Alas, the summer season is at an end. The children are back to school and the days are a little less bright, a little less warm, every day from here on in. If, like me, summer is your favourite time of year, this change of season can bring with it quite a heavy realisation that any excursions from here on in will be wet and cold.
There are many fair weather campers out there, but before you haul the cover over your home away from home, take the time to assess your caravan interiors, or motor home interiors; notice any splits, tears, rips and worn patches, and do the work now. Throw out the tattered bags and broken plates – replacing them can be a wonderful distraction when the rain is falling! Think of the off-season bargains you will bag, and time you’ll save in the new season if you do it NOW!
A huge trend at the moment is Caravan shabby Chic, which is amazing, as it doesn’t have to cost a fortune! A lot of the general aesthetics can be achieved by DIY; a quick paint here, a patchwork there, and you’re on your way to having the chic haven you have always wanted. The wonderful part of caravan shabby chic, is that it can still incorporate all your favourite things. If your cupboards are looking worse for wear, or you are just tired of the same faux wood finish, there are several options to revamp your caravan interiors, but my favourite way is to paint them. There are so many colours to choose from, but if you want a true shabby chic look, you need two complimenting colours. Try and pick two colours that reflect in the rest of your intended interior. A simple colour combination example is grey and blue. Once you have picked your two paint colours, you are ready to get creative!
First of all, it’s important to remove all knobs and handles, as it gives a much nicer overall finish than trying to paint around them! Use masking tape for any bits you don’t want to get paint on (hinges and glass) and it is probably an idea to put a sheet down underneath, as exuberance with paint can lead to splashes!! Wash down the surface you want to paint with a sugar soap solution or strong detergent to remove grease and create a smooth surface ready to paint. It is easier to buy special cupboard paint, as you don’t need to prime the surface or worry about with the cupboard is actually surfaced with! Apply your first colour - use a small roller for a smooth finish. Once it’s dry, give it a gentle rub with sandpaper and apply your next colour. To get the caravan shabby chic look, use a fine grain sandpaper to firmly rub over the surface where a cupboard door would normally wear (edges and coving) this should result in a shabby chic two-tone effect. Make sure you don’t get too enthusiastic with the sandpaper and rub back to the original surface!
When you are happy with the finish, remove all the tape and pop the knobs and handles back on. Voila, beautiful new bespoke cupboards!
Once you have your beautiful new cupboards, its time to accessorize! Cath Kidston, the renowned home ware designer, is a huge champion of
Caravan Shabby Chic, with specific ranges geared towards venturing outdoors.
Streamline your caravan interiors with beautiful storage options, or chic up the kitchen sides of your motorhome interiors with beautiful storm lanterns and crockery. Another stunning way to add a little personality to your home ware is to visit charity shops and pick up fragments of old dinner sets. Mixing china patterns together, contrasting cups and saucers, gives an beautifully eclectic service that is simple to add to, and it does make it much easier to replace items that get broken along the way!
Replacing curtains can be tricky, but if yours are in good condition, why not replace the boring tiebacks? You will be surprised what a difference it can make: your motorhome interiors will look so much tidier when your curtains are contained! A simple way to do this is to tie back with
charm bracelets you can have fun with hiding little trinkets throughout your interior, making an area brim with whimsical curiosity.
Simple ideas are usually the best. It only takes a little thought to accent an area. Add some themed
scatter cushions to your motorhome interiors or hang up an
apron to soften up any harsh lines within the caravan interiors
