Your House+Home Advisor is always on the lookout for word about unique “New Nests.” Previous posts on the casita-as–new-“bonus” room prompted all sorts of ideas and suggested housing choices.
Image source: challed-quiroz
Meet amateur cyclists, Cindy Challed, 55, author of 13 published novels under the name Cynthia Wright, and the man in her life, physical therapist assistant Al Quiroz, 54, empty nesters whose adult children were starting to visit frequently and bring children of their own.
To solve the space issue in their modest 2bd/2ba home, they were preparing to drop $40,000 to build a free-standing guesthouse in their backyard.
Then Al googled the word “Airstream” (as in sleek, silver “trailer” wildly popular in the 1940s and 50s) and up came the solution to several housing issues in one, fell swoop.
Image source: challed-quiroz
For sale in Oregon was this nearly pristine, 18-foot Airstream “Wanderer,” built in 1959 and offered for $12,000 by a man who was only its second owner. Al eventually found a vintage 1970 truck to complete the package and he and Cindy drove north, met the seller half way, and returned home to swiftly “install” their new guest quarters at the rear of their property.
Image source: challed-quiroz
“The original parts inside the Airstream are intact,” enthuses Cindy, “including the little 50’s lights, the appliances, formica countertops, the birch cabinetry and the original spatter paint on the interior walls.”
Image source: challed-quiroz
Since purchasing “Lucy” (as in I Love— ?) two years ago, the couple has stashed guests there about twice a year, but more often than not, they’ve given the guests their bedroom and prefer to “stay out there ourselves. We love the cozy double bed which fits us because we’re both not very tall!”
Image source: challed-quiroz
Every so often, the couple hitches up their “guesthouse” and hits the road, heading for such favorite spots as Geyserville in the Alexander Valley wine country of northern California. On such outings, Al and Cindy love to ride their tandem bike on a 42-mile ride along woodsy trails.
Image source: challed-quiroz
When Al’s grandson, Connor, comes over to visit after the Airstream has returned to the backyard, “It instantly becomes a playhouse,” says Cindy. “It’s perfect for little ones – really magical.”
This $12,000 New Nest is definitely multi-purpose and has taken the casita one step further. Even better, it’s leading to all sorts of new adventures for Cindy and Al. And it just goes to show, thinking “out of the box” can often solve housing issues in entirely new ways.
To indulge your fantasies even more, check out Shadydell where you can book in for a few nights in Bisbee, Arizona and see if this is the answer to your space issues!
Tags: Downsizing, New Nest, Rightsizing, Airstream Trailers, Casita, Design Ideas, Dual Purpose Objects, Granny Unit, Guesthouse, Housing Choices, Outdoor Living
