Glam up your Caravan

G L A M - U P Y O U R C A R A V A N

The wooden caravan was described in the 1978 Sindy catalogue and brochure as a 'robustly constructed caravan with removable roof, opening door and towing backet for holiday fun.

Caravan (44564) from 1978

The wooden caravan is a favourite with collectors to up-cycle due to its sturdy build and large interior space

BEFORE

ROCKABILLY RED: A RETRO CARAVAN MAKEOVER

BY CATHY PALMER

Cathy enlisted the help of Rich at The English Caravan Company to re-pin, glue, paint and decorate her caravan. She decorated the interior with her signature kitsch 1950s and cherry red styling.

Cathy used a cherry print scrap booking paper to cover all of the interior walls to gave it a kitsch 1950s feel.

Cathy trimmed her gingham print soft furnishings with lace for a retro touch. She mixed in plain and polka dot red scatter cushions for the seating area.

GREAT OUTDOORS: A NATURAL CARAVAN MAKEOVER

BY GOOD GOLLY MISS DOLLY

The caravan was in pretty good shape when it arrived, although it was without any accessories. Miss Dolly added in "realistic” accessories that you might need if you were camping gave it an fresh feel.

Wallpaper was added at one end, to cover some surface damage. Softness was added by using vintage fabric scraps for cushions and bedrolls for the benches

A mixture of plastic plates, cups and pans were added the kitchen. In addition, there’s a broom and a bucket, some pretend food, a little dog and its dish, a deck chair and some fishing rods and fish on ice.

GYPSY ROSE: A ROMANI CARAVAN MAKEOVER

BY CATHY HOWARD @JOLLYDOLLYSHOP

Cathy repainted her caravan using tester pots and sticky back plastic for the roof. The curtain poles are made from dowel and attached to a thin panel of wood with small ring hooks. The dyed net curtain makes for a good sunshade and awning.

Cathy used a crochet printed fabric to give the seating area a free-spirited, hippy feel. She mixed in lace nets, a floral table covering (made from sticky back plastic) and a tassel trim in the window for a true gypsy vibe. Are those healing stones we spy?

Cathy hung floral baskets from the curtain poles (dowel) with ribbon.

Gold braid trim was glued over the original black line detail on the exterior for a bohemian feel.

COUNTRY COTTAGE: A COSY CARAVAN MAKEOVER

BY JULIE JONES

Julie gave her caravan a full makeover - as it was in a sorry state. She took it apart, resprayed it and gave the inside a complete refit and redesign. It now has a side opening for easy access and play.

The outside of the caravan was covered in sticky back vinyl. This is a fast - and neat - way to change the caravan exterior.

Julie extended the kitchen area to include a fridge and oven. The lost seating on that side was replaced with a L-shaped bench

PRINT CLASH: A COLOURFUL CARAVAN MAKEOVER

BY SARAH WALBY @POLLY.DOLLYDAYDREAMS

Sarah added in some funky colours and prints for a modern feel. She cut fabric to place on the seats, made a tablecloth and added in lots of colourful cushions. The floor is patterned card which easily covers and updates the floor area.

Sarah made blinds for the windows by folding fabric and securing into place. She also strung up some matching bunting for a festive vibe.

The clash of patterns and print on the soft furnishings work well as all the colours are tonal.

Sarah placed a small dolls cupboard under the sink area great for extra storage!

VINTAGE VIBES: A SUNNY CARAVAN MAKEOVER

BY MAM'SELLE

We decided on a sympathetic makeover to honour the original style and colouring. The outside was touched up using pens and a black sharpie. The roof wasn't the original turquoise so was covered with black sticky-back vinyl, which was also used to cover an empty box used as a faux cupboard, which was placed under the sink and cooker area.

The window trims were covered with black sticky backed vinyl or coloured with a sharpie. We also glued some dollhouse mixer taps the sink area.

We used printable wallpaper in a fresh lemon pattern to compliment the yellow exterior. Checkerboard printable tiled paper covers the floor.

Contrasting striped, gingham and floral fat quarters were used for the soft furnishings, curtains and accessories

GEOMETIC GEM: A MODERN CARAVAN MAKEOVER

BY SUE SCRASE @SEWIST53

Using a mix and match range of vintage fabrics Sue created a cosy orange hued interior that works wonderfully with the yellow and turquoise. How fab are those seat cushions with the little buttons details?

Sue made some wooden shelves ideal for storing kitchenware, food and even a microwave (what luxury!) It was painted with gold paint.

Sue used a mix of fabrics to create cushions, curtains and soft padded seating for the seats and seat backs.

Sue added mini crochet bunting to the windows. How cosy does it look?