Aug
8
2009
8
2009
The Minnie Winnie Renovations Revealed
Filed under: The Minnie Winnie
Whew! It’s finished…our little 1983 Winnebago Diesel Minnie Winnie is officially on the road! We are currently in northern Minnesota staying with Matt’s parents. After that, we head to Minneapolis, then to Iowa to be with my family. Then on to Nebraska and Colorado to visit friends.
Here is a list of all the things my amazing husband upgraded in the RV:
- Painted cupboards
- Painted walls (with leftover paint from our house)
- Installed bamboo hardwood flooring
- Removed the stove and created shelving for more storage
- Installed new countertop
- Re-laminated dinette table
- Slipcovered couch and dinette seating
- Painted all hinges silver
- Sewed new curtains for all windows
- Installed new front seats
- Replaced carpet in cab
- Installed flat screen TV with built in DVD on a swing arm
- Engine improvements: Installed new alternator
- Upgraded entire electrical system
The practical details:
- Matt and Bella share a closet for their clothes and Lucy and I share the other closet. The closets are the 2 cabinets on either side of the door.
- The space under the countertop (where the oven used to be) houses my Vita-Mix, juicer, food processor, and other random items.
- The only thing we didn’t update was the bathroom. The shower, sink, and toilet are all in one tiny room…you pull a shower curtain around everything to protect it from getting wet…so we didn’t want to paint those walls.
- Bella rides in the passenger seat in her booster. Lucy rides in her car seat in the dinette (there are 2 seatbelts there).
- All of my pantry foods and kitchen items fit nicely above the kitchen area. I was pleasantly surprised. The fridge is a dorm sized fridge, which is challenging at times. I’m sure it would be perfect for someone not doing raw foods, but for us it’s a little tight.
- Fun fact: Matt sewed all of the curtains. Like I said, he’s amazing.
If you are a new reader to my blog, you might not know that this is our 3rd RV in 2 years
Here are the other two renovations:
The Live Lightly Tour RV
The Alpine Coach
Posted by Sara @ 2:30 pm | Leave a Comment
8
2009
amazing
you guys amaze me—wow
what a piece if heaven
much love to you 4
xxxcarrie
8
2009
lovely lovely lovely! enjoy
8
2009
This is wonderful. Your husband is so talented.
I’ve been thinking moving into an rv full time in the next couple of years.
8
2009
We just bought our first trailer with plans to live in it full time within the next year or two. Your renovations inspire me – everything in our trailer is oak, lavender and floral right now. Can’t wait to put a modern touch on it like you guys have to yours.
Have a great trip!
8
2009
Wow! Amazing how dark and sad it was in the before photos, you gave it a whole new life! So inspiring. I just love what you do with small spaces, just the right amount of homey stuff to make it cozy yet no clutter feeling at all. You guys really have talent for that. Bamboo floors in a trailer?! Amazing! Beautiful!
8
2009
Wow! That is stunning. I am amazed at how lovely your renovations always turn out. Enjoy your trip!
8
2009
What an incredible transformation!!!!!
8
2009
I love it! It’s beautiful.
8
2009
Thanks so much for the update. I’ve been anxiously awaiting those awesome pics. So happy for you. (And living vicariously a lil bit.)
8
2009
It looks great!
8
2009
The colors are great!
8
2009
So inspiring! Excellent work, Matt.
8
2009
what is the bungee corded hula hoop for???
i have to say- you guys have a gift at eeking out every imaginable piece of space in a place! the winnie looks incredible! i love the color, the chenille seat covers, the water purifier!!! it’s great!
btw- john and i are still trying to figure out where to begin in compiling a list of questions to ask you guys about full time road livin’.
happy travels!
8
2009
Another beautiful space! You guys pack more style into an RV than I’ve ever been able to in a house. I so wish I had that talent!
8
2009
who knew that an RV could look so fun and cozy inside? you both did such an incredible job!
9
2009
wow, it’s beautiful! it looks so comfortable!
enjoy xx
9
2009
I stand in total awe!
I mean it looks better than my HOUSE!
Matt is truly amazing – I reckon you may be underplaying your role here though, Sara!
9
2009
Oh I’m in love … that is so stunning! My husband is trying to buy a VW Kombi at the moment, and your pictures are what are inspiring me to support him!
9
2009
Wow. I can’t believe it, you stripped that puppy of 25 years and made it beautiful!! We are in a fixer-upper (house) and it is a very fun, if tiring, process, but look at that outcome! GORGEOUS!
Sarah M
(from Nebraska–careful its HOT here right now-heat index of 100-105!)
9
2009
This was amazing! I am a newer reader to your blog so I wonder… you say ythis is your third RV in a few yars… does that mean the other ones don’t work anymore, or did you just trade them in, or do you collect them? Also, an RV from 1983.. other than a new alternator, you didn’t have to do anything else? The engine still works? Amazing! It’s definitely got me thinking about getting an RV in the future.
Thanks for the post!
Nicole
9
2009
Sarah M: No worries…Nebraska isn’t until October
Armchair Housewife: The first one we toured in. The second one was to live in long term. Then I got pregnant so we sold it to settle down and have Lucy. Then we wanted one to travel/vacation in.
The previous owner installed a new engine, so it’s basically like new.
9
2009
awesome renovation..that winnie is adorable ! hubby has been wanting one…if we could get one like that I’d be in!
9
2009
Will you pack me on your next adventure, please, just so that I may hang out in what must be the hippest looking RV ever???
9
2009
Beautiful!! We are in the process of renovating the interior of our neglected RV. Do you just paint right over the wallpaper? We will use low/no-voc paint, and I’m hoping we don’t need to remove the paper or use a stinky primer first.
