Category: Campers and RVs

See campers and RVs that have been restored, repaired, and decorated.

Here are a few of our favorite Campers and RVs:

Camper Decorating Ideas: Laura’s 5th Wheel Makeover

RV And Camper Decor Series: DIY RV Design

Vintage Campers and RV’s
If vintage campers and RV’s are one of our favorite topics here are a few articles you may enjoy:
9 Great Vintage Travel Trailer Campgrounds
A Mobile Home Remodel In 1954
How The Mobile Home Stigma Began

If you like mobile homes, campers or new manufactured homes you are definitely in the right spot. Welcome to Mobile Home Living!

Camper Decorating Ideas: Laura’s 5th Wheel Makeover

One of the biggest complaints about newer campers and travel trailers is their lackluster decor. Luckily, we feature plenty of makeovers to give you lots of camper decorating ideas!

Related: Gloria’s 1987 Motorhome RV Makeover!

The majority of factory-built campers have a drab color palette, with beige and brown being the standard color choices. Combine the lackluster color with the lightweight materials needed for a moving unit and you have a formula for a very boring space.

Luckily, campers of all shapes and sizes are fairly easy to makeover! You can do simple camper decor updates like adding a bit of color via curtains and rugs or you can go all out like Laura Sauve, a Decor Consultant, has done.

You’re gonna love this camper and get lots of great camper decorating ideas!

Here’s what the camper looked like before Laura added her talent to the space:

5th Wheel Camper Before Makeover

After Laura’s 5th Wheel Camper Makeover, So Many Great Camper Decorating Ideas!

And here’s the camper after Laura got a hold of it:

Laura describes the camper on her Facebook page:

144 ‘liveable’ square feet is small, except when you’re cosmetically updating it! This has been the most challenging space to re-decorate due to it’s minimal size and maneuverability while completing tasks. That being said, it’s been the most rewarding transition and design endeavour because it has shown me that space itself is not only an illusion, but can also be a functioning beauty that is not only warm and cozy, but quite roomy and has everything that we need to live happily.

Thank you to Kortnie Sloat for these beautiful shots!

What a great transformation!

Laura has used color and texture to create a vibrant, welcoming space that travels easily and you can do the same thing in your camper or mobile home!

You can see more of Laura’s camper decorating ideas on her Facebook page here. Be sure to like her page so you can get updates on her future projects!

Looking for more inspiration? Check these 15 Awesome Airstream Interiors.

Thank you so much for reading Mobile and Manufactured Home Living!

October 6, 2015
9 Great Vintage Travel Trailer Campgrounds
If you’re a vintage mobile home fan these great vintage travel trailer campgrounds are perfect for you! You can rent your own vintage travel trailer for a night, a weekend, or a week!

Get up close and personal with your favorite vintage trailer or mobile home model. With these vintage trailer rentals, you can find that retro retreat you’ve been dreaming about.

9 Great Vintage Travel Trailer Campgrounds

1. The Shady Dell
- Bisbee, Arizona
- http://www.theshadydell.com/
A sleek selection of nine vintage trailers makes The Shady Dell a favorite destination for vintage travel trailer and mobile home fans. Their collection embodies a great representation of the Golden Era of mobile home design with model years ranging from 1947 to 1959.

Their website describes their collection of trailers:

Our sleek collection of vintage travel trailers are all perfectly restored to combine mid-century Americana kitsch with the comforts of home in a way that only the 1950s were capable of.

The Shady Dell collection consists of the following models:
- 1957 El Rey
- 1949 Airstream
- 1950 Spartanette
- 1951 Mansion
- 1950 Manor
- 1951 Royal Mansion
- 1957 Airfloat
- 1947 Tiki Bus
- 1947 Chris Craft Yacht
- 1959 Boles Aero
2. The Vintages Trailer Resort
- Dayton, Oregon
- https://www.the-vintages.com/
Sixteen vintage trailers grouped together within the 14-acre Willamette Wine Country RV Park provides a true step into a trailer park of the good ole’ days. Though trailers range in model years from 1947 to 2015, every trailer has a vintage vibe.

The Willamette Wine Country is about 35 miles southwest of Portland and is best known for their pinot noir, a favorite throughout the country. The vineyards create a relaxing setting for the vintage trailer park.

Their website describes some of the luxuries:

Each trailer offers a unique lodging experience tailored to compliment your wine tasting, dining and exploration. A short list of amenities includes gourmet pour-over coffee from Caravan Coffee, luxurious terrycloth robes, comfortable mattresses and fine hotel-quality linens.

The Vintages Trailer Resort collection:
- 1947 Spartan Manor
- 1954 Anderson 315-TB
- 1958 Oasis
- 1948 Westwood Coronado
- 1956 Santa Fe
- 1959 Airstream Globester
- 1949 Kit Chateau
- 1957 Airstream Sovereign
- 1965 Avion
- 1951 M-System Special Deluxe
- 2014 Airstream Bambi – Buttercup
- 2014 Airstream Bambi – Atomic
- 1958 Ideal
- 2015 Flyte Camp Neutron – Couples Edition
- 2015 Flyte Camp Neutron – Family Edition
- 2014 Airstream Bambi – Groovy
3. Starlite Classic Campground
- Canon City, Colorado
- http://www.starliteclassiccampground.com
The Starlite Classic Campground’s numerous lodging and entertainment choices make it a great family-friendly destination. They offer tent and RV sites with electricity, cabin rentals, and a few vintage RVs. Their collection of vintage recreational vehicles vary from a 1950 Spartan Royal Mansion to a 1973 Winnebago. Read our previous article about the Starlite Classic campground here.

The campground is located in a nature lover’s paradise close to whitewater rafting, fishing, and ATV riding. Their website describes them:

Experience life in the “past” lane when you stay in one of the classic campers at The Starlite Classic Campground, located near the gorgeous Royal Gorge in Colorado.

The Starlite Classic Campground offers the following vintage models:
- 1962 Shasta Airflyte SC
- 1963 Shasta Airflyte
- 1962 Tepee
- 1954 Aljoa Sportsman
- 1973 KenCraft
- 1973 Winnebago
- 1950 Spartan Royal Mansion
- 1957 New Moon
- 1964 Hi-Lo Traveler
4. The Sou’Wester
- Seaview, Washington
- http://www.souwesterlodge.com
The Sou’Wester has an extensive lodging list. Accommodations include a 4-suite lodge, cabins, vintage travel trailers, and RV sites.

This campground has a great collection of vintage trailers! Each trailer has a perfect balance of restored and original decor with imperfections that are deliberate and delightful. Art is celebrated here and the peaceful, relaxing atmosphere compliments the setting perfectly.

Here are a few of the campground’s trailers, you can see all of The Sou’wester’s vintage trailer and mobile home here.
- 1958 Boles Aero
- 1954 Spartan Manor
- 1950 Spartan
- 1953 Zelmar Cruiser
- 1955 Spartan Mansion
5. Kate’s Lazy Desert
- Landers, California
- http://www.lazymeadow.com
Kate’s was one of the first vintage Airstream campgrounds in the country. Kate Pierson, lead singer for the B-52’s, founded Kate’s Lazy Meadow in New York originally but the floods kept threatening so she moved the concept to the California desert. It’s been thriving ever since. You can read our previous article about Kate’s Lazy desert here.

Kate’s offers Airstreams with wild names and even wilder decor. Themes such as Tinkerbell, Hairstream, and Tiki are all indicative of their styles. Their website concludes:

Our 6 vintage airstreams are restored to wacky perfection by artists Maberry-Walker, (whose house is featured in the B-52’s “Love Shack” video) and are located in the High Desert of California 6 miles from Joshua Tree. Experience incredible views, starry nights, and the magical experience of the desert!

You can see all 6 Airstreams here.

6. Enchanted Trails RV Park
- Albuquerque, New Mexico
- http://www.enchantedtrails.com
The Enchanted Trails RV Park started out as a trading post on the historic Route 66 in the 1940’s. The campground offers many amenities such as 115 pull-thru sites, pool, storage, and free wi-fi. But it hasn’t forgotten its roots – they have six great vintage trailers you can rent as well.

You can learn more about the Enchanted Trails RV Park here.

7. Shooting Star RV Resort

Under new management, the Shooting Star RV Resort originally started out as the Shooting Star Drive-in. With this new move, the owners have expanded the park to include RV and camper site rentals. They still show movies though!

