After a Full Overhaul, This Vintage Avion Camper Is Ready to Hit the Road for $85K

Parachute, a company renowned for its bedding products, has announced its expansion into the furniture market, beginning with a collection of upholstered bed frames. This new venture, which launched on September 15, allows customers to furnish their entire sleeping area with the brand's offerings. The initial furniture collection includes three distinct bed frame designs, available in seven different fabric options. This move is a strategic expansion for the growing brand, driven by sustained customer demand for complementary furniture pieces to complete their bedrooms. Ariel Kaye, founder and CEO of Parachute, highlighted that the company's customers have consistently requested suitable bed frames to pair with their existing bedding. Kaye emphasized Parachute's intention to leverage its expertise in the industry to offer a unique perspective on furniture design. As a company with a strong foundation in textiles, Parachute aimed to showcase its core strengths by developing an assortment of upholstered bed frames. The design inspiration for this collection draws heavily from the brand's home state of California, incorporating elements from the historic curves of Laurel Canyon and the natural formations of the Mojave Desert's sand dunes. The overarching goal was to introduce a softer, more tactile dimension to furniture. Following this design philosophy, the team developed a minimalist collection that aligns seamlessly with Parachute's established sophisticated and simple aesthetic. The collection features three main bed frame designs: the Canyon Bed Frame, which echoes the winding paths of Laurel Canyon; the Dune Bed Frame, characterized by a split back designed to achieve clean symmetry; and the Horizon Bed Frame, which pays homage to the serene sunrises observed in Venice Beach. Each of these bed frames offers a selection of upholstery materials, including a durable linen cotton blend, a relaxed washed linen, and a plush faux shearling fabric. These options provide customers with choices that cater to various interior design preferences and comfort needs. All furniture pieces in Parachute's new collection are proudly made in America. The brand ensures a premium delivery and installation experience by shipping items via white-glove service. While assembly is required, customers have the option to request assistance from the white-glove service partners for a complete setup. The pricing for the bed frames ranges from $1,800 to $3,050, reflecting the quality craftsmanship and materials used in their construction. This collection is available for purchase through Parachute's official website, Parachute.com, and at their brick-and-mortar retail locations. The launch represents a significant step for Parachute in broadening its product range and solidifying its position as a holistic home goods provider, extending beyond just bedding to encompass larger furniture items that maintain its signature style and quality. #ParachuteHome #FurnitureLaunch #UpholsteredBeds #HomeDecor #BedroomDesign #CaliforniaInspired #TextileFocused #MadeInAmerica #InteriorDesign

Pat McNeill, a 77-year-old retired teacher, is known for his dedication to various projects, ranging from physical challenges like triathlons to intricate restorations. One of his notable undertakings was the restoration of a 1925 historic home he shares with his wife, Lynn Hamilton, in Monterey. The couple purchased the property in 2013 with intentions to move from Salinas. Despite initial advice to demolish and rebuild, they discovered the house was on the City of Monterey’s historic buildings list, necessitating its preservation, particularly the exterior. During the renovation, McNeill made a significant discovery in the attic: a board inscribed with the name of the home's first owner, Tajuro Watanabe. This finding sparked a deeper historical investigation into the house and its original inhabitants. The couple subsequently learned about Watanabe's prominent role as a pioneer in the Monterey abalone fishing industry and a co-founder of the Monterey Peninsula Buddhist Temple in Seaside. The Watanabe family had owned the home until 1964. McNeill recounted a remarkable coincidence where, while sharing this story at a dinner party, he met Watanabe’s granddaughter, who was present at the gathering. The historical research also shed light on the Watanabe family's experience during World War II, when they were forcibly relocated to internment camps. Tajuro Watanabe was sent to Rohwer, Arkansas, while his wife and daughters were sent elsewhere, a separation attributed to baseless suspicions of his contact with the