She’s finished. And I’ve been waiting a long time to show you every bit of this project. If you’ve followed along, you know this little Airstream has been years in the making. It all started with a dream I’d had forever, evidenced by endless Pinterest saves. Then came along a Facebook Marketplace listing for a vintage 1967 Airstream. Carter and I just said “let’s do it” and picked her up the next day. No plan, no real idea what we were getting into. We figured it would be one more DIY project… Yet it turned into the biggest one we’ve ever taken on. There were setbacks, redos, and more than a few moments we wondered what we’d done. But today isn’t about that. Today is the tour. So come on in!
From the start, I wanted her to feel like she was built today, but the second you step inside, you’re back in 1968. That meant pulling patterns and colors I love from the late 60s/early 70s and pairing them with clean, modern design and the functionality of new craftsmanship. Not a museum piece. Not a gut job that erased her history. Somewhere right in the middle, where the old and the new make each other look even better.
Speaking of the old, here’s a shot of where she started.
Steal this idea: If you love a vintage era, you don’t have to commit to all of it. Pick the parts that make you happiest (a pattern, a color, a shape) and let modern basics do the rest.
Where Comfort Meets Vintage Charm
The living area is the first space you see as you walk into the airstream, so I felt it was really important to nail our vision for the design right here. And that all started with striking a perfect balance between her late 60s roots and more contemporary design choices. With such a small footprint to work with, every choice needed to serve a purpose without making the space feel crowded.
We built this open concept, U-shaped couch that feels so inviting and conversational in a fluted-wood, walnut tone that you’ll see again throughout the Airstream. The showstopper here is the bold 70s-inspired fabric, which I just fell in love with the moment I saw it. That nostalgic era leans pretty masculine, so I finished the couch cushions with a delicate pink piping. It’s a small detail, but it softens the whole space and makes it feel like us.
BRASS SCONCES | RUG | WOODEN OUTLET COVERS
Steal this idea: A bold pattern doesn’t need competition. Give it one spot to shine, then add one soft, unexpected detail (like the contrast piping or trim) to make it yours.
Our airstream kitchen design
Designing a kitchen in an Airstream comes with its own set of challenges, especially when you’re trying to fit smart storage, a few can’t-live-without-appliances, ample counter space, and of course, good design. We wanted ours to feel bright and open while still leaning into her 60s/70s heritage, and without giving up the functionality a kitchen needs.
The little details really make this space. We chose to continue the same dark shade of wood in our custom cabinets to keep the space grounded. Countertops were finished in a terrazzo slab in an earthy tone that gives a modern-retro twist. A small section of tile backsplash adds another layer of clean texture to round out the kitchen, with a bold walnut trim. And for my favorite feature in here, I am so in love with this green sink we chose. Its pistachio color gives a nod to the ’70s and adds just the right amount of vintage character without feeling over the top.
WAVE COAT HOOK | OUR PLACE TOASTER OVEN | RUNNER RUG | REEDED GLASS FILM| WALNUT OUTLET COVER
Steal this idea: Don’t be afraid to bring in a little color, especially in a small kitchen! A fun and unexpected detail can add tons of personality without overwhelming the space. Sometimes it’s those unexpected touches that make a design feel special.
fun details win in a small bathroom
A bathroom this size requires a lot of thought. We had to carefully consider the split layout while including all the elements we wanted like the shower, sink, toilet, and storage space. All while still creating a space that felt like it belonged with the rest of the design. We chose this really fun green and white tile pattern in the shower paired with a pink trim detail and I’m obsessed with how it all came together.
One detail that really makes this space for me is all of the storage we were able to fit with custom cabinetry and a wooden vanity. It gives us ample space to organize clutter in some rattan baskets, stash towels, and also tons of bathroom counter space in the same terrazzo finish from the kitchen.
Steal this idea: When working with a small bathroom, don’t feel like you have to sacrifice style for function. Choose a few thoughtful finishes or vintage-inspired details that make the space feel special, and let those elements do the talking. A great example of this is our gorgeous apothecary cabinet and wooden mirror cabinet that you can check out in our Bungalow bathroom.
Creating a Cozy Retreat
We wanted the bedroom to feel like like a serene and comfortable escape. We were able to custom build a really great sized mattress that lends tons of hidden storage space underneath. I’m crazy about the perfect cotton sheets I found for this space and how the floral design brings the beauty of camping, indoors. We then paired these smaller cushions in a really fun plaid fabric to provide a little extra leg room.
Just alongside our bed, we added more custom storage with a closet and drawers. It’s the perfect size for us to pack the essentials for easy access. We kept everything connected by bringing that fluted wood design back here with some beautiful drawer pulls. The result is a space that feels consistent with our 60s and 70s inspiration in a clean design. I’m so excited about the perfect wallpaper I found to add on this wall that brings in a little bit of classical style in to round everything out.
Steal this idea: When designing a small bedroom, focus on creating a cozy, layered feel rather than filling the space with too much decor. For this, I like to lean on the bedding: mixing soft textiles, darker grounding tones, and a few unexpected patterns can make even the tiniest bedroom feel like a welcoming retreat.
Keeping Our Vintage Airstream exterior Original
We always planned to keep the exterior of the Airstream original to pay homage to her roots. This came with about 30 to 40 hours of polishing to bring back that beautiful reflection. Not too long after we’re starting to see some oxidation but think it adds to the character and gives some charm.
Looking back at the entire renovation, one of my favorite things about the finished Airstream is how we found the perfect balance between today, and her vintage heritage. We focused on layering grounding wood, fun pops of color and texture, plus a few personal touches that bring a sense of home while we’re on the road. It was definitely a longer and more complicated journey than we ever imagined, but we’re so happy with how it turned out. I can’t wait for all the memories we’ll make in this little home on wheels!
Shop the Airstream
LIVING AREA
KITCHEN
BEDROOM
BATHROOM
DECOR AND DETAILS
