Posts
So, the leaves are turning, another summer is over, so we begin the next set of renovation work.
During the summer, the roof was repaired – some parts had to be replaced completely due to the extent of the rot that was causing the roof to sink. We have now repaired this fully, using marine ply covered in swathing, puttied, and water-proofed. Our first test of how water tight the roof now was came at the van’s first outing at a classic car show on the weekend of the 8th August – it rained cats and dogs the night we towed it to the grounds, and yet on arrival the following morning, all the water we found leaking in was from a small gap where one of the skylights no longer fits properly due to the repairing and slight re-shaping of the roof. So, new skylights will now have to be made, but all in all, an apparent success on the roof front!
After the repair of the roof, we removed a lot of the old lacquer from the sides and front of the van which had cracked and was flaking off, and re-painted with a matt gloss. Many parts needed touching up with paint, which we took great care with – the whole idea was to faithfully restore it in an antiquated condition, and at all costs not to make any of it appear new.
The last piece of work carried out in time for the show was the repainting of the interior roof; the old cream colour it had previously been painted had turned what I would call a nicotine colour with patches of faint mould. This was painted over with a fresh ivory, and instantly brightened the interior without detracting from the aged feel we wanted to keep.
Many tasks wait for us ahead during the winter months; we are in the process of making a fold down table (the one that was originally in the caravan was long gone by the time we acquired it); the floor need to be sanded and varnished, the skylights need to be re-made; a new lock needs to be fitted on the double windows at the front and also on the bottom door; the steps need to be repaired; and the porch also needs attention as some of it is bending slightly when stood on. Last but not least, before next season is upon us, the soft furnishings need to be selected. This is where the interior design comes in!
I have selected some material which will potentially be made up as a long door-length curtain to be drawn across the front door/windows, and new net curtains also need to be sought.
The two pieces of material above are both ideas for now - the second piece is a sample of my favourite so far. I adore stripes, and I think these will really go well with the garnet colour of the upholstery in the caravan and the dark wood/ivory interior. Typical of me, I have chosen the one piece that is only available from the States. But it is so fitting, and so once we can be sure that everything coordinates, a few yards of this will hopefully be winging it’s way to us across the pond!
During the summer, the roof was repaired – some parts had to be replaced completely due to the extent of the rot that was causing the roof to sink. We have now repaired this fully, using marine ply covered in swathing, puttied, and water-proofed. Our first test of how water tight the roof now was came at the van’s first outing at a classic car show on the weekend of the 8th August – it rained cats and dogs the night we towed it to the grounds, and yet on arrival the following morning, all the water we found leaking in was from a small gap where one of the skylights no longer fits properly due to the repairing and slight re-shaping of the roof. So, new skylights will now have to be made, but all in all, an apparent success on the roof front!
After the repair of the roof, we removed a lot of the old lacquer from the sides and front of the van which had cracked and was flaking off, and re-painted with a matt gloss. Many parts needed touching up with paint, which we took great care with – the whole idea was to faithfully restore it in an antiquated condition, and at all costs not to make any of it appear new.
The last piece of work carried out in time for the show was the repainting of the interior roof; the old cream colour it had previously been painted had turned what I would call a nicotine colour with patches of faint mould. This was painted over with a fresh ivory, and instantly brightened the interior without detracting from the aged feel we wanted to keep.
Many tasks wait for us ahead during the winter months; we are in the process of making a fold down table (the one that was originally in the caravan was long gone by the time we acquired it); the floor need to be sanded and varnished, the skylights need to be re-made; a new lock needs to be fitted on the double windows at the front and also on the bottom door; the steps need to be repaired; and the porch also needs attention as some of it is bending slightly when stood on. Last but not least, before next season is upon us, the soft furnishings need to be selected. This is where the interior design comes in!
I have selected some material which will potentially be made up as a long door-length curtain to be drawn across the front door/windows, and new net curtains also need to be sought.
The two pieces of material above are both ideas for now - the second piece is a sample of my favourite so far. I adore stripes, and I think these will really go well with the garnet colour of the upholstery in the caravan and the dark wood/ivory interior. Typical of me, I have chosen the one piece that is only available from the States. But it is so fitting, and so once we can be sure that everything coordinates, a few yards of this will hopefully be winging it’s way to us across the pond!
