We debuted our 1956 Duro Scotsman travel trailer (aka camper) at the Brandywine View Fall Fling Tent Sale last weekend.
I should've charged admission - I would be RICH! So many people took a peek inside. I enjoyed telling the story of Chris and Doug traveling to Michigan to pick up the camper after we won it on eBay. They ended up stopping at the NFL Hall of Fame and the Soaring Eagle Casino, so the trip wasn't exactly torture for them. I was just glad they made it home alive - it was pretty risky to test out the new hitch on our minivan by driving 700 miles with a vintage camper that you'd never seen before. Two days before a hurricane was forecasted to hit.
Here is the dinette area, which folds down into a twin-size bed. Don't you love the camper-themed fabric on the curtains & pillows? I'm not usually a fan of "themed" fabric, but it has all of my favorite colors and matches the exterior paint colors.
And, yes, that's a flat screen TV. That was not a prerequisite when we were searching for campers, but it definitely will help on rainy days when we are camping with the kids.
Here's the gaucho (that's camper-speak for "couch") in the back. It folds down into a bed.
I'm not fond of the fabric, so I covered it in one of my vintage crazy quilts. I'll eventually re-cover the gaucho and the dinette benches.
The previous owner covered the drawer and cabinet fronts in a few different fabrics that I'd like to change out. I'd like to find a few fun patterns that complement the camper-themed fabric.
The camper has a new fridge and mini microwave, but the propane Princess stove is original.
The floor is also original:
The previous owner did a really nice job of restoring the camper. He replaced all of the walls with new birch panels, and he covered the ceiling in wallpaper that he painted with copper paint. There is also copper-colored tin backsplash in the sink area.
I'd like to re-paint all the copper eventually. And the birch walls. Is that wrong? I know the die hard vintage-camper-lovers are very much against painting the birch walls. I just love the look of a white interior - it makes the camper seem a tiny bit bigger (if that is possible).
The most-asked question at the Tent Sale was, "Are you really going to use it for camping?" The answer is yes. Chris and Maeve have already slept in it once (in the driveway). And we had an impromptu trailer trash party with some neighbors one night, when we plugged it into our house with an extension cord and sat around in folding chairs on our sidewalk and drank beer. But we are actually planning to go to a real campground in a few weeks to celebrate Finn's 9th birthday.
We picked this camper because all of the hard work was already done by the previous owner. The only thing we need to do it a little redecorating. I've been obsessed with Pinterest lately - I created a board of Vintage Camper Inspiration. I would love to hear from you about the changes that you would make. Do you have any paint or fabric ideas? I haven't made any decisions yet, so I am open to all of your fabulous ideas!
UPDATED: If you are looking for your own camper, I wrote a post with details on how you can search for one!
absolutly love this (: and im with you on the answer the queston, are you really going to use this for camping .. my answer would absolutly be YES! im such a huge fan of your ideas and creativity! Thanks so much for sharing for us all to enjoy!
Posted by: April Raulerson | September 16, 2011 at 01:06 PM
btw- i think the green wall paper thats on this website would look pretty awesome with some more colors to cordinate, just a suggestion!
Posted by: April Raulerson | September 16, 2011 at 01:07 PM
Ed would jump off a bridge if i made him sleep in one of these. too bad b/c it looks like it would be fun.
Posted by: Chrissy P | September 16, 2011 at 01:25 PM
That is one cool camper.
Posted by: sandy | September 16, 2011 at 02:15 PM
It's swell. Love that linoleum.
Posted by: Mary | September 16, 2011 at 02:46 PM
It's to die for fabulous. That floor is killer and that would be my inspiration for colors. I hear ya about the white paint, I love to paint everything but for some reason I'm diggin' the birch.
Posted by: georgiapeachez | September 17, 2011 at 05:56 AM
Love it! I have a 1956 Trotwood Cub and am still trying to finish the restoration (not completely original). On the subject of painting, of course it is an individual choice and I have seen some beautifully painted interiors in some of the vintage campers, but I spent almost a year removing the M & M yellow and green paint the previous owners put in my Cub and so I will never, ever paint my birchwood! :) However, I do understand needing to brighten up the small space.
Thanks for sharing! You have reawaken my interest in mine!
Posted by: Gina | September 17, 2011 at 09:12 AM
I want that. I would've paid the admission you should've charged!
