Looks like Lee and Brandy are livin’ the American Dream.  To coin a famous quote by Robert Kennedy, Some people see things as they are and ask, Why?  We dream things that never were and ask, Why not?

This “newly-hitched” couple has stepped out in faith in more ways than one.  They’ve decided to live the mobile lifestyle without sacrificing essential luxuries.  Their 1974 Sovereign 31’ is temporarily located in the hills of northern San Diego County.  Lee, originally from Virginia, is a specialist serving in the US military.  Brandy is… well… happy being Brandy.  “Nesting, exploring, and loving life!”

We asked them to share a little about their new adventure, living what they call, “the American Dream.”

Would you start out telling us a little about yourselves?

Lee:
 We are a military family, so faith, honor and health are three of our priorities.  Finding the right lifestyle and livelihood is important to us.

Brandy: I’m originally from California, so naturally, I love the outdoors, paddle boarding, beach, and all things natural such as good nutrition, organic gardening, healthy lifestyle, and I’m a Christian
.

What originally attracted you to an Airstream lifestyle?  Why not rent an apartment or buy a home?


Lee:
  Mobility, and it’s shiny!  Being in the military we’ll be moving a lot, so it helps with our many moves.

Brandy: Definitely the mobility and I love the iconic vintage timelessness Airstreams possess.  Life is an adventure for us.  We want to live a clean simple life, have more experiences versus accumulating meaningless stuff, to feel less weighted and attachment to things.

What was the design concept of your Airstream renovation?


Lee:  We were going for the beachy, Hawaiian look.

Brandy: A clean island feel, since her name is Catalina, after all! The 31-foot Sovereign layout and size fits us perfectly.  I also love the definition of Sovereign.  The dictionary defines it as paramount, supreme or independent.  My Bible defines it as, God having complete control over everything that happens.

Why did you buy a HofArc Airstream renovation?


Lee:
 We Google’d “living in a trailer” and Matthew popped up
!  His story of living in an Airstream really captured us.

Brandy: After Lee showed me Matthew’s website there was no question we were going with HofArc We really loved Matthew’s story, it resonated with us.  It was exactly how we wanted to live.  This is our first home and first time living together, so I guess you could say we’re already “hitched.”

How do you like your new home?


Brandy:  It’s just like our relationship, shiny inside and out.

Lee:
  We especially love the bamboo countertops.

Brandy: …and the Acacia floors are stunning against the white walls and cabinetry, plus the generous windows bring in so much natural light inside.

What’s it been like to downsize?  What’s been the greatest challenge?


Brandy: I loved the process of downsizing — it was very cathartic.  I feel cleansed and refreshed.  I’m so ready to start a new adventure with my man.
  We haven’t had any major challenges, just a few silly stories we could share about adjusting to “full timing,” as it’s called in the trailer world.

Lee:  Like our first night with the disposal tank problem.  The waste water was backing up, and we didn’t know we were supposed to pull all three valves, rather than just the center one.

Brandy:  We were tired and dirty from the move and looking forward to our first shower in Catalina.  The shower was filled with dirty water in the bottom and wouldn’t drain — it was a real blonde moment, indeed!  This whole process of deciding to live an Airstream dream has been beautifully flawless from the start.  I was like the sun, moon and stars all aligned for us.

Any advice for those who may be considering a similar lifestyle?

Brandy: Yes, Be like Bruce Lee and MacGyver — fluid like water, and do more with less.

We could not be happier with the results and hard work you put in to make it happen for us in such a short time, not to mention how amazing it was to visit you in Santa Barbara, find out more about you, and to unfold all the cool coincidences and commonalities we share.  We feel blessed to have crossed your path.  HofArc’s guys really pulled all of our design ideas together fast and smoothly.  You guys rock!

We try and live each day without fearing the unknown, because we approach life by what Solomon said in Proverbs 3:5… Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and He will make your paths straight.

• Mechanical drive train work has already been checked and completed by mechanic (new electric hitch jack)
• Installed rough-in plumbing and electrical systems
• Most appliances are purchased (stove/oven, low-profile A/C, Dometic refrigerator, etc.)
• Skin in the initial stages of polishing (one dent to the upper rear panel)
• Awning hardware and fabric in good condition
• All glass windows included (some not yet reinstalled)

The estate is selling the mid-renovation Airstream for significantly less than the $45,000+ investment.  Make an offer.

Click this link for a PDF of the floor plan.

