Luxury Airstream Renovation Reveal

Meet Luna the Airstream

Luxury Airstream Renovation Reveal

It’s 9AM, and I’m sitting in my new home, listening to the sound of the rain bounce off Luna the Airstream's aluminum roof. It’s a relaxing sound. I’m patiently waiting for water to boil, so I can make some delicious coffee, freshly ground using a rustic grinder I purchased during my travels in Vietnam. I look to my right and catch trees dancing in the rain just outside of my kitchen window. In fact, if I look outside any of the 14 windows in this 31-foot long living space, I see nature, doing its thing.

Siya is peacefully sleeping in the bedroom, 15-feet away from me. I just sit here in my new living space, my mind still and a stupid grin on my face, in pure contentment. I haven’t felt this relaxed in months. It’s only been one week since we moved into her, and she’s already given me exactly what I’ve been longing for.

Home. I’m home.

Airstream Renovation Reveal Before and After

↡Click play on the video below to see the full transformation.↡

Rewind 12 months previous...

Finding The Perfect Vintage Airstream

I was browsing Craigslist and Kijiji ads for old Airstreams. I had originally conjured up the idea of living in a VW campervan years ago, but then I spotted a beautiful spaceship looking thing on wheels, and my plans changed. “An Airstream is the perfect home for us!” I excitedly announced to Siya. Without any hesitation, he was on board.

While looking for used Airstreams, we had no idea what to look out for or what to expect. We were very naïve to say the least, but we had a dream, and we were going to do whatever we needed to make it happen. After looking at several online and in person, we eventually found a  1976 Sovereign Airstream located a 5-hour drive away for $13,000. New Airstreams of this size are around $200,000. Since we owned a small car, unequipped to pull any size Airstream at the time, Siya managed to find us a truck to borrow from a friend of a friend. After all, this we needed to haul what could potentially be our new home.

Spotting Luna for the first time gave me the same feeling a small kid gets on Christmas morning. She definitely wasn’t a Luna back then, but we saw her potential. She was decked out in 70’s attire, and smelled musty and unused. She needed love, and we wanted to give that to her. We did all we could to make sure she was in liveable condition, using all of the trailer/tiny home knowledge that we had (which was zero). We paid the man, hooked her up, and off we went.

When we purchased her, we thought we could live in her the way she was, no problem. How naïve we were to think such a thing. Over the first few days of getting to know her, we quickly decided that we wanted to do some minor renovations to make her look more “modern.” That quickly turned into a year of full renovation. We gutted her, removed the shell from her frame, replaced her tanks, tore down her walls, took out insolation and re-wired her. There was a bit of frustration, several roadblocks and a lot of "what the hell are we gunna do now?" But, more importantly, there was mostly belief that she would become the home we had imagined...one day. Fast-forward to 12 month later, here we are in the Airstream we envisioned, but even better.

Airstream Renovation Reveal Before and After
Airstream Renovation Reveal Before and After
Airstream Renovation Reveal Before and After
Airstream Renovation Before and After
Airstream Renovation Reveal Before and After
Airstream Renovation Reveal Before and After
Airstream Renovation Reveal Before and After
Airstream Renovation Reveal Before and After

It Took 12 Months To Renovate Our Airstream, But It Was Worth It!

A year may seem like a long time for an Airstream renovation, but in fact it’s not. I’ve read some renovations taking several years to complete. I got to admit, that if Siya and I were to have done this all ourselves, it MAY have been complete in 3 years from now. It most likely wouldn't look as good as it does today. Luckily, we found two Airstream magicians that stepped in to work their magic and bring Luna to life.

We found Kate and Ellen of The Modern Caravan on Instagram while browsing for Airstream renovation photos. We fell in love with their work and decided to take a chance and contact them. They weren’t renovating Airstreams for a living at the time, but agreed that they would help us renovate ours. From the large must-haves to the fine detail, we worked with them to design the perfect space for everything we needed and desired. We were their first clients, and the start of what has now become a full-time business for both of them. This renovation meant as much to them as it did to us, it meant a new chapter in our lives and there was a lot of emotion in the air during Luna’s big reveal.

