Caravan renovation from 1981 - Glamper Edition #8
Stepping through the door of the old caravan "old bones" feels like stepping into a bygone era of coziness and warmth. The soft wood grain of the walls, with a touch of patina, exudes a timeless comfort. Anja and Marco's beloved refuge, a Middendorf Eriba Taiga from 1981 , tells a story of countless adventures and cozy camping evenings.
It is this caravan that captured the hearts of Anja and Marco when they acquired it in 2019. Although the years had left their mark, the basic structure was solid and full of potential. Under Marco's skilled hands and Anja's creative vision, the caravan slowly but surely began to come to life again.
The 40 years that the caravan had experienced were clearly visible, but they also told a story. It was this story that inspired Anja and Marco to restore and beautify every aspect of their beloved caravan with care and dedication.
So began the caravan renovation of this "old bone" into a true treasure. Every detail was lovingly restored and redesigned to create a harmonious connection between past and present. From the handcrafted wooden furniture to the carefully selected decorative pieces, every corner of the caravan reflects the unique personality and style of Anja and Marco.
In the end, we never planned on putting in so much work, but we love every single change. We particularly like the sunroof that Marco's mother sewed to measure. We think it looks great and goes really well with the retro caravan.
What was the vision for the caravan renovation?
When Anja and Marco bought their caravan, they didn't have a clear idea of what it should look like. Marco just had the idea that the caravan would have to be made brighter with the upcoming caravan renovation. That's why they now regret that they don't have any high-quality "before" pictures. If they had known back then what an impressive development their "old bone" would go through, they would undoubtedly have taken the appropriate photos.
So they decided to start their new life with a complete caravan renovation! The first change was to replace the upholstery and freshen up the interior of the caravan with new bright colors. But with a model as old as theirs, even the smallest details created an amazing wow effect that set a whole chain of further measures in motion.
Finally, Marco literally had every single part in and on the caravan in his hands. He restored, polished, made it functional or reworked it to achieve a harmonious overall look. Even the exterior of the caravan was lovingly redesigned in the original design to perfect the overall look and create a warm, inviting atmosphere that reflects Anja and Marco's unique style.
Was there a color concept?
Anja and Marco have often heard that their dog fits perfectly with their caravan's color scheme . But the beloved four-legged friend had long been part of their family. Could he perhaps have served as a museum-like inspiration for their design?
For Anja, camping means experiencing nature in all its splendor. That's why she uses natural materials such as linen, sisal and stoneware when she's out and about. Throughout the caravan, you'll find lovely elements and decorations that are perfectly coordinated in terms of color. The same applies, of course, to her color palette. Here, the soft natural colors blend harmoniously with the wooden accents.
For Anja, camping is not just a trip into nature, but a chance to turn her caravan into a cozy retreat . She relies on a cozy design that reflects the charm and warmth of the surroundings.
Anja's preference for natural materials is clearly evident in the interior design of her caravan. She chooses colors and textures that are reminiscent of nature and create a relaxed and warm atmosphere.
3 upgrades that are taken into account in every subsequent caravan renovation
try to preserve as much as possible in the original
Introducing natural textiles
The little bit of technical luxury that such an old vehicle has should of course also function optimally
Was there a DIY fail?
An unfortunate misstep in Anja's caravan renovation was the retro awning, which was already 40 years old. Visually it was a real eye-catcher, but unfortunately it turned out to be too short and the material had suffered over time. This was particularly annoying as it had fit perfectly into the overall picture.
Will there be another project?
In Anja's world of caravan renovations there is always room for another exciting project. If so, then it should be another old model.
Their dream is to find another old camper and renovate it with the same dedication and attention to detail as their current caravan. They are either drawn to the nostalgic curves of a Hymer motorhome or perhaps another smaller caravan. Preferably a Contructam.
But they're still keeping their eyes open for a well-preserved rear window for their current "old bones". It would be the perfect finish and the final touch.
Do you have a favorite campsite?
Going on holiday with a caravan and discovering the area is the best thing. But when it comes to her absolute favourite campsite, it is clearly her seasonal site by the lake. The advantages of this special place are simply unsurpassed. The fact that the site is accessible at any time gives it a very special charm and offers Anja and her family the opportunity to enjoy the feeling of camping and relaxation whenever they have time for it.
Advice to anyone who is about to renovate their caravan
It's difficult to give advice, as a restoration like this is a lot of work and can become a permanent construction site. At least with older cars. There's always something to do, but everything that shines beautifully again just looks great.
Follow Anja on her Instagram account @wohnwagen_alter_ Knochen to gather more inspiration from her caravan renovation.
