RV TOURS

Peek inside this eclectic airstream renovation, affectionately named “Patches”

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about this RV renovation

Type of RV: 1976 Airstream Sovereign

Renovated by: @genuinely.ginger / Timeline: 3 Months

Have you ever daydreamed of exploring the country in an Airstream? There’s something so magical about these silver bullets, and the vintage nostalgia that comes with them.

This week we’re touring a modern and eclectic Airstream renovation that belongs to Jess and her hubby, Jos.

When Jos was accepted into medical school in Southern Idaho, they knew he would be traveling to various hospitals every 6 weeks. In the name of sticking together, they purchased a gutted Airstream and transformed it into their very own tiny home on wheels! I think it’s so inspiring how they took this blank slate and created a space that fit their needs and style.

Jess is a creative entrepreneur with a passion for hand lettering, and has sprinkled some of her own designs throughout their Airstream, which they’ve affectionately named Patches.

Have you ever daydreamed of exploring the country in an Airstream? There’s something so magical about these silver bullets, and the vintage nostalgia that comes with them.

This week we’re touring a modern and eclectic Airstream renovation that belongs to Jess and her hubby, Jos.

When Jos was accepted into medical school in Southern Idaho, they knew he would be traveling to various hospitals every 6 weeks. In the name of sticking together, they purchased a gutted Airstream and transformed it into their very own tiny home on wheels! I think it’s so inspiring how they took this blank slate and created a space that fit their needs and style.

Jess is a creative entrepreneur with a passion for hand lettering, and has sprinkled some of her own designs throughout their Airstream, which they’ve affectionately named Patches.

1976 Airstream Sovereign
What led you to tiny living?

My husband got into a PA graduate program where the second year would require moving to a new state every 6 weeks. In the name of staying together, we found tiny living a great option for us!

Do you have a favorite place to shop for decor?

I love me some World Market. But a lot of my favorite items are from thrift shops or I got to make myself!

What’s your favorite project?

I love our tongue and groove walls, exterior to the bathroom with streaks of grey in the natural wood. I also love my rugs! We’ve got four in our little space, one of which is a caramel color cowhide.

how long did the renovation take?

We got our trailer near the end of May and hitched up for the maiden voyage on our 1 year wedding anniversary, August 13th. So just shy of 3 months from purchase to finish. We have tackled a couple of small projects since, and are currently giving our ole gal a polish!

What project made the most difference?

We got our trailer near the end of May and hitched up for the maiden voyage on our 1 year wedding anniversary, August 13th. So just shy of 3 months from purchase to finish. We have tackled a couple of small projects since, and are currently giving our ole gal a polish!

what was your least favorite or most challenging project?

We call it “trouble with the curve”… Framing items in this curvy can was a real challenge. A very small task that I very much loathed, was replacing the screen in the door. Maybe it was because it was a couple days before we left, or because it was near midnight and I was spent already. And then, of course, the fact that our tail lights wouldn’t seem to work the day before we left. Thanks to many hours put in by my uncle, we made it.

did you run into any other challenges?

Our timestamp was definitely the hurdle. Jos was able to quit his job two weeks prior to leaving and then we began putting in all-nighters. We had to be on site for his program on the 14th of August. We were very involved in our church, went to camp with the youth, involved in our VBS program, and other weekly commitments. All this to say, our time was jam packed! But we really wouldn’t have changed anything, we loved it.

What do you enjoy most about your space?

I love the brightness of it, and that we really don’t lack much. I like to work at our collapsable wall desk, and with a tray and coffee in hand on the bed in our cozy nook!

What’s your favorite aspect of tiny living?

Being together. This is the reason we did it, and it has been the reward! Cabin fever has not been much of a problem, and we love our little space and that we created it together!

what was your least favorite or most challenging project?

We call it “trouble with the curve”… Framing items in this curvy can was a real challenge. A very small task that I very much loathed, was replacing the screen in the door. Maybe it was because it was a couple days before we left, or because it was near midnight and I was spent already. And then, of course, the fact that our tail lights wouldn’t seem to work the day before we left. Thanks to many hours put in by my uncle, we made it.

did you run into any other challenges?

Our timestamp was definitely the hurdle. Jos was able to quit his job two weeks prior to leaving and then we began putting in all-nighters. We had to be on site for his program on the 14th of August. We were very involved in our church, went to camp with the youth, involved in our VBS program, and other weekly commitments. All this to say, our time was jam packed! But we really wouldn’t have changed anything, we loved it.

What do you enjoy most about your space?

I love the brightness of it, and that we really don’t lack much. I like to work at our collapsable wall desk, and with a tray and coffee in hand on the bed in our cozy nook!

What’s your favorite aspect of tiny living?

Being together. This is the reason we did it, and it has been the reward! Cabin fever has not been much of a problem, and we love our little space and that we created it together!

What piece of advice would you give someone about to begin an RV renovation?

It can be a long haul… a reno, that is! We had a set date that we absolutely had to get it finished by. I would give yourself a deadline and stick to it as much as possible. Otherwise, a project this big can take you a very long time and be even more expensive. Speaking of that, grab some paper and do your research. Budget out everything from the insulation, light bulbs, and pillows you want to throw on that bed!

What piece of advice would you give someone about to begin an RV renovation?

It can be a long haul… a reno, that is! We had a set date that we absolutely had to get it finished by. I would give yourself a deadline and stick to it as much as possible. Otherwise, a project this big can take you a very long time and be even more expensive. Speaking of that, grab some paper and do your research. Budget out everything from the insulation, light bulbs, and pillows you want to throw on that bed!

renovated Airstream
vintage camper renovation
eclectic Airstream
eclectic Airstream remodel

(This post was originally published in 2018 on mountainmodernlife.com)

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