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We have bought an old caravan which I would like to give a 'retro' makeover.

There is some great pictures of gorgeous old vans on the Internet that have had great re vamp s ( the style I like is shabby chic / Kath Kidston )

I have zero experience of caravans ( but first outing is today) as we always camp.

Type of things I m hoping someone can help with are -

1. I'd like to paper the door
http://m.pinterest.com/pin/257971884875793861/
Do you use normal paper ? How does it stick on ) wallpaper paste surely doesn t work ) do you then water proof ?

2. Any recs for curtain makers online ?

3. Ditto for covering sofas ( although throws could look good ? And double for extra sheets at bedtime ?)

4. Do you know of any websites that could help me ?

Thank You x

Apologies link doesn t work and some words have auto corrected - on my I phone

Ooh, will watch this with interest!

We got a folding rapido c.1984 this summer, in fabulous retro orange'n'brown. So far I've only got as far as planning to make some orange and brown bunting over the winter.

marmiteandhoney I also have a folding Rapido

squeals

ignores slash on finger from when we took it down on Tuesday-

We love it! (Once it's up and we've stopped cursing...)

Here's some inspiration for you.

I wish it was mine but sadly not, I found it on a website for a campsite in France.

I don t know what rapido s are - but the orange / brown sounds ace to go retro with. There was a flowery orange brown tiny caravan when we picked our caravan up yesterday from the storage place - looked cool

Bunting is being ordered from eBay ... As well as some retro wall signs for in the van to get started with !

Cool pic on the link

Bunting is really easy to make as are cushion covers - start with a 'mood board' decide what you want it to look like then source materials - I am very green

I am considering a rapido myself - are you find assembly easy?

We bought a really old caravan off our elderly neighbours this year, and I've been trying to do the same as you lemonbonbons! It's always the oldest caravan on any site we go to and we often get people asking to have a look as it reminds them of their grandparents!! We didn't want to spend much on it as it may only last another year, but to freshen it up and give it a bit of a better feel, the main thing I did was to stick some blue gingham sticky back plastic over the peeling kitchen units. We've got some really cheap B&Q vinyl floor tiles to put down instead of the manky carpet for next year. I was going to use some normal wallpaper we had left over on the inside of the door, but that hasn't happened yet! I've got a red polka dot wipe clean tablecloth from Dunhelm Mill, plus some fab bunting i picked up a BHS sale and it looks fab!

We've had an amazing summer in it! We've also got a very faded orange awning to go with it which is pure 70s!!

This is what I wish ours looked like!!

here

gordyslovesheep- we're getting better at getting it up (oo-er). It's temperamental and has a hissy fit if the ground's not level. The first time was on a sloping site in Cornwall, and it took us two hours and two injured thumbs. The second time was on the Isle of Wight and it took us under an hour from just-arrived to kettle-on, which I think was pretty great. The third time was at Greenbelt festival on bumpy muddy racecourse ground and it felt like it took forever! Was really hard to level, and until it's level there's no point doing anything.

I think it's one of those things you get better at over time.

It is really clever. And as soon as we've got the buggery lovely caravan up and are clonking in the cupboard units and kitchen, we're singing its praises again.

And we were so warm even though everyone else in their tents was wet and cold that we were glad we'd bothered even though it had been hard to do.

sounds good Marmite - what puts me off is it's just me and 3 kids but then I manage a big tent and awning so I may cope <lies to self and browses ebay>

Our van was a very kind wedding present from mu PIL!
fatzak loving the picture
gordyslovesheep DH manages to put ours up on his own in under 30 minutes these days whilst I watch DS. The first time took a bit of working out!
As ours is only a 2 berth I have been considering changing it for a bigger 4 / 5 berth caravan but this thread has inspired me! My DF has built me a bunk for DS which we will put to the test this weekend!
I have been searching the glamping website.

Sprite XL 2 berth caravan in shabby chic style, not vintage or retro
not sure how to do links but found an amazing retro van on ebay

this one Babyjames?

That's rather beautiful (although maybe a bit too fussy for me).

DH loves the orange'n'brown of ours, so my pimping will have to be clever if it's not to be overwhelming.

Definitely thinking in terms of putting down new vinyl on floor (some is quite peely in places) and maybe doing something with the faux wood vinyl covering to the kitchen units. Hmm. Maybe I should just go with some white to crisp up the orange'n'brown?

Thanks gordy is a bit over the top but fab. Mine would suit more browns I think. I stupidly bought a blue Icey-Tec though! Orange would have been a better choice!
lemonbonbons My Rapido is a folding caravan. Looks bit like a trailer when all folded down. Lighter and easier to tow than a caravan.

I have an orange Icey-Tec .

We just used this to cover the kitchen units. Two rolls was enough to do it all.

My links are not working but there is a cute retro caravan on this site www.the-sea.net

Ha! did work after all.

That looks a fab site Serin and some of these retro caravans are stunning.