TRAILBLAZING TRAILER

Thinking about trying tiny home living? Why not try this retro stunner on for size?

Designer Alison Kandler shows how to create a space that’s quirky, vibrant and distinct.

Who says all dream spaces have to be homes?

Interior designer Alison Kandler’s latest project, a 30-foot Airstream trailer, proves that you can outfit any space to your dreamy specifications—and take it on the road with you.

Alison focuses on crafting cheerful spaces like the trailer. “My style is very whimsical and colorful,” she says. Her designs are fresh, fun and out of the ordinary, but they remain rooted in functionality. “I am a problem solver and a dream maker. I listen to my clients’ practical wants and their fantasy wish lists and work to combine the two,” she explains.

WORTH THE WAIT

This trailer was a 45th birthday gift for Alison’s client’s wife, so she knew it had to be special. The project was slated to take 8 months but ultimately took 18. “It only looks simple!” Alison says. But her hard work was well worth the wait. Alison had never designed a trailer, so she worked in collaboration with Timeless Travel Trailers in Colorado.

VINTAGE TOUCHES

First they started with the empty 30-foot Airstream shell. From there, they added the needed layers to create a homey escape. “I wanted it to feel fresh but also have fun retro touches that remind you of Airstreams from the past,” Alison explains. She kept all hardware vintage, used a retro-looking SMEG refrigerator and employed metal counter edging to achieve an old-fashioned look. To top it off, she utilized overlay doors on the cabinets in the style of the old Airstreams.

“It is all about editing. What are the must-haves, how can I make it unique, how can I create a temporary home without making

it feel too crowded or cramped?”

“This small space needed one cohesive personality.”

COMFY COZY

The next step was to ensure the space felt warm and cozy. Alison used a painted wood floor to tie the whole trailer together and create a sense of cohesiveness. The bright and beautiful flooring is actually custom-printed squares of wood that all snap together and interlock. The beadboard ceiling, padded walls in the master bedroom and a plethora of soft pillows all amp up the comfort level and make the trailer feel warm and inviting. To add their own touch, Timeless Travels trailers also added a Crestron System throughout the trailer. “All of the windows change from clear glass to blackout glass with the switch of a button, the master bed has a hydraulic lift so it is easy to hide luggage, the master TV drops down from the ceiling so it is hidden most of the time and there is a Japanese-style bidet toilet,” Alison says. If that wasn’t enough, there is also a hidden compartment for an outdoor table and chairs.

Alison’s unique Airstream trailer design shows how personality and practicality can go hand in hand. With a keen eye for detail and her own personal flair, Alison created a timeless trailer that is sure to be a happy home.

Her designs are fresh, fun and out of the ordinary, but they remain rooted in functionality.

This Airstream trailer is far more than meets the eye. A cool and calm outside conceals the spunk and vibrant personality brimming inside.

A peek into this trailer reveals that the bright furniture is only the beginning of the fun contained within.

|TOP| The use of metal in the kitchen adds an unexpected retro touch and echoes Airstream trailers of the past. |BOTTOM| The white bedspread gives the eyes a break from bright colors and patterns and lets the accent pillows do the work!

The cool gray and blue hues contrast with their warmer counterparts without clashing. Blue and orange are complementary colors, which makes them perfect to play against each other.

|TOP| This floral portrait perfectly depicts the feelings of the trailer—fresh, funky and feminine. |BOTTOM LEFT| By using multiple types of wallpaper in more than one room, Alison ensures that it feels intentional and deliberate instead of sticking out. |BOTTOM RIGHT| Recessed lights illuminate the space without hanging down and taking up room, offering the feeling of high ceilings.