It was quite “the project” when they first bought it, but now Shelly and Greg — along with Looly the Shih-Tzu — love spending time at their 1958 Terra Cruiser Trailer vacation home in Arizona. Their real estate agent recommended they tear it down — but once Shelly and Greg spotted all the pink perfection beneath coats of 1980s paint, they were hooked. 16 bottles of Citristrip later — and this rare trailer is back in original form. And it’s a real beauty!
Shelly writes:
Here are photos from my 1958 Universal Terra-Cruiser trailer in Arizona (aka the Love Shack).
About seven years ago we were looking for a cabin in the pines in Arizona. Everything was crazy expensive, but then our realtor said she had a great lot for us. “Never mind the icky old trailer on the property… tear it out and build your dream home!” she gleefully recommended. It was an amazing lot (creek, pines, oaks, fruit trees, etc.) so we sealed the deal, and the newly-dubbed Love Shack was ours.
Once we cleaned heaven-only-knows-how-many-years of grime off every surface imaginable, took out all the kokopellis and navy blue *everything*, we started noticing the trailer’s charms… birchwood paneling, groovy original hardware throughout, jalousie windows, etc.
Most importantly, however — the smidge of pink peeking out from under the white paint that covered the toilet, sinks (bath + kitchen), tub, shower surround, kitchen backsplash, and gas stove. After about 16 bottles of citristrip (and many scraped knuckles), we uncovered gleaming, mostly pristine pink 1958 beauty!
[Editor’s note: Precautionary Pam reminds: Readers, there can be vintage nastiness such as lead paint and asbestos in the layers of our vintage homes. Be sure to consult with your own properly licensed professional to be sure what you have so that you can make informed decisions before remodeling. Be Safe / Renovate Safe. ]
I posted some pictures of the place on the internet, and the very knowledgeable and helpful trailer expert Juergen Eichermuller pointed out that it was a Universal Terra-Cruiser model, and quite a gem at that. Even had a “how much do you want for it?” purchase offer from someone!
We decided then to fully embrace the original vibe of the place. Hubs pulled up the living room carpet to reveal the original vinyl flooring (light brown with neopolitan ice cream-colored streaks). It had sustained some water damage in places, so he rooted around inside cabinets, under the bed, etc. to find replacement tiles, and it now looks wonderful.
Last year when I turned 50, we had a big “party in the pines” and our guests brought every piece of flamingo swag imaginable, so the exterior is now as fun and retro-licious as the interior.
Next on the agenda is to re-paint the exterior with the original streamlined design based on a 1958 magazine ad. But….while hubby appreciates the historical aspect of the pink stuff inside, he is leery (okay, understandably) about reverting the trailer to its original pink-trimmed exterior. Boo-hoo! 🙂
Above: Pink & gold swirled wallboard surrounding bathroom sink and tub.
The bath has its original pink tub, toilet and sink as well as the pink-gold marbled tub surround and sink backsplash…all lovingly scraped inch by square inch to remove the awesome Navajo White paint that someone thought was somehow (gasp) preferable.
Above: The original bath light fixture.
In the kitchen, we also have the original pink gas stove & (double) sink!
You might also be able to see the pink checked & gold starburst wallboard in the kitchen.
Above: ’50s-era glider on deck, matching rocker.
This trivet was made with broken pink tiles salvaged from the demolished ladies’ restroom at a local Senator Drive-In Movie Theater (gives you an idea of the extent of my mania, perhaps?).
Above: Built-in desk in kitchen with a close-up of “cracked ice” formica on desk top. [Pam interjects: I would not call this cracked ice; I woudl call it an abstract mosaic with glitter. I would also call it: Fantastique!]
Wow, Shelly and Greg: Underneath all that paint — a real time capsule trailer beauty. It sure sounds like restoring your trailer was “some therapy” — you are definitely a contender for this year’s The Hard Way Award, Pam says!
I’m not sure I could pick a favorite pink piece from your home — but if I had to try, it would be a tie between the laminate countertop on your built-in desk and that adorable pink vintage stove in your adorable pink and white kitchen.
“… the extent of my mania”… you say? Heck yeah, we get it!
Thanks so much for sharing your little slice of retro heaven with all of us!
tammyCA says
On a side note..speaking of pink bathrooms. I was skimming through the May issue of House Beautiful mag in the doc office and was shocked to see an awesome vintage pink & black bathrm..it’s actually all new tile & items made to look 1930s style…the house in Beverly Hills once belonged to Ann Miller. Also had another similar bath in green and black. Anyway, cool and unexpected to see a designer do that retro style in BH.
