dinette: cushions

Ok, so I haven’t written an official post on the “How To” built a dinette… honestly, we’re not trying to re-invent the wheel here.  There are tons of videos on YOU-TUBE how to build the interior of a vintage trailer.  Maybe I’ll come back and post all that later.

But I do have these pictures available in one place so I’m writing this post about the cushions. 

Our dinette seats are about 25 inches deep from the back to the front.  I found some cushions that were about 27 inches. There were five cushions total. I needed there to be enough to span the dinette area while in sleeping mode to make a comfortable bed.

This photo shows how the cushions fit together after I laid them all out and marked them with a sharpie marker and then took measurements to get the configuration that I needed.  Some still have the slips on them that they came with, while the white ones have been stripped and cut (with an electric carving knife)

 

Below, shows the two back cushions (one for each side of the dinette.  They’re not perfect around the zipper area, but that part will be tucked out of sight and not noticeable.  I used the zipper placard from the original slip covers—rather than cut the zippers out to or buy new. I just cut the whole placard away and re-fit it to my new drop-cloth slip covers.  Work smarter, not harder.

In the next photo you can see them in place on the curb-side seat of the dinette. I had two velour avocado green place-mats that I cut open and turned into lumbar/lounge pillows for the camper.  I like the pop of color that they add!  I do like the look of the drop cloth slip covers, but I want bright and cheerful colors inside the camper.

You can catch a glimpse of the curtain for the potty closet here.  I am really leaning toward a bohemian style—bright and cheerful color palette.  I’ve said all along, I wanted turquoise/aqua; orange; and chocolate.  The avocado green is a surprise color that just keeps sneeking into the camper.  That’s ok.  It really is my favorite of all colors!  (anyone that knows me well, can testify to that!)

This is looking toward the dinette from the rear of the camper. There is that little bit of green up on the shelf… how’d that red get in there? LOL… I haven’t come across anything to remake liners for these baskets yet.  As soon as I find the perfect piece of vintage-y look fabric, I’ll sew them up!

You may be wondering what that is that PSYCHO-DELIC GOODNESS on my drop-cloth cushion slips!?  I told you I wanted some color.  So I did a little bit of an experiment…but only on side.  I like having options.

Here is what I used:

• a yard stick
• FIVE sharpie markers, (black, blue, aqua, orange and lime 3pack)
• rubbing alcohol
• an eye dropper and
• an iron

I drew my lines in a pattern that I wanted… (first I tested this out on some scraps and I liked the pattern, so I just copied it!)

Then I squirted (with an eye dropper) the alcohol all along the lines and let the colors bleed out in a random fashion.  After it dried, which only took about an hour for the whole thing… I ironed each cushion to SET the color. Voi`la!

Cheerful, happy, bohemian… HIPPY COLOR!

**The best part about the whole thing?  We finally got the electrical hooked up to the camper,so… I did the coloring all right there inside the camper! I did the sewing inside… over the course of a couple of days.

Hope you like it!

Grace and Peace

 

** PS:  if you’re interested in seeing more photos of the camper I have an INSTAGRAM tab at the top and you can click #lilcamperthatcould

Nit Picky Details

We bought a $10 box of floor laminate that look like floor planks… and that is what we are using on the kitchen counter and table in the dinette (not pictured).

The Vent box has been the bane of our campering existance… seriously. We’ve had leak after leak.  Truly and HOT MESS. It looks bad right here, but take my word for it when I say …IT LOOKS GOOD Y’ALL!   THIS PRE PAINT… infact as of this writing it’s still no painted. But is leak free and there is a cover installed …photo to follow, soon.

Collage: Shows the vent framed and caulked. The Contact paper tres foil motif on the ceiling and under the back cabinet.  The new 12 volt light installed and new screens and cranks! (purchased at Ace Hardware…they have a pretty good camper section)

Close up of the screen and window crank… I just love this photo.

If you’d like to see more you can on my Instagram hastag lilcamperthatcould … so yeah! there is so much to see!  I mean if you can’t wait.   

 

Grace and Peace!

Back Posting some Progress…

These photos are from my Instagram feed and about 1 year ago…

I decided I better get some things posted to show some progress here and let everyone know that we haven’t quit… we are still not officially camping, but we haven’t quit!

Here goes… this is the back wall, you might have seen a few post back that had to be rebuilt and here it is.  I’m happy to say, LEAK-FREE and all trimmed and painted.

We (meaning Me) decided to put some color inside my camper!  This is the original back cabinet.  The aqua blue… is perfect for inside this all white space. You can also see the bed.  The back piece is two pieces that lift out for inside access if needed to the cargo hold.

 

Because we’ve NEVER SEEN  what the inside of our camper might have looked like in it’s original state. We looked at other similar trailers and decided to go with a simple shelf over the front dinette and windows. It is great for baskets and storage.

Our daughter bought this sign for the camper… and gave to The Honey and Me as a ‘CAMPER WARMING’ gift!  She thinks of everything! 

