Delve into the hidden world of creativity and design afforded by the humble caravan.
Join Jane Field-Lewis and Chris Haddon as they travel to meet with caravan owners who share happy childhood memories of trips home and abroad, and evenings spent listening to the rain gently patter on the roof. Exploring over forty different caravans of all vintages from across the world, My Cool Caravan celebrates a new wave of interest in modern-retro caravanning.
Chapters include:
New Retro: Representing the modern version of traditional homeliness: think vintage objects, bunting, retro china, rose prints and caravans from the 1950s.
Country Cottage: Recreate an idyll of cosy surroundings with caravans ranging from the 1936 Eccles Aristocrat to Bertram Hutchings’ Winchester Pipet.
Old Retro: The 1960s and 70s was a time of affordable caravans and spawned popular brands, a profitable market and models we still see in their hundreds.
The Simple Life: Take a step back to a less complicated way of life and consider interior design built around the most basic of requirements.
Trailer Park Treasures: Deeply instilled within popular American culture the trailer park legacy has yoyo-ed in popularity from its heyday in the 1950s to a present day resurgence. Celebrate flamboyant graphics, polished aluminium and kitsch interior design.
British Classics: From the ‘king of kings’ Carlight to other iconic brands such as the Cheltenham, Winchester and Safari, explore classic exteriors, quality fittings and top of the range kitchen equipment.
Organic: Characterised by their soft curves, the caravans in this chapter represent a conscious movement towards modernism.
Silver Bullets: Iconic American designs recognisable by their streamlined shape, shiny aluminium exterior and paying homage to other groundbreaking 1930s transportation.
Recycled: Discover how others turn old, forgotten caravans into a number of different purposes and how one person’s junk can be another’s treasure.
Jane Field-Lewis is a London-based stylist working in photography, film and TV. She is the author of the 'my cool' series of lifestyle and interior books. She is also the author of The Anatomy of Sheds, an acclaimed book on stylish sheds, cabins and retreats. She is also the creator and creative consultant and stylist behind the hit C4 series 'Amazing Spaces'. She has an enduring love for both people and style, believing the two are closely entwined. Her career is based on the aesthetic, whether high- or low-style, natural or created, and across people and objects. Jane is based in London.
Chris Haddon is a multi-disciplinary designer with over 20 years experience. He has a huge passion for all things retro and among his collection of vintage caravans is his studio which is a converted 1960s Airstream. He had for many years hankered after the perfect classic car to accompany his retro caravans. The journey that he took when looking for the car he now owns led him to admire and consider many various possibilities along the way.
