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The Rolling Cottage

I'm inspired by just about everything. I love mixing colors and textures; patterns and decorating styles. The challenge of color combinations and putting things together that others may not think of but are surprised by liking it; is one of my favorite pasttimes.
 
One of my degrees is interior design, and I don't mind telling you that I am of a certain age where two of my five degrees were earned without the use of the internet. Interior design where swatches and glue sticks were in high demand and the colors and patterns you saw were spot on representations and not different based on a the glow of a computer monitor or the lighting (insert my robins egg blue example above). The resources available now are amazing and sometimes TOO many choices could be your biggest problem; I thrive on it. Now my inspiration boards are created by cutting and pasting (with a mouse and not scissors and glue - old school) and it is super helpful when trying to explain my vision to my husband, who needs to see things and is not one to imagine much.
 
The buffet in the lower left corner was the absolute perfect size and in great shape. I will be painting it the mindful grey and then glazing. I originally thought I wanted to have a distressed white look BUT the wall we are installing (covering a window) behind it will be white (I think), so that won't work. Or will it? Once we get further in the process, I will see which will be white and which will be grey. The desk was a trade from a friend and that will be an awesome base to replace the back bunks. We are going to install an "L" shaped desk on top of this desk and build shelves to house patterns and craft items. Too bad that the nearest IKEA is 4hours away or I would already have the great canvas boxes pictured on the board too. Note to self: Road trip as soon as it warms up. (Nothing else will do. I've looked for secondary options that are closer or orderable online and... nothing comes close.) The chandelier was a lucky find on a local online shopping page; just $28. Probably large for the space and I know that the chain won't work unless I plan on ducking each time I go in to "Create" but it was too cute and blingy to NOT make it work. It isn't typical French Country Cottage décor but that is exactly why I love it and will make it work...somewhere.


I admit that I am on Pinterest and love to see what other people are doing in their spaces. I am even one that clicks through and reads some of the blogs and purchases some of the items shown there; not just for looks. My hubby and I also have a reputation for not just "liking" "pinning" or "sharing" things we see on Pinterest, but actually making them. But, I digress.... ;) 
 
The nightstand shown is just some inspiration for the glazing effect over my robins egg blue cabinets. I am in love with the window shades I found online at Lowe's. I tried to visit our store in town to see them in person but it looks like they are an online only item so, I'll have to order the three I need at once, just in case I love them and can't get anymore. I think they will add a great polished look in the sitting room and kitchen, and on one window in the bedroom for continuity. The wall opposite that window in the bedroom also has a window BUT not for long. Ya see, we like to watch TV in bed and with our pillow top mattress replacing the RV mattress; it is raised up quite a bit and the window latches and the old metal blinds, were in our backs. Sooo, we will be insulating that window and covering it up with Masonite paneling and THEN I will be tufting the entire wall to add height and dimension. We will be covering three windows in our 28ft of space. It sounds crazy to eliminate natural light but we know that the living space we gain, more conducive to our lifestyle, will be worth it. Not to mention, it will be three windows that will be insulated and covered to help with heat and/or cold coming in.
 
Adding the chalkboard wall near the kitchenette will ground the space while creating a space for personalization. We are also going to replace the countertop with a dark stained wood and that will look great up against it. There is literally ZERO counter space so we will also cover the stove when not in use for more space. We took out the dining space because we rarely eat formally but we do like to sit and eat AND entertain when given the opportunity. We have a great wooden table and chairs that is portable and when I came across this burlap, ruffled tablecloth...I just knew I would be making up reasons to dine outside and have people over. I don't think I will make mine as long since I want people to be able to put their legs under the table but it was great eye candy and just had to include. Again...I'm a real sucker for color and texture.
 

My name is Gidget and my hubby is Robbe. We purchased our first ever camper; a 1971 Play-Mor, as an investment for our party rental space to be rented for weddings and parties or just to occasionally "glamp" in and attend rallies with other vintage camper enthusiasts. Her name is Holly Goes Lightly and she has a Facebook page all her own www.facebook.com/hollygoeslightlyglamper and her journey is one all her own but... it was the beginning of a conversation that went from intrigue to implementation in a matter of weeks.

A couple of years ago, we downsized from 2500sq ft to 500sq ft; moving into a flat above our boutique on Main Street in Collinsville, Oklahoma. As hubby's 62nd birthday approached, we talked about retirement and just what we wanted; never imagining life in a trailer (negative connotation implied). I hadn't even been in one before and Holly but now I was completely ready to downsize even further and live in one as my "forever home."

We began our search like I'm sure most do...the internet. After just a few minutes on Craigslist, we found a website of a local RV dealership and fell in love with one we knew was the one for us; great white cabinets and modern décor, clean space and completely towable with the Ford Explorer Sportrac that hubby drives now.

We got up early and were there when the gates opened; ready to see campers in real life...starting with the one we just knew was what we would call home. (Still digesting the thought quite frankly and not entirely sure it would ever happen)

Long story short... maybe it's too late for that, we toured some great campers that would be light enough to pull with our small truck and decided on one that perfectly suited us. That was a Saturday and by the following Sunday; a 2001 Trail lite was delivered to our back alley. Delivered because... we decided that even though our tow capacity SAID it was 5,080 and our new "Home" was only 4,400... that it would just be too much strain on our transmission and engine. So, by Spring....we will be purchasing a new truck to pull our new house.

Below are the "before" pictures. I say "before" because there is nothing about these that will be the same when I am done with it. Despite it being a 2001, it screams boring and grey 1984 to me and that is not something I am willing to spend any amount of time in; let alone call home. As our blog suggests, it will be converted into a cottage and we are excited to share our renovations and design choices to begin this journey. Thank you for tuning in from the beginning.

28ft with one slide (kitchen and sofa space)
 

View from bedroom. Door to left before dining.
Queen bedroom with VERY tired bedding.
Bedroom view from living space
The bunks that will soon be a "Create Space"
Wide angle view of "Create Space"
Living space from kitchen. Removing dining area.
Dining area. Removing to REALLY open up.
The slide out. Can't wait to replace floor too.
Kitchen. Can't wait to renovate cabinets/counter
Needless to say...this WILL be recovered SOMEHOW
THIS is NOT how it looks in real life. All PLASTIC
and VERY yellowed.
Great size fridge/freezer for our space.
Convection oven that may/may not make the cut.

This blog will be about sooo much more than where we travel and what we do, but design and hospitality; real life and the journey and people along the way. We will begin with projects that p and are a MUST before even moving into "the rolling cottage" and the pictures and resources as we go.

Settle in, grab your tea, prop the feet and enjoy what is certain to be the best adventure that hubby and I have EVER been a part of. I promise that I don't have a clue what lies ahead but I couldn't be more excited to share it.