Kirsi and Jaakko’s flower caravan puts a smile on everyone’s face—the new look was almost too much for Jaakko

What happens when two energetic, fun-loving people fall in love? A delightfully colorful travel trailer! That’s exactly what Kirsi Niiranen and Jaakko Timonen chose as their mood-boosting project for the pandemic.

The couple met in 2017. Both had been into motorcycling on their own and were experienced campers. Instead of getting a shared home, they decided to buy a vehicle together the following year. Now they keep traveling on wheels—just a little less exposed to the wind.

The Dethleffs trailer was transformed into a burst of vibrant color in 2020.

They found the trailer on an online second hand store for just €1,200 which was a bargain. The low price also meant it needed extensive repairs.

“We knew that at some point, the trailer’s toilet space had gotten damp, and moisture had spread to the walls and floor structure,” Jaakko says.

Jaakko tore out all the damaged parts and replaced them with new frame beams and wall panels. He also resealed every seam, checked the windows, and removed the plastic flooring.

They spent about the same amount again—over €1,000—on renovation materials.

“Jaakko took care of all the technical work, including installing solar panels on the roof, which give us enough power for a three-week trip,” Kirsi says.

Once the trailer is parked, they take out their sun chairs from the tow vehicle. Kirsi is already planning to sew new covers for them.

Once the trailer was fully fixed up, Kirsi and Jaakko tried it out on short trips from Kirsi’s yard in Jämsä for the first few years. Then 2020 arrived, and the pandemic cast its shadow. They decided both the world and the trailer needed color and joy. Neither liked the basic white exterior, so they went for a new look.

Kirsi had the exterior painted by a local professional who specializes in painting heavy machinery. Orange is a familiar color on the job, but not so much on travel trailers.

“Kirsi also asked a friend at a decal company to add flowers to the outside walls. I’ll admit my first thought was that, as a burly guy, I’d be embarrassed to step out of a flower trailer in public,” Jaakko laughs.

Kirsi chuckles, noting how quickly his opinion changed.

“Maybe it’s partly because people are instantly in a good mood when they see it.”

The trailer’s makeover soon continued indoors as well. While Jaakko was on a fishing trip in Lapland, Kirsi decided to build a slatted wooden floor. At ease with a circular saw, she cut, numbered, and painted each piece with floor paint. The colors are happy shades of yellow, orange, and green.

They left the original cabinets unpainted, because their existing shades tell their own story. Kirsi found secondhand fabrics in her stash—they add even more retro flair. She sewed removable slipcovers for the seat cushions, which are easy to wash.

“I focused on decorating and left the technical details to Jaakko. Thankfully, he trusted me completely with the color scheme,” Kirsi says.

Right after they bought the trailer, Kirsi and Jaakko discovered a pleasant surprise. The gas stove and refrigerator had been used so little they were practically new.

Renovating the trailer has been a joint project. They still have their own homes—Kirsi in Jämsä and Jaakko in Tampere.

Kirsi and Jaakko’s calendar-year tea towels hang on the wall of the trailer.

Everything in the trailer runs on solar power. They switch on fans if it gets too hot.

This old green teddy bear has accompanied Kirsi since her childhood.

On their trips, they tow the travel trailer with a large vehicle that also carries a grill, electric bikes, and paddleboards. With the trailer in tow, they can head off on a new adventure anytime. Kirsi and Jaakko have traveled across Finland from south to north, as well as to Norway’s fjords, Estonia, and Lithuania.

“When get on the road, we always have our quick ‘travel warmup’—a small disagreement. After that, the next three weeks go great,” Jaakko laughs.

Kirsi notes that there are plenty of benefits to traveling with a trailer.

“We spend a lot of time outdoors, cook good meals, and enjoy the scenery. It’s hard to imagine another way of getting to see so much.”

They cook as much as possible on the grills they bring. Fish is filleted outside. They don’t want the heat—or the smell—inside.

Joy is contagious for everyone who sees the trailer, and that’s exactly what this couple wants—to bring cheer to others on the road. Passersby often wave, smile, or marvel at the trailer’s playful exterior.

“This certainly isn’t spacious, but we’ve learned to manage and step around each other,” Kirsi says.

“Once we park, the entire natural setting around us is our backyard. That’s where we cook and relax. I do the cooking, then Jaakko handles the dishes and brews campfire coffee.”

They’re drawn to quiet beaches or forest edges to park. Sometimes they stay at a campground.

“Often on the road, we’ll park somewhere with an outhouse. Ideally, there’s a sauna, too. And of course, we always bring a portable camping shower,” Jaakko adds.

During the pandemic, Kirsi and Jaakko decided to renovate their travel trailer to spread joy to others, too.

Pick up these clever tips from Kirsi and Jaakko!

Keep small spaces organized with tin containers that hold utensils, groceries, and other essentials. When driving, move them into the cabinets. The couple’s towel rack is made from plywood boards with holes for the towels. The towel stays put when pulled through the top hole.

The small bathroom area features fresh blue and white tones. Kirsi’s facial toner is in a Red Riding Hood bottle, and their hand soap is in an old beer bottle. The pump top came from a regular pump dispenser.