Remember we once did a DIY caravan renovation? Took an ugly little beige van and turned her into something lovely? Well, last month, I mentioned that we’d traded our beloved caravan — Dolly 1 — in for a ‘new,’ larger model.
I use the term ‘new’ very loosely. The new van may have preceded her chronologically but certainly not in any other areas.
If Dolly needed a bit of updating when we first bought her, this new van needed an entire facelift.
Pretty she aint.
Another caravan makeover was definitely in order!
**grim interiors warning — the following shots are not for the faint-hearted**
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Caravan Renovation Project: Before Pictures
As you can see, pre-renovation, she wasn’t a pretty sight.
A sea of horrible red carpet (this was changed in favour of laminate flooring). Orange-coloured wood everywhere (painting the caravan cupboards got rid of a good proportion of this!). But the cabinetry wasn’t the only thing to get a coat of paint.
We painted the walls and ceilings — and it created a real feeling of spaciousness.
Caravan Renovation Project: During Pictures
I have got LOTS more ‘before’ photographs that I could show you.
But I’ve always tried to maintain my blog as a happy place; a collection of beautiful things.
The pre-makeover photographs set my teeth on edge (and make me feel a little bit queasy) so I think I’ll leave it there.
Little by little over the summer months — with the help of some lovely paper from Wallpaper Direct — my boy and I transformed the very ugly little tin box, you see in the snaps above, into something rather lovely.
No mean feat when you have twin toddlers in tow, I can tell you ;)
We wanted something a little different from our first van, which was a vision in Cath Kidston.
For her successor, we wanted something bright and fresh and a little more graphic.
Wallpaper Direct has literally got the best choice.
Whatever your taste — or style — they’ve definitely got something to suit.
Initially, I was thinking along the lines of Orla Keily but ended up being swayed by the gorgeous designs of Verity Wilkinson’s Layla Faye range.
For the living quarters of the van, we chose ‘Daisy Chain Small’, a gorgeous yellow and white graphic print with a retro edge.
We’ve also chosen a coordinating print for the bathroom/toilet area but I’ll keep that under my hat until we’ve finished those renovations! One thing at a time — that may be a job for the spring ;)
We’ve no curtains, blinds or proper cushions in the lounge area — those things aside — this little van is well on the way to becoming a perfect little home from home.
A warm and cosy little space. The perfect tiny home on wheels for us to enjoy camping trips and festivals.
Caravan Renovation Project: After Pictures
It looks like a totally different caravan now. We recycled and repurposed where we could. For example, we painted the light fittings and the vintage door handles rather than buying new ones.
Simple things like that make a world of difference to the final look. The devil’s in the detail, as they say!
We didn’t change the work bench top in the kitchen at the back of the van either, but giving the cupboards and sink a fresh look with paint has made it look brand new.
Little tricks like that will save you money and time. There’s no point ripping everything out if you can reuse it.
Vintage Caravan Renovation
It just goes to show that wallpaper is so versatile.
It really shouldn’t just be restricted to the walls of a house — it can be used on furniture, ceilings — even an ugly little caravan can benefit from a little bit of pattern and colour!
There’s still a LOT to do.
Lots more finishing off inside — plus I have some very ambitious plans for the outside of this funny little box on wheels. I’d like to paint the caravan exterior and add some vinyl decals. Bear with me, as I can foresee there may be a fair few ‘caravan related’ posts coming up over the next few months ;)
For anyone wondering what we’ve christened this little van?
Well, initially she was Lionel (don’t ask).
Then she was Wendy (Wendy-House — on wheels).
But for two little boys — who have only ever understood that a caravan is called ‘Dolly’ — it was very, very difficult to persuade them that this new van had any other name.
So everyone, please be upstanding for…
‘Dolly Too’.
PS — ‘too’ is not a spelling mistake. It’s a play on words!
