Picture an old military truck rumbling down the open road, its interiors lined not with cold metal panels but with stylish wallpaper featuring the warm, inviting patterns of the seventies. This isn’t just any truck; it’s a 1979 MAN KAT 1 German Army vehicle turned comfortable mobile home by the Casaniers, a family whose wanderlust pushed them to transform their everyday lives into a globetrotting adventure. Aline, Erwan, and their young daughter Hinatea didn’t just chase the dream of a nomadic lifestyle, they grabbed it by the steering wheel.
The Casaniers contacted us a while back with a wild idea: as they prepared to embark on the adventure of life on the road, they wanted help with wallpapering their truck. They knew that if they were serious about taking their family away from the comfort of their house, their RV had to feel more than just functional. It had to provide a “cocoon” to retreat to, feel safe and be “at home”. The fascinating tale of how the determination to follow your dreams and plenty of elbow grease can overcome all difficulties might just inspire you to leave those four stationary walls behind and move into your own home on wheels!
Meet the Casaniers
So who are these guys? They have labelled themselves “Les Casaniers Globe Trotteurs” and they are a French family formed by Aline, 34, Erwan, 47, and their spirited daughter Hinatea, 9. They have woven travelling into the very fabric of their lives, journeying from just the two of them to a full-fledged family adventure squad. Despite a dream of circling the globe, financial constraints too often kept their travel plans at bay.
However, life threw them a curveball when Erwan faced a significant health scare. Suddenly, they realised that life was too fleeting and precious not to pursue their dreams. It was time to stop daydreaming and start doing. So they sold their home in Loire-Atlantique, wiped the slate clean of any debts, and plunged into a bold new venture! Erwan had a clear idea about what was on the cards for them:
“Our plan is to be living on the road and exploring the world as a family. Enriching ourselves with nature, meeting new people, spending quality time together and learning to take our time.”
The truck
In order to travel as a family, they needed a vehicle that was big enough, but with money being tight they started searching for an old truck to transform into their new mobile home. They landed on a 1979 MAN KAT 1 military vehicle, a robust relic of the German army, which they appreciated for its durability and capacity to handle diverse terrains.
Having invested in a custom-built cell structure for their living quarters, the Casaniers proceeded to meticulously outfit their new home on wheels, doing the bulk of the work themselves to ensure every detail met their needs while staying within budget.
Decorating the truck interior
When it came to decking out the interior of their truck, the Casaniers had their hearts set on a 1970s theme right from the start. Their penchant for the style was so ingrained that when they decorated their brick-and-mortar house, the first thing they search for was "1970s wallpaper", which incidentally is how they ended up discovering our website. Having successfully styled their living room with the Apollo model, they thought it would be a nice idea to bring the same flair on the road with them. Replicating the warmth and nostalgia of their old home in their new, mobile one was key to make the entire family feel in their familiar comfort zone wherever they might find themselves in the world.
Choosing wallpapers
Selecting the right wallpaper for each area within the confined space of their mobile home turned out to be an emotional process as the desire for personal touches had to match practical considerations. For their daughter Hinatea’s bedroom, the choice fell on the aforesaid Apollo pattern - the same design that graced the walls of their old house - as it brought a sense of continuity and comfort to her new abode. They also happened upon some leftover rolls, enough to cut three strips for her bedroom. This particular wallpaper (a light-resistant, non-woven model) was also picked out of practical considerations, as its material qualities made it ideal for the mobile home environment. In addition, it’s washable and suitable for slightly damp environments, making it a good choice for a child's bedroom in a lorry, where humidity and temperature fluctuations are common. Furthermore, its flame-retardant properties added an extra layer of safety and reassurance.
For their own bedroom, Aline and Erwan went for a wallpaper called Sinon. While captivated by its design, they were slightly worried about its darker tones. This led them to the decision to apply it to just one wall, creating a focal point that enhances rather than overwhelms the space. They contrasted it with white furniture and a 1970s bedspread to introduce more light into it. On the practical side, this model is also washable, lightfast, and meets safety standards for fire resistance.
The main living area of the truck - a combination of the entrance, dining area, lounge, and kitchen - called for something light and inviting. Here, the Casaniers picked a model called Triton based on its lighter colours and embossed texture, which adds a tactile, cosy element to the space while also possessing all the necessary qualities for a mobile setting.
Preparing the surface
When it comes to wallpapering vehicles, every van, RV or truck presents its unique set of challenges and opportunities. The MAN KAT 1 truck walls were smooth, shiny white, made of gel-coat cold room panels. This is a surface that can work well for a clean, modern look but it can be quite tricky when it comes to making wallpaper stick.