A large screen, complete with 1960’s era cars that you can sit in, provides a true drive-in theater experience.

Their mission:

Our mission here at the Shooting Star RV Resort is to provide our Guests with a fun, unique and luxuriously comfortable vacation experience in one of the most scenic places in the world.

You can see all of the Shooting Star Airstreams here.

8. Pinecrest Retreat
- Julian, California
- https://pinecrestretreat.squarespace.com
The Pinecrest Retreat has created a wonderful vintage trailer park in a picturesque setting perfectly. They have combined a nature-friendly, rustic destination with five great vintage mobile homes.

Their fleet contains a wide range of vintage mobile homes, from an Airstream to a Star Trailer Coach. They offer annual memberships for your own RV too.

Their website describes:

In keeping with our belief that vacations should be a balance of “adventure and do-nothingness” we offer a unique venue for vintage trailers, camping, occasional entertainment, opportunity for learning/doing/making, and access to the majesty of the Cuyamaca Mountains.

Their fleet includes:
- 1971 Airstream International
- 1951 Spartan “Royal Manor”
- 1959 Safeway
- Star “Mid-States” Trailer Coach (circa 1950)
- 1973 Automate
9. El Cosmico
- Marfa, Texas
- http://elcosmico.com/stay
We introduced you to the El Cosmico a couple of years ago and it’s continuing to gain a large following. The El Cosmico’s vintage fleet has been carefully restored, with careful attention given to color and a decor done in timeless elegance.

The website has plenty of great images and descriptions:

El Cosmico is an 21 acre nomadic hotel and campground in Marfa, Texas. In keeping with the belief that life should be a balance of adventure and do-nothingness we offer shelter, occasional entertainment, opportunity for learning/doing/making, and access to the majesty of the high plains desert.

See all 8 of El Cosmico’s vintage travel trailer rentals here.

Summary

Of course, there are many other great places that offer vintage travel trailer rentals throughout the country in vintage travel trailer campgrounds.

The popularity of vintage trailers and mobile homes has given us a great selection of weekend getaway destinations regardless of where you are or what your favorite model is. Take a weekend to relax in your own pure vintage trailer heaven!

Thank you for reading Mobile Home Living!

All images property of each destination.
August 20, 2015
15 Awesome Airstream Interiors

There are a lot of reasons Airstreams became the most iconic and well-known campers in American history. Airstreams are a perfect example of American ingenuity. Their unique shape paired with near perfect material choices and impeccable design make the Airstream the beloved machines they are today. These awesome Airstream interiors will inspire and probably make you a bit envious.

These Awesome Airstream Interiors are Gorgeous!

The exterior of an Airstream has been fairly standard throughout the decades. You have an arched Twinkie shape with a few windows and a door or two.

The exterior is great but the real fun begins inside, and these awesome Airstream interiors can attest to it.

You can give an Airstream any style you want and the following designers and owners have done just that. From contemporary, beach to rustic, there are awesome Airstream interiors for every taste.

Learn more about Airstreams at Airstreams.com.

Ruby Red Retro

Mapped Out Airstreams

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Oh, That Shine!

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Cozy and Clean

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Great Graphics

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Green with Envy

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Colorful Waves

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Related: See a colorful RV makeover here.

Reserved and Timeless

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Small but Spectacular

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Learn about 9 great vintage travel trailer campgrounds here.

Polished Perfection

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Wishful Wanderer

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Amazing Americana

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Related: Restored Vintage Campers – 1953 Airfloat Navigator

Lovely Modern

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Simplicity

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Click here for the top vintage airstream resource online.

You can do almost anything to Airstream interiors, the possibilities are truly endless.

Thank you so much for reading Mobile Home Living!

Featured Image Source

April 10, 2015
Ellen Pompeo’s Camper Makeover

Grey’s Anatomy star Ellen Pompeo is known for living in beautiful homes. Her stylish abodes have been featured in many home and garden magazines such as Architectural Digest, Elle Decor, and Curbed.

But Mrs. Pompeo doesn’t limit herself to just fancy Los Angeles digs. She is also living in luxury behind the scenes of her hit show in a camper that will knock your socks off!

