod to fit the area.  After the cabinets were painted and rehung new countertops were placed.  The dining table was removed and a sofa table was purchased from a thrift store and put in its place.  A couch was salvaged from a garage sale and after the legs were cut off it was a perfect size for the sitting area.

After the newly painted cabinets were rehung Gloria replaced the countertops.  The dining table was removed and a sofa table was purchased from a thrift store and put in its place.  A couch was salvaged from a garage sale and after the legs were cut off it was a perfect size for the sitting area.

The finished 1987 motorhome RV makeover is pretty awesome!  The entire space flows together and makes you feel right at home.  I especially love the bedroom or the “gypsy den” as Gloria lovingly tagged it.

There is plenty of sleeping room and more cabinet space over the bed then what she initially thought.

This RV is definitely ready for an epic road trip!

You can follow Gloria on Instagram here and read her real estate blog here.

Want to see more Camper remodels: Check out Chantel’s Colorful Camper Remodel!

Thanks for reading Mobile and Manufactured Home Living!

These awesome RV deck design ideas are perfect for any make or model!

From traditional arts and crafts style to sleek and modern, you’ll find an RV deck design that suits you and your needs. You’ll also learn how to build a floating RV deck quickly and easily.

RV’s are a smart choice for both full-time living and temporary travel. They can be used in a multitude of ways; as an affordable tiny home, a vacation or weekend cabin, or as a traveling home on wheels.

These awesome RV deck designs can help keep your camper clean, create an attractive outdoor living space, and increase the overall enjoyment of your RV.

Richard’s Modern RV Deck Design 

Our first RV deck design was submitted to us by Richard Quick. He allowed us to feature his gorgeous Florida manufactured home last year.

Richard’s new fifth wheel is set up in the popular Sawmill Camping Resort in Dade City, Florida for weekend getaways. The campground, like many across the country, is fairly strict and has a board of directors that must approve all RV modifications.

Richard’s favorite style is modern and warm. He wanted a custom RV deck design that had a modern design with high usability. He found a contractor that turned his vision into reality with a few specifications: the design had to meet the board’s approval and be transportable.  The deck needed to slide out and be stored easily while on the road. 

The deck’s skirting panels are lightweight and easy to move when necessary. The hidden staircase creates a ‘soft entry’ and the platform has benches that create a welcoming area to take your shoes off or have an afternoon drink. 

The multi-color design is a perfect representation of the ‘California Modern’ style. Richard admits he was a bit hesitant when his contractor showed up with four cans of stain color: green tea, ebony, mahogany, and dove gray. He states, “Never in a million years would l think all those colors would work together!” Luckily, Richard went with the design and the results are incredible. 

The front and side skirting below the outdoor storage areas are slotted and lift out easily.

How to Build Your Own RV Deck 

Dorothy Ainsworth purchased her camper for $2500 and set it up on her property. Next, she built a portable deck that can be removed easily whenever she wants to take the camper on the road.

Dorothy does a magnificent job of journaling her RV deck design and building process on her blog. In addition, it is a great resource for anyone that is interested in self-reliance, affordable home building, and property development. Visit her at dorothyainsworth.com.

Step 1: Laying Concrete Pier Blocks

Below are a few photos chronicling Dorothy’s RV deck build. She began the build by having the property graded before the camper was placed.

The next step was to lay concrete deck blocks and piers. Learn more about post and beam foundations and concrete block piers here. 

For portable, floating decks and sheds it isn’t always necessary to have footings poured below the frost line.

Deck blocks are a fairly new product that allows for quick and easy deck foundations. They are best suited for ground-level or low-level decks that will be no more than 3 foot off the ground (you can use them for higher builds if the blocks are installed with in-ground footers).

Learn more about concrete deck blocks and floating decks on Home Depot’s Blog.

Dorothy set 20 concrete blocks into the hard-packed soil beneath the gravel.

Step 2: Setting the Piers and Joists

Once the concrete blocks were laid, the 4X4 piers were set into the block brackets at the appropriate height. These concrete blocks are very convenient; they can be placed just about anywhere and manipulated to get the needed height.

Dorothy ran 16′ long, 2×6 joists along each side of the 4×4 posts in each row and attached them by screws.

Steps 3-5: Decking Boards, Steps, and Staining

The Douglas Fir decking boards were then laid over the joists, steps were built, and the completed deck was stained.