If you’ve been looking for the perfect vacation or simpler-living trailer that is well equipped without spending a lot of dough, this one might be your Airstream. It’s already served a North County San Diego family very well for many years, and now it’s ready for you. Easily sleeps four adults or two adults and a bevy of children.

This 1978 Ambassador Land Yacht is completely self-contained for easy-living conveniences whether you’re hooked up to a power, water source, or sewer outlet. There’s onboard fresh water (50 gallon) and waste water storage tanks. There’s also 110 volt wiring for convenient electrical outlets when you’re connected to city power, and 12 volt power for when you’re not.

Other electrical features in addition to 12 volt lights throughout, onboard battery that is recharged by your vehicle, and all new external lights and reflectors.

There are two 7-gallon propane gas bottles for the 4-burner kitchen stove/oven, a thermostatically controlled furnace, 2-way refrigerator (that also uses 110 volt power), and 6-gallon water heater.

A nice-sized bathroom with toilet, sink, bathtub and wand shower head. Lots of storage throughout the

It’s also filled with elegant, yet durable upgrades such as a tile entry stoop and hardwood flooring. The counter also has a granite cutting prep area adjacent to the sink. Brand new window screens and roll-up shades with double pane glass throughout.

The drive system has been inspected and is solid. An electric braking system connects to your vehicle’s electric braking system that is included on many SUVs and trucks. The hitch assembly is strong.

Due to Airstream’s excellent construction the hitch weight is rated at only 575 lbs. The mid-size 28-foot length of this Ambassador is one of its best features. It offers enough space to live comfortably, but not too long to be cumbersome to tow.

The overall dry weight of the aerodynamic unit is less than 4700 lbs. This Ambassador can be towed by any Class III hitch rating – which is a 5000 lb gross trailer weight – a very common standard with most full-sized cars, mid-sized or larger SUVs, trucks and vans.

It’s been polished to a mirror shine and is ready to go. All mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems have been tested and verified working.

This Airstream is our fourth vintage renovation for an Australian client, who is originally from Ohio and now based in Sydney.

The entire process, from beginning to Port Hueneme dock delivery, took just 10 weeks and came in right on budget.  The voyage from the California coast to Australia typically takes about 45 days.

Like many of our clients, when we find a nice Airstream we put the word out to a growing list of prospects who are looking for a certain model.  As usual, we name all of our Airstreams and we named this one Agoura for the place we found her.  The community of Agoura is a short hours drive south on US 101.  It’s horse country – a hideaway for the rich-and-not-so-famous who hideaway in this sleepy rolling hills LA-burb tucked in the northern Malibu mountains near Thousand Oaks.  (Hot tip:  There’s a great mountain biking trail nearby that leads to the Pacific Ocean called Sycamore Canyon.  Stellar views…)

The client wanted a contemporary, clean line design, self-contained Airstream that didn’t exceed the 26’ max length he had available at home.  The other primary design criteria was to provide two separate sleeping spaces.  This was accomplished by placing the refrigerator in-between the two spaces.

Here’s a brief look at the other design specs, finishes, systems and installed appliances:

• White Corian countertops throughout, with a contemporary undermount sink
• Bamboo tabletops slabs match the bamboo “Fusion” flooring
• Cabinet faces, cabinet boxes and upper cabinetry all antique white
• Earth-friendly 100% recycled ark grey glass tile in the bathroom with matching grey grout
• Taupe Sunbrella canvas cushion fabrics
• Moved the entry door to opposite side of trailer to accommodate Australia’s lefthand traffic. Patch old hole with polished aluminum to match existing trailer condition
• Hafele locking hardware for all cabinet doors and drawers
• Australian-compliant 230v power throughout, while maintaining the existing 12v system
• New PEX plumbing throughout
• Contemporary kitchen faucet, water filter, bath faucet, shower valve and wand
• New propane furnace and water heater
• Polished exterior skin
• New windows and weatherstripping
• Simple modern window roller shades
• Low voltage wall and under-counter interior lighting
• New exterior lighting and name badges designed as replicas to match vintage units.
• Lutron switch and outlet plates
• Electric hitch jack
• Replaced or repaired external windows with new weather-stripping and gaskets at each window.

Getting into the Great Outdoors is definitely a priority for this Beaverton-based couple.  An Airstream that allows for rugged fashion, yet frigid function was at the top of their use requirements when they contracted HofArc to design and build their vintage Airstream.