Celebrity Camper Makeover

Campers are used by movie and television stars because they can be moved easily and they allow the celebrity to enjoy a bit of privacy between takes. Oftentimes, the star spends more time in the campers than they do on set so having a relaxing and stylish space is important.

Thanks to a partnership with Domaine, a popular home decor site, Mrs.Pompeo’s camper on the back lot of Grey’s Anatomy received a complete makeover. The factory-standard decor was transformed into a space worthy of a celebrity.

Using basic interior design tricks such as white walls and light flooring, the designers created a luxurious space.

Pops of color mixed with fine texture gives the space a comforting and relaxing vibe.

The designers also limited clutter and focused on smart storage solutions for the small camper makeover.

Bold details above and below create eye-pleasing features. Creating focal points high and low makes a space seem taller and larger.

Convenience and function should always trump style and the designers did a great job of choosing multi-purpose furnishings and decor.

The bedroom is perfectly styled with ultimate comfort in mind.

There are lots of great ideas in this camper makeover for your own home even though a lot of the stuff used would be out of a range for a non-celebrity. The color combinations would work wonderfully in your mobile or manufactured home. The minimal decor would work great in any room too. Don’t let expensive decor intimidate you – use the inspiration to your benefit!

Related: Another in our RV and Camper Decor Series: A DIY RV Design

You can see more photos of this beautiful camper makeover on Domaine and see the products used in the makeover.

Thank you for reading Mobile and Manufactured Home Living!

December 16, 2014
Park Model Home Decorating Ideas – Beach Cottage Chic

This park model home turned beach cottage is beautiful!

Park model homes are best known for their second story, a design descending from the 2-story mobile homes that became so popular in the 1950s.

Learn more about Cavco’s Park Model Home.

Most park model homes are marketed as temporary or seasonal living structures and are not classified as a manufactured home. Park model homes that have less than 400 square feet(or 540 sq. ft. in Canada) of living space are titled, registered, insured, and taxed as recreational vehicles. This classification relaxes building code requirements since they are not permanent dwellings.

The Cozy Beach Cottage

This home is a feast for the eyes and includes lots of great park model home decorating ideas that you could use in your own home!

I found this beautiful park model home at Homeaway.com, a website where people can rent their properties out by the night, week, or month. The home is a 3-minute walk from the beach in Encinitas, CA. It has one bedroom and one bath along with a small sleeping area on the second floor, sleeping 4 comfortably. It is available for $158 per night. The home measures in at 480 square feet so it has likely been classified as a manufactured home.

Park Model Home Decorating Ideas for Your Exterior

This park model home may be small but it has plenty of curb appeal.

There are lots of great decorating ideas used on the exterior of this home. First, the siding is painted with a natural blue/ gray color reminiscent of grass and sea. Secondly, a bold white color was chosen for the trim to create contrast and accent the home’s architectural features. Lastly, lush landscaping gives the home bulk, helping to ground it to the space, and tall vines strategically placed to frame the home draws the eye up, making it appear larger than it is.

See another beautiful park model home here.

Park Model Home Decorating Ideas for Your Interior

The interior of this park model home is gorgeous!

When decorating small spaces it’s important to define each space and chose functional furniture that is easy to clean. You’ll want lots of storage too!

The kitchen is decorated in a warm old world country style.

Decorating a small kitchen can be challenging if you don’t know a few tricks used by designers. One of the easiest tricks is to paint much of the interior space in a light, neutral color. Structural elements such as ceilings, walls, and cabinetry painted the same light color helps reflect light and makes a space seem larger.

The living room in this park model home is a beautifully decorated space filled with ample sunshine, comfortable furniture, cozy texture, and creative wall art. It all works perfectly together to create a friendly, welcoming space.

Luckily, the owner of this beautiful beach cottage shared a video:

This is a great park model home with tons of decorating ideas you can use in your own home. If you’d like to learn more about the home please visit HomeAway.com.

You can learn more about small space decorating ideas here.

As always, thank you for reading Mobile and Manufactured Home Living!

November 13, 2014
Cozy Vintage Camper Renovation

Cozy Camper Renovation

Meseidy Rivera, of the great little blog The Noshery, and her husband decided to downsize and move into a small vintage camper for two years. They bought a vintage camper that had seen better days, but had lots of potential, and started renovating it.

