restoration is slow. The Airstream is at a property I part own and I only get there, if lucky a few days each week. Just got back. It was cold and snowing and dark by 4:00. But hopefully I will be there more in the new year.
In my head I see progress, the reality is based upon how things were constructed back then. So upgrading while retaining a vintage look without being to kitsch based upon our perceptions of
1955 design and nostalgia is a challenge. I think when I am done the Airstream will look as if it was just a result of the times and not a result of perceived nostalgia and kitsch.
I also want to recycle as much as I can. I found some incredible aluminum tent poles for $3.50 at a thrift store recently and then found vintage awning material at another. So now I am almost finished constructing an 18' x 10' awning (to shelter from the sun more than a rain cover) all for $50- so far. I just need to construct a bead for the C channel which is not to hard and I will be under $100- for my awning. I like that it is old awning fabric and not to brightly coloured (green & mustard yellow stripe). I also know how to construct and sew all this stuff and build everything else too so I will get there. I work in the city reconditioning some small things (Airstream signage, awnings, lighting...) and then out at the farm on the actual Airstream (floor, insulation, welding...).
Takes time doing it all myself but if I can design and build a house, I can do this. I will bring in help when I need it. But I have learned that others like the idea of an Airstream but are not as fanatical as I am so I try to minimize talking about it or I just come across sounding like an over excited "Airstream Geek" that has drank one too many coffees that day.
Cheers!
PS: images are of signage I am working on and material for awning. The Okanagan signs are from remnants of a sticker that is on the Airstream. I reconstructed it and gave it some colors I imagined it might have been.
Excuse the odd angle for the awning material image.
Linear Mode