Japanese Navy due due to his profession as a fisherman. An artifact discovered by Monterey historian Tim Thomas, a letter preserved at the JACL museum, details how a friend sold Watanabe's stranded boat during a storm and sent the proceeds to the interned family. McNeill, with a background in anthropology and archaeology, was not deterred by the historical preservation requirements for the home, finding the transition easy given his understanding of historical and cultural resource protection. He observed that living in a historically significant home often leads to encounters with people who have past connections to the property, frequently sharing memories of parties or personal milestones that occurred there. Beyond home restoration, McNeill remains active with triathlons, a pursuit he started in 2006, competing three to four times a year. He views these events as motivators, providing an objective to maintain physical activity. His other significant projects include converting a 1973 VW bus to electric power, undertaken during the pandemic, and more recently, electrifying his sister's riding lawnmower. He is currently seeking another vehicle for an electric conversion project. #HistoricHomeRestoration #VwBusConversion #PatMcNeill #ElectricVehicles #Triathlons #MontereyHistory #DIYProjects #HistoricalPreservation #CommunityConnections

The "van life" movement continues to gain traction, with an increasing number of individuals seeking to customize vehicles for travel and adventure. While fully custom-built vans and extensive DIY projects offer comprehensive solutions, they often require significant financial investment or a substantial time commitment. This article explores a viable alternative: conversion kits, which bridge the gap between expensive bespoke builds and time-consuming self-made projects. These kits provide a range of options from basic setups to fully outfitted interiors, allowing enthusiasts to achieve their van life dreams more affordably and efficiently. Due to heightened demand, particularly amidst the coronavirus pandemic, it is advisable to check shipping times as some kits may be on backorder. Five distinct conversion kits are highlighted, each offering unique features and catering to different preferences and vehicle types. Adventure Wagon provides kits starting at $11,500, designed for Mercedes-Benz, Dodge, and Freightliner Sprinter High Roof models. Their kits include thermal insulation, fabric wall paneling, LED lighting, remote-controlled ceiling fans, and an electrical harness. A key component is their MOAB (Mother Of All Beds) system, an elevated, three-panel folding bed made from bamboo plywood and aluminum, which maximizes storage space and can be repositioned or removed thanks to L-track strips. Individual components like the MOAB bed and 3M Thinsulate insulation are also available separately. Happier Camper, known for its innovative Adaptiv system, is expanding its offerings to include conversion kits for Mercedes Sprinter 144-inch wheelbase vans, with plans to support other popular van models in the future. While pricing for the initial production run is still being finalized, base kits are estimated to start around $15,000, and deluxe kits around $20,000. Their system is built around a fiberglass grid floor base and modular cubes. Two wheel well trunks provide built-in cubes, and additional cubes can be arranged in various configurations to create storage, seating, or even an outdoor kitchen. The cubes also form a flexible bed system that can be moved or removed, offering adaptability for various needs, from sleeping arrangements to a mobile office setup. Contravans, based in Colorado, offers kits starting at $798, catering to a wide range of smaller vehicles including the Ram ProMaster City, Ford Transit Connect, Mercedes Metris, Dodge Grand Caravan, Toyota Sienna, Honda Odyssey, Kia Sedona, and Nissan NV 200. Their smaller car camper builds feature compartments and drawers for gear, while larger systems can incorporate a bed, sink, storage, and seating for five. For cargo vans, slide-out drawers optimize space, allowing for sleeping areas above kitchen and gear storage. Zenvanz offers kits for Mercedes Sprinter vans, priced at $18,000 for the 144 wheelbase and $22,000 for the 170 wheelbase. These kits feature an aluminum exoskeleton and bent bamboo panels, designed for installation into existing factory holes. Each kit includes an interior galley kitchen with marine-grade bamboo cabinetry, a bamboo and PaperStone countertop, and a cutlery drawer. Optional upgrades like a fridge, two-burner propane cooktop, sink, and mounted tabletop are available. The kits also provide extensive storage, including