our vintage caravan renovation project (part 1)

16 June 2016


We like to keep ourselves busy in the Junkaholique household, so with no new projects on the go, we had to find a new thing to get our teeth into. I have always wanted a little caravan to do up but never had the logistics to get it about or store it. We currently have a space in a barn storage, and with another addition to our family, our camper van is getting a bit snug! (Actually it's perfect for a family of four, it just doesn't have much storage space for all the beach toys, food, blankets and firewood. I don't think people had these things back in 1978??), it made it possible to finally get one.

We won this 1970s Thomson Mini-Glen on ebay, and the very kind owner drove it down from Cambridgeshire to Southampton, to a car park where we exchanged cash for our new home on wheels and then we took it back on the ferry. We were very excited! But I think the littleuns less so, our daughter may have been put off by the 70s decor ; ) In fact I think she thought we were betraying her beloved camper van so I had to explain that we will take this one as well as the camper van. "But where's the steering wheel??" "I'm still going to sleep in Vanny".


We are going to totally transform this caravan inside and out and have pretty much got the colour scheme worked out, and even a name!


It is tiny! but just like the tardis, it is like a neat hotel room inside, with kitchen, bathroom, and a dining room that turns into double bed. Also a wardrobe, a crazy 70s notion that you will need to keep your dress/suit nice and neat whilst camping...our van had one of these too!
*edit* just discovered a cocktail bar as well!??!!

We've already ripped out some of the cupboards that were rotten, the carpet has come out as well as the curtains and seat cushions which were turning into dust.



We have so many ideas of how we are going to use this caravan, mobile Junkaholique shop? jewellery showroom?? Exciting!! I will of course update our progress with some more photos shortly.

20 comments

  1. Stop!! This is too cute - cannot wait to see how you do it up :)

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  2. Perfect addition! There's nothing I love more than a good renovation either! Can't wait to see all the updates! You've got me itching for a new project....

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  3. Is it going to be called ' Rusty '?

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  4. Anonymous16.6.16

    It will be perfection. Maybe the first step towards a glamping resort?

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  5. So excited for you! What fun...as well as a lot of work! Tell Pehr it will be wonderful in the end and she can help decorate! Baby is growing!

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  6. wow....can,t wait to see what magic you are gonna do with this..

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  7. Oh how exciting! How cute is Pehr asking to sleep in 'Vanny! Your little man is growing up fast too! xxx

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  8. Oh WOW! I can't wait to see if finished. Please keep us posted!

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  9. Such fun (well, lots of work too) ! Looking forward to seeing more posts on your revamping of your vintage caravan.
    Joy

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  10. This is going to be an enjoyable ride. You will do wonders with this. I like the stable door.

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  11. I'm so excited to follow your caravan uppdates :)

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  12. This looks so exciting! I can't wait to see your magic turned on this cute house on wheels.

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  13. So exciting! (I am looking at vans also) I just know it will look amazing after it has a Junkaholique makeover.

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  14. Artemis, You always make me feel like an underachiever ;) ...
    In the past months I seem to have done absolutely nothing interesting, while you made a new baby, put up a shop, created wonderful things...is it something in the water? How do you do all this?

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  15. Looking forward to seeing what you do with this project! My husband and I are just about to start renovating a wooden hut in Scotland so an exciting few months ahead too. Best of luck

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  16. keep us up to date. lovely purchase.

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  17. Reminds me of my caravan holiday at Hayling Island.

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  18. Yes, so awesome! We're in the middle of renovating our 1969 Shasta. It will be epic, have fun :)

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  19. I have just recently found out that older caravans most certainly contain asbestos in some form or another. Please be careful : )

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    1. thanks! We haven't come across any yet but have been wearing masks anyhow. we are mostly just painting what was already there. thank you for pointing it out! x

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