Ahhh, the open road.

A few years ago my wife and I decided to purchase a vehicle suitable for camping trips with young kids. Somehow we convinced ourselves that visiting national parks and other roadside attractions in an older VW with our kids would be a great family experience. Indeed in most cases it has been just that. And getting out on the road, and into primitive camp spots, and campgrounds with more pavement than the local mall parking lot, you can’t help but notice how other camping families are doing it. We have camped next to everything from small tents, to cars and trucks pulling trailers large and small and of course RVs.

I don’t like RVs. I’m sure if I owned one I’d probably feel differently and there have been those cold wet rainy days into night where the glow from the RV (and the loud hum of the generator) remind me of why we are camping in the first place. Why are we camping in the rain when we could be inside watching TV? My children have trained me well to come up with all sorts of good answers to that question.

If there is one camping vehicle out there that I do aspire to, it is the Airstream trailer. An iconic design that manages to combine high style with functional living spaces. And what better vehicle to have Rejuvenation’s fixtures adorn it?

Earlier this year, we met Kristiana Spaulding who owns several vintage Airstream trailers. She specializes in Airstream interior design and also offers her collection of trailers for rent. She has extended her design expertise into Airstream inspired jewelry. When I learned that Kristiana had used Rejuvenation lights in her Airstream projects, I couldn’t help but reach out to a fellow road tripping/camping afficianado to learn more about what she is up to. Below is our Q&A with Kristiana:

Why Airstreams?

I’ve been in love with Airstreams since I was seven years old. I spotted my first one a cross-country trip with my family from New York to California and it was love at first sight. Airstream is an American icon that blends beautiful aesthetics with the love of home and travel wrapped up in one fabulous silver package.

How many do you have?

I currently have five Airstreams:

A 1960 Caravel   A 1961 Globetrotter

A 1962 Bambi a 1967 Trade Wind

and a 1964 Bambi II which I recently purchased.

I got it into my head that I would buy vintage trailers, fix them up and re-sell them. Well, I couldn’t bear parting with any of them once they were completed, so I rent them out for photo and film shoots, weddings, and special events. Each year I head to Alumapalooza at the Airstream headquarters to give a seminar on Interior Design for your Airstream.

Where have you taken your Airstreams (or where have they taken you?)

I traveled cross country with my 1967 Airstream Trade Wind and my dog, Osa, when The Learning Channel rented my trailer as a prop for six episodes for a pilot show, Making Over America. Osa and I traveled 10,000 miles towing the Trade Wind with my 1969 GMC pickup truck. It was a fun adventure!

My passion for Airstreams has led to my line of Airstream inspired Silver Trailer jewelry that I show and sell each year during Modernism Week in Palm Springs, Open Studios in San Francisco, and Alumapalooza in Ohio.

Then of course there are the weekend getaways with my husband, G and dog Osa. California is so spectacular with endless places to visit.

Currently I’m working on having an east coast trailer so I can visit family and meet other east side Airstreamers.

What is your favorite Airstream model, and why?

It seems to change from week to week! As far as a favorite in my collection right now, it would be my 1960 Caravel, “Little Lotus”. It’s a foot longer than the Bambi, and this model has a rare rear bed model, which is nice because there is no sliding out couches to make into a bed; when it’s time to go to sleep, the bed is ready to go.

I also have a few favorite new Airstreams (yes, they still make them). I always love their special edition travel trailers. Recent favorites are the Quicksilver, Victorinox Airstream, and the new Eddie Bauer edition, which I reviewed on the RVParking blog.

What  Rejuvenation fixtures/products have you used, and what could you envision in an Airstream?

Well, I started with the Aloha and Donald lights, to replace my Bambi’s original lights, which had rusted. The replacement lights are very similar to the original design and they look great in the Bambi.

Spektr is another favorite that I have in my studio and plan to use in a larger trailer. Nimbus is a lot fun of with its start light cutouts, I can see using it about anywhere. The Dorena light would be stunning in an earlier model trailer, styled with warm wood tones brown leather seating.

I love the curves of the Linfield Wall Soap Dish; it’ll be beautiful holding jewelry or keys as well. The Wall Mounted Brass Bottle Opener is a must in the Airstream too.

I have a list of hardware that I’m looking at: the Dish Cabinet Knob with Round Backplate, and the Boomerang Drawer Pull; as you can see, I’m a big fan of Rejuvenation’s products! [add links to bolded]

What is your next trailer project?

I just purchased a 1964 Bambi II from the same owner who sold me “Norma,” my 1962 Bambi. “Betty Jane” is a foot longer and is completely gutted. It’s a dream for me to work with a completely blank canvas. I’ve already ordered my Rejuvenation lights for the Bambi II. The Rejuvenation Saturn Cabinet Knobs are very close to the original knobs and are my next purchase.

Stay tuned to silvertrailer.com for updates and progress. Happy travels!