Monday, December 31, 2007

The 1962 Metzendorf



Here are more photos of the camper...the befores. Sadly... kids used it as a club house and there is magic marker on some of the doors. The walls have the original paint and the windows are in really great shape. I have to replace the flooring. The length is 15 feet...but that includes the tongue. The one propane tank is original...but I will probably get rid of it because I can't get it filled. The cabin area is 12 feet. There is a closet for the portapotty. The camper runs on propane and electric. The Dometic fridge, stove and furnace are original. It also has a 12volt system.
The trailer is really dirty on the outside...but the skin is in amazing shape...virtually no dents.








































































Cabinet Hardware


Some of the hinges were pretty rusted...so I went to Lowes to see if they had a match. They had almost the same exact hinge...just not as well made. I decided to replace the hinges with a silver hinge and repaint the handles. Most of the detail in the trailer is aluminum, with the exception of the antique brassy light covers. I will keep the original hinges, in case I change my mind.

Waiting between coats


While waiting between coats...listened to AM talk radio and did this...
My parents had headed south...so no tv!


Finishing the doors!

The large door below is the new door... the grain isn't as nice as the older doors... but it is ok. I may replace some other smaller doors that were badly damaged due to the marker... but thought I would wait to make that decision. Jordan kept me company.








The Cabinet Doors

I did do a little repair to glue a door that was delaminated. I purchased new birch to replace the large door that really was in bad condition. Since I had extra birch, I decided to replace another door that really was pretty badly damaged with water stains...and also delaminating.




Saturday, December 29, 2007

Picking an awning fabric

The screen room is light gray. I thought about just buying a premade one...but couldn't justify it. Also...this way I get many more choices in colors:











































Thursday, December 27, 2007

kitchen towels


oooohh. a dollar store find!!


Tuesday, December 25, 2007

The terlet


... the very basics...so you don't need to go out at night...very good!

Screen Room


Ahhhhh... a place without skeeters... love the color. Should go well with the white and silver trailer!


The Cabinets

started working on the cabinets. I think I am going to replace one door...as the veneer is delaminated. I got a new piece of birch plywood. There were stickers, magic markers, contact paper, water stains....etc. Nail polish remover works great on old contact paper.




Tuesday, December 11, 2007

In Hot Water!


Woo-hoo... going to have hot water in the dorf. Life will be good. I just purchased a system on amazon.com. I got the hose connections...so I don't have to use the plastic jug thingy.


Saturday, December 8, 2007

Coytains,,,,

Yes...curtains... Here is the other fabric I got on ebay...goes amazingly well with the 'olives' fabric -- both came in the mail already. Was a bit nervous that they wouldn't go and was pleasantly surprised. The pattern is much smaller than what it looks like here. The fabrics are great...now to find foam! And...decide on flooring.

Back to the flooring

Well... this is the fabric...and now I am thinking a solidish floor might be more appropriate.

Thursday, December 6, 2007

Extra Credit: What Does Metzendorf Mean?

Metzendorf is a surname that is from the German language. It can be split into two basic words – Metzen and Dorf. Metzen is the metonymic (a name derived from) occupational name for a cutler (someone who makes knives). It is derived from Middle Low German messet, metset ‘knife’, ‘dagger’ or Middle High German metz(e) ‘knife’. Dorf is a nickname or topographic name for someone who lived in a village. The meaning of Metzendorf is essentially “the village knife-maker.”

Olives it is!

I went for the 'Olives" fabric that I got through an ebay auction from http://www.winterbeachmodern.com/. I have asked them to send me samples of other fabrics that I can use in the dorf.

Wednesday, December 5, 2007

Looking for a Summer Home


Looking for a summer home for the dorf. This place still exists...loverly. A postcard of Otter Creek campground in Danby, Vermont.


What is a heck is a Metzendorf?

The Metzendorf Trailer Manufacturing Company manufactured travel trailers under the same name from the late 1950s to early 1960s. The trailers themselves did not have model names, but were referred to by length. The trailers ran from 12 to 15 feet and were not much taller than 6 feet high so they could be stored in a garage. The trailers sometimes had drop floors so an adult could stand up straight. The trailers were manufactured in West Farmington, Ohio, approximately 10 miles northwest of Warren, Ohio. The owner of the company was named Martin Metzendorf. Martin Metzendorf and his wife had the traliers built with Amish laborers. Mrs. Metzendorf picked out the interior patterns and colors. They delivered most of the trailers themselves until a delivery accident deprived Mrs. Metzendorf the use of her arm. They sold the business in the early 60's and the trailer was produced for a few more years under the Metzendorf name. (gatherings from Cyberspace)



A 1960 Metzendorf

Tuesday, December 4, 2007

The more expensive fabrics...

Do like this combination...but it would be at a cost 6 times of the ebay fabric!
Fabrics above from www.beautifulfabric.com


Choosing the Flooring!!

Some initial thoughts on flooring tile....






Fabric on Ebay!

This one I call "Olives"