Llamaluminum Journey: Living Room ver. 1.0, 2.0 & 3.0

As is usual and customary with some families, they begin to outgrow a space. This is exactly what happened with our Airstream living room which also served as our boys' bedroom. The 13 year old grew 10 inches in two years and the 11 year old grew 7 inches in 18 months. I am officially the shortest member (beside the dog) at 5' 7" in our family.

With the gaucho/stereo cabinet configuration, we could only seat 3 of us unless we pulled out some fancy folding chairs. Sleeping for the boys involved one on the gaucho and the other on a foam egg crate piece laid out on the floor that was normally stowed behind the gaucho. Just very awkward and difficult to maneuver around. Said dog didn't mind it at all.

This new seating arrangement (ad)venture began because we discovered a major water leak while camping in a state park that ruined the beautiful bamboo flooring we installed 3 years ago. Reason has it (of course) that since the flooring was going to have to be replaced anyway, let's just create the seating configuration we've always wanted now...even with just a month to complete the project.

Here's a photo of the original gaucho (ver. 1.0) - just because we've come along way, baby!

Here's a photo of the next gaucho (ver. 2.0) - just because I miss it a little:

Version 3.0 began on May 2nd, 2015 and is still in progress. Here is what it looks like as of June 5th, 2015...one month later:

UPHOLSTERY CREDIT: Jimmy at Chong's Upholstery on Canton Road, Marietta, GA did absolutely gorgeous work for a reasonable price and exactly to our specifications plus a little better. He also had the project finished a day in advance.

www.chongsupholstery.com

Views of the custom built-in cabinets below:

Benny found these really cool "button" latches from a company in California. When pushed in/latched, they are flush, but when you push them again the "handle" pops out allowing you to pull the drawer out or bin door open:

You can see we utilized the Airstream's original bins and built the three bin housings around them. The bins are perfect for the children to take into the house, pack their clothing and slide back in. The backs of the bins' doors still need painting ;-). All of the drawers are custom built using biscuits, wood glue and finish screws, then mounted on high-quality rollers for long-term use.

We did not have time to build the cabinet that will go in the space between the couch and the fridge. It will house the slide-out trashcan drawer, Bluetooth stereo and provide shelving for books, xBox and a device charging station.

This "J" shaped couch features two slide out sections on the street and curb sides of the "J" to meet in the middle and make a very large sleeping area. The bottom board on the left side is fixed at the back edge and stays on top as the bottom board on the right (fixed at the front edge) slides underneath. The slides are 250 lb. rated and 22" long.

Street Side Slide Out

Curb Side Slide Out

Cushions dropped snugly into place

What we gained: 4 custom storage drawers and 2 large 22x22x16" storage compartments below the back two corners, sleeping for 3, seating for 8. What we sacrificed: counter surface for drinks and the vintage Airstream look.

There is enough room under the front window for an 8 or 9" ledge to set things like drinks on. There are also plans for two small round cocktail tables to be removable and set up on pedestals like the ones used on boats. These two pedestals would also serve as the base for a lightweight fold-up rectangle table for meals and games.

Behind the 3 longest back cushions is room for table storage and other flat items like boogie/skim boards, etc.

Here are the nitty gritty build-out photos...oh the memories of the long month of May, 2015 and the mad race to finish before our first summer excursion to the beaches of Florida.

FRAMING: