Playtime with Mock-ups Using Pic-Collage!

 As the structure of our ’59 Pathfinder Camper Trailer is being renovated and rejuvenated, I've been playing with a favorite app: Pic-Collage.

I use Pic-Collage quite often when planning interior designs and decor.

Here are a few examples: 

This decorating design was created for a volunteer appreciation dinner we were hosting for a nonprofit farm park where I volunteer.  

     

Here's how the design plan played out!

Here's a collage board I created to convince my husband to buy our vintage camper trailer.

And this is the one I created that sealed the deal!

I use Pic-Collage to create design and mood boards.  I collect images of everything I need to turn the design vision in my head into a single picture.  The collages are wonderful for communicating ideas to others.

Pic-Collage allowed me to create a rendering of the bespoke shelving unit I wanted for the '59.  

After seeing my rendering, Rick was able to build the unit!

The chosen aesthetic for our '59 Pathfinder is not to restore it to its original state.  

Rather, it is to fill it with all the pieces I LOVE!

It's essentially a love letter to the art of thrifting! Vintage picnic baskets, thrift store linens, market crates, handmade curtains from vintage print fabric, funky art, and a carpet remnant quilt floor!

Here are a few of the digital collages I've created for the '59:

This is my design board for the overall scheme.

This collage depicts my vision for the entry and side wall.

The side opposite the entrance will feature a retro mini-fridge in an iconic '50s color.  The removable wallpaper will serve as a backsplash even though there is no sink.  It just adds another fun pattern, and the light creamy background will help lighten the camper's interior.

This is a mock-up of the bed area.  This image is telling me to edit, edit, edit!  This 1990's Pottery Barn Providence quilt is a favorite and inspired the entire design scheme.  I purchased it at a thrift store for $12.  Unfortunately, I paid a premium for the matching shams.  Worth it!

The dinette area offers the option of full sunshine or complete privacy, with handmade curtains made from vintage cowboy-print fabric, a deliberate nod to the 50s era and our Texas roots.  I'll add a strip of wallpaper to cover up some sticky residue left from the previous owner's camping magnet collection.

This rendering of a hat rack I'm making from croquette mallets will allow me to get a clear picture of what it will look like in the camper, as I can virtually "try it on."

Using Pic Collage to create design plans for the '59 Pathfinder has kept me entertained all winter while I wait patiently to get my hands on her and bring my ideas to fruition!  

All pictures and renderings by Paulette Rodriguez.

'59 Pathfinder Gets a Winter Renovation

Early last summer, I took the ’59 Pathfinder out on a couple of excursions.  It was fun to practice towing and setting up camp, but we never stayed too long.  I had begun working on her interior and was anxious to try her out.  

She looked good, but something just didn't feel right. I began to really scrutinize every nook and cranny, looking for the source of the "bad feel."  Eventually, I felt a soft spot right at the bottom corner of a small window above the countertop.  I poked it.  Then I picked at it until...I found the dreaded rotten wood.

I scraped off all the rot, cleaned up the debris, and evaluated the situation.  This indicated the presence of water damage, likely on a much larger scale.  Ugly, I can fix, wood rot not so much.  

I’d done enough research on vintage camper repair to know that the only way to truly repair water damage is to remove the skins and reveal the framing.  Once the framing and structure are exposed, one can decide to do a total rebuild or a repair-and-replace.  I didn't have the know-how or space to pursue either option.  So,  I reached out to a vintage camper group on social media for advice and eventually met Rick, who lived just a couple of hours away and had extensive experience with vintage campers.  Rick came out, gave the '59 a thorough look-over, and offered repair suggestions.  I agreed to hire him to perform a repair-and-replace renovation, which would entail removing all rotted wood framing and repairing the structure.  Best. Decision. Ever.

Rick invited my husband and me out to his place, just a 2-hour drive up the road.

We had a great time visiting and even got to see a couple of campers he'd redone.  We talked extensively about our expectations and the outcome we envisioned.

It became even clearer that Rick was the man for the job; we were on the same page.  

Before leaving for home, we set up a date to drop the '59 off for repair.

