This next feature is the sweetest makeover story I have ever heard. I’ve featured makeovers from some of my younger readers before, and I’ve always been impressed by their ingenuity. In Courtney’s case, I’m not only wowed by her creativity, but I also love her sense of sentimentality. Her camper originally belonged to her grandparents, and she inherited the pop up along with her adventuring spirit from her Nana. Okay, enough of my chatter. Let’s let Courtney tell us her story. 😉
COURTNEY’S POP UP CAMPER MAKEOVER
My camper–a 1992 Starcraft–belonged to my grandparents, Nana and Poppy. My grandparents were the true epitome of partners and the best example of love and friendship I’ve ever known. They would take the camper on month long trips, just the two of them, across the United States. This camper, which is a year older than I am, has actually seen every state in the contiguous United States.
I was so fortunate to have a close relationship with my grandparents and can’t think of a single childhood memory without them and their contagious spirit. As they got older, the camper trips got less frequent but my Nana hung onto the camper in hopes that one day the grandkids would take interest.
Fast forward to 2017, almost 25 years later and this grandkid finally got the “camping bug.” At the time, I was working at an interior design studio, and I had such an itch for a new project of my own. I am a total DIY’er and love to give old things new life. I had been dying to showcase my love of all things gypsy–bright colors and bohemian touches–all the things you usually can’t get away with in decorating your normal home. I have a particularly old soul and an infatuation with “the good ole days.” I knew I wanted to incorporate that into my special space.
The camper was in great shape (no surprise for something belonging to my grandparents) so nothing HAD to be replaced, but for aesthetic purposes, I decided it was time for a total refresh. With Nana’s blessing to give the camper new life, I decided it was go big or go home and thus came the cabinet paint color. I have been dreaming of a home and a kitchen filled with bright yellow cabinets as long as I can remember, so my “anything goes” camper was a great place to make it happen.
I used Junk Gypsy chalk paint, in the color “Granny’s Cornbread.” Could it be more perfect? I gave everything a good scrub with Simple Green, removed all the knobs, and got to painting. Because I used a chalk paint, I didn’t have to sand down first, and after three coats, I just sealed it with a few layers of the Junk Gypsy top coat.
Next up were the curtains. I didn’t know how to sew, but I knew the awful 80’s pattern had to go. After many anxious trips back and forth to the fabric store, I finally found a fabric that spoke to me. It was on sale, so it was a go! I took down each of the existing panels, making a map and assigning each panel a number that noted what part of the camper it came from. Then I learned how to sew. Maybe it’s the old soul in me, but I bought a sewing machine. 😉 With the help of my coworkers, a little practice, and some wine, I had sewed my first curtain. I used the old numbered curtains as patterns for the new. I removed the old track clips and reattached them into the the new curtains, and I repurposed some ruffled shower curtains for the privacy panels in front of the bed.
I did recruit outside help to reupholster the cushions. I debated back and forth on the various DIY methods, wanting to save a little money. In the end, I knew this camper would be getting a lot of use. I wanted high quality cushions with covers that could be unzipped, removed, and washed. I found an AMAZING upholstery fabric that was on sale at Jo-Anns Fabric and piled on some other coupons to make the cost a little less cringe-worthy.
The floors were easily the most challenging of all the camper projects. I did my research and felt confident that I could handle it. I went with a StainMaster luxury snap plank vinyl from Lowes. The color is Burnished Oak- Fawn. My boyfriend at the time helped me to measure everything out, and we laid the panels lengthwise down the camper to get the most bang for our buck. It turns out the floors of my camper were a tad uneven, so it took some serious puzzle skills to get it all to fit just so. I had to use a razor blade to trim down the width in some areas and sand edges to make it all work.
The last of the big projects was the counters. I recovered them with a faux marble self-adhesive contact paper. The trick on this was to apply it slowly and steadily, carefully sticking on one section at a time and smoothing out any air bubbles. I was so happy with the end result, and it really brought the whole camper together.
Then came the fun part… accessorizing. I filled the space with everything that made me feel happy, including some great bright bedding (which I got for a bargain) from Target. The final touches, my custom vinyl Willie Nelson quote on the door and custom “Live Free” block letters over the bed, are what I love most. 
There was something so soul shaping about working in my camper night after night. My grandfather, Poppy, had passed away a few years prior, and I was so nervous that I might ruin his prized possession. As the camper started to take shape, and the sounds of Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson flowed out of the windows each night, I felt so connected to my grandparents and their spirit of adventure and love. I knew there was only one name that could do my camper justice–Miss Poppie–as a nod to my Poppy and the great times he and my Nana had together.
I spent countless hours on my first real solo project, and it is a space I can truly call my own. I really found myself out there, working away to the lyrics of country legends. There was plenty of blood, sweat, tears, and beers, but this pop up is such a source of joy for me. It feels like a step back to a simpler time in what can sometimes be such a overwhelming world. I have already taken a few trips with my friends, and they have been some of the most amazing experiences. It is pretty empowering to hitch up the camper and head out for a new adventure, all on my own. There isn’t a second when Miss Poppie isn’t filled with laughter and love, just as Poppy would have wanted it.
And Nana has given her stamp of approval on the finished project, as well. We are incredibly close, so I am so glad I could share this project with her along the way. In fact, we still get together every Sunday and brainstorm new projects for Miss Poppie. I cannot wait to see where the road takes me in the future, and I can only hope that this second life for Miss Poppie will be half as good as her first.
That makeover is just stunning.. and isn’t it the sweetest remodel story you’ve ever heard? I’m feeling a little misty-eyed right now. Thanks so much for sharing your incredible journey with us, Courtney. I hope you create many years of fond memories in Miss Poppie.
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Happy Camping!
Great job!
Question on the counters, did you use a contact paper and then do a gloss topcoat?
I love the shelf over the bed! How is that attached?
That is actually a standard feature that came in Courtney’s Starcraft model, Helen. You can see another Starcraft that boats that feature here:
BETH CASSIDY’S POP UP CAMPER MAKEOVER
Hello,
Do you know what products Courtney used for the long shelf at the head of the bed? It looks like she found some metal support legs that would collapse and a long shelf. Any idea what exactly she used? Or, do you have some ideas for adding a narrow shelf at the head of the bed for decor and cell phone storage at night? Thanks!
That is actually a standard feature that came in Courtney’s Starcraft model, Alex. You can see another Starcraft that boats that feature here:
BETH CASSIDY’S POP UP CAMPER MAKEOVER
We are curious to know how the contact paper on the counter has held up over time. Has it peeled at all?
You had me at Willie Nelson and gypsy and your grandparents. As another featured camper here (October 2016) I too got the bug from my grandparents. This is an amazing tribute that will fulfill you and enrich you. I love that you’re young and are experiencing it with your girl squad too! Enjoy the adventure- Jennie
Ahhhhh, I am so jealous of that Starcraft SpaceSaver shelf!!! I have a Starcraft as well, and keep an eBay alert out for one of them to put in my PUP!
I became the proud owner of a well loved ’92 Starcraft this past weekend. Thank you for the inspiration! My mind is spinning. I can’t wait to get started 😀