RV modifications while in Port Alberni, BC Feb 2001
(All pictures can be clicked for a larger image in a separate window)
We settle in and then slowly started
transforming the RV more to our own design. We were staying with
Noel's sister Rosalie, and her husband Al has a nice woodshop.
With his tools, expertise, and lots of donated time and energy,
we were able to build many nice additions with minimal cost.
A major concern was more functionality in the kitchen. Noel
needed more storage. We had put our 5 cu.ft. deep freeze in what
would be considered the dining room, so the extra wall space
above was then vacant. We built a nice oak pantry for her. Some
other cupboards also got some new doors to match the new pantry.
Some doors had been damaged, so we put all the new doors in the
main kitchen area, moving the other original doors to other parts
of the RV, which got a refinishing job in the process and new
black handles in place of the worn brass ones.
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Another drawer was added below the stove. Originally there was a very small door that allowed access to the first 8 inches of space under the top drawer, but now a 22" by 20" wide drawer allows easy access to all the large pots.
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The dining table was extended 9" and a storage box built in to hide all the gizmos that used to clutter the table.
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The constantly used couch had shot springs and the upholstery was worn and damaged, so it got a total rebuild from a local furniture shop. We had two small stools that we had placed cushions and a blanket on for the cats to sit at for a view through the windows. We made some simple stools, using the cushions (and some matching material from the couch) and can now easily use them as ottomans when the cats aren't occupying them. Noel got the idea to paint the furnace vents to better match the carpet. The CD jukebox is no longer with us, having transferred all the CDs to MP3s and storing them on a hard disk in the storage box.
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Noel found some hanging space for her plants and the empty space above the living room blinds has been utilized as a storage space now.
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We replaced the wall lamps in the living room with some beautiful, small brass ones that give us a softer indirect light from their halogen bulbs. Noel's clock, made by her dad, has now found a home again. Later we had to replace the fridge and now have the largest RV fridge available, 12 cu.ft. with 4 doors
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The TV now has a nice oak frame. The original frame did not fit the TV after we exchanged it with the one from our other RV.
The bedroom got a total facelift. When we purchased the RV, it had two twin beds. We put the two together and dropped a queen mattress on top. We then had to remove the linen closets in the corners to create passageway around the bed, replacing them with high cupboards. We built in book shelves and drawers into the vacant corners.We found a neat corner hamper. New drapes were made over the windows to replace the frilly valance and gives us the capability to really darken the bedroom for those times when we need to block out a disturbing street light. A headboard was created with 2" of insulation behind it and covered with oak paneling.
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We made other enhancements as well that can't be so easily photographed. The front door was reinforced so that now it works flawlessly. Electical outlets were relocated or added. A toothbrush holder was fabricated from wood and mounted. The tow bar was completely refurbished. The basement storage latch locks were replaced with stronger ones, so that now all the hatches can be locked.
We still have a few small items that we want to do, but for now the RV is very much how we want it. With the extra storage space, we were able to rearrange everything and now have adequate capacity throughout.