Choosing the Right Lumber for Your RV Deck

Choosing which type of lumber you use on your deck is as important as the design. You’ll need to take several things into account: weight, durability, insect and waterproofing, staining ease, and longevity.

There are three basic types of decking lumber:

• Treated
• Cedar
• Composite Wood 

Learn more about comparing deck wood here.

The end result was a low profile, floating deck that looks great in front of the camper.

Long Term RV Deck Designs 

Permanent, or long-term, RV setups are most used for full time living situations and vacation homes. These installations are most popular near high traffic vacation spots such as lakes, rivers, and beaches.

There are some amazing camper retrofits that use decking to create smart outdoor living spaces. The following are permanent decking designs in a popular Canadian tourist area featured on Michael Geller’s blog:

The Japanese style pergola above is an amazing addition to the RV. It creates a perfect area for container gardening as well as a covered outdoor living space.

The RV deck design above creates a perfect outdoor dining space for this modern fifth wheel.

Rain won’t stop this family’s enjoyment. What an amazing deck!

This next deck and railing is a beautiful addition to a 30 foot recreational vehicle. These longer RV’s are typically used for permanent vacation housing as they are more difficult to move.

This RV is used as a summer home and takes advantage of its Indiana location with a retractable awning, perfect for optimal sun and shade. See more of this great camper here. 

 This last RV deck design is perfect for the waterfront camper site:

Source

Do you have a great RV deck design? We’d love to see it!

Learn more: How to Build a Deck for Your Camper

Thanks so much for reading Mobile Home Living!

This 1994 Safari Continental RV remodel is amazing! It has a perfect combination of function and style.

Living Free and Simple

Lacy and Cliff Young did what so many of us have done or plan to do – they said goodbye to debt and hello to freedom.

They decided to sell everything they owned and buy an older RV to call home.  They wanted to live a more simple life. Lacy comments on her Instagram that the move “set us free in so many ways. And we remain there. Free. Grateful. Living simply.”

Before the RV Remodel

Like most new RV owners, Lacy and Cliff Young wanted to update and decorate their newly purchased RV. Unfortunately, also like most RV and camper owners, they quickly discovered mold, an issue that costs RV owners millions of dollars every year to repair.

Related: RV Tips for Keeping Your RV Mold and Mildew Free

The ceiling and windows had been leaking in the RV for a while. Water was coming in through the window seals and the ceiling-to-wall joint and going down behind the walls. Here’s the RV before the remodel began:

As you can see, there is no sign of water damage or mold. The Young’s would have likely never found the mold had they not began gutting the interior for the remodel.

Mold and Mildew

RV’s and campers are highly susceptible to water damage. They are constructed to sustain high winds and rough roads while still being lightweight and watertight.

A small amount of water, or humidity, can cause a significant amount of mold and mildew because it multiplies quickly.

When buying an RV the biggest concern is always leaks and water damage. Soft floors, rotted wood, and leaks can be unknown to the current owners and for the less-than-honest owners, they are very easy to conceal. It takes a miracle and a thorough investigation to spot issues and oftentimes issues don’t reveal themselves until weeks or months after purchase.

Related: Tackling Mold in Our RV

Luckily for us, mold didn’t stop the Young’s. They got the RV to a professional and had it beautifully repaired and remodeled.

RV Remodel Done Right – From Mold to Gold

Lacy and Cliff had some help from interior designer Jamie House. Together they were able to make the RV a stylish, highly-functional home on wheels.

An amazing difference can be seen in the living and dining areas. Trading in the drab brown for a nice bright white added some much-needed light to the whole area. It brightens the entire RV up and created a more spacious feel.

They added a touch of privacy by installing a rod and putting up a shower curtain to block off the front window, giving privacy and an at home feel while not in motion.

Kitchen Dreams 

The kitchen makes a bold statement with paint.

A smart trick for pulling the eye into a space and making it feel larger is by adding bold color to the lower half of the room and lighter color to the top half. This somehow tricks the eye into making a sweep from floor to ceiling.

An under-counter sink was installed along with a new faucet, butcher block countertops and white tiles for the backsplash. A toaster oven replaced the big bulky microwave making more space in the kitchen area.

Beautiful Bedroom 

The bedroom had some of the biggest changes. In order to fit their huge California King size mattress into the room, the couple had no choice other than to fold it like a taco. The long cabinets in the corners had to be removed to make room.

The back wall is decorated using reclaimed wood adds a touch of originality along with some color.

Bathroom

This 1994 Safari Continental has a great layout. The bathroom is accessible from the bathroom instead of the living space or kitchen. The wall separating the bathroom from the bedroom is personalized and creates an impact:

Small stone flooring was installed in the bathroom giving the space plenty of style and waterproofing.

Cabinet Hardware Makes a Huge Difference in Small Spaces

They also installed modern cabinet handles in each room. The styles are cohesive but not all the same. This helps to create an original look and feel within each room.

Cabinet hardware is an easy DIY project that makes a huge difference. They are easy to change but hard to choose. Better Homes and Gardens has some great tips for choosing cabinet hardware here.

Maybe all of the mold they found wasn’t such an unfortunate thing after all!

Design Sponge featured an article about this couple and their awesome RV remodel – that’s how we found it. To learn more about the Young’s travels and RV living visit Instagram and LacyYoung.com

Can’t get enough RV remodels? Check out One Family’s Affordable RV Renovation.

Thank you for reading Mobile and Manufactured Home Living! 

It seems that camper remodels and makeovers are getting more popular by the day. The following camper remodels and makeovers below show the remarkable potential these magnificent little houses on wheels have.

1968 Airstream Safari

The first camper restoration we’ll be swooning over is the 20 foot 1968 Airstream Safari. This vintage camper went from retro to a fully functioning mobile office with tons of style. The interior has been beautifully redesigned. Old seats were removed and replaced with two beautiful stitched leather lounge seats. A walnut table top surrounds the seating.

Other upgrades include:

• A new wet bar, complete with sink and mini-fridge, was installed.
• The drawers are made using a dovetailed Baltic birch to provide plenty of storage space.
• A 32″ LCD TV  connected to a hi-fi Bluetooth sound system for entertaining guests.
• PEX plumbing and water pump provide running water with a 110v water heater.

This camper was stripped down to its bare walls and insulated with closed-cell spray foam, rewired, re-plumbed. All new aluminum skins on the interior and Marmoleum floors laid with waterproof adhesive was used to protect the sub-flooring.

The owners kept a lovely little vintage, though. The bathroom has its original flower power paneling and is beyond groovy!

1976 Airstream Sovereign

This next great camper remodel is a bit newer. The 1976 Airstream Sovereign underwent extensive interior restorations by a professional. This camper looked like it was driven straight out of the 70’s to the present. You can learn more about the camper here.

From Conversion Van to Camper Van

The next great camper remodel is an 18-foot conversion van. It is a fully-functioning home on wheels. Features include:

• Running water
• Electricity
• Toilet and shower
• Extendable bed
• Large hammock
• Work desk space

While it is a smaller area it is completely self-contained.

The owners admit that installing a full water system was a lot of work but ultimately worth the effort. The shower was framed and then fitted with the waterproof wallboard on the interior.

The toilet is designed to be waterproof and was built into the shower.

The built-in seating is extendable. You have a sitting space, sleeping space for two, and storage space all in one.

The work desk is designed to fold flat up against the wall when not in use.

A Camper Remodel Ahead of Its Class

A bus is our next great camper restoration example. We’ve featured some great ‘bus to RV conversions’ before and this one is a reader (and writer) favorite.

If you have the know-how and the time, buses are an affordable way to create a mobile home.

This bus to camper remodel uses a lot of smart features such as boat furniture and a built-in desk area.

A full plumbing system and a wood stove were installed.

The interior was lined with a soft, lightweight lumber to give it a rustic look and feel.

Related: 9 Awesome Vintage Buses Converted Into Beautiful Mobile Homes

The RV and camper trend is spilling a long-kept secret that we’ve known for a long time – campers are awesome!

Whether you want to get away from it all for a weekend or go all-out and live in a camper full-time, these great examples prove it’s possible.

Where there’s a (steering) wheel, there’s a way!

Thanks so much for reading Mobile and Manufactured Home Living!

All images are the property of linked websites.

More great camper remodels you may enjoy:

Campers and RVs Featured on Mobile Home Living

Buying an older camper and turning it into a stylish mobile space is a popular trend these days. A Camper remodel can be great projects for just about anyone. Some of the most popular remodels stem from budding interior decorators, hobbyist investors that can turn a profit doing something they love, or just a fan of campers wanting a nice space to create memories with their family. Or even big stars who use campers on set, like Ellen Pompeo whose Camper Makeover we wrote about.

