Life on the Open Road

A college student makes a home on the road and redefines ‘stylish’ small-space living.

In the summer of 2018, college freshman Landon McAfee left for school at the University of North Alabama. He wanted a place to live that would give him creative freedom. Soon enough, he found the perfect living space for himself and his dog, Benjamin: a 1985 Airstream RV.

“I’m a collector at heart—which is never good for someone who lives in an Airstream—but I collect vintage thermoses, coolers and serving ware,” Landon says. This table setting features items from his collection, including this vintage Hudson Bay blanket.

Here are his decorating tips for small-space living and how he turned an old Airstream into a home.

The Build

“When I purchased my Airstream, it had been completely gutted. Even the floors had been taken out, and you could see straight to the ground,” Landon says.

Landon creates a cozy space inside for days when the outdoors isn’t an option. “On rainy days, just grab your laptop, lay on the sofa with your dog, and enjoy some TV time,” Landon says.

Having only one summer to make the space livable, Landon worked hard—sealing the panels, caulking the windows and laying tile. His favorite part of the process was designing how to fit a kitchen, bathroom and bedroom in just 300 square feet.

Landon’s Airstream is 34 feet long and measures about 300 square feet. Camping as a kid, Landon loved when they would see an Airstream, but he thought he would never be able to afford one. “Dolly the Airstream” is named after one of Landon’s idols, Dolly Parton.

The wooden radio and print were both antique store finds. “When you’re a vintage shopper, the most important part is shopping frequently. New things constantly arrive at vintage stores, and you just pop in every now and then to catch the good deals,” Landon says. This tile backsplash was a splurge item for Landon, but because it only covers 10 square feet, he had to go for it.

“Being creative, I learned to design in a small space and would draw up designs and bring crazy ideas to my oldest brother, Derrick,” Landon says. “He would then make them happen or explain to me why they wouldn’t work.”

By the end of the summer, Dolly was move-in ready.

“Living Tiny”

“When you’re ‘living tiny,’ you have everything you need … just on a smaller scale,” Landon explains. “When you don’t have a lot of things in your space, it’s easier to stay organized and clean. Even so, you don’t need a big space to have big design goals.”

In terms of his décor style, Landon is inspired by all things vintage.

“I think we can implement colors and textures that have stood the test of time into a modern working home. It’s important that your home tells a story about the person who lives within its walls,” Landon notes.

A Nomad Lifestyle

In other words: No matter where you live, your home should inspire you.

Now that Landon has graduated from college, Dolly is mostly used for large (sometimes involving up to 25 people) family camping trips. In addition, Landon’s job doesn’t interfere with his on-the-go lifestyle. His creativity thrives as the social media manager, photographer and marketing specialist for The Loft on Court in Selmer, Tennessee, which is a retail shop he runs with his best friend, Ansley.

In terms of his décor style, Landon is inspired by all things vintage.

Just because a space is small doesn’t mean it can’t have personality. Landon adds a vintage touch to his décor. These pennant flags are one of the things Landon collects, and he tries to get one from every antique store he visits.

Landon’s latest project is an 800-square-foot 1950s cottage he purchased. It’s located in a small Amish community town in Tennessee. While it will take a big dose of love to fix up this home, Landon—and, of course, his dog, Benjamin—hope to move in by the end of 2022.

If you’d like to see Landon’s ongoing updates to Dolly and his cottage, follow him on Instagram: @landontroymcafee

Airstream Eats

Here’s Landon McAfee’s family tea cake recipe, which is featured on his “Airstream Eats” series via Instagram. That’s where he shares recipes he’s prepared in his Airstream kitchen.

Great-Grandmother’s Southern Tea Cakes

Ingredients

2 cups self-rising flour
½ cup butter
¾ cup sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
1 Tbsp. milk

Directions

Melt the butter and add the sugar, egg, milk and vanilla. Beat everything until it’s combined.
Next, slowly add the flour, mixing it thoroughly until a dough forms.
Divide the dough into tablespoon-sized spheres and place them on an ungreased baking sheet. You can also roll out the dough and cut it into shapes with cookie cutters.
Bake at 400 degrees (F) for 6 to 10 minutes until the dough is fluffy.
Enjoy the tea cakes plain, or top them with your favorite cookie icing.