The Rolling Cottage

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.