ShellyinPhx says
Fun fact, tammyCA…Ann Miller was at my baby shower when I was pregnant 23 years ago and offered to tap dance on my tummy to coax the baby out!
June Cahill says
OK, here’s my little ‘tag’ on the pink bathrooms…in Tucson, just got to tour Linda Ronstadt’s home (on market now). Built in 1930 (or there about) she purchased it in the mid-90s. And was SO wonderfully sensitive to remodel/replace/keep the old-style Tucson charm. She enlarged the master bathroom – and found pink tiles to match the original tiles. The bathroom looks like it’s been there since the beginning. In the spare bathroom, she was able to find green tiles that matched the originals. Original wrought iron sconces and chandeliers, flooring – the fireplace tiles had been replaced in the 80s – and she had them redone choosing tiles from the 30s. SO EXQUISITE!
tammyCA says
Ohmigosh, it’s so darling I wanna cry! Hooray for you two to not listen to the realtor and instead uncover the hidden gem. So many glorious things..pink stove, sinks, tub, the flooring, starbursts…so charming and cozy. It brings to mind happy vacation memories when we would go to an aunt’s trailer on a woodsy lake in Wisconsin.
June Cahill says
Pink-O-Rama! What a wonderful project – and a wonderful outcome! This so reminds me of the little vintage trailers at “The Shady Dell” in Bisbee – those delicious lacquered birch cabinets and veneered walls!! Original appliances!
I love just about everything you’ve done – and all the ‘accents’ as well – darling chenille bedspread, built-ins, pink poodle on the porch, and the TV trays – tucked behind the rocker – and how your couch pillows look like your beautiful ‘Neapolitan’ flooring! Having lived in Scottsdale, Flagstaff and now Tucson, I can only imagine where this wonderful place is – and how much enjoyment you’ll get out of it during our 5 month summers!:/ Kudos!
Laurie Louise says
I LOVE the Love Shack! Fantastic job! I’m so glad you saw what you had and set to scrubbing and scraping. I know how hard his can be…yesterday, while scrubbing the umpteenth layer of who-knows-what mixed with the leavings of mice on a high-fiber diet, I thought, “Maybe we ARE crazy.” But quickly came back to crazy in a good way! (We bought an almost time capsule on three acres next to a nature preserve. We think our house sat vacant for nine years, in the middle of the woods.) I can’t decide what I covet most in your trailer, so I’ll go with the French provincial coffee table. Yum!
Pam–I was going to pitch you a story on swirl ceiling texture. Yesterday the guy we found through the local preservation society came out to look at needed repairs and said our ceilings were too fine for his skills. So now I’m on a quest. I’ll document and report if you’d like. Thanks again for the retro love you and Kate share here!
pam kueber says
Ok, please do document. I have a photo of a swirl ceiling from an estate sale house that I will post at some point in the near future…
Laurie Louise says
Will do, Pam. Should I e-mail you as the story develops?
pam kueber says
sure! thanks!
June Cahill says
..and on this note – walked through a home here in Tucson yesterday with the MOST marvelous hand-swirled ceiling! – In EVERY room! I was mesmerized at how long that much have taken – looked so even – I was thinking it was possibly ‘stamped’ out by machine! Hmmm.
Laurie Louise says
June, our swirls are in every room, too. And very straight and even. My mom had swirls done in our living room when she remodeled our house about 1962. I remember lying on the floor and looking up, mesmerized. To me, they are a very special feature of our very special house.
Cassidy says
Oh god. That pink elephant on the shelf in that last photo. I need it. I have such the pink elephant problem.
Robin, NV says
Holy smokes! What a great find and an awesome rehab! I’m super jealous. It’s hard to pick a favorite feature but that floor is totally fab!
ShellyinPhx says
And a big THANK YOU to this fabulous website for helping us learn so much about retro deliciousness! Pam is pretty much my hero. 🙂
pam kueber says
ahhhhh, thank you for the nice comment. and THANK YOU for sharing your fabulous story with all of us!!!!! At this point — its readers like you who are making this blog what it is today!
Panzyzz says
Wow!! This Love Shack is fantastic! The pinkness! Have to say I’m with Pam on this one – both the glitter countertop and the stove are my favorites but the whole package is awesome. So happy Shelly and Greg could really SEE the uniqueness of this place. Wonderful story! Another pink bathroom saved!
Ranger Smith says
Kudos to you two for all of the work you put in. I can’t believe you were able to strip off that pain and find the Purdy Pink in Pristine condition. The glider is fabu!
Ranger Smith says
I meant paint, NOT pain. Oops.
shirley in memphis says
Just goes to show ya, less is so much more. What a little piece of heaven!!
pam kueber says
Yup!