Moving Into Our Renovated Airstream

It’s been one week since we moved into Luna and every morning I wake up excited for this new life. It’s definitely a learning process living in an Airstream, without any prier knowledge of RV life, but I wouldn’t want it any other way. Now excuse me as I leave you with more photos of Luna while I spend the next 10 minutes watching a bunny chomp on grass in our front yard.

Moving Into Our Renovated Airstream

It’s been one week since we moved into Luna and every morning I wake up excited for this new life. It’s definitely a learning process living in an Airstream, without any prier knowledge of RV life, but I wouldn’t want it any other way. Now excuse me as I leave you with more photos of Luna while I spend the next 10 minutes watching a bunny chomp on grass in our front yard.

Airstream Renovation Reveal Before and After
Airstream Renovation Reveal Before and After
Airstream Renovation Reveal Before and After
Airstream Renovation Reveal Before and After
Airstream Renovation Reveal Before and After
Airstream Renovation Reveal Before and After
Airstream Renovation Reveal Before and After
Airstream Renovation Reveal Before and After

For more photos of Luna, follow @livinginluna on Instagram!

Don't forget to subscribe to Hopscotch the Globe on YouTube for more Airstream videos.

Want access to travel deals, giveaways and more? Sign up for our newsletter!

A special thanks to Travel Alberta for sponsoring this incredible trip. My love for Canada grows each time I return back to Alberta.

Want access to travel deals, giveaways and more? Sign up for our newsletter!

47 Comments

  • You guys did a great job with the restoration! My husband and I have a 40″ classA but are looking to downsize and I want a vintage airstream. We are thinking of restoring one but having someone else do it. We live in the south so you guys are a lot further away for us to take it to the guy who did yours. If you don’t mind I’d like to ask how much it all came to including the purchase of the airstream itself. We have someone in our area that restores airstreams and we will talk with them. to see what kind of work they do. We have seen a lot of airstreams on his lot but they do not have a website. I will be checking in to see what is next for you guys and Luna.

    Reply
  • Love what you guys did! Could you tell me where and what the turquoise looking tile is in the bathroom? I’m working on a remold and am looking for that type of style but can’t seem to find it. Thanks in advance for any help!
    Regards,
    Sam

    Reply
  • You’ve shared an awesome post. I love it. It turn out beautiful. You’ve created efficiently and effectively. I was searching for some great tips for my home bathroom. It’s too old. I’ve benefited from your blog.
    Thanks for sharing the constructive post!

    Reply
  • Really it such an informative post. I’ve read so many amazing things about your article! I must say you have an amazing and a vast designing all these things, Thanks for sharing such a valuable post and Keep Posting!

    Reply
  • Hello,

    I am wondering what tile you used in the bathroom? I am converting a school bus into a mobile tiny home and we love your bathroom!!

    Thanks
    Patrick

    Reply
  • Hi, This looks super awesome.

    Great video and it is so beautiful. I love this luxury home decoration. I just love your blog.

    Thanks for sharing this amazing post.

    Reply
  • Hey guys, I just want to say I love your renovated airstream it’s beautiful. I was wondering if you guys have a cost breakdown of everything including how much you had to pay Kate & Ellen for the renovation. Also if you could also give us the names of the products you used it would be super helpful. Im really on a hunt for something like this so I can start a new life which I’am so desperately seeking.

    Reply
  • Hey Kristen!

