A savvy mother-of-two has transformed a vintage caravan into a spectacular arts and crafts space after spending just nine days on renovations.
Carmen Blanch, from Gloucester on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales, decided to create the ultimate ‘craftvan’ in her garden – complete with a sewing table, a stationery wall and a seating area with sweeping views of the mountain.
After pulling out all the old cupboards, the DIY renovating queen revamped the rundown trailer using fresh paint, modern décor and second hand furnishings.
A savvy mother-of-two has transformed a vintage caravan into a spectacular space
Carmen Blanch, from New South Wales, decided to create the ultimate ‘craftvan’ in her garden
Ms Blanch with her daughter Khloe
The mother said she initially had plans to convert the dilapidated vehicle into a camper van for their family-of-four so they could go travelling.
‘I bought this caravan to renovate as our travelling van but my husband thought I was mad and doesn’t want to take on a job,’ Ms Blanch told Daily Mail Australia.
And so she decided to move her existing craft room from her home into the caravan.
‘I had turned our office space inside our house into a craft room. So I decided to renovate the caravan to make it into my craft room so I can have the office back,’ she said.
During the nine-day makeover, the mother stripped the interior, removed the old cupboards and patched up the holes she found in the walls.
After pulling out all the old cupboards, the DIY renovating queen revamped the rundown trailer using fresh paint, modern décor and second hand furnishings
During the nine-day makeover, the mother stripped the interior, removed the old cupboards and patched up the holes she found in the walls
Ms Blanch said she spent just $138 on paint, in which she used to hand paint the exterior and interior of the caravan, which now sits in her garden
Ms Blanch said she was able to save a fortune because she already owned most of her furniture pieces and décor
‘I only removed the existing cupboards and patched and repaired some holes. Added my cutting and work table and my sitting bench,’ she said.
Ms Blanch said she spent just $138 on paint, in which she used to hand paint the exterior and interior of the caravan, which now sits in her garden.
‘I started doing the outside of the van as it was an eyesore in the garden and I can’t stand looking at it especially when I am in the kitchen sink,’ she said.
Ms Blanch – who documents her incredible projects at The DIY Junkie – said she managed to save a fortune because she already owned most of her furniture pieces and décor.
‘I have all the existing materials so it didn’t cost me much. I just transferred everything from my craft room to the van. I recently spent $49 on a mint trolley from Spotlight to add in there,’ she said.
‘It will be a fair bit if I had to buy everything that is in it. But I got most of my items from Kmart, Spotlight, Target and Bunnings. I also got some second hand furnishings and did some work on it.’
The mother decided to move her existing crafts room from her family home into the caravan
She said her favourite features of the van is the ‘sitting bench’ with windows that overlooks her beautiful garden, cows and mountains
The beautiful caravan transformation sits in her family’s garden, with natural surroundings
She said her favourite features of the van is the ‘sitting bench’ with windows that overlooks her beautiful garden, cows and mountains.
‘I drink my coffee there every day when I am home or just want to chill out in there if I am not crafting as it has a beautiful view of the mountains and the garden,’ she said.
For those keen to renovate a space on the budget, Ms Blanch said: ‘Have patience and commitment’.
She said if you don’t know where to start, she advised renovating the exterior first.
‘If I will take another van renovation, I would definitely start from the outside and work my way inside,’ she said.