Posted by: Just Enjoy Yourself | September 19, 2011 at 08:56 PM
How adorable! I love the linoleum especially.
Posted by: Mitzi Curi | September 21, 2011 at 05:54 AM
OMG this is the cutest house on wheels ever! I agree with georgiapechez about the floor -- a great starting point for color/fabric choices. Personally, I think you should paint whatever you want including the birch and copper if you're so inclined -- I guess it all depends if you're going for a restoration or redecoration. That stove is adorable btw.
Posted by: Into Vintage | September 21, 2011 at 06:59 PM
Amazing, if the devil is in the details, then this is a devilishly divine 'creation'.
Posted by: Annie/Helen Hartman | September 22, 2011 at 09:24 AM
I love your camper!!! I dream of a turquoise and white one just like that:):)
ps.....i'm having a little give-away on my blog. Stop on by if you get the chance:)
Posted by: Simple Daisy | September 25, 2011 at 08:46 AM
I absolutely LOVE your Scotsman! SO cute and quaint!
Posted by: Constance | September 29, 2011 at 08:43 AM
Your trailer is cute as a button! I have a '61 Shasta a guy GAVE me- it was all trashy in his backyard here in South Jersey. We did a reno. Want to have a trailer meet-up? I can never find any groups on the east coast....
Posted by: Sharon Dempsey | October 24, 2011 at 08:14 PM
Ahh you have it. Bad.
Aluminitis.
There is no cure. :)
You should come hang out with us at The Loyal Order of the Glamper. Those folks have tons of info and ideas on cute, fixed-up vintage campers. http://www.facebook.com/groups/loyalglamper/
Posted by: Alana | November 07, 2011 at 10:06 PM
Hi, we have a Scotsman as well and am trying to find the weight info for renovation purposes. Any information you have will be very helpful! Thank you.
Posted by: Kasey | November 30, 2011 at 12:25 PM
I can literally live on that vehicle. I believe they are also late models autos.
Posted by: classic restoration | December 19, 2011 at 09:00 AM
This is real vintage! I can literally live in that.
Posted by: classic restoration | December 19, 2011 at 09:02 AM
I love the vintage vibe of this li'l RV trailer!! Green is one of my favorite colors, and you did well in matching it with the woody interior. How's business now? You've probably earned many customers in many places. Good luck!
Posted by: Tia Oshields | December 27, 2011 at 12:36 PM
Luv your scotsman.... I've had mine for 3 years now... They are awesome to camp in..... Nice and cozy. I have a "64" scotsman that I hope to restore someday when I get the time and extra $$'s to do so... Man, I can't wait... Have you seen the scotsman on youtube? It's a nice one also ...It's for sale too unless somebody purchased it already as the video was shot in April 2010 ... It is also a "64".. Anyway good luck with her and take her out in the woods soon... She's beg'n ya too...
Posted by: Mark | January 14, 2012 at 06:57 PM
Absolutely adorable! The floor in yours is very similar to what's in our 56 Southland Runabout.
I've used our 61 Compact to peddle vintage wares out a local show here. It's fun as it seems to draw people in and I really enjoy chatting with them about the whole vintage trailer movement (:
Kelle
http://www.LittleVintageTrailer.com
Posted by: A Facebook User | April 17, 2012 at 10:03 PM
I Love your camper!
Posted by: Jill Davis | August 25, 2012 at 08:12 PM
Thanks for the tips. We are about to have Lucy's 4th birthday. Lucy said, Mummy, i would like a cake with flowres, lady beetles a pony and dolly's on it ! Another cute idea is: Spotlight sell cheapie Pinatas, fill them with lollies and smash away.Happy Birthday to Olive.
Posted by: Panu | September 17, 2012 at 01:31 AM
I am thinking about an aoeorntfn tea for my upcoming graduation party so will definately be inspired by these pictures! As I am graduating from a science degree I am thinking about infusing it with a few of the elements (yes, pun intended!) think vintage lab glassware as vases and some adorable science-themed cupcake toppers I saw on Etsy.
Posted by: Silvia | September 17, 2012 at 02:21 AM
Nice Scotsman. My scotsman is also a 1956 model, but has very different interior. Windows are fewer and old style. My stove is not the Princess stove but an older looking model, crude and plain. Kitchen counter area is smaller and confined by a wall on both ends. Your Scotsman looks more like a late 50s (1958 or 59?) model to me, could be wrong. Maybe mine is older or a different model than 1956??
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