    My husband and I are renovating at 1975 Excella, and we’ve gotten a lot of inspiration from Luna! We were wondering if you’ve finished the cost breakdown analysis you were talking about posting. We’re looking into having some of the same features you guys do (my husband really wants a surround system and solar panels!), so it would be great to get an idea of what that cost you and if you guys are liking the brand names you decided to go with. If you’d rather touch base with me privately, my email is danielleklinder@gmail.com. Thanks so much – looking forward to connecting! 🙂

    Reply
  • hello,

    Awesome video and it is so beautiful. I love this luxury home decoration. This looks absolutely nice and cute. I just love your blog.

    Thanks for sharing this amazing post.

    Reply
  • Hello Kristen, wow! It is looking so beautiful. I love this luxury home decoration and the best thing is that it is in budget. This is looking very nice and cute. I want same for my home. I just loved your blog. Thanks for this amazing decoration.

    Reply
    • Thanks so much Kate. I’m in love with our new home. I’m currently putting together a cost breakdown for what we spent on this whole renovation so stay tuned for that. It’s definitely less than a downpayment on a house mortgage here in Canada.

      Reply
      • Hi! I’d reallyyy love to hear about a cost breakdown for this project! im super interested in doing something like this, but dont want to get too far in without having an idea of what it would cost! thank you so much 🙂 the house looks so beautiful

        Reply
  • In one of your videos you mentioned that you guys had an idea to start a real life community. I would be interested in keeping up with any info or plans for this (and would be happy to help where needed). For me there are a couple places in Canada I could see being good for this, Nova Scotia and Kelowna BC due to their mild winters (by Canadian standards). NS would have reasonable land prices but I suspect in NS (being from there) you could run up against all sorts of red tape. I have no idea how things would fair in BC.

    Anyway just thought I would contact you in case you start keeping a list of those who are interested in being part of the community.

    Reply
  • What an awesome job reimagining this old airstream! So how much does it weigh and how big of a truck will you need to pull it?

    Cheers,
    Todd

    Reply
  • Thanks to your video of the restoration, I contacted Modern Caravan. They will be doing my 1959 Trade Wind for me in five years after I retire. I can’t wait to have the enthusiasm for life you two are sharing. The girls have already been in touch already and are ready to tackle my project. This plan is keeping me focused on track financially. Airstream living is a life changing goal. Loving the results of Luna!

    Reply
  • Luna is beautifullllll!! Its been my dream to live in a home on wheels. I know its a cheeky ask but do you mind me asking how much the rennovations cost? I have no idea when it comes to this which makes saving harder as I’ve no idea what we need. Gorgeous airstream!! ?

    Reply
    • Hey Lisa! Not cheeky at all 🙂 I’m going to be putting together a post on all of the costs and links to all of the things we bought. I’ll most likely post it next week 🙂

      Reply
  • My inspiration…… We’re hoping to buy and renovate our Airstream, in the very near future. Thanks for this amazing inspirational video!

    Reply
  • ?Home Sweet Home? Luna may your days be full and light shine on every adventure. ❤️????from the deepest to you beautiful Beings

    Reply
    • It’s super spacious, right and very airy. I love her so much. It’s the perfect amount of space for us and the outdoors feel just as much a part of our home as the inside does. It’s such an interesting a great feeling.

      Reply
  • @kristen you are not allowed to take a peak from bedroom to that corner ?
    @sia play only romantic soothing music inside bedroom ?
    Guys it might have took a bit off time,energy and resources more than expected but it’s worth it looks spectacular and the story behind each and every small tiny bits and pieces the coffee grinder the bench top that feather dream thing it’s really a home dreams on wheels love you guys.

    Reply
  • This is amazing! I love the transformation SO much! Especially the seating area (what was with that sofa hah). We’re in the middle of converting a panel van into a camper and it’s so exciting to see inspiration like this of what you guys have done to the airstream!
    xo April | April Everyday

    Reply
    • She is quite amazing April! That’s really exciting you’re also in the process of converting a mobile home. I was just saying to my husband that I love that anytime we get bored with a place, we can just pick up and go somewhere else haha. Oh, the luxuries!

      Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

css.php