This client was a good fit for me, personally, says HofArc president Matthew Hofmann.  Being born and raised in the Eastern High Sierra (elev. 8500’) I grew up snowboarding and mountain biking while most kids were playing video games, so I naturally connected with Braden and Naomi on many levels.

It wasn’t just Hofmann’s active lifestyle, but the was a meeting-of-the-minds as a designer, too.  I especially liked their no-holds-bard approach to styling, the 20-something Architect adds.  Nothing says WOW… like a fire engine red designer sink faucet, stunning tile, and brilliant navy blue flooring.

Product:                       1967 Trade Wind 24’

Profile:                        Outdoor, active, professional, 30-something couple

Place:                          Beaverton, Oregon

Purpose:                      Après ski warming wagon
Basically, we are looking for an Airstream that we can use as a base camp for skiing, so it needs to handle the cold pretty well.  Gotta have a powerful furnace with plentiful heat.  We also want to protect the fresh and waste water systems from freezing so we can get-in-it-and-forget-it.

Products:                     Durable, simple, pure.
People and pets will be tromping through it with ski boots and equipment, so it needs to be bullet-proof, while keeping hydrophobic materials in mind.

Priorities:                    Simple, light, bright, convertible
We are big fans of your original ‘78 Trade Wind, so we want a simple, light, bright space that offers sleeping for a couple and the option to convert the dinette into a sleeping space for a friend, at times.

Portage:                      Hide-away storage
Convenient under-bed and dinette seat access for storing skis, snowboards, boots and luggage.

Pamperage:                Standup shower
A nice hot shower after a day on the mountain is critical!

Puller:                          Land Rover LR4
While the LR4 has plenty of power and capacity to haul something longer, it does have a shorter wheelbase, so we went with a shorter Airstream to match it.  The prospect of driving lots of snowy mountain roads makes me want to keep the whole package as short as possible.  For the sake of my stress level, and general wellbeing.

Spec Sheet

• Low profile, under-counter refrigerator, effectively extending the kitchen countertop two more feet
• Expanded dinette space to allow better access around the table with bulky clothing
• Modern slab laminate cabinet fronts
• Locking devices for all cabinet doors and drawers
• PEX plumbing system throughout
• Designer bath faucet, shower valve and wand
• Durable dinette cushions
• Epoxy flooring
• Bamboo kitchen countertops and vertical surfaces
• Recycled glass tiled bathroom
• Powerful gas furnace and water heater
• Polished exterior skin
• All windows replaced and resealed with new weather stripping
• Pull down roller blinds
• Upgraded propane cylinders
• Under-counter low voltage interior lighting
• Lutron switch and outlet plates
• Automatic hitch jack
• New exterior door lock at front door
• Replaced electric brake drums and wiring system
• Rewired hitch-to-car connections and exterior running lights

Say “Hi” to Eve, a rare 1970 Airstream Safari 23′ that is arriving from Texas.  The Southwest is one of our favorite places to find Airstreams because the climate is so friendly and preserves them so well.  It’s also a very desirable project with a clear title, single axle, working AC, solid floor, original closets, and all the windows in place and working.

On the exterior, it’s one of our nicest ready-to-renovate Airstreams.  Our professional metalwork crew is polishing it up now.

Here’s a close-up look at Delivering Happiness’ HofArc-designed and renovated 34-foot, 1985 Airstream 345 Motorhome

First, a book… In 2010, Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh’s first book, Delivering Happiness, A Path to Profits, Passion, and Purpose blasted to the top of bestseller lists with its blend of business advice, tales of worm farms, raves, multi-million dollar deals and – above all – the belief that happiness can be used as a model both in business, and in life.

Next, a bus tour… A few months after the book launch, the DH team drove a big bus cross-country to talk to folks inspired by Delivering Happiness and hear firsthand how people were making happiness a priority in their own lives. Watching this community of enthusiastic happiness-seekers come together, they knew they had to figure out a way to collect that energy and so the happiness could keep flowing.

Most people just want to be happy with their lives.  From the Declaration of Independence to a giggling baby coo, it’s a universal belief.  Yet the research shows we’re really bad at predicting the things that actually make us happy. (How’s that for Irony-with-a-capital-I!?!?!)

Backed by studies being done within the science of happiness and positive psychology, the Delivering Happiness movement has set out in their HofArc-renovated 1984 Airstream 345 Motorhome to promote tangible ways to create happiness in our lives.

