The Block’s Michael and Carlene transform vintage caravan from Gumtree into a stunning family space

Michael and Carlene from the much-loved Australian TV programme The Block have transformed an old vintage caravan from Gumtree into a stunning family space – and revealed their tips for you to do the same.

The couple, who both have ‘fond memories of camping’ from growing up, have taken on a number of rundown van projects in the past few years – but none of them are as impressive as ‘Bumblebee’, their latest vintage Franklin home on wheels.

‘We just love doing up caravans and they’re a great little reno project if you’re not ready to commit to re-modelling a house just yet,’ Carlene told Daily Mail Australia.

So how did they do it?

Michael and Carlene from the much-loved Australian TV programme The Block have transformed an old vintage caravan from Gumtree into a stunning family space – and revealed their tips for you to do the same (pictured with their caravan)

The couple, who both have 'fond memories of camping' from growing up, have taken on a number of rundown van projects - but none of them are as impressive as 'Bumblebee', their latest vintage Franklin home on wheels (pictured before)

The couple, who both have ‘fond memories of camping’ from growing up, have taken on a number of rundown van projects – but none of them are as impressive as ‘Bumblebee’, their latest vintage Franklin home on wheels (pictured before)

'We just love doing up caravans and they're a great little reno project if you're not ready to commit to re-modelling a house just yet,' Carlene told Daily Mail Australia (pictured before)
'We just love doing up caravans and they're a great little reno project if you're not ready to commit to re-modelling a house just yet,' Carlene told Daily Mail Australia (pictured after)

‘We just love doing up caravans and they’re a great little reno project if you’re not ready to commit to re-modelling a house just yet,’ Carlene told Daily Mail Australia (pictured before and after)

The couple have installed several glamorous features (pictured) in order to make the van look much better than it did before

The couple have installed several glamorous features (pictured) in order to make the van look much better than it did before

Firstly, the young couple purchased the Franklin caravan from Gumtree.

‘We looked for something that was in a reasonably well-kept state,’ Carlene told FEMAIL. ‘What we knew it required was a paint job and new surfaces.

‘One of my biggest pieces of advice would be if you’re not handy be wary of vans that require a huge amount of structural work. 

‘Have an idea of how you can adapt the van to sleep your family before purchasing and do your research so you know you’re paying the market value.’

The young couple purchased the van from Gumtree and set about painting it and re-doing the interiors (interior pictured before)

They recommend looking at what the original state is like before you buy a van as you don't want to have to rip everything out (interior pictured after)

The young couple purchased the van from Gumtree and set about painting it and re-doing the interiors – they recommend looking at what the original state is like before you buy a van as you don’t want to have to rip everything out (pictured before and after)

The couple selected a 3.6 metre long van with a gas stove, ample storage and on board water system (interior pictured before)

They then looked on Pinterest and Instagram to help them create a mood board and colour scheme (interior pictured after)

The couple selected a 3.6 metre long van with a gas stove, ample storage and on board water system; they then looked on Pinterest and Instagram to help them create a mood board and colour scheme (pictured before and after)

What are Michael and Carlene’s tips for renovating a van? 

* Look for something reasonably well-kept so you don’t have too much work.

* Seek out inspiration on Pinterest and Instagram.

* Devise a mood board and plan an easy layout. Think about the colour scheme first.

* Scrimp on some areas, but not tiling and taps – as these make it look expensive.

* Make sure everything fits to scale like your fridge and cabinetry, so nothing looks awkward.

* Re-use some elements of the caravan before ripping everything out.

* Always save on tasks you can do yourself like painting and flooring. 

The couple selected a 3.6 metre long van with a gas stove, ample storage and an on board water system. 

Next, they set about adding some of the features that they wanted installed – including splashbacks in the kitchen to give the area ‘a bit of glamour’, custom mattresses and a specific fridge that locks for travelling.