The first thing Erwan and Aline did was to perform a thorough clean-up to ensure the surface was ready for a makeover. Using WD-40, they meticulously removed any residues of glue or other products. Having completed this first step, they then degreased the surface with specialised wipes and gave it a final wash and dry. This kind of preparation is crucial, as these types of surfaces require it in order to provide the perfect underground for the wallpaper to adhere to.
The next step was to protect the existing fixtures. All furniture and any non-removable items were carefully covered with foil and masking tape, a simple but effective way to guard against any accidental splashes of glue or smudges during the installation.
With the prep work done, they moved onto the more technical aspects of the task ahead. Given that their truck's interior included irregular joints - particularly at the corners of the cell - the family needed to be precise with their measurements. They used a classic combination of wooden pencils, rulers, and tape measures to mark reference points on the walls. This step is vital in ensuring that the wallpaper doesn't just look good, but fits perfectly, avoiding unsightly bulges or misalignments at the edges.
They also carefully marked out the width of the wallpaper and planned exactly where the adhesive would be applied. This is extremely important in order to achieve a seamless look, ensuring the patterns align beautifully and the aesthetic is just right.
Preparing the wallpaper
Wallpapering a mobile home is as much about precision and preparation as it is about choosing the right patterns and colours. A clean, large wooden board was chosen as the prep station. This turned out to be a very suitable flat surface for measuring and cutting.
When measuring and cutting wallpaper, especially in a custom space like a truck, leaving a margin is essential. This allows for adjustments during application and for trimming the excess once the wallpaper is in place, ensuring a clean, tailored finish. The Casaniers thoughtfully considered the placement of each piece, planning how the wallpaper would fit around the unique contours and corners of their mobile home.
Once their measurements were double-checked and the lines traced, they used a ruler and a cutter to precisely cut out each piece of wallpaper. This careful preparation was meant to ensure that when it came time to applying the wallpaper to the walls of their truck, the process would be smooth, with each piece fitting perfectly into its designated space.
However, even with the best plans, hiccups can happen. While working on one of the models (Sinon) they did not consider that its pattern repeat is a straight – i.e. not a free - match. Fortunately, they had enough wallpaper on hand to correct the mistake without compromising the overall design. This is ample proof for the importance of not only measuring twice but also clearly understanding the pattern repeats of each wallpaper design before making the cuts.
The installation process
The first step of the wallpapering process began with the preparation of the adhesive. Their pick was a glue called Metylan Ovalit TM - a thick, white adhesive that’s suitable for most types of non-woven wallpapers. The main reason behind this choice was that this specific glue is notably free from strong odours, making it ideal for the confined spaces of a lorry. The glue was mixed directly in its original packaging to ensure it was perfectly homogeneous before decanting a smaller amount into a paint container for easier application.
Their initial approach was to apply the glue with a wide roller. However, they quickly realised it wasn’t quite the right tool for the job, as it used too much adhesive and didn’t spread it evenly. After a bit of trial-and-error, they switched to a narrower foam roller, typically used for varnishing. This proved to be a better match as it allowed for a more controlled and economical application of the glue directly onto the truck’s walls, eliminating the need to apply any adhesive to the back of the wallpaper itself.
Using the pre-marked reference points on the walls, the actual installation of the wallpaper began. Using a METYLAN wallpapering spatula (as well as their hands), the wallpaper was smoothed out carefully to remove any air bubbles or bumps. Any excess glue that squeezed out during this process was promptly cleaned up with a cloth. For the edges and particularly the tricky corners, a small brush was used to apply additional glue, ensuring every part of the wallpaper stuck firmly to the wall. Once a strip was perfectly in place, the bottom was tacked down securely, measured, and cut with precision using a ruler and a cutter. The final step involved pressing down the edges firmly to guarantee a snug fit and wiping down the wallpaper with a sponge dipped in water to remove any residual traces of glue.
For each subsequent strip, the same process was repeated, with special attention paid to aligning the wallpaper at the edges to ensure a seamless look throughout.
Conclusion
As they travel the world in search of their next adventure, the Casaniers’ project is a great example of how personal taste, coupled with practical considerations, can transform a utilitarian space into a personalised and stylish mobile home.
For other members of the camper van community looking for advice to tackling similar projects, there are a few lessons that can be drawn:
- Understand your materials
Knowing the properties of different wallpapers and adhesives can have a dramatic impact on the functionality and aesthetics of your space. - Preparation is key
Adequate surface preparation ensures that wallpaper not only adheres well but remains vibrant and intact despite the rigours of travel. - Be thoughtful in your design choices
When decking out a mobile home it’s essential to consider practical issues like light and space enhancement.