Their camper transformation turned out beautifully and is another great example of mobile home living with style!

Related: Camper Decorating Ideas: Laura’s 5th Wheel Makeover

Here’s a little look at that transformation. You can get lots more details along with great DIY projects and recipes on Meseidy’s blog here.

The interior needed some TLC but between the handyman talents of the mister and the decor talents of Meseidy, the little camper-that-could became a beautiful home worthy of the cover of a magazine.

During the Camper Renovation

Here’s what the kitchen looked like before the camper renovation. There were some basic repairs needed but the majority of the transformation was aesthetic and boy did they knock it out of the park!

The kitchen before:

The bedroom before:

Painting the camper’s interior:

Laying new flooring:

After the Camper Renovation

Repair, paint, and flooring provided a perfect canvas for Meseidy to decorate. The finale is amazing!

The trendy couple even created a perfect outdoor space:

You can see more of this great camper renovation here and here. Be sure to check out the rest of Meseidy’s blog, The Noshery, she’s got a lot of great crafts and recipes!

As always, thanks so much for reading Mobile and Manufactured Home Living!

October 28, 2014
Colorful RV Makeover

Owning a camper or RV is a lifelong goal for a lot of people and for good reason. The idea of loading up the family and taking to an exciting new place is a dream that has followed the modern man (and woman) for centuries. If we can do it in style that’s even better! That’s one of the reasons we are in love with this colorful RV makeover.

Modern RVs and campers are wonderfully convenient for travel, some could even argue that they are one of the greatest inventions of the 20th century. Regardless of their ease and usability, they all seem to have the same cookie cutter style – laminated cabinetry and easy-to-clean materials are staples in the RV world. Unless you pay extra for a package upgrade, you can expect to find the same materials and decor in the majority of RVs, regardless of the manufacturer.

Fortunately, you can give your RV a makeover just as easily as you can a home and one RV family proves it with this beautiful RV makeover done in less than a week.

Related: This Vintage Airstream Remodel is so Cool!

Modern RV Makeover

Apartment Therapy recently featured this modern RV makeover that owners, Carissa Miller of CC Miller Photography and her husband did on their family’s RV. It’s an amazing makeover done in less than a week but the results are amazing.

This high-end RV certainly wasn’t lacking in style when it came off the assembly line, as you can see in the photos above taken before the makeover. But giving the RV a more cozy, family-friendly style was important for the family since they would be going on a cross-country trip to Yellowstone National Park. They focused their efforts on changes that would make a big impact in a short amount of time. Only 6 days to be exact!

As you can see in the photos below, the makeover was a runaway success! You can copy the Miller’s modern RV makeover by following their steps below.

Painting the Cabinets

The first step for this RV makeover was painting all the cabinetry in a more modern off-white. This gave the entire space a clean, muted slate which would allow the colorful details they later added to take center stage.

Replacing Low-Functioning Furniture

Leather recliners were replaced with a colorful Ikea sofa that could be used as additional bedding. Dining room chairs were also replaced to bring the space together.

Replacing Factory Valances

Next, the family replaced the factory installed valances with stylish window treatments. This still allowed privacy and shade but in a more modern design.

Updating Electronics

The old televisions were replaced with current model flat-screen models providing more space for storage and giving the RV a more modern look.

Adding Stylish Accents

This beautiful RV makeover was completed by adding modern accents. Throw pillows, framed prints, and other small details brought the style together perfectly.

Giving your RV a makeover is a great way to travel in style. It doesn’t matter how old or how fancy your RV or camper is – the possibilities are endless!

As always, thank you for reading Mobile and Manufactured Home Living!

All images: CC Miller Photography

October 2, 2014
Embroidered Vintage Camper Art

If you love vintage camper and mobile home art, you’re gonna love the beautiful embroidered artwork of Stephanie Kelly Clark!

Her threaded artwork focuses on landscapes, specifically homes, but she didn’t forget the cute vintage campers or mobile homes!

Related: Check out these Mobile Home Photos.

Needle and Threat Artwork Makes Beautiful Vintage Camper Art

Her artwork has beautiful color and texture that represents vintage camper and mobile homes perfectly.

This vintage camper art would be a great addition for any collector or owner.