‘We sought out inspiration via Pinterest and Instagram, before devising a mood board and planning an easy layout,’ Michael said.

‘We thought carefully about a colour scheme, this time choosing yellow, and let this dictate our choice of materials for resurfacing, installing and cleaning.’ 

Michael and Carlene said your colour is important, because this is what you think about for tiles, bedding and the kitchen.

‘I never scrimp on the tiling in a caravan kitchen, as even though the space it small it’s a real chance to make the caravan look that bit more impressive,’ Carlene said.

‘You could even use a black grout to contrast the tiles if they’re light for an especially stylish edge. 

‘I also love wooden floorboards and marble pattern laminate in a caravan.’

'We thought carefully about a colour scheme, this time choosing yellow, and let this dictate our choice of materials for resurfacing, installing and cleaning,' Carlene said (pictured before)

'We thought carefully about a colour scheme, this time choosing yellow, and let this dictate our choice of materials for resurfacing, installing and cleaning,' Carlene said (pictured after)

‘We thought carefully about a colour scheme, this time choosing yellow, and let this dictate our choice of materials for resurfacing, installing and cleaning,’ Carlene said (pictured before and after)

One of the couple's most useful tips for doing up a caravan is that you don't always have to get rid of absolutely everything in order to start afresh (exterior pictured before)

One of the couple’s most useful tips for doing up a caravan is that you don’t always have to get rid of absolutely everything in order to start afresh (exterior pictured before)

The Block duo thought carefully about maximising the space in the limited ‘Bumblebee’ van.

‘I suggest having mattresses custom made if you’re not able to install a standard-sized bed,’ Michael said. 

‘In order to avoid an overcrowded effect, you also need to make sure everything fits to scale.’

What he said he means by this is that you buy things that are designed for a caravan, such as a ‘caravan specific fridge which locks for travelling’, non-bulky storage drawers and cabinets and the right sized table.

‘Also, decide whether or not you want to make your van suited to unpowered camping, in which case you’ll need 12 volt lighting and appliances,’ Carlene said.

They said it's a good idea to purchase appliances that fit the caravan correctly such as cabinetry and tables (pictured before)

One of the worst things is when things don't fit to scale (interior pictured after with Carlene)

They said it’s a good idea to purchase appliances that fit the caravan correctly such as cabinetry and tables – one of the worst things is when things don’t fit to scale (pictured before and after)

One of the couple’s most useful tips for doing up a caravan is that you don’t always have to get rid of absolutely everything in order to start afresh.

‘While some caravan interiors are so ugly they practically beg to be removed, I always like to work with some existing features to retain a sense of charm,’ Carlene said.

‘If the cabinets are fine, you could simply remove the doors and install some stylish brass wire netting for an update. 

‘Or replace the fabric on the existing seating around the table with an eye-catching pattern.’

One of the things the couple said you should definitely update, however, is the taps.

‘Install some cool, modern tapware, which will really strip decades off your van,’ Carlene said.

Lastly, while renovating a van is inevitably an expensive task, the couple said you can always make cutbacks and savings (pictured before)

There are always elements you can do yourself like painting and general manual labour (pictured after)

Lastly, while renovating a van is inevitably an expensive task, the couple said you can always make cutbacks and savings – there are always elements you can do yourself like painting and general manual labour

Lastly, while renovating a van is inevitably an expensive task, the couple said you can always make cutbacks and savings.

‘Always save on tasks that you can do yourself such as interior painting, paying flooring and general manual labour,’ Michael said.

‘If you’re not handy on the sewing machine, then engage a local sewer to sew your curtains, rather than putting up with standard curtains which may be ill-sized. 

‘If you’re not much of a painter, then employ a professional automotive painter to finish the exterior professionally for a stylish and long-wearing result.’

The couple – who are currently working with Amber Tiles – intend to auction off ‘Bumblebee’ on March 26 at Ray White’s New Farm Auction Under the Stars. For more information, please click here.

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk