Sharing Recent Remodel

[Gulliver72]

After our 2nd major trip out (22,000 miles) in our 25ft 2015FC-FB2, we decided it was time to do something about the uncomfortable seating arrangement and immense waste of useable space given us by the Airstream designers. As the photos show, I removed Airstreams entire seating and table setup. This we replaced with a small solid surface table, custom built cabinetry that I built to my wife’s design, and two swivel recliners. We picked up a roll of the matching Formica at the Mothership while passing through Ohio.

In our opinion, this is the optimum layout for comfort, storage, and usefulness for couples, young and old, traveling alone. Having a crowd for drinks....entertain under the awning.

[Al and Missy]

That looks like a great design. Our 2001 Safari 25 had been partially converted like yours. The trailer originally had a sofa across the front with lift-up tables on each end. The original owner had all that removed and two recliners installed with a pedestal for a table between them. The picture below shows the larger of two tops he had made. The smaller one wasn't big enough to eat from but held a couple of drinks nicely. He also used the area behind the recliners for lift-top storage and a 70's van-style console came partially out between the recliners for additional storage. All the new furniture was done at the factory in matching wood.



We really loved the recliners for the two of us traveling with two dogs, but to us, there were three problems with the setup:
1. His recliners were too large to turn toward the table to eat. We ended up eating from TV trays. Looks like you solved that problem.

2. His recliners didn't lock in the upright position. When we sat to eat the recliners rocked back. We had to do ab crunches to get to the TV trays to eat. Hope you solved that problem with recliner selection or have better abs than we did.

3. We missed having guest seating. That wasn't a concern for you.


All in all, nicely done and it looks great!.


Al

[Foiled Again]

Gulliver 72, noticed that the two recliners don't quite match. Clever! See how the lower armrests and missong footrest on the rigght one allow it to swing. Looks like you can use the side table (furnace cover) to prop your feet up, Or as a third seat. I would have used the drawers without the covering doors, but the design is really a good storage/tv viewing solution.

[SteveSueMac]

I think this is genius! Does the 25FB have venting under the couch the way the 27FB dies and if so, is the black circle on the shorter piece where you placed the heating duct outlet?

[sheriff1]

Originally Posted by Gulliver72

After our 2nd major trip out (22,000 miles) in our 25ft 2015FC-FB2, we decided it was time to do something about the uncomfortable seating arrangement and immense waste of useable space given us by the Airstream designers. As the photos show, I removed Airstreams entire seating and table setup. This we replaced with a small solid surface table, custom built cabinetry that I built to my wife’s design, and two swivel recliners. We picked up a roll of the matching Formica at the Mothership while passing through Ohio.



In our opinion, this is the optimum layout for comfort, storage, and usefulness for couples, young and old, traveling alone. Having a crowd for drinks....entertain under the awning.

Nice job! Just an FYI, the laminate is Wilsonart brand. Get the color name from the Airstream website and I have found that Lowes has it available online. Many different sizes to accommodate your project. This includes counter tops.

[Gulliver72]

Foiled Again.....very astute of you! The recliners don’t match, but not for any reasons you might suggest. The one on the heater side is my wife’s $2500 Norwegian Ekornes leather “Stressless” chair from home. It comes with a separate ottoman, which we never use. We did the best we could in finding the other one (for FAR less than the Stressless) which came from an RV supplier. Perhaps not so obvious is that both recliners can pivot 360 degrees. You can watch TV, rotate to watch each other (and eat or work at the table, and rotate to look out the back window to see the icebergs and humpback whales we’ve been watching in Newfoundland this week!
Much thought was given to drawer faces vs. doors. Doors won. LOTS of weight in each drawer. Didn’t think I could keep them from flying open under way. 100lbs. soft close slides were used.
In addition to a great footrest, and extra seat, the heater cover is a great storage shelf. The table is also 6 or 7 inches lower than the original.
As they say, “the devil’s in the details”.

[Gulliver72]

SteveSueMac....concerning vents/ducts....removed output duct from the rear, and direct vented the output to the rear (reduced airflow by 70% out the back to force more heated air to the bedroom and mid section while not toasting my wife in her chair). Created an arched intake (not visible in photo) on back side, and added an additional intake on the front side (visible in photo). Air intake must be balanced with air output.

