I mentioned recently that I was invited to participate in a blog hop being run by UK Publishers Stitch Craft Create to promote Vintage Caravan Magazine author Lisa Mora's new book, Vintage Caravan Style. I'm in great company - click here to check out all the other awesome blogs participating!
At the end of this post, there's a chance to win a copy of the book for yourself :)
At the end of this post, there's a chance to win a copy of the book for yourself :)
Accepting the invitation was a no-brainer for me - I absolutely love everything about vintage caravans. I shared here last week that I have one caravan renovation under my belt, and a burning desire to do another one!
The book is a great read, but to be honest, I'd buy it for the cover alone - I mean hello? Mint green, pastel pink and I? We are very close friends, as you will know if you've been here a while :)
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In the book Lisa shares her wealth of knowledge and experience on subjects such as finding your dream caravan, what to watch out for when buying a caravan, choosing a theme, choosing a colour scheme, decorating your caravan, taking a road trip, the on-site caravan, and the caravanning community. It's an easy book to read and a hard one to put down - I very much enjoyed reading it from cover to cover whilst lazing in the sun one afternoon over Easter weekend.
The book is packed to the brim with gorgeous pictures that had me dreaming and scheming, and just smiling. I know I'm a little obsessed with vintage caravans but how can you not smile when you see these?
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Having holidays, road trips or weekends away in a caravan is lots of fun, of course. But the decorating and styling of a caravan, well that totally sets my pulse racing, in a good way! A caravan is obviously a much smaller space to decorate than a whole house, and whilst some people might choose a neutrally decorated caravan, I think it is a space where you can afford to go a bit wild, try something different that you never would in your house. Decorate it in a way you secretly dream of decorating your house...if only you were brave enough. It's only paint and fabric, and the bonus is, in a caravan, you don't need much of it, so it's cheaper than redecorating your home. There are so many great and varied decor ideas included in the book, and Lisa sums it up well:
"there is no right or wrong way to style a vintage trailer (caravan) and no matter what theme you decide upon, you will find that your fellow vintage 'trailerites' are some of the most open-minded and accepting people you will ever have the pleasure of meeting. It is this acceptance of one's right to be individual that makes vintage trailer owners different from the owners of the all-white and shiny brand new models. So don't be afraid to go all out when it comes to personalizing your space".
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Caravans give you permission to get away with wackier decor choices than you can in a house - I wouldn't make curtains for my home using a duvet cover but I did for my last caravan. I wouldn't spray paint my house fridge pink or mint green but in a caravan - you bet I would! I gaze longingly at pastel pink kitchen cupboards on Pinterest but I wouldn't put them in my own home - I'd put them in a caravan in a heartbeat though.
What would be tacky in a house is cute in a caravan...I love that!
Lisa talks about bunting being a perfect finishing touch for your caravan. If you've been reading Restyled Vintage for any length of time, you'll know that I think bunting is the perfect finishing touch for absolutely anywhere, anytime :)
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Pom pom curtains in your house? I don't think so! In a caravan? Of course...why is that even a question? ;)
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Dinner dress code? Pink Cowgirl boots, of course :)
I love that vintage caravans remind us not to take ourselves, or life, too seriously.
There are so many things I love about vintage caravans and the way they are decorated, I'm not sure I can really put it all into words. It's a feeling, and I think if you love vintage caravans and all they stand for too, you will get it.
I've been given my own copy of Vintage Caravan Style to keep, and I've been given a second copy to give away to one of my readers...yay! To enter, please leave a comment on this blog post, telling me how you'd decorate your dream vintage caravan. Please ensure that I am able to contact you, ie. don't comment as 'anon' or 'no-reply'.
I need an email address to tell you if you've won!
The winner will be drawn at random and announced on the evening of Sunday 4th of May (Australian Eastern Standard Time). Competition is open to anyone worldwide.
Good luck!
*I was given a copy of Vintage Caravan Style in exchange for reviewing the book on my blog
* Pictures watermarked www.restyledvintage.com are mine. Non-watermarked pictures have been supplied to me by the book promoter for publication on my blog.
I'm really looking forward to following your adventure. Would love to come and have a look some time... Thanks, Amy (port mac)
ReplyDeleteI am the very proud owner of a lime green striped, 1970's viscount caravan, which our family just loves to go camping in! I have started to pretty her up with patchwork quilts, spotty curtains, and funky tablecloths, but would love some more inspiration from this beautiful book. Thanks for the chance to win, and happy caravaning to you. x
ReplyDeleteTurquoise and yellow for my '77 Millard! The outside is to me white with a big bright yellow stripe. As a family we play a game in the car called "Spotto", the first to spot a yellow vehicle yells out Spotto! So what better name for her than "Lil Miss Spotto' :) Thanks for the chance to win ! I am also making curtains out of Retro Teatowels , some with the years of our birth. I am raiding family drawers for them!
ReplyDeleteThis post makes me want to run right out and buy a caravan to refurbish. So many possibilities. I'd love to win a copy of this book.
ReplyDeleteWe recently bought a 1948 Rowvan bondwood caravan advertised in Vintage Caravan magazine. I am currently dressing it up and would LOVE a copy of Vintage Caravan style for some styling tips. I am basing my colour scheme on the original upholstery which is still in good condition. The upholstery cloth on one side has bright red, bright yellow, turquoise, black and grey and the back side are grey vinyl. So I am painting the cupboard doors turquoise, the ceiling is yellow, the curtains will be red, with red and yellow cushions, canisters and nick nacks and we will be laying a black and white check floor. We will paint the outside to match our Woolsley 4/44 which will tow it. Can't wait for it all to be finished!!! Robyn (Grafton)
ReplyDeleteHi Robyn, your caravan sounds awesome! I just drew your name out as the winner of a copy of the book, congratulations :) Please contact me with your address details so I can organise for your book to be sent out.
Deletethanks
Karen
Would so love to makeover a caravan but for now i will be happy to see you do your caravan makeover xx
ReplyDeleteWould so love to makeover a caravan but for now i will be happy to see you do your caravan makeover xx
ReplyDeleteBright shades of blue, multi-coloured crocheted rugs and cushions. An assortment of colourful vintage crockery. You're right, all the stuff I would love to have in our home but doesn't really go as well.
ReplyDeleteThe pictures are all just lovely. So cool that your taste is so similar to what is seen in the book! I would love to decorate a vintage caravan and turquoise and white would be my main colours. I love the pom pom curtain idea and would certainly incorporate bunting (we made bunting to go all around the dance pavillion from the 1920's on our cottage street. We use it for family days, golf tournaments, etc. to up the excitement). Loved your caravan and can't wait to see the reno if you get another.
ReplyDeleteI would decorate in soft pastels with a few bright pops of color. I loved looking at these pics and would love to have a copy of the book!
ReplyDeleteI would do mine with lots of vintage and bright colors!
ReplyDeleteIt's been a dream of mine for a long time to restore a tiny vintage caravan. I searched for 18 months before finding the appropriate van for my capabilities. A 1977 10 foot Millard, in very sturdy condition just waiting for a new life! Her name is "April Rose". April for my Birthday month and Rose because I'm a Florist. It's amazing how much pleasure and satisfaction can come from a restoration project. I love, love, love flower and caravan books, probably because they are loaded with beautiful pictures. I would love to be the recipient of Lisa's book x
ReplyDeleteI never knew that caravans could be so beautiful!! I've shared this post with a friend of mine who has an 1950s caravan that he & his wife pull using their FJ Holden. I'd love to receive this book as I would pass it on to my friend. :)
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