Sprite 400 - One foot in the past and one foot in the present.

Miss Potter, my little Sprite 400 caravan is well on her way to having a full makeover. It's almost the equivalent to botox and collagen. This project is in full swing and I can almost taste the excitement of interior design to come with the most gorgeous fabrics, textures and colour. I can't wait!

Let me remind you of what she looked like...

Stored in a barn for 30 years this little cutie had at one time been very-much loved by it's previous owners. There was a lot of teak effect hardboard, stencilled flowers, tired looking peach walls and flea bitten turquoise curtains with matching musty-smelling foam seating (not fire-retardent!).

Some may say that I should have kept the late 1960's / early 70's decor... 

To quote Plankbridge Hutmakers, who are Master Craftsman of the most beautiful shepherd huts... 

'one foot in the past and one foot firmly in the present'. 

There will be a touch of hardwood teak restored that will be my nod of respect to the nostalgia of the 1970's interior. I've restored the old gas lamp and kept all the fixtures and fitted furniture. 

But as you will see it will be a very light, cosy and relaxing space... Can you visualise this? 

I know I do. The colour of my rainbow for this little gem is a palette of Farrow & Ball greeney/greys and a delicious light cream white. 

More to come soon...

Vintage Caravan - Interior BEFORE images

We all love the before and after images so here goes...

BEFORE.

Time travelling back to the 1970's...  My little Sprite 400 has been sat in a barn for over 30 years.

The previous owners must have took so much care and pride with their little 4 berth Sprite. Even the gas lamp has attention to detail with a hand-painted flower.

...And the flower theme continues on the veneered kitchen cupboards. 

Completely stripped back of the 1970's decor. The dangerous foam of the 1970's has been removed. The turquoise curtains too and green carpet. 

There is NO going back now!

Keep checking for regular updates of Miss Potter - the vintage caravan renovation.

Vintage Caravan - Mantle, Gas Lamp & Boiling Water

I was so close to giving up and removing the single gas lamp in my vintage caravan after finding out that I needed a 'mantle' that is no longer manufactured. After spending hours researching and trawling ebay, camp and caravan shops I decided to move on and accept that I was failing to bring the gas lamp back to life and time perhaps would be better spent on the interior decoration.

A few weeks past (as what usually happens with any project) of nothing much happening. How could I possibly miss this chance of restoring the cosy-glow of a sixties retro gas lamp? I couldn't shake off this niggle and I decided to give it one more go. I'd actually never seen a gas lamp working. My parents owned caravans in the seventies but the lamps were never in use 'just too old-fashioned' back then. 

Anyway, back to ebay and my Knight(ess) in shining armour came to the rescue by way of 6 Veritas No.2 Mantles. Part no G73626. 

For those of you like me who have never heard of a mantle these are as-rare-as-hens-teeth. 

I originally bought the Veritas No. 1 which was too small. The seller was adamant that if it wasn't a No. 1 then it would be the No. 2 no question. I took a chance with another seller and it paid off.

I am now the proud owner of a very retro glowing Sprite 400.  

Other sundries came into play... I needed a gas bottle deposit and refill, a gas regulator and jubilee clips. The 6 mantles cost £33.00. Total amount spent - £88.67.

I'm told the smallest of things make me happy... 

Not only do I have a retro glow, I have boiling water and toast too!

Today is a good day...

Source: Images - my own. Veritas mantles - Elimayboo Antiques & Collectables. Gas bottle and sundries - TH White's Marlborough Wiltshire.

Vintage Caravan - Exterior Colour?

It's still a frustratingly slow start. I have so many ideas and hopes for the renovation but just can't seem to fit it all in with work and home life and when I do have the spare time I always seem to be at the mercy of the weather.

The tiny Sprite 400 caravan still has a partially primed exterior surface. All my hard work of cleaning her is now undone and I will have to start again and give her yet another good clean to finish the priming. As with all projects you really do need to be consistent and hands on until it's finished.

I'm really looking forward to a good days work on the exterior. In the meantime, whilst it's snowing outside, I've been busy painting my vintage van in photoshop! I'm a photographer and have been using my skill's to help me choose an exterior colour. I recommend anyone embarking on a painting project to try the photoshop colour testing.

Here goes... Miss Potter as she is right now...

Here she is in Farrow & Ball French Gray...

And in Farrow & Ball Old White...

Again in Farrow & Ball Pigeon...

We can never really match how the true colour will be in photoshop, natural light will effect the overall appearance, but nevertheless it can give you a nod in the right direction.

Vintage Caravan Renovation - Exterior Undercoat Painting.

It's been a slow start to the renovation and I can't help but think about all the lovely sunny warm days that I have missed during the Summer and early Autumn months.

I've applied one coat of Dulux Weathershield Undercoat (white) to the front of the caravan and I feel as though this renovation project has officially started!

The preparation of the body work took much longer than the painting itself. Cif, Scotch Brite, sanding, sanding and more sanding (wet and dry) and degreasing was necessary. IT'S HARD WORK!

I'm sure there are many ways in which you can prep but this worked for me.

The manufacturers paint application advice was to use a brush which I used for cutting in but I have to admit to failing to conform and using a smooth foam roller. There are pros and cons to this I'm sure. The brush application seemed to sit much better on the metal with brush lines. The roller applied the paint smoothly and went a long way. The roller is prone to holding too much paint with spray. I guess you can find your own technique on this. Time will tell of the roller finish vs. brush.

Vintage Caravan - Exterior Preparation.

Today has been about the exterior preparation of my Sprite 400 Caravan.

The old painted surface of aluminium was rather pitted with old age. Scotch Brite, water and Cif worked a treat. A light sand and degreasing next.

I can't wait for the fun to begin with Farrow & Ball colour...

Have you met Miss Potter?

Miss Potter, my new office at the bottom of the garden... This old girl is a Sprite 400 and although in perfect original condition dating back to the late 1960's she is in great need of paint and fabric to make the perfect cosy garden space.

I'm really not keen on the overly shabby chic look or the loud busy colour and fabrics of Cath Kidston as most people do to vintage caravans. I want to create a relaxing space of muted green/gray and cream. I think Farrow and Ball will be just the job! What do you think?

For inspiring vintage caravan design see Jo Pilkington's 'Mad Dogs and Vintage Vans'. I've met Jo and she very kindly gave me a tour of her glamping site in the heart of the Wye Valley.  

I challenge you not to be inspired into seeking out your very own vintage van!