To read my first blog post about the initial renovation of our little caravan click here. In the article I talk about the my inspiration behind the renovation and have some links to other articles I researched giving some GREAT advice on things to consider and products that help when taking on a caravan restoration.
I wanted to write this article months ago but with lockdown, getting the kids settled back in school and life happening - it's taken much longer. I really do hope that I can pick up on my blogging over the coming months as I do miss it. You can always catch up on what's happening in my life and work over on my instagram feed which gets updated far more often! Find me at @emily_kiddy.
I have made some little before and after pics of various different parts of the renovation as these posts over on my instagram feed seem to have been really popular - I also really enjoy other peoples transformations from before and after - it really inspires you as to what you can achieve from one of these projects.
Now, as I write this at the start of our second (some what softer) lockdown in the UK due to the Coroana Virus pandemic 2020, obvious changes have happened in life and lots of people have taken on new hobbies - such as renovating caravans! I managed to pick up our caravan locally for £450 a few years back. As I have searched for caravans over the summer (I'm addicted now and dream of investing in the next size up - it's all getting a bit cosy trying to sleep in a twin birth caravan - especially when my husband joins us!) I cant find a single caravan, in any condition, for less than £1000. In fact anything semi-decent is around the £2000 mark. But don't be alarmed - like with the pandemic this craze will hopefully pass and as will the inflated prices (fingers crossed!) On that note our ideas of 'holidaying' have changed too. We would normally travel abroad around 5 times a year. We have had tons of fun just camping out in our caravan at my fathers this year and intent to holiday more locally and stress free in the future.
Now, about the actual renovation, you will see from the above image that the interior was very beige. While a lot of the interior was in an OK condition there were a few areas of damp that needed sorting and were creating a not so nice fusty smell. It's important to add that mould can be a real issue, not only to the caravan, but to ones health as well. If you are thinking of buying a second hand caravan get some advice so you buy/invest wisely. I managed to sand down our troubled areas and I sealed all the floor with resin to keep out any rising damp. I also sealed the whole roof and all exterior joints with Tec-7 sealant which I found recommended from another blog post - it's sticky but super reliable! On top of that I invested £130 in an all weather tough caravan cover to help it over winter.
For the seating/sleeping area I covered the original cushions with a grey throw I picked up from wilco. I may try to actually re-upholster them in the future once the kids can reliably take off their shoes before entering the caravan but for now this works fine!!! The area looks so much fresher with the white paint job and the yellow blinds and curtains I made really make it a lot more cheerful - i'm really happy with it and the kids have complimented me on the choice too - WIN! I purchased some bedding from H&M home as well as the yellow throw on top of the bed. The black basket I found from Dunelm Mill, mustard towels from Tesco home. The little books I found from the village shop in Salthouse in Norfolk with fiction based stories from the local area.
Now, the flooring; I had to pull up the original flooring - it was worn, torn and smelly!!! However, I was so nervous about laying my own vinyl. I had heard horror stories about it bubbling up and and not laying properly but I knew it had to be changed. I did a LOT of research on this and found lots of videos on you tube really helpful. I ended up choosing this small tile vinyl which makes the area feel bigger and gives a lovely simple contrast to the yellow. It also reflects the light nicely making it brighter still. I purchased it from the flooring superstore for just over £100.
The wallpapering (mentioned in the previous post) was quite straight forward. However, next year I'm going to take it out of the kitchen and replace with vinyl tiles. Boiling water and wallpaper - not a great mix and I fear it may peel here in the winter. Take that lesson on me!
THE PAINTING - Never have I EVER had to paint sooo many layers of paint. The painting, though thoroughly worth it, was a monster mission. It took days and probably up to 5 layers in places. Not to mention all the pre prepping and sanding beforehand!
Before the renovation, the bathroom was just somewhere I chucked junk!!! It was dull, damp and unloved. It was actually really quick to spruce it up with some vinyl wallpaper and a lick of paint (and a HUGE) deep clean. Now we can actually use it for a 'top and tail' and to brush our teeth! The little metal shelves I purchased on e-bay for around £12 and the wallpaper was an e bay find too.
I also purchased a new shower head to replace to tired brittle beige one and livened the space up with a tropical shower curtain! Im' actually really happy with the space now - it makes me smile whenever I go in there!
Finally, after all the painting inside I was almost willing to just 'cope' with the 'beige' tired exterior! However, after seeing all the fab branding and outside finishes other restorations had a achieved I finally took on the task of making over the exterior of the caravan late summer.
Now, while researching I again was swamped about horror stories of exterior paint jobs. I need my paint to be strong as over winter, though covered, the caravan isn't stored in a garage or barn so it will inevitably pick up some 'green' that will need to be washed off in spring. I read that tecloid coach paint was the best to go with but required skill to complete. After researching I went with that and actually found it less daunting than I imagined. It's important to get each panel done without stopping as it effects the flawlessness of the covering (slightly). I spent time before hand sanding, prepping and sealing everywhere. I went for white with a grey to the lower panel. Unfortunately, I haven't got great pics of this as it was the end of the summer - I'll add some more next year! Finally, working in branding I decided to name the caravan and get a vinyl sticker made up to place on it. We all voted on name and 'The Sleepy Cowslip' won suiting the yellow interior combined with a now cheerful and cosy place to sleep on our many adventures!
We used our caravan load this past summer - right up until the end of September. I cant wait to get back into comping at the earliest possible next spring too. Im also hoping to take on another project in the future - watch this space!
Happy to answer any questions you may have! x
