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My little vintage caravan project ~ Clearing out the old…

I am starting my new caravan makeover project with a clear out. If you didn’t see my first blog post about my new caravan please read back over my blog post a couple of days ago on 14th August and you’ll know why I need to begin with an excavation project! It’s a real mess inside and lots of the fittings are crumbling away so, although ripping things out would be an easy job, it was still a little bit gut-wrenching when I thought about all the history I was getting rid of. But needs must, and the caravan interior simply would not have lasted. Even so, every decision was difficult – “should this cupboard go?” hmmm inspect it for a bit and realise it was broken hmmm have a cup of tea and think about it hmmm. “Yes, I suppose it will have to go” pull it off the wall in one tug.

cassiefairys vintage caravan project original photos of sprite interior

You know how much I hate waste and things going to landfill – it’s usually me saving things out of skips! – but this time I had to throw some bits away, so the old wood and cardboard went into the recycling, metal and plastic headed to the household waste recycling site and I kept hold of as many fittings and hinges and screws as I could (you never know when you might need them!).  At least this way I have a blank canvas to start with and can plan the space for my own purposes. I’ve kept the two bench seats but there was no large table to fit between them to turn it into a bed, so I’ve salvaged a large piece of wood to use in the gap. When it’s not being used as a bed, it will be my office space, so I’ve saved the small table from the other end of the caravan and luckily it fits onto the same support bar as the big table, so I can use it at the bench end of the caravan. It’s just about big enough for my laptop and a cuppa! I’ve saved the canvas bunk bed and fittings, because eventually this will become the supporting structure for a work bench.

cassiefairys vintage caravan project interior clearing out

Looking around the space now, it’s a good size and should be plenty big enough for storing all my fabric and tutus! I can see where the walls are weakest from the old damp and I can strip off the loose bits and paper over the joins. I’m feeling quite optimistic about my little caravan and I think it will thank me for removing all the old crumbling interior in the end – it seems drier and warmer already! Watch this space for the next step – painting and decorating!

cassiefairys camper project shabby chic retro interior inspiration from pinterest caravan love board

Here’s another inspiring little caravan that I’d love to own and I expect it’s not long until I have an interior just like this! Check out my Pinterest Caravan Love board to repin this image and see many more of my inspirations for this project 🙂

26 Responses

  1. Wow it sounds like you’re making great progress on your caravan Veronica, how exciting! I’d love to see photos of your project if you fancy emailing me some pics! 🙂

  2. I am in the process of revamping an identical caravan. A Sprite c1. My husband has gutted the inside . He is almost finished the outside painting, then it is my turn to design the inside layout and sew curtains. I will also do upholstery etc. Love to see all your ideas.

  3. Thanks so much Debbie, that’s s kind of you! I hope you get a Sprite camper of your own one day – it sounds like you have lots of happy memories of camping in your parent’s caravan in the 60s 🙂

  4. In the 60’s my family was station in Germany. And my parents got a Sprite camper. We had such a good time in it. And even took it back to America with us. Wish i had it again. And one day hope to do what you did with yours. Great job. It is so pretty.

  5. Hi Heather, thanks for getting in touch and I’m so pleased to hear that you’ve got your own caravan project to work on! I found window trims on eBay here in the UK but I haven’t ever come across a new window supplier. One of my windows is glued in place because the surround is broken so I would be interested to hear if you find a supplier because I need a new window too! Best of luck with the renovation – I’d love to see photos of progress if you have any?? 🙂

  6. Hi Cassie, I am so thrilled to find you and the caravan,. I love in the states and stumbled upon a 1984 that was originally made int he states i believe in the early 80’s only for a few years. I have had to gut it and we will be starting from scratch. My biggest challenge at the moment is finding window replacements. We need the front window., no place in the states sell such windows. Looking for a reasonable overseas supplier. ANY help will be such a blessing . Thank you in advance.

  7. Love your blog. I’ve recently got a 76 vintage sprite. You’ve given me some ideas. Like yourself didn’t want to loose the original features. Looking forward to starting it.

  8. Hi Clare, ooh that’s exciting! I don’t have a kitchen in my caravan anymore as the units were crumbling away with damp when I got my caravan so we removed the whole interior and started again 🙂 Best of luck with your project! I’d love to see ‘before’ and ‘after’ photos of your renovation progress!

  9. Hi Ambria, I actually removed the stove altogether so didn’t need to paint it, but I know that Rust-Oleum do a good stove paint in a couple of different colours 🙂

  10. Hi Cassie. I love your caravan. I’ve got a similar one but I use it for family camping. It’s from the 80s and I’m always relieved when it makes it to campsites across the country! I was looking for photos of how you use your caravan as an office and workspace. It’s a great idea. Do you have any?

  11. Great Blog ! I have a 1975 Sprite and have given it a Reno too! I need to do some work on the exterior and windows! Can you give me the name of the window casing you used and where you got it? It looks so clean and mine is cracking…I lost a window because it was so cracked! Help…..thank you for this wonderful website…Janice

  12. Thanks Cassie I have an old Monza 2 berth seating is like your Sprite you’ve given me great ideas.

  13. Hi Cassie , love your work . Doing a project myself i love your wee blue cooker and sink And i wonder where you get them ?

  14. Hi Danielle, it’s a “Sprite” caravan 🙂 not sure what year is was though, it’s rather old! 😉

  15. I have a trailer that has identical interior that I can not find any info on. Would love to know what make of trailer this one is 🙂

  16. Ooh yes do, and let me know when you get it, I’d love to share YOUR vintage caravan project on the blog too!! Thanks for getting in touch Karen 🙂 x

  17. Lovin ur blog found you on pinterest have always wanted a vintage caravan that brings back childhood memories and has a lock on the door so my family cant get to me!! Also am a recent proud owner of the granny chic book am lovin it doilies rule! Thanks for your inspiration, am def going to keep pushing for my own wee space x

  18. There really is nothing left in the caravan now so it’s easy to see what space I’ve got to work with – it’s looking promising! 🙂

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Cassie is a freelance writer with a Masters degree in Lifestyle Promotion Studies and is trained in Personal Money Management. She loves to ‘get the look for less’ so regularly shares thrifty-living advice, DIY interior design ideas and low-cost recipes on her blog.

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