You can see the new glass here.. before we added the rock guard. (also a few posts back, our other daughter and her hubby bought replacement glass for the trailer) 

 

I don’t have very many pictures for some odd reason of the carpet and floor. I know I took some… but here it is.  This roll of carpet if I remember was about $17 (we bought two rolls) and it is made of recycled water bottles.  It looks pretty clean in this picture right after we put it down.  One year later… I’ll admit, I’m questioning this decision!

I’ll stop here on this update with everything to this point including the kitchen sink. We had put a funky sink in that I wasn’t crazy about. It took up too much space

 

** I usually close with a plea for information on our camper. If you have any or not and a link to my “Help I.D. our Camper” page.  I have good news! I’ve narrowed it down so much further since I last updated.  I’ll post more on that soon.

Til next time,

Grace and Peace

Tweaking the Closet with Panel Box and Trims--

 

We have been in limbo with this side of the camper. 

The biggest part of what you are seeing here will be seen from the door… well, maybe half. The other half, the breaker box will not bee seen. It will be enclosed within the closet.

Currently, Well it was a hot mess!

Previously,we pieced in small pieces mainly to hold the insulation up while we worked inside. Our thoughts were we’d come back and do a trimmed out board and batten look to this section.  It is also where the potty sits.

We still needed to work on the wiring before completion. The more we looked at it, the more we said, “Lets work on it next weekend.” 

‘Next weekend’ was this weekend. We took all that small paneling out of there! It’s gone! Then we replaced it with a much larger, whole piece; and went back with some trim over the seams.  It cleaned up nicely!

We also had to move the closet we were building. It houses the refrigerator and hopefully, the a/c when it’s all completed. Where did we move it you ask?  Just 4 inches to the right.  That outlet plug needs to be INSIDE THE CLOSET and not inside the potty area.

We added a door to the front, bottom section; the wheel well is under there and it will be extra storage. The left side of the closet was also closed in.

Now that is done, we can build the shelf for the A/C with a drain and a pan it needs to be vented outside via the vent you see in the top there (there is a vent behind the fridge,too). Also, this cabinet will be insulated. The compressors for both these units will throw off hot air; there’s no point in trying to cool hot air. Once it’s complete it will be a closed off unit.

I’ll be back to show you the bed/deck and carpeting we purchased to cover the floor and the deck for the mattress. This carpet is made from recycled water bottles. It will look great installed!

Grace and Peace!

Re-Building with some Salvaged Materials

Last week… we worked on the bed-frame…and the kitchen.  This little hutch is built from salvaged materials. 

The Lil’ Camper that Could has been donated lots of salvage perfect for this project!
Doors:  from my daughter house they re-did their kitchen 3 years ago before moving into their house.
Spindles: I  curb-shopped a demi-lune table a couple of years back.  The table has met it’s purposed and is now part of the camper!
Wall Panels:  paneling from the daughter’s home, flipped to the wrong side. (to be painted)
More panels:  Some of them weren’t salvageable as a whole… so we have been ripping them down to 2 inch strips for trim! (seen above/below along the seams)

We built an open shelf along the front. Also, installed new plugs and a breaker box… pictured below. 
The white vinyl panels are what we did NOT tear out. My plan is to cover the ceiling in a new vinyl contact paper that is decorative. But first, I washed these down last week… they were pretty grimy!  **See below for the before… very grimy!!! I will cover this after the painting is done.


We are still searching for DATE/ MAKE / MODEL of our Lil’Camper… I was told to check the breaker box.  We did…only found the serial number for the breaker box. Anyway… we were shopping for new breakers and a very knowledgeable older gentlemanly sales clerk told us that our breakers are an after market part now.  …AND VERY PRICEY.  $45!!! hold the phone! 
** an interesting note though, he shared that the breaker and the box that we have was from a company that closed in the early 70's (like 1970 or 1971) That means, my camper is probably a '60s model!   So...we're getting closer! 

Back to the breaker box-- 

We replaced it with a new box, breakers and a couple of new plugs for less than $45 Now… getting hubby’s brother to come wire it… or double check our wiring.

This patchwork wall… is going to be replaced with a solid piece from this pile…

crate wood!  My brother dropped off this load yesterday; and it will be perfect for some of the rebuild that is still left to do!
I’m using lots of salvaged and repurposed materials that are FREE-DOLLARS; however, I have been shopping.
Mostly inside pretties… chocolate, turquoise, some tangerine… It’s going to be pretty!
I can’t wait to start installation on that part!
Don’t forget to follow along with the progress… I post on Instagram from time to time or you can get Lil Camper That Could in your email
Thanks for coming along…
Grace and Peace.

The Dinette Rebuild Part 2–Do Over

 

The July 4th weekend we built dinette seats.  This weekend we REBUILT THEM!

I think I’ve already mentioned…WE’VE NEVER DONE THIS BEFORE!!!!

Sometimes, you just have to step back and say… DO OVER. That’s what we did with the dinette.   For the front end of the camper—there is supposed to be a dinette otherwise known as a BOOTH with a table in between the seats.  The table will drop down; and the  booth  and table becomes the whole bed. 

