Our 1978 Airstream Sovereign Land Yacht Remodel: The Interior Tour

Airstream Remodel

Airstream RemodelYesterday I showed you all the before and after shots of the Airstream, well, today I want to show you a few glamour shots. We live in the Airstream full-time, so not only did I want the Airstream remodel to be functional, but I also wanted it to feel warm and cozy. (Even in the winter, when it isn’t so warm!) We had a tight budget, so we built most of our furniture. We bought very little for the Airstream, instead we used the things that we already owned.

In the shots above you can see our copious amount of handmade pillows. One of my favorite things to do in the Airstream is curl up in the queen-size bed and watch a movie.

Airstream Remodel

Airstream RemodelGeorge does all of his art work from the trailer, so we knew it was important for him to have his own space to work and conduct all his business. 

Airstream Kitchen RemodelAirstream Kitchen and Sitting Area Remodel

Fiestaware in the Airstream copy

Although the kitchen is small, I’ve managed to squeeze out some killer meals in there. Sometimes when the space is feeling too cramped or hot to cook, we’ll go outside and cook right over the fire— camp style.

Airstream Bench Remodel Airstream bench remodelThere for a while, the bench was something we didn’t use much. But since George built me a mini-desk, I’ve been sitting (and napping!) on it constantly. Again, it’s got plenty of homemade pillows and we covered the bench cushion in vintage fabric.

Custom Drawers and Shelves in an Airstream remodelRecords in an Airstream Pictures in the Airstream Record player in an AirstreamWhen we first designed our the Airstream, I had grand dreams of open shelving. We had open shelving for a few months until I just couldn’t stand the clutter anymore! I’m a minimalist and I love a clean space, but George is an artist and needs a lot of stuff for his business, so we decided to compromise and build drawers from reclaimed barn wood to hide our junk.

Bathroom in an Airstream remodeled Bathroom in an Airstream remodeledI like to think that I’m not prissy, but I couldn’t live with a composting or camper-style toilet. Just couldn’t do it. That’s where I draw the line. But since we are parked and hooked up to a septic system, a real toilet wasn’t a problem. Thank god.

What do you think of our little home? Let me know in the comments!

love,
melanie

56 thoughts on “Our 1978 Airstream Sovereign Land Yacht Remodel: The Interior Tour”

  1. Mallorie

    I’m loving this little tour! It’s neat to see it all as a whole finally 🙂 And you guys did such an awesome job. I don’t know if anyone else is having this issue but your pictures aren’t showing up in the post.. I have to click on a little icon to open them. Maybe it’s just my computer though..

    1. melanie Post author

      Thank you. It works on my computer, but I know the pictures are large, so it may be a load time issue. I uploaded them again. Sometimes that helps. Let me know if that fixed the issue.

  2. lourab33

    Wow Melanie! I love it all. So much style packed in such a tiny space! Have you contributed to apartmenttherapy.com at all? They did an airstream roundup not long ago and I was looking for your old (lovely) girl there 😉

    1. melanie Post author

      Loura, that is super nice. I’ve submitted my photos to some bigger websites, but I didn’t hear back. I’m so honored that you think the Airstream is Apartment Therapy worthy!

      1. Deb

        We just purchased this same rig. What paint d I’d you use on the cabinets and walls.

  4. eva

    So awesome – i think THIS is living the dream. So much freedom – way to go you guys for having the guts 🙂

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  7. Phall0106

    I love this–it’s too cute! Did you do any additional insulating of the walls? How was your first winter?

    1. melanie Post author

      Not of the walls. We did additional under the bed, the bench and the record shelves. It was a little cold. I wrote about it in some past posts.

  8. Terrie jordan

    Love your airstream. Fortunate to have a place to put it, and to have the hook ups. Great style for small living, and on a tight budget. I think that for every one or couple who plunge into small living, there are a hundred folks that wish to do it someday. I’m in that category, but for a winter getaway to warmer climate rather than permanent housing. Great job!

  9. Raissomat

    It looks all very beautiful!! So is this a temporary solution or do you plan on living small for a long time? What is it you miss the most right now? Is there a shower? Your fridge/freezer is way bigger than ours, and we live in a small apartment!! 😀

    1. melanie Post author

      Thank you! We plan on living in the Airstream until we can save enough money to buy or build a small home. So, I see us living small for the rest of our lives. There is a shower. I miss a dishwasher most. I wonder if our fridge just looks bigger– it’s actually 3/4 size.

  10. Amanda

    Hi Melanie! I’m now addicted to your blog after seeing your AT house tour.

    Random question: I love your yellow kettle, where did you get it? Thanks!

    1. melanie Post author

      Amanda, glad to hear! And I bought it a while ago, but it looks like Target still carries it! So you are in luck. You can find it here:

  12. Bekah

    Wow! how cool! I just found this blog but I am loving it already. My dream is to live in an airstream, so this is so encouraging. Gotta keep saving the mula, and it will happen someday. 🙂

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  14. lynette

    Really enjoyed your posts, very informative. My husband and I have been trying to figure out how to downsize and simplify but the hiccup has always been that I too am an artist and requires quite a bit of space (I’m a pastelist and mixed mediA artist), I’m with you on the composting toilet. You have a lovely home.

  15. Dawn

    Omg I love it!! So inspiring! I am moving towards buying an airstream here in Washington. It’s a pipe dream that always seemed too far…but the more stories I read that are similar to yours, it seems very doable in the near future 🙂

  16. Jessica

    You guys did a great job! I love how bright it is. My husband and I are in the research phase right now. We are hoping to be all moved into our airstream by next spring. Any suggestions? We want to live as small as possible so we can live as big as our dreams!

  18. Kelly & Suzanne Faulkenberg

    Melanie, I am very curious about the toilet installation, We have a side bath 31′ excella and I would like to know if all you had to do was bolt it the house toilet down where the old thetford was or did you have to plumb it thru ” cut a hole in” your black water tank. My wife really wants a set up like yours. Please let us know…… Thanks so much Kelly & Suzanne

    I read the bathroom remodel on your site but couldn’t figure out the plumbing completely.

      1. kelandsuz

        We are removing the horrible red horsehair couch. Which of your blogs informs we readers of the kind of insulation you used under your bench/bed? Thanks in advance!

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  22. Mike Fio

    Well Melanie it seems you and George really know what life is all about. My girl and I live in Charleston and have a Class C. We are going to try and take that thing out as much as possible. It’s always been my dream to live like you do at least for a few months out of the year. I will continue to follow you guys and if I see a link on here for a Iron Skillet I’m clicking. 🙂
    Thanks for bringing back memories of my cabin. All the best to you two.

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  26. Deborah J Thomas

    Thank you so much Melanie for sharing your venture with the Airstream. It has been so helpful for me. See…I am walking away for a high stress job after 22 years to give up everything big in this world and live in my Airstream completely debt free. I have other income so I am prepared for the $ change but I just couldn’t see where to put my couch. I have a 31′ Airstream yacht that is currently in the remodel phase. However, I have to ask–where is your tv? Again, thank you for sharing and I hope you and George are still as happy as the last posting I read on this site. Respectfully—Deborah

  27. BB

    Thank you so much for documenting your adventure! My partner and I are contemplating an Airstream life, and this is SO helpful in making the decision. Thank you, thank you!

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