In early June, we took another trip out to Rick's place, this time with the '59 in tow.  We were pleasantly surprised by how well she handled being towed.  We left her parked along the side of Rick's workshop.  She'd be spending the long winter months getting renovated and rejuvenated!

Rick's been working on our camper throughout the winter and sending me updates on his progress. 

One of the first pics was this one showing how he'd removed the windows.  I can't even imagine having to do this on my own! 

Then we got the next update - the aluminum skins had come off!  Now we could see what lay hidden beneath.  Because I'd seen many similar photos on vintage camper social media group pages, I wasn't horrified by the images.  I was actually surprised that the structural damage wasn't worse.

 Of course, the main reason I wasn't too nervous is that I knew Rick had it under control.

We did not request a total rebuild; we aimed to salvage what we could.  

The damaged wood was removed and replaced.  While all the walls were open, Rick rewired the electrical system, provided a 12-volt option, and added new lighting.

Then the skins went back on.

We opted for a new roof, so the old one was removed and discarded, and the new aluminum was purchased.

 

We opted to have Rick install an air vent.  Here's the new roof structure.

And the new aluminum!  So neatly done!  A fresh new top for the '59!

    

Just last weekend, my husband and I drove out to Rick's again to see the progress.

WOW!  Quite the transformation!  Some folks might not notice much change, but remember, most of the trouble was lurking under the skin!  Of course, I noticed every tiny update.  And by tiny, I mean all the fasteners!  Rick removed every. single. fastener. replaced them AND sealed them!

My husband and I were just thrilled with the exterior renovation!

But that wasn't all!  Rick explained in our initial interview that the previous renovation person had removed a closet structure from the interior, just to the left of the entrance.  That's not OK.  Every structure in a vintage camper supports the overall structural integrity.  What may have appeared to be a minor closet was actually integral to the camper's structure.  It needed to be put back!

When he asked me what I'd like built to replace the closet, I didn't hesitate!  I had an idea!

I told Rick I'd send him a plan for the build.  I drew up a plan, complete with measurements, and explained what I wanted.  I sent Rick the plans and a picture of my mock-up, and...

He built it!  He waited to finish the details until I brought him the actual inserts I wanted to use.  This way, he’d be sure everything fit!  Perfection!

During our last visit to Rick's, we discussed a few additional features I wanted to add to the camper's interior: replacing the Formica countertop with a butcher block and adding trim around the camper's back perimeter.  

Just the other day, he sent me these: 

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It's as if all I have to do is imagine what I want and Rick will make it a reality!  

In the meantime, I'll continue creating my mock-ups for the 59s' interior decor.  We'll wait until spring to pick our girl up from her winter makeover retreat.

I cannot thank Rick enough for his tireless work, dedication, attention to detail, and talent in giving our 1959 Pathfinder a new lease on life!  There are a lot more miles and adventures to be had!

Rick's update photos used with his permission.

Additional Photos by Paulette Rodriguez.

"OK,...So ...That's Just Weird"

“That’s just weird,” is a phrase I’ve heard from family and dear friends in reference to my design style more than a few times.  I’m not offended.  I know I’m weird, and I’m perfectly OK with it!

I like to surround myself with objects that look like they have a story, they're unexpected, interesting, unusual, or just aren't something others would have in their homes.

The other day, I was cruising through one of my favorite charity shops, finding little of interest.  Several times, I thought, “I should go home, there's nothing here for me today.”

But I didn't.  I stuck around.

It was on my third trip around the store that a stockroom worker put this out on the sales floor!

I immediately walked over, pulled off the tag without a moment's hesitation, and lined up to buy it!  In this store, that's how one purchases large items.  You leave it on the floor and line up with just the bottom half of the price ticket.  After you purchase the item, someone will help load it into your vehicle.

It was $19.99.

While I was in line paying, very happily turning over my hard-earned cash, a gentleman had picked up the item and added it to his cart.  I had to break the news to him that I’d just paid for that very item.  He was visibly bummed.

