Living in an RV while we build our house!
We have less than one week until we are officially out of our home. It’s been a crazy busy journey, especially this past week. It’s mostly just packing and cleaning and then throwing that yard sale I had last weekend…we are constantly on the move. I wanted to take a quick break and catch up with you all. Especially, if you don’t follow along on IG then you may not know all the in’s and out’s of what has been going on in our lives. So, long story short we purchased a house (which we close on April 25th), it’s going to be about 4-6 months of construction work, and so while that’s going on we needed a place to live. We first found a rental that was willing to work with our short stay, but that didn’t quite work out since they threw some extra charges on us and I wasn’t feeling comfortable with the idea of all this money going into a place we would only be at temporarily. So, then after chatting with some IG friends and doing some thinking, we thought…maybe we should purchase an RV! So, we did! Our plan is to that we are going to be living in an RV while we build our house.
We could park the RV on our lot and then just be able to stay there for the Summer until the construction is done. Weekend after weekend of searching new, old, used, expensive, cheap…we finally made the decision to buy the very first one we had our eyes on. It was “vintage” which I liked because it needed some updating, and it was cheap!!! Woo-hoo let’s just hope it wasn’t too cheap haha. We got it from an RV lot which was great because they were able to run everything for us and even do the emergency checks which made me feel comfortable since we would be living in this for a while and with my children. The only problem we were having was that our water and electric would not be hooked up right away so we would need a temporary place to live until that was all hooked up and the renovation on the RV was done. So, we officially found a winter rental (which is a beach house off-season) that we are able to stay in until the end of June. So that’s where we’ll be going, starting the end of this week. We feel like it gives us a second to breathe after moving and will allow us to get everything up and running on our property to use for the RV and to get the RV lookin’ all pretty.
So, you know what that means…
Pretty RV makeover coming to the blog! I can’t wait, we are even more excited about this journey then we were before. We get to get our hands dirty again, invest in a project, and have it be a fun living experience for the summer. We feel it will definitely be more memorable than just being in a rental for the kids…and we get to enjoy our new property too while keeping an eye on the contractor and team at the house ; )
So, the RV may not be too pretty she’s a 2000 38′ Nomad. I loved the texture of the exterior though because it looks vintage, and it has great room inside. Our plans for the space include creating a bunk room for the kids, new floors, painted interior, painted exterior, painted cabinets, backsplash, and just a really vintage fun vibe. I’m thinking a little less “me” in this space and something a little more hip haha. You know a little bohemian mixed with 70’s style and some color. Whhhattt???!!! I know, but I’m excited to also be able to broaden my design skills and try something different. I just think you can’t go safe in a space like this. You got to go bold or go home right? We had seen some pretty nice looking RV’s that we considered just financing and then trading in after but though they were pretty, clean, and new…they were boring! I want this to be fun and funky looking with a ton of personality. So here’s what I need from you..I need you to help vote on the design for the space.
I’ve got two options and I just can’t make up my mind. My plan is Black exterior and White interior…but for cabinet color I’m so torn between these two looks…a blush cabinet or a green cabinet. I plan to do copper accents and then have some pretty greenery hanging around.
So cast your vote in the comments and tell me which one we should go with! We will be starting on this project probably in the next 2 weeks so I’ve got to get my paint!!!
The next time we chat our lives will be totally different, excited and scared all at the same time! Lots of prayers needed as we embark on this journey.
RV design Options
Option 1: Blush Doors simple backsplash
Option 2: A little bolder with a dark green cabinet and black and white hexagon backsplash.
OH, and I think we need to name her…leave that suggestion below as well!
57 Responses
FUN!! What a journey for your family !! I like OPTION 1. Your off-season rental will be EXCITING times. take care… ?hugs. ~linda of no.cal.
p.s. CUTE family pic
What fun! Option one sounds best for a small space. Light and airy. Enjoy!
Oh my! You all have quite the summer ahead of you! 🙂 I worry that a black exterior will attract and trap the heat of the sun waaaay too much. What are your summers like? If you are parked in full sunshine, you may want to bounce off some of that heat. For the interior I love the blush and simple back splash. (I am never a fan of black and white).
For a name…I kind of like Trixie!
That is my 2 cents worth. 🙂 Congratulations & enjoy!
I love option 1 – very restful ?. How about Rosie the RV? I look forward to seeing your renovations ?? X
How much fun will the RV be to redo!! I vote for more color, totally different from your new home decor but with your signature flair.
Love the idea of keeping it vintage.
Can’t wait to follow the transformation.
Names…….. Betty Boo, Betsy????
Thanks for sharing!
Option 1! Im excited to see how this all comes together!
How awesome is that?! I was wondering where you guys where on the moving process. What a fun adventure! My aunt and uncle bought and lived in an RV while they were building their house and worked great. So excited for you and your family!
That sounds like so much fun!! I love the 1st option! I know it will be beautiful! And for the name, the 1st one that came to mind was Betsy?
I wouldn’t paint the exterior of the RV Black, if that’s what you mean. It will make it hot as heck on there. It’s essentially a metal box! It will make cooling it a nightmare.
