Modernized Mobile Home In California
Today’s home tour is of a modernized mobile home in California.
I’d love to live in this home. If I didn’t live in an area where there are frequent tornadoes I’d think about purchasing one.
The story of this modern mobile home began when a couple in California wanted to move from their one-bedroom apartment. Then one day after surfing they happened upon this neighborhood of mobile homes.
They decided to buy a 1970s double-wide and immediately started to gut and transform it.
Designer Frances Merrill of Reath Design helped them.
The Living Space:
They decided on an open floor plan. This design would make their two-bedroom, two-bath mobile home feel as large as possible.
Merrill designed the sectional with two cushions the size of twin mattresses. This means the couple can put fitted sheets on it to use it as a second guest room.
Fitted sheets also provides an easy way to wash sand off the sectional when they’ve been out on the beach.
Open shelves now circle the living room and continue on into the kitchen. This brought the couple much needed storage without taking up valuable floor space.
The Redesigned Fireplace:
The fireplace got a facelift as well. It separates the living and dining areas from the kitchen.
Small Mudroom:
The entryway has a built-in bench where guests can kick off their shoes after walking on the beach.
The Kitchen:
The same slate from the fireplace was used on the kitchen countertops. White cabinetry was added for an open and airy feel.
Small Office Nook:
A built-in office nook adds a bit more storage to the small space.
Dining Space:
Their dining space is part of the open area, making the space feel even bigger. Vertical paneling painted white was chosen for the walls. A dramatic light fixture grounds the dining space.
Master Bedroom:
The designer encouraged the couple to embrace the trailer park aesthetic by using quirky design elements. Such as the wood paneling in the mudroom and master bedroom.
The 1500 square foot home has the same creamy oatmeal paint color used from one area to another to make the design feel consistent. A bit of red was used as an accent.
The Bathroom:
The white bathroom looks quite modern with its reflective surfaces visually expanding the small room.
The Guest Bedroom:
The white paneling was also used in the guest bedroom. Lots of fun accents were added in this room.
Front Porch Area:
The couple considered adding a third bedroom, but decided to add a deck instead where they could entertain.
Bougainvillea was planted to climb up the deck slates. The idea is to have it eventually grow all across it so that the outdoor area feels like an enclosed room.
Enclosed Outdoor Space:
I absolutely love this outdoor area. It is already a cozy outdoor room. Decomposed granite was added under the furniture and fire pit. The fence gives them privacy.
It’s one of the couples favorite places to gather in the evening.
The Floor Plan Design:
This is the floor plan that was used in designing the modernized mobile home.
This is quite something! I’d never have guessed it was a mobile home! Beautiful!
We bought our manufactured home in 1995. We have 2200 sq ft. It has not been a money pit and has held up as well as a site built home. Through the years we have had only 3 major expenses- a new metal roof, new floor covering throughout, and a new heat pump. No different than any other home of its age. It’s solid and is our forever home. We put it on our own land. No way would I live in a park. Yes, we live in a tornado prone area, but if a tornado is going to take a house, it doesn’t matter what kind it is. We have been through one where our site built house suffered damage . Our town was hit by one in ‘07. It took out a swath through town, destroying the high school and resulting in 8 deaths. If you are in the path, it will get you. I love my MH and would dream of living elsewhere.
Yes, I would be interested in viewing some different than the regular style of houses. There are several earth built homes around us. Also, homes built like machine sheds. They have become very popular as you get a tax break because they r considered sheds. This is a farming community so it is an advantage. Most of them are attached to a large machine shed or an enclosed horse arena.
How great to live near the water. A great way to have something near the ocean at a price point that is affordable.
It’s beautiful although a bit too modern for me. I bet they enjoy living near the beach.
The outdoor space is fabulous, as well.
Enjoy your day!
Wow, some folks are so talented…that floorplan has no wasted space in halls etc…I don’t know how they could have done a better job and the colors and textures are great!! Yea, we live in tornado/hurricane area now, so no chance we would take on a mobile home…but some parts of the country you are very safe to live in one.
The location near the beach sounds awesome. This is a stunning redo but like someone else mentioned, having to lease the land is a downside after a big investment in renovation. I like the outdoor space a lot. I’ve never liked communities like this because I need outdoor space & privacy. The latter seems to be a big compromise in most.
The wood storage for the fireplace is unique. It also has great light throughout, which is unusual in a MH. I could live here, especially with the sea nearby!
It’s a beautiful home, but it isn’t mobile. Did you notice any tires on the structure? No, they don’t have any. These are not the compact trailers of the 1950s that were pulled behind a car, and they’re not today’s RVs. The problem with buying most mobile homes in the United States is that they’re “parked” in a mobile home park or “camp” and you do not own the land underneath the structure, you lease the land and pay rent monthly. I’ve read several news articles over the last few years about mobile home parks being sold to developers and people who have lived in their mobile homes for 20, 30 and even longer years are being evicted off the land those “homes” sit on. Most of the owners can’t afford to buy a plot of land elsewhere, nor can they afford to pay thousands to have their home moved to a new lot elsewhere (assuming they can find one – either an individual lot that is zoned for such use or a mobile home park that has lots available for lease). In many areas, even if you can find a lot that you can afford, the mobile homes usually do not meet building codes.
I am 76. Two years ago my son and I bought a double wide manufactured home. He was disabled and I was his caregiver. Six months after we moved in he passed away. Two weeks after we moved in things started to go wrong. It has been a money pit ever since. I love my MFH and I would love to have the money to gut it and start from fresh; especially now that I am raising two great grandsons (ages 10 and 13-autistic). This was a beautiful home you shared and I loved seeing all the new ideas of how to use the space. They did a fantastic job.
What a great design both inside and outside. I am glad they were able to remodel one the way they wanted it. The new models are getting much more expensive, like everything. When my folks retired they finally sold their home and moved to a trailer. It was a single wide, but it was comfortable for them. My problem is there just isn’t much storage in them. Really would have to get rid of stuff, but maybe that’s not a bad idea either.
It’s amazing how big those double wides are. Some of them are bigger than actual houses. I do understand your worry about living in one where you are prone to tornados. Although, a tornado can wipe out a house too, so really nothing is tornado proof, except maybe an underground house. Oh, that would make an interesting series for you to post about… unusual houses! Anyway, they did a nice job decorating this home. I love that outside area too.
Good idea!
Om my goodness this space is just wonderful! I would love to live there.
Many moons ago we looked at some mobile homes with a view to purchase in Florida.
We loved the area we always went to for vacations, but in the end it would have cost too much just for a couple of weeks twice a year.
I looked into that too years ago. Too old to leave my kids now.