Thursday, April 13, 2017

Airstream Mania

I once wrote a post about restoring vintage Airstreams.
It was number one on my "Design Bucket List," and although I haven't found one yet to restore, I'm constantly looking for one.

Mr. A and I dream about touring the country after retirement, pulling our Airstream behind us.
I've been seeing a lot more Airstreams on the road lately--people doing exactly what we dream of.

In the meantime, we could stay in one of the new and trendy Airstream hotels that have been cropping up everywhere.
We discovered Caravan Outpost last summer on a trip to Ojai.

Caravan Outpost finds vintage Airstreams and restores them, giving each one its own look and feel.
So far, they have eleven trailers!
This one is called "Perla."

 This one is called "Audrey."

Isn't she cute inside?
I love the ticking upholstery mixed with the tribal blanket.

Another Airstream hotel, Autocamp is closer to home in Guerneville.

Autocamp is nestled amongst the redwoods and close the the Russian River, featuring all new, luxuriously decked out Airstreams.

Imagine waking up here!
Can you tell I'm obsessed?

What is it about these iconic trailers that makes me all giddy?
Is it their sleek and shiny exterior?

Or is it the possibility of what the interior could look like?
Be it Pinterest, Instagram or sites that feature Airstreams, I'm always looking for ideas for their interiors.
There is so much that you can do with them, but I'm particularly fond of a rustic interior like the one above.

One of my favorites is this interior by Ralph Lauren.

Reba McIntire's rustic 1988 Airstream is a heart stopper!

I follow Tin Can Homestead on Instagram--about a couple who restored an Airstream and live in it with their two dogs in Seattle.
Their style is rustic, yet clean and organized.
Notice how they took out the built ins and created their own floorplan.

Recently, we met our new neighbors down the road and up on Pine Mountain in Cloverdale.
They have created a compound of vintage Airstreams for their personal retreat.


They found this one already gutted and paneled in pine.
They hauled it all the way from Seattle and parked it on their property to be used as the "dining car."
A couple of army cots take care of extra guests.


I was hyperventilating when I saw the inside with antique leather Swedish chairs.


Their guest trailer is totally different inside and has a modern, contemporary vibe.

After visiting our neighbors, Mr. A and I were even more inspired.
He even suggested we create a similar caravan of Airstreams on our property for guests.
Not so fast I told him.  We haven't even found one yet, let alone gutted and remodeled it!
I know it will happen someday--down the road.
No pun intended!

Looking for more Airstream inspiration?
Instagram:
Airstream Dreams
Airstream Classics
Mavis The Airstream
Tin Can Homestead
Mountain Modern Airstream

Facebook:
Airstream Tours
Airstream Classifieds
Airstream Addicts

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Thursday, April 6, 2017

A New Purpose For The Wet Bar

 Sometimes I ask myself, why I kept the wet bar in the family room when we did the remodel.
Was it because there was one there already?
It seemed logical at the time.  But we've never used the dishwasher and the refrigerator is nice, but not necessary.  

I've always had difficulty staging this space.  
A bar is set up, along with glassware, but it just doesn't work.
My friend asked a question that got me to thinking:
"What if you used this space as a flower arranging and potting space?"

She suggested that I put the bar in the bookshelf on the opposite side of the room.
She also suggested that she come over and do it for me!
All I had to do was gather everything together...

 ...Like the concrete urns outside.
Bring them inside, fill them with orchids and flank them on either side of the sink.
Why didn't I think of that?

 She brought baskets to organize the drawers with tools, moss and gardening supplies.


 Then she started to organize and stage the zinc shelves.

Vases, planters and books were added.

Luckily, I had quite a few books on gardening and flower arranging. 

The more she added, the more the space took on a whole new purpose.

Now when I bring home flowers from the grocery store, or even the flower mart, I can just bring them straight in from the garage to this room.  Everything is at the ready to make my arrangements and centerpieces.
But what about the bar?

It's now across the room in the bookshelf!

I actually like it better!

I found little lamps from Restoration Hardware Baby that are perfect to illuminate the bottles and glassware.
 It's so romantic with them on at night.

Aged brass trays from Pottery Barn are perfect for holding the glassware and carafes and fit perfectly on the narrow shelves.

I'm loving the change in the family room!
A big thanks to my friend, organizer and stager extraordinaire.

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