Budget Breakdown: This Completely Restored $500K Airstream Is Built Like a Yacht
Drawing inspiration from boat design, Innovative Spaces rebuilds a 1953 trailer from top to bottom with a custom mahogany interior.
Drawing inspiration from boat design, Innovative Spaces rebuilds a 1953 trailer from top to bottom with a custom mahogany interior.
About a decade ago, Airstream enthusiast Nate Stover found himself disappointed by some of the lackluster camper revamps he’d spotted on the market. "I saw a lot of subpar work," he says. "The quality was poor, prices were not being properly communicated to clients, and there was a general disconnect between those clients and their builders."
Innovative Spaces extended the airstream’s height and length for comfort and ease, and installed an HVAC system with hydronic and radiant floor heating.
Photo by Nathan Stover
Stover founded Innovative Spaces in Ventura, California, to offer a better option—starting with setting clear expectations about process and price point. "Renovating vintage trailers is not cheap—it’s like restoring a vintage car, and then building a house in it," he says. "I wanted people to know what they were getting into."
The dining table can be lowered, and the back cushions can be placed on top to convert the space into a sleeping quarters for kids at night.
Photo by Nathan Stover
When Stover met the owner of this 1953 Airstream Cruiser, Jim Franke, back in 2017, they instantly clicked over the camper’s potential. "Jim’s vision was to have a very off-grid capable unit that was going to be very low on power consumption, but accommodate modern comforts," Stover says.
"It takes about five to eight minutes to set up," Stover says. The cushions can be locked in place on the table.
Photo by Nathan Stover
See the full story on Dwell.com: Budget Breakdown: This Completely Restored $500K Airstream Is Built Like a Yacht
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