[SteveSueMac]

Absolutely beautiful and infinitely more practical than stock. Really wish the factory did it this way.

[Gulliver72]

Sheriff1....The laminate is in fact Wilsonart “Gold Alchemy” available from anyone who sells laminate. We weren’t sure if it would be available anywhere, and we’re at the Mothership anyway, so picked it up there. We purchased the edging from a laminate edging company (had to buy 600 ft.��). The countertop is a Formica in Matt finish of our choice. I will be replacing the sink/cooktop countertop with the same upon our return from this trip. I will also replace the junk Dometic 3 Burner cooktop with a 2burner stainless steel/cast iron grate one. We already replaced the faucet with a nice high rise one.

[DBSteed]

Your remodel is beautiful. We did a similar remodel to our 2008 Safari 27FB, and we love it! We went with one recliner and shortened the bench seating. We have two dogs that travel with us, and I can recline on the bench with them. Our added cabinet has shelves with doors, which has worked well for us. We also converted our queen bed to twins and added storage at the end of the beds. I hope you enjoy your remodel as we have enjoyed ours.

Debbie

You can see our remodel at:
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f468...se-186848.html

[J. Morgan]

Nice!!!!

[TouringDan]

Beautiful remodel!

We are planning on completely remodeling the interior of our 95 34’. We are planning on installing two recliners that swivel similar to the new one you installed. What brand is it, if you don’t mind me asking?

Dan

[Gulliver72]

Dan....We bought our chair from our local RV dealer, but it is available through Camping World. We believe the manufacturer is Thomas Paine. It cost around $450.

Originally Posted by TouringDan

Beautiful remodel!

We are planning on completely remodeling the interior of our 95 34’. We are planning on installing two recliners that swivel similar to the new one you installed. What brand is it, if you don’t mind me asking?

Dan

[SewStream]

Gulliver72 - this is one of the nicest remodels I have seen on the forum! Beautiful job with the space planning and execution of your design. I especially like how you used the Ekornes recliner with the RV recliner in your space. Clever disguise for the furnace. [emoji1303]❤️

[PKI]

Agree - very well done - the first valid reason for getting a 25 that I have seen. Pat

[Gulliver72]

Thank you SewStream. I certainly does help that my wife is a designer, and I am (was&#128515 a kitchen remodeler!
Every morning as we wake up in beautiful Newfoundland (after pinching ourselves), one of the first things we exclaim (after good morning to each other and the dog) is, “I love our Gulliver”. This remodel has changed everything for us!

[2Nomads]

Gulliver72,
We've ripped out the back of our 2020 Globetrotter 25FTB for the exact same reason. We have chairs/table but I'm curious...I know that this rebuild was a while ago...any suggestions on how those of us who are not cabinet builders can get a cabinet for over the wheel well and something for over the heater? We really like what you did (or could you send us specs?). Thanks.

[sheriff1]

Just completed changing out the countertops on our remodel 27FB Eddie Bauer.

[Apexbasher]

Originally Posted by sheriff1

Nice job! Just an FYI, the laminate is Wilsonart brand. Get the color name from the Airstream website and I have found that Lowes has it available online. Many different sizes to accommodate your project. This includes counter tops.

Originally Posted by Gulliver72

Sheriff1....The laminate is in fact Wilsonart “Gold Alchemy” available from anyone who sells laminate. We weren’t sure if it would be available anywhere, and we’re at the Mothership anyway, so picked it up there...

Question about the laminate. I have a Wilsonart distribution warehouse near me and when I inquired about the Gold Alchemy they asked which "finish" I wanted it in. Their choices are:

01 Gloss
07 Textured Gloss
18 Linearity
38 Fine Velvet Texture
60 Matte

I do not have a sample, but remember it as being a satin like finish on the cabinetry. So which do I order? Thanks for your help!

[sheriff1]

Originally Posted by Apexbasher

Question about the laminate. I have a Wilsonart distribution warehouse near me and when I inquired about the Gold Alchemy they asked which "finish" I wanted it in. Their choices are:



01 Gloss

07 Textured Gloss

18 Linearity

38 Fine Velvet Texture

60 Matte



I do not have a sample, but remember it as being a satin like finish on the cabinetry. So which do I order? Thanks for your help!

I didn’t have those options through Lowes. I just had one. Wish I could be of help.