You’re rigt heather, I did not even think of that at first…so maybe a black stripe : )
I know you’ll pick something amazing!
My brother lives in a bus full time, that’s why it was the first thing I thought of!
So exciting!!!!! I go with option #2….I LOVE the green!!!!! Not sure tho of the black & white backsplash. Good luck with your new adventure…..what a great experience for the kids.
How about “Gracie” for her name?
So exciting!! I LOVE option #1. Seems more vintage to me. And I love “Poppy” for a name! Or Rosie!!
Whoa…that Rv is a beauty! I grew up RVing and to this day still love it! I can’t believe you found that in that good of shape. I think I’d go with the blush…only because if you decide to sell it later on down the road (a little pun there) lol…anyway..the green is to specific to ones taste. The blush is versatile and can suite many tastes. Are you redoing the floors?
Are you going to paint the exterior? Or are you having it done at a shop? I think the white with the black strips will look very nice and very vintage. I would also add a bit of gold into the striping to bring the outside in..if you know what I mean.
So you’ve already determined that it’s a “she”…I’m going with “Peggy Sue!”…and me and you and a dog named Blu…lol!
P.S. Just wanted to mention…take a water hose and lay up on the top. Turn it on and let it run for a while. Check inside and make sure you have no leaks. Seriously, if you wait until it rains you won’t be able to fix it right away. All RVs, especially ones that age, are known for leaking. Every time you move it, things loosen up, so this is something you will need to continually keep up with. Just giving you a heads up. Don’t let it scare you off, it’s just part of the everyday camping life. ?
Hope you all have as great of adventures as we did growing up!
Thank you, Shirley! So, fortunately, when we had it tested it poured the day before and no leaks! But that’s a great suggestion and maybe we should try that once it’s parked on the lot. We live in NJ.
Love this, a great way to bring family closer. I have two name ideas. What about Eva, which means living in Hebrew-Gen.3:20 or Bethany, which means house of song- Matt.21:17
Christie, love your beautiful biblical names!!!
I like the white outside with black accents (really love the all black outside so much, BUT it would be HOT!!!
I love the idea of # 1 blush cabinets ( lighter, airier, more spacious looking), maybe more sellable in the long run!
For a vintage name for this lady, how bout Mary Lou or Betty Sue?❤️?
I like the white outside with black accents (really love the all black outside so much, BUT it would be HOT!!!
I love the idea of # 1 blush cabinets ( lighter, airier, more spacious looking), maybe more sellable in the long run!
For a vintage name for this lady, how bout Mary Lou or Betty Sue?❤️?
I like the white outside and white inside with the blush cabinets. I think the dark exterior will make it HOT but again that depends on your summer? Dark green cabinets might make inside feel dark and foreboding; not sure. I think with white you can change accent colors as often as you like. I like the above suggestion of Rosie the RV, ha. I can’t think of good names.
That’s kind of an awesome choice and agree the kids will look and smile at these memories!! I think if you’re trying to go different I say go with the green I think the blush cabinets isn’t so far out of your wheelhouse. That green though is DOPE! I can not wait to see how it turns out!!!
Name: Journee, Melody, Cruise (syn for Journey), Crusade (syn for Movement), Escapade (syn for Adventure)
I read something about outside being dark in a comment. I must of missed the color options for outside didn’t think that was changing. Have to go back and read it
Love it thanks Nicole!
Because of the small space I would go with option 1 and the lighter cabinets. Can’t wait to see the finished product.
I love the blush … as long as it doesn’t end up reading too “pink”. I would fear the green could end up dark in a small shadowy space. Can’t wait to see what you decide!
I’m sooo e cited for you all! I just love a new adventure! (Take it from a gal who has moved 14 times in 37 years) Yay, Nee Canvas!!!!! As for colors I say go light for the sake of feeling not so closed in and to make the space feel bigger. Greens, yellows, blues, rose hues or even grey can brighten up your space and make it feel fresh and still retro. As for a name, I love ALICE, after all she had the grandest of adventures! ?Hugs to you all!
Oh wow how exciting! Congratulations!
Ok so as for design …I’d naturally want to pick option #1 because it’s lighter and with a small space I always think light would work best and it’s closer to my comfort zone , neutral ( it’s a safe choice right lol). So with that being said …. maybe design #2 since it is bolder and less “you”. Either way with your talent, it’s gonna look amazing!
Oh and a name! Flora comes to mind lol I don’t know why ? but maybe you could go with a name that has the meaning adventure. Farin , Nelly, Alice, Amelia , Louise, Kira, River or Jane … all known for great adventures ?
Thank you Jen! These are so great…and I totally agree with the design blush is safer…I’m so on the fence!
I joined a great Facebook group called RV interior ideas. It’s all people who are doing the same thing as you. I have read a lot about different paints that worked or didn’t for the cabinets and there’s lots of ideas. Some aren;t my taste, but some are really cute! Good luck with your new endeavor, can’t wait to see it!
oh how exciting I should look it up!
I think the blush would make the inside feel more spacious. Since the whole family will be living in there for an extended period of time it might be your saving grace.?
I like Option 1 the best. I like the name “Rosy.” It’s the beginning a rosy future for your family.
