These Stunning Custom Airstream RVs Are Perfect for a Summer Getaway
Few American products are as iconic as the Airstream. Introduced in the 1930s with the Clipper model, not many trailers have invoked as much American nostalgia as these. But recognizable though they are, people have been reinventing them for years, reimagining their layouts, adding custom features, and generally making them so awe-inspiring that you can look at one and want an instant escape (not to mention the DIY know-how to make it happen). In the realm of souped-up silver bullets, here are some of our favorites.
Do you own an Airstream or have you always wanted one? Let us know in the comments where you would take it on a summer getaway.
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Airstream announced its first-ever retailer tie-in last year, unveiling the 28-foot Pottery Barn Special Edition Travel Trailer. The exterior is classic aluminum Airstream, but inside you'll find Pottery Barn-designed furniture, textile accents, storage solutions, and window treatments that give the interior a cozy farmhouse feel. Buyers have a choice of two floor plans, both of which can accommodate up to five people.
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Pottery Barn's Airstream comes with an outdoor folding table and armchair set, a solid oak dinette, a stainless-steel apron sink, and even a solid walnut cutting board that covers the sink for more workspace. A first-of-its-kind outdoor hanging table attaches to the trailer and offers extra space for food and drinks.
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This is the second Airstream that Sheena Armstrong and her husband, Jason, have remodeled with the help of NuAbode. A 31-foot 1977 Airstream Sovereign, the Mavis 2.0 features details such as a focal-point door, vinyl flooring, and non-RV furniture such as this Joybird sofa.
The Airstream's kitchen includes design features such as a birch plywood door, custom maple plywood countertops, granite composite sink, Spoonflower textured peel-and-stick wallpaper, and ceramic herringbone backsplash tile.
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Timeless Travel Trailers renovated this 2018 33-foot Airstream factory shell in collaboration with interior designer Alison Kandler. The project involved many customizations, including the floor plan, flooring, doors, wall coverings, and more.
Some of the furniture in this conversion was designed to be convertible, including the table pictured here, which can be used as a dining or coffee table when raised or lowered. Timeless Travel Trailers also installed color-changing LED lighting in the trailer's bunk beds and privacy window tinting that can be controlled via a button control.
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Annie Jomphe, owner and designer at Sitka Concept, which restores and remodels vintage Airstreams, tiny houses, and more, designed this 31-foot 1976 Land Yacht Airstream for a family of five. Working with 200 square feet, Jomphe and her team reconfigured the interior to include a bed for each family member and added details such as a wood stove, laundry facilities, and office space.
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A trio of bunk beds gives each of the family's kids a space for sleeping and hanging out, and the washing machine is tucked underneath one of the beds.
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Designer and musician August Hausman designed, rebuilt, and restored this 1969 Airstream Safari nicknamed "Harlow." He used details such as a custom walnut countertops and antique light fixtures and noted that he wanted "a space so unique there's a story behind every square foot."
The trailer's bedroom space features custom cushions with leather straps that affix them to the walls.
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Another Timeless Travel Trailers project, the company transformed this 22-foot 1971 Safari model with a wraparound kitchen and Pendleton upholstery.
A long countertop space and bench seating provide an area for work, meals, window-gazing, and more.
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Interior designer Melanie Raver spent two years renovating a 1973 Argosy Airstream for her family of five. The ikat-inspired fabric on these cushions helped inspire other details in the trailer's redesign.
Raver used penny tile and a handmade sink imported from Greece to complete the trailer's cheerful bathroom vibe.
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The custom cabinetry in this 26-foot 1958 Airstream is constructed of birch plywood stained with a hard-wax oil. The trailer's renovation took three years.
The trailer's rugs are from a local Portland rug store, Nomadic Vintage PDX, that specializes in Kurdish tribal rugs imported from Turkey and Anatolia.
This custom renovation of a 31-foot 1980 Airstream Excella II by Mountain Modern Airstream included adding an electric fireplace, vinyl hex flooring, new appliances, and a king-size bed.
The renovation relied heavily on warm walnut for custom furniture, cabinets, and cubbies. This desk lifts to transition to a dinette for mealtimes.
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Another renovation by Bend, Oregon-based Mountain Modern Airstream, this 1973 Excella II now features a soft pastel color palette as well as luxury vinyl herringbone flooring, custom built-ins, quartz countertops, and nautical teak bathroom flooring.
The refurbished bee-themed dining table extends to allow for more space than the typical trailer table. "Florence is a small-scale space filled with thoughtful touches, natural light, and room for relaxing," Mountain Modern Airstream says.
Located in Wimberley, Texas, this renovated 1976 Airstream Land Yacht is listed on Airbnb. Its wood accent wall and butcher block countertops combine with punches of bright color and pattern via the furniture and decor. The Happy Camper can accommodate three guests.
At the other end of this Airstream is a queen size bed surrounded by windows with views of the surrounding Texas Hill Country. Outside, renters will find seating, a fire pit, picnic table, and plenty of space to roam.
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Located in California's Mohave Desert and owned by Kate Pierson of the band the B-52s, the "Tiki" is one of six Airstreams you can rent in Kate's Lazy Desert. With its bold color-blocking paint job and other kitschy decor, it still looks just retro enough to evoke that silver bullet nostalgia.
At just 26 feet long, the "Tiki" isn't big on space, but it does include a double sink and three-burner stove.
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Unlike some other renovations on this list, the real wow factor for this trailer is its exterior paint job — a vibrant mural featuring scenes from nature, including mountains, the desert, forest, and more. The Odyssey belongs to Cate and Chad Battles, who travel with their pet goat, Frankie.
The Battles became full-time Airstreamers after selling a riverside bar in Asheville, North Carolina. They've recently been traveling in the American West, including destinations in Idaho, Oregon, California, and Nevada.
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Layla Reckner of Kentucky restored Tula, a light-filled, 28-foot 1976 Argosy Airstream, by adding new floors, a new sound system and appliances, and much more.
Reckner outfitted the trailer's kitchen with a new tile backsplash, custom cabinetry, and a retro Unique brand refrigerator.
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Timeless Travel Trailers took on this 1962 40-foot Western Pacific Airstream project in 2012. The renovation employed wide-plank bamboo flooring, walnut veneer cabinetry, and white counters to reflect more natural light.
Though originally completed for a private client, Western Pacific is now at Oskar Blues Reeb Ranch in Hendersonville, North Carolina, and is available as a lodging option.
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Thinking a vintage trailer remodel might be in your future? Many of the renovations in this story employed the services of Vintage Trailer Supply, a parts and accessories resource for Airstreams and other vintage trailers. In addition to interior parts, lighting and electric, windows, doors, and other trailer parts, they also offer lifestyle and gift items.