While loading it in the back of my truck, a woman who'd just arrived at the store exclaimed, “Ooooo, what'd you find today?  Lucky!” We thrifters do that.

So what did I buy and why did I instantly fall in love with it?

Remember, I like unusual pieces, especially when I can use them in my home decor.

This had all the elements of a one true love for me: rust, metal, and rich dark wood - this thrifter’s equivalent of tall, dark, and handsome!

What in the world was I going to use it for, and where was it going to go?

Hmmm...I knew I’d put it in our main living area.  The living area is big and could definitely accommodate such a large piece.  I tried it as a coffee table, but it didn't really work for me.  I slid it over by an armchair, replacing an inexpensive piece I'd purchased years ago.

That worked...for me at least!  My husband thinks it’s weird, but he lets it slide (tee, hee, hee).

I think that’s primarily because when we did a reverse image search, this came up as an antique sled coffee table, similar to one sold by Orvis!  If my husband likes something, it was surely in an Orvis catalog at one time!

After much research, I never found an antique sled or a coffee table that matched my purchase exactly.  It could be that my “Antique Sled” is actually someone's repurposed project.  The runners, clearly antique, are likely from a late-19th-century cutter sled, and the top wooden slats were likely added.  I don’t really care.  

It's weird...and I love it!

All photos by Paulette Rodriguez.

The Year of Wicker

 2025 was the Year of Wicker for this thrifter!

I’ve always been drawn to home decor items made from natural materials.   Jute rugs, wooden bowls, stone crocks, woodgrain furniture, and woven baskets appear in almost every room of our home.  Their earthy vibe is just the thing I need to feel grounded, calm, and relaxed.  

This year, we invested in natural woven blinds for all the windows on our main floor.  

Best.  Decor.  Investment   Ever.  

Even the awkward, solitary clerestory windows look interesting with the natural weave coverings.

I love how the natural blinds look with the natural grain and tone of our cabinets.  I purchased mine from Windowsandgarden through Amazon.  They are affordable and cut to order for a custom fit.  They were very easy to hang!  An added bonus is that they smell earthy and fresh!  

Perhaps influenced by the whole woven vibe, I snatched up this vintage McCoy pottery vase for a mere $4.00, knowing I’d find a use for it somewhere.

It works perfectly as a holder for my dishwashing accessories. 

With woven, natural materials on my brain, it was no surprise that I continued to come upon woven wonders!

This lovely, outdoor wicker sofa was left on the curb in a nearby neighborhood!  I spied it on my way home from work one day.  I felt compelled to check it out.  It was real wicker, not the new plastic stuff, and painted off-white.  The overall structure was sound.  It was a bit dirty, and the seat webbing was stretched, but I knew it had quite a bit of use still in it, so I decided to rescue it.  I knocked on the homeowner’s door to verify their intentions.  When it was confirmed they were chucking it out, I promptly chucked it right into the back of my truck! 

I gave it a once-over with the garden hose and added some temporary support boards.

I purchased some replacement cushions from the local big-box home improvement store.

This lovely cast-off garden sofa looks so good set among the flowering shrubs in our back yard!

Knowing I’d eventually want to find some lovely side tables to set out by my newly found garden sofa, I’ve been purposefully strolling through the furniture sections of the thrift stores during my visits.  When I spied this lovely pair of wicker side tables, I literally stopped in my tracks in awe!  What were the chances I’d find not one, but TWO perfect wicker side tables!

Each was priced at just $12.99!  I knew instantly they’d be coming home with me.  But they wouldn’t be going in the backyard.  In near-perfect condition with that rich brown color, I knew these would fit beautifully in our sitting room!

I mean...!  Just look at how the wicker blends so perfectly with the woven blinds!

The thing I most appreciate about eclectic, “found” decor is the character it adds to one’s home. 

The warmth of the natural woven blinds and wicker side tables creates an inviting, relaxing feel in our sitting area.  Even Angus, our family dog, prefers to nap in this cozy space.

If you’re looking to add warmth and a sense of peace and calm to your home, consider incorporating natural woven materials like wicker into your design!

All photos by Paulette Rodriguez.