I love any kind of art that portrays vintage campers and mobile homes in a beautiful light and these pieces certainly do that! You can read more about Stephanie Kelly Clark on her blog here. All of her work is amazing and encompasses much more than just homes. Be sure to stop by and check it out.

As always, thank you so much for reading Mobile and Manufactured Home Living!

All images owned by Stephanie Kelly Clark. Found through Messy Nessy Chic Blog.

September 15, 2014
RV and Camper Decor Series: DIY RV Design

We continue our RV and Camper Decor Series with this DIY nature-themed RV design. Previously, we enjoyed the Ginter’s gorgeous camper makeover.

Humble Beginnings

This RV design was found on the Rate My Space blog and started out with the typical oak veneer and lightly patterned walls that we’ve seen throughout the last decade or so, but the owner, going by the screen name HarborLizard, updated the space dramatically. Several do-it-yourself projects ultimately created a delightfully modern, nature-inspired home away from home that is gorgeous!

Nature Inspired RV Design Decor Idea

The owner, inspired by nature and her lovely dogs, created this beautiful small space. It’s a perfect example of small space decor ideas and uses smart color and material choices.

The windows are bulked up with dark wood-inspired valences, making them appear larger. The colors in the RV are balanced perfectly. The whimsical fabric print is tossed together with twisted branches giving the area a modern, though, natural look.

The owner painted the entertainment system with a natural white that pairs perfectly with bright green and dark brown.

The original walls of the RV were styled with busy patterned vinyl panel in a beige camouflage.

The kitchen is gorgeous! White cabinets, glass backsplash, and a dark gray accent wall give the eye plenty to take in.

Using texture in a small space is one of the best ways to add interest and scale. Small areas allow you to splurge on quality materials without breaking the bank.

The bedroom is improved drastically with this beautiful DIY RV makeover.

The bathroom mimics the kitchen materials and colors. Animal prints and stone inspired backsplash adorn the walls creating a soothing nature theme.

The owner even painted her own puppy portrait to adorn the accent wall in the kitchen.

This RV design has it all; spacious kitchen, living room, dining area and master bedroom. This would be a perfect home to travel across the country in or just use for local state park summer adventures.

As always, thank you for reading Mobile and Manufactured Home Living!

January 21, 2014
Fabulous 5th Wheel Camper Makeover

This camper makeover is one of the most beautiful and inspiring camper makeovers ever!

It’s simple, yet dramatic, and completely changes the interior style of this 33-foot 5th wheel. There’s no doubt about it; the owners, Blaise and Cassandra Ginter, have great style!

Before the Transformation

Above is a photo of the camper, with a slide out, before the makeover. Typical oak cabinetry and patterned wall panels galore! Just about every RV and camper made in the last 15 years or so looks exactly like this one. The RV industry is a lot like the manufactured home industry – they find one style that works and stick with it.

After the Transformation

The Ginter’s have plenty of style, and the transition of this camper is breathtaking! Using white on the cabinetry, ceiling, and trim, and a light shade of gray on the majority of the walls and flooring gives the space an open, contemporary look.

Darker gray walls in the office area add dimension and accents the area. Chalkboard paint is always a top choice for accenting a wall, too. In this case, they used it for the front of the refrigerator.

White curtains replaced the typical camper curtains and allow the light to do its magic.

Furniture helps the couple organize each area and save space. Below is the Norden table offered by Ikea. It has 6 drawers for storage and lots of table space for dining.

You can see the space better in this photo, the slide-out holds the sofa and dining table. It slides into the kitchen area during transport and opens easily with a push of a button once the camper gets to its destination.

The kitchen makeover is dramatic. White cabinetry, gray backsplash, and black appliances make a beautiful and cohesive area fit for any chef.

Below is the bedroom before the camper makeover.

Here’s the bedroom after the makeover! White and light gray opens the small space up and lets the royal purple accent color make a bold statement.

The Ginter’s lived in this camper while they trained and prepared for their mission to Sudan. They’ve since sold it and are now happily doing missionary work in Sudan, just as they had planned and dreamed. Their blog, States to Sudan, details their life. Please check it out!

Related: One Family’s Affordable RV Renovation.

As always, thank you for reading Mobile and Manufactured Home Living!

January 18, 2014