Whether you need a mobile office or just want to hit the road in style, the allure of Airstreams is undeniable. For design enthusiasts looking for something more custom, retrofitting a vintage model can be an exhilarating project. Not up to doing it yourself, or need a bolt of inspiration? Here are seven of our favorite studios that specialize in remodeling Airstreams, turning their labors of love into full-time businesses.
Colorado Caravan
Exterior, Airstream Building Type, Metal Siding Material, Curved RoofLine, and Metal Roof Material The couple found this 1969 Globetrotter through a Craigslist ad. The couple found this 1969 Globetrotter through a Craigslist ad.
Patrick Neely and Kerri Cole are the husband-and-wife team behind Colorado Caravan, a Denver studio that renovates caravans, containers, and Airstreams. Neely, who used to flip houses and fix up vintage cars, does the build, while Cole designs and styles. They got their start with a 1969 Globetrotter named Bonnie that they renovated for $19,180.
“Most of the phone calls we get aren’t for travel,” Neely tells Dwell. “People call wanting a mobile nail salon, or something they can park at businesses. These trailers are so iconic that you can do anything with them. They are a great structure—easy to move and very designable.”
In the eating area of a 1966 Airstream Safari, “a custom table for two provides not only an eating space but also a deep bench to hang out on and watch the TV that is mounted on the opposite wall,” explains Cole. The bench is upholstered with a faux leather, helping ensure any spills are easy to clean up.
Silver Bullet Trailers
The Kugelschiff is a vintage Airstream Bambi II with interiors that were designed by Robert Edmonds of Edmonds + Lee Architects; the build-out was handled by Sergey Shevchuk of Silver Bullet Trailers.
The Kugelschiff is a vintage Airstream Bambi II with interiors that were designed by Robert Edmonds of Edmonds + Lee Architects; the build-out was handled by Sergey Shevchuk of Silver Bullet Trailers.
Office, Chair, and Desk Client Jeff Kleck needed a mobile live/work space in 80 square feet, so the living components were seamlessly integrated with the workspace features. The desktop can be lowered to be converted to a bed platform, while the refrigerator is concealed behind the white ash cabinetry.
Steady Streamin’ Cashios
Exterior, Airstream Building Type, Curved RoofLine, Metal Roof Material, and Metal Siding Material This thirty-foot 1978 Airstream Argosy dubbed “Mae” received a full interior revamp, while the charming vintage exterior was kept.
This thirty-foot 1978 Airstream Argosy dubbed “Mae” received a full interior revamp, while the charming vintage exterior was kept.
“Our favorite aspect is the challenge of being able to fit everything needed for full-time living within the limited space that’s available,” says Zachary and Colleen Cashio of their work renovating Airstreams in North Central Arkansas. “Being able to make something functional for each set of clients is different, and they each have their own set of challenges, but in the end when you see the smile on their faces, it makes it all worth it.”
The couple live in a 1972 Airstream Sovereign they spruced up for $23,000 with their two sons, Ezra and Harvey, and their Australian shepherd Luna.
Kate Oliver
Whether overhauling a tiny, 98-square-foot Caraval or something a bit bigger, like a 200-square-foot Airstream that evokes a Parisian apartment, inspiration is never in short supply when it comes to Modern Caravan.
Run by self-taught renovators Kate Oliver (design) and wife Ellen Prasse (build), the company is well-known for both their craftsmanship and signature, pared-back schemes. “I tend to keep materials very minimal, and only use one to three main materials throughout the space,” says Oliver. (Look for Oliver’s book on caravan living in spring of 2021.)
These are some of the best Airstream interior remodeling companies.