Sounds simple, right? 

Building it is a different story. Especially, with my very little skill (learning curve) and my Hubby with his stroke effected brain!

The seats are wider now and will accommodate seat and back cushions… and the expanse of space between them isn’t the gaping chasm is was before!

LESSON LEARNED.  

Be sure and check back in a few days, I’ll show you the kitchen counter, upper cabinets and the funky sink in it’s place… so you can get the real vision!

Grace and Peace

Framing Dinette-Potty Closet and Fridge

 

Last weekend we began framing areas for seating- to be converted to a bed if we have guests in our camper.  This will be the dinette.  In the front portion of the trailer.

This is the curb side seat for the dinette; and it’s to the right as you enter the door.

After we got both of these boxes built, from nothing… we’ve decided they are NOT large enough across the seat.  <---> Larger seats are needed to accommodate cushions and close the gap, for the bed conversion.  We’ll be modifying them THIS WEEKEND. Live and learn.

The view from the door from left to right… (this would be on the ROADSIDE wall).

The tall studs are part of the frame for the Refrigerator compartment and possibly A/C.   You can barely tell here;

 

but more so in the next picture…there is a VENT near the floor, we were originally going to put the A/C there… but have decided a 12 volt fan for exhaust in the potty closet will be better. It’s a port-o-potty, that will have to be removed and cleaned after a few uses. A Fan…is pretty much a necessity!

This is the potty closet being framed and the other dinette set.

The potty looks like it is SITTING ON plywood. Actually, there is a hole sawn into the ply-wood and it nests into that hole…keeping the seat stationary without any movement.

We’ve yet to paint or replace window screens, which have the frames and will account for window trim. No extra wood or cost there.

Before moving on to the curb-side kitchen build we still need to

• build boxes over the wheel wells
• Finish the framing for A/C compartment
• Finish the framing for the potty closet
• Add trim inside the closeted area along the joins.

I’ll share more later.  Please leave a comment and any tips you might have on camper rebuilding. Also.. I’ve added a page at the top  “HELP I.D. our Camper” with some details… if you’d take a look and let us know what kind of camper do you THINK WE HAVE? Thanks!

Grace and Peace!

Progress on Interior- Walls

 

Since owning the trailer…We’ve torn out most of the paneling; and any insulation that was missing or otherwise not useful… we replaced. We are using double thickness of styro-foam sheets… cut to fit in various places along the walls and ceiling.

The paneling is salvaged materials… turned inside out?!

It will be painted. (ignore the debris on the floor below, I had to tear out more old panels at the last minute)

The roof surprisingly, only needed one panel- this piece has been installed and trimmed, with paneling trim pieces ripped to 2 inches, from spare drop off panels.  We’re using all the salvaged materials, as much as possible. Again, once its painted it will have a more cohesive look to it. (fingers-crossed)

The roofing has a vinyl coating on it—but rather than rip it out, we I am researching a covering. Because, naturally, I’d like for the ceiling to all match. I’m hoping against all hope… that I don’t have to use decorative contact paper… heaven help us!  That does NOT sound fun does it?

If you came here from Corn in My Coffee-Pot… then you may have already seen our second hand Black and Decker fridge and FUNKY FIBER GLASS SINK!

Now that I have those two items… I can begin a layout for the interior, and make sure the holes are the right sizes for those pieces!

Grace and Peace!

Good Bones--

Since Saturday we have gotten quite a bit done. I have tons of pictures and trying to sort and organize them into sets suitable for posting! 

I think these pictures were taken on Monday (after 2 days of tear out and planning)

**You can read out the TEAR OUT here.**

This is the front wall and CS wall REBUILD.

 The bottom portion of the wall is built at an angle/slant -- we had to go back that way
1. because it looks cool
2. the outside skin is cut to fit that design
3. It looks cool!

 We had to reframe the window with 2x2's and a 2x4 going across underneath the window --You can see the new corner post --remember it was almost completely rotted away. After nailing the 2x2 and 2x4 together they that to be cut to accommodate the slanted front bottom portion and cut at the top to accommodate the rounded roof.

 this is just another view.  The ply wood on the floor is in the corner is just laying there.

 This is the outside view of the work we did. Underneath the aluminum sheathing that plywood is the full width  which is 48 inches-- It is positioned from the top portion of the window and comes down at a slight curve just below the aluminum and stops.

 This picture shows the small piece of plywood attached to make the angle design on the front of the trailer.

 Close up view of  front fastened plywood pieces.

This is the exterior CS wall where the side window goes. This sits just in front of the door. It hasn't been cut out for the window yet.

 Another view. 

 You can see Honey's hand-- he is cutting out for the window using the saws-all.

This is just a smidgen of the window you can see from the inside ; the framing is and ply wood has been started for the CS window.

We've used mostly new material. I think the plywood around the outside CS window was something we had-- but overall the project has only cost about $150.00 (and that was all gift cards from my birthday party) -Woot-woot!

Thanks for Reading-
Grace and Peace!