Most travel trailers are all macho brown leather and awful orange-y wood – not the Nest by Airstream. The first word that comes to mind when you lay eyes on the company’s newest model, which made its debut this April, is cute.
The rounded fiberglass pod is a mere 16’7″ by 7’1″, with a windshield the resembles a pair of ski goggles. Inside, there’s a mini banquette and an even tinier kitchenette with white cabinets and laminate countertops that resemble gray-washed wood. What’d we tell you? Cute.
All the small-space design tricks we’re always talking about are employed in the Nest. Lots of light – there are six windows, a skylight, and a doorway window – makes the trailer feel much larger than it really is. Also, most of furniture is convertible to maximize the Nest’s functionality. There are two layouts to choose from: one with extra counter space and the banquette, which turns into a bed, and one with a permanent Tuft Needle mattress and a small table top, which can be stowed away when you’re not using it. Genius.
The banquette-turned-bed layout in Clutch Blue.
The permanent bed layout in Wingspan White.
If you’re allergic to color, the Wingspan White scheme, with its simple gray and white upholstery, will be right up your alley. If you’re like us and have an obsession with in-your-face hues, there’s the retro Clutch Blue scheme, which features bright teal cushions and pillows with touches of goldish-green, gray, and black. Of course, you can customize it however you want once you own it, à la these brave souls.
A Nest runs for $45,900, which is no small sum but definitely cheaper than buying a weekend house in the country, and, when you factor in renovation costs, probably about equal to refurbishing a vintage model (and without all the manual labor! ). Admit: Aren’t you seriously debating life – or at least most weekends – on the road right now? !
The Nest’s little bathroom also happens to be the shower stall.
