Design Inpiration: CAMPING in STYLE!

ON THE ROAD AGAIN......but IN STYLE

I’ve always had a romantic idea of camping in a trailer, driving to some beautiful spot next to a mountain or a lake, stopping wherever the scenery calls out to you.     Lately, it seems a lot of people share this vision, except they are actually doing it, not dreaming about it.  But camping today is not like camping well......atleast the way most people think when they hear the word camping......tents, fold-up chairs, canteens......YUCK!!!!!.  It’s now called, Glamping - camping with all the luxuries of high thread sheets and plush towels, Ipods, Ipads, and flat screen TVs.  

Glamping sites are popping up all over the United States and the craze is popular in Europe and Africa too.  There are two kinds of Glamping.  You can stay at a camp site that provides romantic tents ala Out of Africa.  Or you can provide your own shelter – a trailer.   Glamping at a tent camp doesn’t give you the freedom to pick up and move to another site, something that a trailer does.  

The trailers themselves are divided into two categories – vintage and new.   You can buy the most luxurious brand new motor home, big enough to live in it permanently.  Or you get a smaller, vintage trailer from the 50s and 60s  - and restore it.   Restoring vintage silver Airstreams and Shasta trailers is all the rage right now.  

EVEN RALPH LAUREN jumped on the bandwagen......and decided to put his spin on an Airstream trailer....check this out!

This smaller Airstream is actually located on Ralph Lauren’s Double L ranch in Telluride, Colorado.   I love the way the tree limb holds up the awning. 

Matthew McConaughey made a big splash when he showed his Airstream in Architectural Digest.   He actually lived in his trailer for years.   It is parked in Malibu, right on the beach at the Malibu RV park.  Yes, Malibu does have a trailer park!  

Matthew’s Airstream, complete with a surfboard and U.S. flag.

Orchids and Malibu – this is a trailer?   

The kitchen is fully stocked.

A sitting/sleeping area at the front of the trailer.

His bedroom – he calls it the Honeycomb.....WHAT????

RETRO PINK 

This 1959 pink and white trailer was completely restored and it’s totally adorable.  

Her name is Audree.   Naming your vintage trailer is a must.

Audree is all white, turquoise, blue, and pink.   Many vintage trailers are restored by women and their interiors reflect this. 

Audree’s dining room with its turquoise and white striped curtains.  

THE SHABBY CHIC

Shabby Chic is another popular look in retro trailers.  This trailer went all white.   Love their camp site with the white table, plates, and lantern.

Inside, everything has been painted white – it’s hard to tell it’s a vintage trailer.

The bedroom has a cute black and white bedspread.  Cute lamps and headboard.

At night, a curtain with a batik print hides the bedroom from the living area.  

DOING IT COWBOY STYLE.......LOL

  Bring on the 50s!!!

And the bedroom – all done in western kitsch.

This trailer is western, without the 50s kitsch.   It has terracotta floors.

ALL SHINY AND NEW!

New Airstreams look like this.  They come in different colors and styles, but the new ones don’t have the charm of the renovated ones.

This new one is nice with the dark cabinetry and striped seats – I live this version.

The bedroom, again with the dark cabinetry.

THE TRAILER HOTEL.....WHAT??

If you are in Cape Town, South Africa, visit Grand Daddy’s hotel.  On the roof, there are a group of airstreams that you can rent, instead of an inside hotel room.  For information on the hotel, go HERE.  

A look at the top of Grand Daddy’s hotel – the Airstream park.   Each trailer was decorated by a different artists and they are highly unique.

One of the trailers is pink, everywhere.   The pink living room.

The pink bedroom.

This trailer is powder blue and white polka dots.

The polka dot bedroom.

This one is green and red – love the painted floor, ala Mary McDonald.

The kitchen and bedroom.  What a cute idea for a hotel  - your choice of a room or an Airstream.  Which would you pick??

THE DESIGNER

This beautiful trailer is from California.  The owner is an interior designer.  Look at their camp site!  Zebra rugs lanterns – mirrors.   SOOOOO cool!

Their living area.   This is a really upscale Airstream.   Love the fabrics and the rug.  Beautiful.

Curtains close off the bedroom.   Ebony wood in the kitchen and on the walls.  

The bedroom.   Love the curtains at the back instead of a door.

The kitchen has a Corian countertop – marble was too heavy for the airstream.  This looks like a house.  This is such a beautiful, beautiful trailer.  I could be very happy here!!!   It shows you – even with a brand new Airstream, it can still be sophisticated and chic – the Airstream designers should look at this for direction.   HERE.

WELL I HOPE YOU ENJOYED THE TOUR OF LIFE IN A CAMPER!.......If I wasnt so into 5-star HOTELS i just might go out and BUY ONE!......