bedside, driver-side, and passenger-side upper cabinets. A three-panel bed system is removable and stackable, comfortably accommodating two people, and a slide-out step discreetly conceals a Thetford Marine port-a-potty. Finally, Wayfarer Vans provides affordable kits starting at $5,196, designed for various models including the Ram Promaster City Cargo, Ram Promaster 136-inch and 159-inch wheelbases (high roof top), and the Ford Transit 148 (long, high roof top). Their kits can also be purchased à la carte. For the smaller Promaster City van, kits include durable insulating panels, a folding wall-mounted table, flooring, and camper boxes with cushions. Larger Ram Promaster kits feature flooring, integrated cargo management tracks, wall and ceiling paneling with natural wool insulation, perimeter shelving, a kitchen galley with five-gallon fresh and grey water tanks, a sink and hand pump, a bed platform, a boot box, and privacy paneling for sliding and rear door windows. The typical lead time from order to completion for a full kit is under two months. Shipping is a flat $500, with free installation available at their Colorado Springs, Colorado, shop. #DIYCamperVan #VanConversionKits #VanLife #AffordableCamping #ModularDesign #VehicleCustomization #OutdoorAdventure #SprinterVan #InteriorDesign

Living Vehicle (LV), a luxury travel trailer company, has introduced its 2022 model, designed to offer an experience more akin to a high-end residence than a conventional camper. This latest iteration builds upon its predecessors by incorporating enhanced capabilities, including a significantly upgraded solar power system, increased energy storage, and improved inverter power. The core design philosophy focuses on liberating owners from the constraints of traditional power grids, enabling extended off-grid living. The 2022 LV model, conceived by Matthew and Joanna Hofmann, emphasizes self-sufficiency through innovative technology. Constructed from marine and aircraft-grade materials, the camper is built for durability against various environmental conditions. It features an interior space of approximately 22 square meters (232 square feet), thoughtfully organized to include a residential-style kitchen, a master bedroom, and a spa-like bathroom. The integration of oversized windows, skylights, and sliding glass doors aims to create a seamless connection between the interior and the surrounding outdoor environment. A standout characteristic of the 2022 Living Vehicle is its energy independence. The upgraded onboard energy-generating resources allow all equipment to operate autonomously when disconnected from external power sources. Under optimal solar conditions, the trailer can maintain continuous power, supporting amenities such as solar air-conditioning without limitations. Furthermore, the vehicle is equipped with sufficient power capacity to charge electric vehicles, featuring an integrated 240V level 2 charging station. To maximize periods spent off-grid, the luxury camper is fully self-contained, boasting a 100-gallon fresh water tank, an 80-pound propane capacity, and a compost toilet system that redefines wastewater management. This compost toilet innovation allows the traditional black water tank to be repurposed as a secondary gray water tank, effectively doubling the standard gray water capacity and conserving resources during off-grid travel. Additional design elements contribute to the camper's appeal, including an anodized aluminum skin that is three times more durable than standard aluminum. This exterior finish is designed to age gracefully, resisting chipping, peeling, or flaking. The interior design prioritizes comfort and versatility, featuring a media room with a private home theater, a bedroom that can transform into an office space, and a spa-style bathroom complete with a rainfall showerhead. An automatic lowering and raising deck provides an adaptable outdoor area for exercise, relaxation, grilling, and other activities. The launch of the 2022 model aligns with contemporary desires for flexible living and working arrangements, particularly in a post-pandemic landscape. Living Vehicle aims to provide a comprehensive solution for individuals seeking to move beyond conventional office environments, offering a mobile platform for life, work, and exploration. The creators, Matthew and Joanna Hofmann, highlight that the vehicle is designed to grant travelers the freedom to explore diverse regions while maintaining connectivity and comfort, allowing owners to discover new wonders with luxury and style. #LuxuryCamper #OffGridLiving #SolarPower #SustainableTravel #MobileLiving #RVDesign #TravelTrailer #SelfSufficient #AluminumConstruction