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Originally published 20 October 2015
Caro Davies is a former art-director turned writer and content-creator, and editor behind UK lifestyle blog The Listed Home. She writes about home-related topics, from interiors and DIY to food and craft. The Listed Home has been featured in various publications, including Ideal Home, Grazia, and Homes & Antiques magazines.
Stunning is not the word Caro. Wow! It is so fresh and bright and clean – how are you going to keep it like that with two small boys in it? My three would wreck it. Good luck to you though. You (and your husband) have outdone yourselves.
Fionnuala
Aaah thanks so much lovely — that’s so kind of you :) The boys are pretty good actually — we have a little awning that they can trash — the inside stays nice and clean and tidy (usually) ;) x
Wow that is an incredibly transformation and Dolly Too looks fabulous. I love that wallpaper print – gorgeous pattern and colour and love the coordinating mugs too! #TwinklyTuesday
Thanks so much Louise! I’m so, so pleased with it! I’ve been collecting all sorts of little items that coordinate beautifully with the paper! :)
Oh my goodness, Caro!! The transformation is immense. What a vision in brown it was and how clever you are to see beyond that. I seriously can’t believe the difference. You could happily live in it now. Amazing!!!
Thanks pet. It really WAS a vision in brown. Not my favourite ;) LOve it now though — am so looking forward to doing the exterior — and the loo!! We’ve got some lovely co-ordinating paper for that!! :) x
What an absolutely gorgeous makeover! I am in love with that yellow wallpaper and your little tin box caravan as a whole! Love it.
The wallpaper’s divine isn’t it? Totally LOVE the pattern. She’s got lots of amazing designs — it was really hard to choose!
This is amazing. I didn’t think you could better the last one but you have! That yellow is so fresh and cheerful, I love it. I love the arrow light and the sweet pictures too. I’ve never had the guts to do wallpapering myself but maybe I should be brave! Becky x #TwinklyTuesday
Aaah thanks chick — that’s such a lovely thing to say :) I didn’t think we could either, if I’m being totally honest! I LOVED the original Dolly — we had some really amazing adventures in her. So happy that this new one has worked out so nicely. Looking forward to making some lovely memories for the Twinkles :) x
PS — DO IT!! Straight walls are EASY to wallpaper. Caravans are *slightly* trickier — I wouldn’t say do a caravan makeover for your first attempt but a square room, with not many fiddly edges is easy!! I promise ;)
Thanks for the pep talk! It’s only for the bathroom so shouldn’t be as challenging! And also only a smallish part above some times, so should be OK for a first attempt. Going to check out Wallpaper Direct to see what goodies might go with out bathroom! Xx
Pop along and have a look for YouTube clips too — they’re always really helpful. It’s good to actually ‘see’ how to do it! Good luck pet!! :)
Ahh she’s so lovely! Fresh yet cosy at the same time, and I love all the little yellow accents you’ve used too. The wallpaper is fab, will have to check out the rest of the range as it looks right up my street. Wishing you and the family lots of lovely adventures in Dolly Too!
Thanks you :) The wallpaper range is amazing — so many fantastic colours and designs. I love a retro print so these were right up my street too!! :) xx
oh my gosh it is absolutely amazing! I love it!!!
Thanks treasure. It’s been a LOT of work but so worth it :) xx
Oh wow what an amazing transformation it looks so much bigger with those wooden panels painted white. You’ve done a great job I would happily spend a week in their and I am no natural caravaner! #twinklytuesdays
Aww thanks Ames :) I wasn’t a natural caravaner until we bought the first one! I absolutely love them now :) So lovely to spend time in a cute little house on wheels! x
You’ve made it so cute – I’m really impressed! Love the sofas with the walls – they really work together. #twinklytuesday
Thanks lovely :) The fabric was left over from doing the first van — so happy it went with the wallpaper in the new van!! Waste not want not! :)
Dolly Too is just amazing! I can’t quite believe it’s the same caravan. What a transformation and the colours make it so airy wow. You’re so talented Mrs!!! xx
Aaah thanks so much darling — that’s so lovely of you :) xx