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#Vanlife, The Block’s Michael & Carlene renovate a vintage van

November 9, 2017 1 Comment

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The humble caravan is staging a major comeback. Have you ever gone down the rabbit hole that is the hashtag #vanlife? There’s currently 2.2 millionย Instagram posts tagged! And #vanlife is not just an aesthetic or even a mentality, it’s come to encapsulate a movement; a one-word, enviable lifestyle that is free of the traditional nine-to-five. Now, thanks to social media, many want to jump in a caravan and drive into the unknown!

So it comes as little surprise thatย self-confessed caravan geeks and Block alumni,ย Michael and Carlene Duffy, jumped at the opportunity toย renovate a vintage Viscount van.ย The finished product, Vonnie the Van, sleeps two adults and two kids, making it perfect for overnight visits from friends, owners looking to up their Stayz revenue and of course, those wanting to hit the wide, open road and explore the country.

Taking inspiration from the stunning coastal bushland around their family home in Queenslandโ€™s Tallebudgera, Michael and Carlene chose a colour palette of varying shades of green, offset by brass and gold fixtures. Wanting to create a soft, relaxed, natural vibe; they opted for White Knight’s Sussex (a muted green) paired with Crisp White as the two hero colours. Vonnie has ended up a fresh, calm, Palm Springs-inspired version of her retro roots, with just a touch of glam!

Before the reno

Vintage vans can be picked up quite cheaply, but most are in dire need of renovation, refurbishment and modernisation, which is where Michael and Carlene came to the rescue. “Vonnie the Van had good bones but needed aย lotย of work,” explains Michael. “The metal exterior was on the verge of rusting, the interior laminate cupboards and kitchen-tops were straight out of the 60s and the old girl badly needed some new furniture.โ€

Before… Agh!

Applying all their home renovation skills to Vonnieโ€™s makeover, they upcyled old furniture using acrylic enamel spray paint; modernised the benches and cupboards with laminate paint and brought her exterior and chassis back to life with White Knight’s Rust Guard.

With the right products, some TLC and hard yakka, Vonnie is now ready to cruise the coastline for many more years to come.

More on White Knight | Michael and Carlene’s latest adventures

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How's that for a pool?! This Noosa riverfront ab How's that for a pool?! 

This Noosa riverfront abode just won Home of the Year in the 2022 HIA-CSR Australian Housing Awards. 

Take the tour and find out why. On the homepage now via linknin bio.

#poolsofinstagram #poolhome #swimmingpooldesign #houseoftheyear #riverfronthomes 

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Let's make your life easier with this amazing laundry prize from @hillshomeliving 

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For your chance of winning follow us and @hillshomeliving and tag a friend below by midnight Sydney time next Friday 27 May. One entry per person.

The concertina and sorting centre are available at Big W and the baskets at Bunnings.

Open to Australian residents only. Not affiliated with or endorsed by Instagram.

#laundryinspo #laundryideas #laundryday
We've entered an exciting phase in our home: non-s We've entered an exciting phase in our home: non-synthetic rug land!

With two young boys, I've always advocated for the synthetic and easily scrub-cleanable rug! Now they'reย a bit older and observing the shoes-off and no-food-in-the-living-room rules, I thought it was time! And I'm in love with our bold newย @castleryau Lorenzo Wool Rug.

You can't beat the luxurious look and feel of wool and I've also stepped outside my comfort zone with a design that stands out rather than blends in. Get me!

Can someone remind the kids about the keep-the-toys-in-the-playroom rule though?!

Would you be brave enough to go for a cream wool rug in your house?!

This rug is on display at Castlery's popup at Moore Park SupaCenta until October. 

#athomewithcastlery #rug #interiorsaddictfamilyhomereno #statementrugย #gifted
My kmart rattan bedhead hack๐Ÿค— And all the othe My kmart rattan bedhead hack๐Ÿค—

And all the other cost-saving tricks I used as well as everything featured with links, on the blog today.

Our bedroom isn't perfect. A bed under the window isn't ideal. We don't have a walkin robe. It's a slightly awkward shape. But I really feel I've made the best of it and love its fresh new look and feel!

So glad to swap the carpet for laminate too. Are you team carpet or team hard floor in a bedroom? Please comment carpet or hard floor below!

With thanks to the cammellia hedge for fitting the colour palette perfectly ๐Ÿค—๐Ÿ˜†

On the homepage now via link in bio.

#kmarthack #kmarthacks #masterbedrooms #interiorsaddictfamilyhomereno #laminatefloors #aluminiumwindow
This slideshow is just a snapshot ๐Ÿ˜ฏ Today's ho This slideshow is just a snapshot ๐Ÿ˜ฏ

Today's home, a new build duplex in Sydney's Dover Heights, is nothing short of incredible. Bravo 28 year old interior designer Shona McElroy of @smac_studio 

See the rest, including the statement staircase, on the homepage now. Via link in bio.

#brasspendant #statementlighting
#colouredstone #featurestone #venetianplaster #powderroomdecor 

Pix by @smartanson | Styling @clairedelmar
Always dreamed of knocking down an old shack and b Always dreamed of knocking down an old shack and building two luxury town houses but held back by a lack of cash?

It's the reality for many but @emilyosmond
And her fiance Koden teamed up with their good friend Jake to do just that, pooling their finances.

Read how they did it and check out Emily and Koden's gorgeous home, which is currently up for sale (yes, they're going to do it all over again!), on the homepage now. Via link in bio.

#propertydevelopers
#propertydeveloping
#townhouseliving #townhousedesign #melbournetownhouse #knockdownrebuild
Fridays with Charlie ๐Ÿฅฐ Tap for where things ar Fridays with Charlie ๐Ÿฅฐ

Tap for where things are from
Floor to ceiling tiles are not the only option! I Floor to ceiling tiles are not the only option!

I'm actually a big fan of the contrast you can achieve by only tiling part way as @naomifindlayofficial has here in her Carrington House reno. And she topped them with an @intrimgroup chair rail to give a finished look.

Read more about how Naomi used timber mouldings to achieve a consistent look, feel and flow between the original cottage and the modern extension on the blog now. Via the homepage (link in bio).

#greentiles #featuretile #bathroomtilesideas #chairrails #timbermouldings
Our new podcast is launching soon๐Ÿ™Œ๐Ÿป The bas Our new podcast is launching soon๐Ÿ™Œ๐Ÿป

The basic premise is getting the experts to help with the interior challenges and questions faced by our readers. And on that note, I'd love to know what you struggle with when it comes to decorating or renovating? 

Please comment below and it could become a podcast episode!

#heartyourhomethepodcast #interiorsaddictheartyourhome
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About Olivia Shead

When she's not writing for Interiors Addict, Olivia is now a TV and radio news producer. She's a journalism graduate of UTS Sydney.

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Comments

  1. AvatarDavid says

    November 16, 2017 at 2:38 am

    Such a beautiful renovation. I travel full-time in a 1969 VW and had a fully custom interior put in her to make travels more comfortable. But I think its safe to say, this is on another scale!

    Reply

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