Related:  An RV Remodel Done Right-1994 Safari Continental Goes From Mold to Gold

Many well-known interior designers have done camper remodels. This allows them to add to their portfolio and get a better experience in decorating small spaces. It can also be a great way to raise money for a good cause. Ralph Lauren added his style to an Airstream and donated it to a charity that raised $150,000 with the sale of the camper.

Since more people are realizing the benefits of living in affordable small homes the demand for remodeled and updated campers is very high. You can go to eBay or Craigslist and find practically any make, model, or style.

This 1976 Argosy was found on Craigslist and it is a beautiful example of a well-done camper remodel!

(Most of the text below is pulled straight from the ad which is a joy to read itself.)

1976 Argosy Camper Remodel Features

• She’s 26′, and sleeps 4 comfortably with 2 twins mid-vessel, and a double futon up front
• She boasts a full bathroom with sink, toilet, bathtub and shower
• She’s 39 years young, a classic 1976
• It’s not polite to ask a lady her weight – but this is Betty White, so anything goes. She’s about 4500 lbs dry, which is much lighter than original
• Tires and axel are solid
• New plumbing and electric throughout, most lights are LED

Craigslist ad continues:

We got this vintage golden girl a year ago, and brought her into current times with a very modern look. Clean lines, a mixture of warm wood and stainless steel she’s beautiful and extremely functional for a small space, you will have all the comforts of home. Everything you see pictured comes with the trailer. There’s still plenty of camping time left this season – you’ll be ready to roll! And she has a space heater to stay toasty in the winter months.

Camper Remodel Updates

Here’s what we’ve done so far:

• First, and foremost – we installed a working, lighted, spinning disco ball. Boom. [Mic drop]
• Removed the 70’s throughout
• New kitchen, including the kitchen sink! (and the faucet, stove, fridge/freezer, cabinets, countertops, tile backsplash, stainless rails/hanging bin, plank walls)

• Custom built bed frames for the twin beds mid-vessel
• Custom curtains, with black-out material (I’m not talking tequila here, folks. . .just the stuff that doesn’t let the light in)
• New interior primer and paint
• Custom tiled shower and sink backsplash in bathroom
• Added privacy tint to the (very large) bathroom window. You’re welcome. And to your future camping neighbors – Sorry, no peep show for you.
• Custom linens and pillows throughout
• New water pump
• New memory foam mattress toppers on the twins
• Added breezy “train compartment” curtains to give the people in the twin beds their own space
• New full size, 8″ deep spring futon mattress with custom cover
• Installed new 27″ LED TV/DVD combo on those go-go-gadget extending mounts
• New vinyl plank flooring, with new sub-flooring

Craigslist Ad Continued:

While she is AWESOME to stay in now (you’ll make a lot of new friends in the campgrounds), you could take it a step further to turn her into an ultra-luxurious cabin. Plus, you’d get to take all the credit for finishing her – nice! Why are we not keeping her? Because we love to remodel these dolls, and I already have my eye on our next project that I want to work on over the winter. But she has been asking about YOU – and wanted me to be sure to mention that you could rent her out on AirBnB, or as a tiny home for rental income, or have an extra guest room on your property…she’s willing to work hard for her money!

 

Here are a few things that could still be improved (per the seller): 

• She’d be head-turning, drop-dead GORGEOUS with an exterior paint job – I was thinking a garnet red . . .
• I have a love/hate relationship with the vinyl plank flooring. It contracted and expanded with the weather, so there are some gaps. But, since it’s a “floating floor” it would be easy to pull up and lay something else – or, I find that an area rug solves this problem quite nicely.
• We just took off the awning, and are cleaning/polishing all the hardware. It’s going to need new fabric, though. It’s an easy project…
• The air conditioner works (so far as I know – we have turned it on from the electrical panel), but the previous owners tossed the interior cover/panel. These are available on vintage trailer supply sites, Craigslist, and eBay
• The hot water heater needs to be repaired – or, what the heck – just replace it and get the warranty
• This is a rare opportunity to get a piece of Americana for a reasonable price, and put your finishing touches to make Betty the gal of your dreams! If this post is still up, we still have her. Thanks for your interest!

There you have it – one of the most entertaining Craigslist ads in history that just happens to describe one beautiful camper! All this can be yours for $25,000. Click here to be taken to the Craigslist Ad.

Note: I thought this was a great example of a modern camper remodel! I don’t know the seller and have not been in contact with them at all – I just thought you’d like to see this great example and get some good decorating and remodeling ideas for your own camper or mobile home. 

Thanks so much for reading Mobile and Manufactured Home Living!