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Help decorating a caravan

22 replies

lemonbonbons · 31/08/2012 08:11

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

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 ?

  1. Any recs for curtain makers online ?


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


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


Thank You x
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lemonbonbons · 31/08/2012 08:12

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

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marmiteandhoney · 31/08/2012 08:54

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.

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babyjamesblackberrycrumble · 31/08/2012 10:56

marmiteandhoney I also have a folding Rapido :)

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marmiteandhoney · 31/08/2012 10:59

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...)

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QuenelleOJersey2012 · 31/08/2012 11:16

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.

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lemonbonbons · 31/08/2012 14:33

I don t know what rapido s are Blush - 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 Smile

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 Grin

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gordyslovesheep · 31/08/2012 15:21

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 Grin

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

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fatzak · 31/08/2012 15:33

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!!

<a class="break-all" href="http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=www.snailtrail.co.uk/images/ConstanceExterior4.jpg&imgrefurl=www.snailtrail.co.uk/retro_rentals.htm&h=466&w=700&sz=73&tbnid=-tmsXc0N8W5r5M:&tbnh=90&tbnw=135&zoom=1&usg=__KNCFlQ9iv21ZLsWG4E5Jq4w3Qc0=&sa=X&ei=wMpAUNDiOoHS0QX7z4DgDw&ved=0CCkQ9QEwAQ&dur=177" rel="nofollow noindex" target="_blank">here

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marmiteandhoney · 31/08/2012 15:43

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.

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gordyslovesheep · 31/08/2012 17:44

sounds good Marmite - what puts me off is it's just me and 3 kids Grin but then I manage a big tent and awning so I may cope

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babyjamesblackberrycrumble · 31/08/2012 18:28

Our van was a very kind wedding present from mu PIL! Grin
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.

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babyjamesblackberrycrumble · 31/08/2012 18:40

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

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gordyslovesheep · 31/08/2012 19:34

this one Babyjames?

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marmiteandhoney · 31/08/2012 20:26

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?

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babyjamesblackberrycrumble · 31/08/2012 20:46

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. :)

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marmiteandhoney · 31/08/2012 21:18

I have an orange Icey-Tec Grin.

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fatzak · 31/08/2012 22:29

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

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serin · 29/09/2012 18:13

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

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serin · 29/09/2012 18:14

Ha! did work after all.

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CaveyLovesPendleton · 18/10/2012 14:02

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

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ginorwine · 18/04/2014 16:45

Am hoping to decorate my 80 s caravan - anyone else keen in caravans? And de orating them ! Painting them etc? What paint to use both outside and inside? : )

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Vanman · 13/08/2018 20:57

Here’s a couple of pics of our nearly finished vintage van,1979 she is ..ohhh can’t add pictures 🙁

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