14-yr-old buys camper from 1974 and renovates it, one look inside and I’m speechless

Kids used to spend their summers outdoors, playing and exploring. With advancements in technology, they seem to be spending more and more time indoors. However, in 2016, a 14-year-old spent her whole summer fixing up an old camper and the results were both adorable and bright, perfect for a teen girl.

Old Camper, New Camper

Ellie Yeater from West Virginia, 14 at the time, wanted a cool place to hang out with her friends when they’d come over. As a result, she decided she would spend the summer renovating a camper. The camper was originally manufactured in 1974 and therefore, was outdated. “It needed work… lots of work,” her mom told Woodcraft.

The Renovation Process

The furniture was old, dingy, and dirty. The camper looked like it hadn’t been touched since the 1970’s. It would need a total renovation, a task the innovative teen was more than ready to take on. She started her dream project by scraping the floors and removing the rot. After she’d cleaned up the camper, she started having some fun with it. She began decorating and designing the perfect getaway spot for any teen girl to enjoy. The outside was painted a bright blue called “mystic sea“. Meanwhile the interior was peach and aqua.

She then laid new floors, with the help of her professional renovators, dad and brother. By this time, even her grandmother was contributing to the camper remodel. She sewed curtains, towels, and pillowcases to help accent the new design. Consequently, she now had her own private getaway to enjoy with her friends and even invited her family to check out the new design.

When totally completed, her design was barely recognizable from the “before pictures“. Ellie has incredible skills and an eye for interior design. “I have never told her that she couldn’t do anything. She has always been an out-of-the-box thinker. I don’t want her to ever feel she has to color inside the lines. I want her to color the entire page!” Her mom explained.

Camper Improvement Inspiration

If you’re now feeling inspired to bring back some life into your own camper here are some ideas that are both cost-effective and beautiful.

Repaint your Camper

This will help to add some color and life back into the environment.

Add Wallpaper to your Camper

Adding wallpaper can give your camper a pop of texture to liven and freshen up its appearance.

Install Shelves

This will not only give you more space but will also add dimension to the walls and give you more options in the way of decorating.

Install New Windows

his will both give your camper a more updated feel and help improve insulation.

Update the Lighting in Your Camper

This will add brightness to the camper and create a more aesthetically pleasing look during the day.

Or Put in a Sky Light

This will help give you more light during the day and star visibility at night.

Install New Appliances and Update Cabinets and Counters

Doing any or all of these will help to modernize your camper.

Teenagers can do some unexpectedly incredible things. Especially when they’re supported by the people in their lives and have access to resources like “How To” videos on YouTube. Subsequently, this teenager took a little bit of engineering, interior design, and contracting to create an amazing camper. A perfect and fun place to hang out with her friends.

Sources

1. “14-yr-old buys Camper from 1974 and renovates it, one look inside and I’m speechless.” Newsner July 27, 2017.
2. “ET’S GO GLAMPING!” Woodcraft. January 7, 2017
3. “RV remodel ideas: 23 ways to upgrade your Camper.” Extra Space Storage. Retrieved May 2, 2023.