My vote is for the green paint look! So fun!
Option 1! And Beulah for her name. : )
I’, definitely in the minority here but I love the option 2 – the green is gorgeous! Agree with all the gals about painting the exterior black though – not a good move since it will hold the heat something wicked. I would give the exterior a nice fresh coat of white pain and add a black stripe. As for naming her, how about ROXIE?
Hi Deb,
My vote is for the blush … My name suggestion is Lavender Lane. Have fun!
Wow, big exciting plans!
I don’t like blush as a kitchen color but I think that shade of green is too dark for the small space. So–ooo…
I would either choose a lighter shade of green for option two or for option one substitute one of the many shades of white for the cabinets. How’s that for confusing you? Or–go completely wild and use some combination of melon for the cabinets and blush for the walls with the simple white backsplash. Crazy, huh?
As for the name, hmmn…paint the outside a yummy shade of lavender with white accents or even blush accents. Call her “Lavendar Landing” and you could substitute the lavender you use on the exterior for the green on the cupboards. Maybe a tad lighter on the cupboards. Well, I know this isn’t what you asked for from your readers, but it was such fun thinking of what I would do!
I hope all your plans go smoooothly! Happy Summer (if Spring ever comes!). I can’t wait to see more!
P.S. Maybe you COULD use melon and lavender together. I had pretty much ruled that out. Okay, I’ll stop now!
Thank you Naomi, I love your ideas! I totally get blush being an odd option..but I think the right pink could maybe work! lol
Well, I prefer option 1. I think maybe a combo of white and black on the exterior. As for a name, maybe some
window boxes with plants o flowers to match the name of the RV eg. Ivy, Daisy or Rose. Something like Ivy Rose or Daisy Rose if you choose two plants
Option #1 and Rosie and the Jetson’s for the name…
Have you thought about a light aqua or
Seafoam theme?
I’m sure it will be be great whatever way you chose, have fun!!! Looking forward to the end product… ❤️
Thank you Caren, that’s a great option too! So many good tips and ideas!
I love Naomi’s suggestions! I lived in an RV for several years and yes, you will want to go with a light color scheme, otherwise those walls and ceiling and going to close in on you after awhile. Also a black exterior is NOT what you want! What about a shade of lavender with a darker stripe?
I also like the idea of lavender and melon combo. Just keep things light and bright and you won’t go wrong. You will want as much light inside as possible.
The name Lavender Landing really resonated with me, expecially if you went with a lavender exterior.
I so agree Michelle, I loved that name! I think light is for sure the way to go…If I went green it would only be on the few cabinets in the kitchen and the rest will be white.
Thx 4 sharing. Loved it.
I am totally surprised, I say option 2 all the way.. You wanted Fun and hip, number 1 seems to safe and not Hip enough..
Love Option 1 and how about “Lucy” for the vintage episode of I Love Lucy where she and “Ricky” took their RV on a road trip? Blessings!
oh my goodness I don’t know if I saw that episode and I think I’ve seen every episode. I have to go find that now…and that may be one of my favs so far!
You will love RVing .we have been doing it now for 16 years. Your plans look lovely, but make sure about your weights you have dry weights and then you have max weights. Adding real tile different flooring ect. Adds more weight and then you could be over your max weight for the rv .then you also have your gas tanks and will you travel with a tank of water. You can join a rv site rv.net alot of people who have been RVing for a long time.ask ? They will give you the answers. Good luck and happy trails.
Thanks Pamela, that’s helpful! Yes, I think we plan on going with a vinyl flooring one that just sticks and easy to cut.
I, too, like option #1. The name that popped into my head is Reba! The blush color is a nod to Reba’s red hair and the green to her green eyes. Does she have green eyes? Oh well…:)
Good luck and I’m looking forward to seeing the transformation.
This’ll be so fun Deb!!! And in the end you’ll have an camper for camping… which we love! Can’t wait to see what you do with it!
Thanks Kendra! I know we thought we would just sell it after, but I have a feeling there’s a good chance we may want to keep it…or trade it in for something smaller after because who knew we may just be camping and RV people after all of this. Never thought I would say those words lol.
So fun! I like option 1. For a small space I think it will give it a bigger feel. We have been talking about doing the same thing, buying an RV to live in while we build. I am excited to follow this and will be looking for tips.
No to the blush, too pink.
I like the idea of the green cabinets and going a touch lighter green such as Sherwin Williams, Jadite Green.
Your comment about the black stripe for the outside sounds pretty but I would probably paint a green stripe or not bother. It sounds too expensive and too hot to paint the whole outside??
Lived in an RV for awhile; definitely Option 1 for small space living. Will be so nice!
So much fun!!! Shaye from Elliot Homestead painted her kitchen cabinets a beautiful jade green that is just a little brighter and I think would be so beautiful in your RV!!
If you go green, and Irish themed name would be fun…
Congratulations on your journey! How exciting for you and your family – the memories you will make along the way is amazing. I LOVE the dark green, however, being such a small place, it may make it look smaller. Whichever you decide will look amazing. I can’t wait to watch the entire transformation! Have fun.