It’s a big, big vision, but it starts with one person nudging the world to a happier place.

• To inspire (and be inspired!)
• Connect like-minded people to a community
• Educate and empower people to create more happiness, and
• Create meaningful experiences in our lives.

The DH Movement grows with every happy person that joins their community. And who knows, with all of us working towards the greater goal, together we’re nudging the world towards passion, purpose and a happier place.

The Design Concept

“When the DH team contacted me and explained their concepts for renovating a 34-foot Airstream motorhome I couldn’t help but smile,” said HofArc President Matthew Hofmann.

“Right away, I knew there was something special about these guys.  Besides, their good taste for a good time was a bonus!  But seriously, I admire the way they place happiness at the core of everything they do, because I’m pretty much a happy guy, so naturally I prefer to work with happy people,” added Hofmann.

The HofArc team took the project from there – from design development through renovation.

Hofmann’s spatial design centered around a series of flowing transitions from vertical to horizontal surfaces, rough-hewn natural textures, and white open smooth spaces.  All of the elements work together to create an understated setting that is suitable for a menagerie of uses, from presentations, to private meetings.  The elongated bench seating expands to accommodate more than a dozen clients, each with their own moveable-n-stowable tabletops, while converting easily to more intimate encounters.

The Client’s Design Values

The DH presented a list of key words that helped guide Hofmann’s design approach:

• freedom
• approachable
• real / authentic
• multi-sensory
• PWAP (Party with a Purpose)
• inspirational
• adaptable (work, lounge, meditative)
• journey / open road
• optimism / maintaining curiosity
• losing the fear of unexpected

Renovation Spec Sheet

The motorhome’s natural rounded shape was expanded on throughout the interior of the coach.  The passenger’s seat was replaced with an electronic photo booth where guests can have their photos taken and instantly displayed on the rear video monitor.

Some notable system and appliance components include:

• Rustic reclaimed wood from floor-to-ceiling, siding and cabinet facing
• Numerous modular table options for openness and adaptability of main space
• Wall-mounted fold down seating
• Overhead cabinetry
• iPad photo booth
• Hi-Def wall-mounted LCD screen networked to the iPad
• Matching cabinet fronts and vertical wood surfaces
• Surface-sliding bathroom door
• Vessel sink with single pole faucet fixture
• 100% recycled glass tile surrounds extra high China bowl lavatory
• Curtain privacy screen storage compartment
• Hafele swivel lighting and locking rosette cabinet hardware
• Hafele Moovit drawer system
• Curved radius drop-down bench seats
• Indoor or outdoor accessible storage spaces under bench seating
• Extra high-density seat cushions
• White laminate counter and bench seat tops
• 2” grass carpet tops high density pad in back area that converts to sleeping area
• Dual air conditioners
• Over-sized skylights
• Onboard generator
• High-capacity water heater
• New furnace, with reconfigured ducting
• Custom-made, relocated fresh water tank

DH’s Core Values

1. Be true to your (weird) self. Live with passion and purpose.
2. Think, say and do in harmony and in consideration of others.
3. Communicate with honesty and respect.
4. Have fun & think full. 50% air + 50% water = 100% full.
5. Inspire & be inspired.
6. Be humble, be grateful.
7. Build community and meaningful relationships.
8. Keep your heart + mind open and aligned. Keep growing and learning.
9. Be like Macgyver & Bruce Lee. Do more with less, be creative and adventurous, and fluid like water.
10. Create change in the world more than you ever thought possible.

Soon thereafter, e’ll provide you with a floor plan and list of finishes, systems and appliance upgrades that can be installed. You’ll get your choice of many fabrics, colors and tile options.  We have designed three budget options that describe the ranges along with available basic systems and services.

Our design services include floor plans, elevations, 3D fly-thrus, spec sheets, along with materials and finish options.

If you’re not able to meet at our office in Santa Barbara (and who wouldn’t want to visit Santa Barbara?!?) we can set up a Skype session or phone conference.  Here’s a cool idea:  Why not stay with us at the all new Santa Barbara Auto Camp?  Ask about a “Special HofArc Rate.”

Following this meeting we will prepare a detailed proposal with anticipated costs and timeline.  The proposal includes a list of expected material and labor costs.

We also provide exterior polishing and minor body repairs are included. Exterior painting services are handled by a local auto paint shop we recommend.