The owners, Steve Salatino and Mike Richardson, have done a great job on this vintage mobile home restoration. They brought it back to its former glory, taking great care to feature the home’s best elements. The wood paneling is beautiful, the exterior colors expertly chosen, and the cabinetry is magnificently mid-century!
The couple found this great home in a park in Central New York. It had been through several owners and most recently used as a rental. Throughout the years this vintage mobile home had lost its luster but thankfully the home found its way again with the help of loving owners that appreciated the form and history of the home. They even found old Smoker Aristocrat advertising to ensure they rejuvenated the home as closely as possible.
Steve gave us a rundown of the various projects they have completed between May and the end of September of this year. Here’s the beautiful home along with some notes on the couple’s vintage mobile home transformation.
The exterior received numerous updates during this vintage mobile home restoration, the most prominent change being new paint. Steve and Mike took special care to use an original painting style with a color inspired by the New Moon trailer from the classic movie, “The Long Long Trailer” with Lucille Ball and Desi Arnez. The yellow and with the silver aluminum are perfectly paired.
Exterior lights that had been painted over were properly replaced as well as the back door and wrought iron corbels that had gone missing. Fortunately, the corbels were found in the camp campground scrap yard!
The owners also replaced the back door and installed a deck which was purposefully kept low to emulate a patio, appropriate for the 1950’s style.
The exterior was just the beginning of this awesome vintage mobile home restoration!
Fortunately, the original wood paneling, hardwood floors in the living room and bedroom, and the wooden valances were still in good condition so only a deep cleaning was needed.
The careful thought of the furnishings and decor was a cherry-on-top of the 1955 mobile home restoration.
Perfectly chosen mid-century era furniture was brought in to compliment and complete the home. Era-appropriate curtains and shades were installed as well.
They even brought in one of Mike’s childhood treasures – a record player/record stand.
Only the kitchen and bathroom needed new sub-flooring during the restoration which is typical for practically every older mobile home – water and wood do not go well together.
A grand black and white checkerboard floor were added to the kitchen that screams 1950’s style.
In addition to the flooring, the kitchen needed lots more work. Mike provides the details:
“Original cook top had been removed and the original pink Formica counter top was cut to accommodate an oversized cook top that extended unsafely below the overhead cabinets. The original sink had long since been replaced with a stainless sink that was far too big for the counter top. Unable to find the original color for the counter top (at a price that wouldn’t break the bank), we replaced the counter with a green that was era appropriate, maintaining metal edgings and trim pieces. Vintage stainless steel wall oven was still in place, but cabinetry on the furnace, oven and refrigerator side of the kitchen had been replaced with very poorly constructed cabinets.
Because of these modifications, we took a few liberties with brand new items, such as a a stainless steel cook top, new stainless steel sink, new stainless refrigerator, and over the existing stove, an built in stainless steel microwave.”
The bedroom is a true walk through time! The original walls paired with the decor helps create a true 1950’s style inspired room. This includes Steve’s grandmother’s white chenille bedspread.
When owners take special care to lovingly restore and re-capture an era gone by, it should always be appreciated. This is especially true when it’s a vintage mobile home restoration!
Love vintage mobile homes? Check out these other great restorations!
Vintage Mobile Home Series: 1953 Silver Star
and the
Vintage Mobile Home Series: 1953 Vagabond Trailer
Thank you, Steve and Mike, for being a great steward for this mobile home – you have done a beautiful job!
As always thank you so much for reading Mobile Home Living!
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