Best outdoor living color schemes for vintage campers!
Baby…we’ve come a long way!
One of the first vintage camper shows we attended held a variety of campers in various stages of rust and repair.
This was years ago when it felt like the general population was still getting on board with the idea that old character campers were worth putting the time into. Since then some of those used and abused shells that were gutted in favor of ice fishing shanties and sleepers for hunting weekends have been dragged out of brush piles and meticulously restored.
And along with these restorations comes a fun little lifestyle. Each camper extends their living space to the outdoors by setting up a front yard. This has inspired many of the vintage lovers to use this opportunity to decorate in a way that is quirky and fun and full of nostalgia.
Here’s my top picks for best outdoor camper theme!
Black and White
First of all- this is a Trailblazer camper made right here in WI back in their heyday. How do I know this? The shutters. Uniquely Trailblazer. This is the simplest example of the three with great punchy graphics like the striped awning and patterned rug. It allows a few of the other modest colors in the tablecloth and chairs to be accents in an otherwise crisp color scheme. The Edison style patio lights are always a win and the chalk board sign on the snack table is the perfect example of a vintage notion made into a modern trend. Which nicely sums up the whole vibe of this camping lifestyle movement.
My childhood is calling
This is one of those camper colors you rarely see. We spoke to the person who did this restoration for the owner and he told us that the paint was an original option. This vibrant coral only enhances the setting before it, which is actually in subdued shades of green. The striped awning quickly tells you that they know what’s up and their choice of party lights is fun and playful. But what I love most about this one is that lounger with the floral pattern that reminds me of my childhood. I feel like I sat on one like that as a kid and even though the exact memory hovers just out of reach I know that looking at it curves the corners of my mouth into a small smile.
Shine on-
If you are lucky enough to be starting with such a spectacularly shiny specimen than you are already winning! Add in the amazing layering of a color scheme and you can’t look away from this adorable yard. The combination of patterns is perfection. Large scale and simple on the rug, small scale and busy on the awning (bonus points for that scalloped edge and fringe!), two table clothes reiterate the floral while the checkered tablecloth matches the classic folding chairs. You can tell they have put thought into travel and storage by using collapsible furniture and trays and baskets with handles for easy moving. The old radio and striped thermos on their snack table is my absolute favorite!
While I could provide several more examples these were the stand outs from this year’s Bear Lake Vintage weekend in June! Located in Manawa, this is a must attend event for us to kick off the summer.
For more information on events you can visit their website:
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