We’re removing cabinets to upgrade to a king-family bed in the back and removing carpet to install wood or bamboo flooring.
We love to look at your pictures for inspiration, thank you so much for sharing them (and the details!)
10
2009
How exciting!!
10
2009
I am a little jealous that you get to travel in such a beauty! I love it! So much fun color as always.
10
2009
Oh my! It never occured to me that an RV or motorhome could be so cute. Do you mind sharing what the renos cost to undertake?
10
2009
SO cute! I love the colors and fabrics. It looks cozy and magical all at the same time.
I was excited to see a new post on here, hoping it would be Lucy’s birth story! I’ve been waiting to see/hear about that experience….but seeing the Minnie Winnie is cool too!
10
2009
A minnie winnie is a dream of mine!
How did it all “fall into place” for you?
The ones I have looked at are pretty cost-prohibitive…
Such amazing renovations!
Sending you blessings!
10
2009
Love your remodel of the trailor! It just speaks adventure.
I was wondering where you got the tray that holds the magnets?? I love the idea.
Happy travels.
allison
10
2009
You all are so great! I’m inspired every time I check your blog. Thanks for sharing =)
10
2009
Hi Matt and Sarah,
This is so beautiful. My family all like what you’ve done with the RV renovation. My daughter was so inspired she even built a Lego model of an RV for me. You have to check it out, it is so cute. LOL! If we ever get to be on the road, your RV decor will be my model that’s for sure.
Thank you for sharing it with us.
Jenny
11
2009
Wow, Matt and Sarah- it’s incredible. What talent you two have!
11
2009
THIS IS SERIOUSLY AWESOME. So inspirational! Thanks for posting so many great pics on your flicker.
11
2009
Very nice!
First time here, visiting from Making Home. Been enjoying perusing your blog and thrilled to find another Jesus loving, hs’ing mama with so many of the same passions.
I had to leave a comment and say how much I love your dreads! I’ve been tossing the idea around, and right now I have a head full of braids..
11
2009
Hi there! If I might ask…how would you suggest a person would get onto the raw food diet (initially)? Great RV BTW!
12
2009
Just found your blog and I am so inspired…not only by your amazing creativity, your well-trained eye for color and sacred moments, but also in your love for Jesus. Your life looks so fun!
12
2009
Katy…I would suggest just starting to add more raw foods to your diet gradually. Start with a green smoothie every day for 2 weeks. Then add a salad with your meals (and eat it before you eat the other food). Snack on fruits and veggies, nuts and seeds throughout the day. And RESEARCH!! Knowledge will bring inspiration. Check out http://www.alissacohen.com. I really like her site for those just starting out. I also like Karen Knowler: http://www.livingmagicallyonraw.com/
12
2009
Amazing! We were camping this weekend and thought of changing a few things in our little pop-up. Thanks for the inspiration!
12
2009
Your Minnie Winnie looks amazing. You two should renovate and re-sell them for a profit. I’m totally shocked at how much it changed from an outdated RV to looking like a home. I wish you and your family the best on your travels and cannot wait to hear more. Thank you for the inspiration to lead a more simple life!
12
2009
Hey Sara,
Wondering if you have any suggestions for a good prenatal yoga dvd? I have a gym membership but there are no “prenatal” yoga classes- I’d love to keep going for weights and the track etc. but am looking for a good dvd to do at home. Any thoughts on “Christian” yoga? I’m a believer and wondering about traditional yoga vs. Christian yoga. Thought you might be a good resource… any suggestions?
Thanks,
Sarah
12
2009
Wow. It is really amazing, and he did a great job!
13
2009
That’s amazing! It’s so cute – a little home on the road! We have a pop up camper that we love to take to State Parks (mostly) but haven’t ventured out of the state with it. Have fun and safe travels!
14
2009
Sara-
I am sitting here in amazement! These are wonderful. How in the world? How long did this take? Where did you get this idea? Yes, it’s obvious, I’m sure, that I’m new here, but I’m glad I found you!
14
2009
Wow, I cannot imagine fitting all those fruits and vegetables in a small fridge. At least some, like oranges, apples, limes, bananas, etc can be left out. I’d think I’d have to have another (regular sized) fridge if I had to refrigerate those!
Anyway, friend recommended this blog to me since I recently returned to a high-raw lifestyle. My husband would LOVE to do the whole RV remodeled. We’ve talked about it a lot!
14
2009
I love this. It is so fresh and inspiring. We have a VW van and this is making me want to pull the carpet up, paint, and get new curtains. I love the way you make the untraditional route cool looking- easy on the eyes!
14
2009
I love your sense of style. Stripes are always a favorite of mine.
Jennifer
14
2009
deidra…This one took about 6 weeks off and on. I always like to make a space my own…and after we remodeled our first RV and lived in it on the road for 18 months, you get to know what you like, etc.
Mandy Mom…yes, it’s quite small. We just have to be careful about how much we buy at one time (which is hard when I’m used to buying 4 large spinach containers at once!). We do leave a lot of it out…citrus, apples, etc. We also utilize the fridge of our family when we are staying with them
15
2009
Dear Sarah,
Just wanted to go public, and tell you that I love your blog. I came across it through Kelley Ward’s blog. I am Brazilian and Kelley’s friend from Trinity Western University. My blog is abandoned but it exists: http://www.translucentdew.blogspot.com. Ahh! And I love your pictures, you are such a talented photographer.
Mariana
15
2009
Your camper is very cute! I am curious where you where in Northern, MN ~ I live in Bemidji.