50's style diner decor

[CampUnger]

Hey All,
We just got our 31' 1979 Airstream land yacht soveriegn in May of 2010 and have already spent a few trips in it. This is our first camper ever and we are so excited its a silver classic icon. We were lucky enough to be only the second owner of it and the first took great care and pride in it. We have made a few repairs heater, some joints in water lines, new toilet, but all else is original and dated but still in decent shape.

Has anyone done a 50's style diner decor in their airstream? We are a long way out from this project but Im trying to find some resources to keep an eye on for good buys. If you have photos I would love to see them for inspiration.

Our 31' Soveriegn is a center bath, we are thinking of changing the rear full bedroom entirely into a foam bed while keeping storage as noted in my other post.

I have checked out the foam factory as recommended in others posts.

The front is a Gaucho with the fold up table and a credenza. We have considered removing the credenza and putting seating all along that side and around the front keeping the front as a spare bed and the underseat storage all around. I'm still trying to find a way to incorporate a table into the mix as we have 2 small (7mo. and 2 yr) children and it really is handy to have for family meals and playtime. I want the table to collapse like the original folding table currently on the opposite side of the door.

My other question is does anyone have any ideas on what to do with the walls and faux wood vinyl covered cabinets to incorporate them into the theme with out removing everything?


So far I have found the vinyl that I would like to usefor the couch. Naugahyde (because of its cold crack rating @ -20) in red, silver, and maybe charcoal. Im not sure if I should include a white piping for trim or where to find it. I'm also unsure of the exact style of seating and patterns of vinyl on it. All red, "V", or rectangle of silver in in the seat backs??? I love the booth style but also want it to be comfy too.
Sparkle Vinyl 6 Colors | DIY Upholstery Supply

For the counter top we are thinking of a Boomerang laminate. I like the red ebony and red glacier. Boomerang laminates from Bars & Booths

We have considered a stainless (or something similar) wall in the bathrooms and kitchen backsplash and will check with local heating and cooling contractor for that. We still need an outlet for the silver/chrome trimwork for the countertops (similar to what they show in the classic rides youtube clips) and not sure what else.

We just replaced the flooring with brown indoor/outdoor carpet this year. I know it doesnt fit the decor but it shows less dirt than black and with kids we know it will get replaced eventually.

This is something I'm super excited about but we will only be able to do a little bit each year depending on $$$ & schedules. Any ideas or photos would be great!
thanks for lookin and sharing!!

[1953 Flying]

Howdy and welcome to the forums. Here is a link to my restoration of the 53 Flying Cloud. It was quit an undertaking to do. We also wanted to keep the 50 era style so we went with the boomerang laminate and chrome edging. There is so much information here on the forums that you can be reading for years. I wish you the best of luck on the journey of recreating you Airstream.

1953flyingcloud.shutterfly.com <-------copy and paste

[CampUnger]

The pics are great! Thankyou for sharing! Where did you find the trim for the table? I love the stove n fridge n would love to have both in our airstream, but what we have works for now. someday we hope to completly tear it apart but not till the kids can care for themselves a bit.
Thanks,
Crystal

[Bowmans]

Welcome! Congratulations on the camper purchase. We also have a 1979 31' Sovereign, center bath. We just renovated ours over the last 2 years and started camping in it late this past summer. It is not a 60's or diner style but our blog is in the signature below if you want to take a look at some of the trials we had during the renovation. Good luck with everything!