Time to Roam Magazine Issue 4 - August/September 2013 | Page 24

Above: More from the ‘Mellow Yellow’ collection including
1977 Kingswood Gabby obtained from her uncle.

wears the retro clothing, which she buys
at op shops, fairs, vintage clothing stores,
online and then alters to her own taste. She
also makes outfits for baby Lucille.
She loves rummaging around for bargains
in the op shops in WA’s wheatbelt towns.
“I found a formal ballgown that fitted and
a matching handbag. Both were yellow and
half Perth prices.”
While Gabby and Carey live in a
contemporary home, they admit to having
two rooms filled with retro gear and kitchen
cupboards stocked with Tupperware galore.
The Modern caravan however is
something of a yellow time capsule.
“The interior is original except for the

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fridge – we couldn’t get the old one to work,
but did try. When we got it, the melamine
crockery set was green but I replaced it with
a yellow set.
“The electric bar heater is original,
as is the yellow Laminex table with
wood grain look trim. The curtains
are original, including the lace and
the caravan has original light fittings.
There’s a TV stand, which was probably
installed by the first owner and we
now use it to hold an old radio.”
The gas stove with flue is original and
Gabby proudly boasted to having used it to
cook the previous evening’s dinner. Next
she was planning to try cooking a roast on
the stovetop in Rena Ware, 1970s cookware
which is like two fry pans that fit together to

create a vacuum.
The van also has a wardrobe, long narrow
mirror, a diner which converts into a bed and
a double bed at the rear which folds up to
make a very large club lounge.
But what really catches your attention is
all the memorabilia. As well as the yellow
melamine crockery, Tupperware and old
cooking appliances, there’s a yellow plastic
shopping basket still used for shopping
trips, plastic canisters, anodised aluminium
wine goblets and an old picnic basket that
originally held a thermos or two, but is now
used as Gabby’s handbag.
To top it all off, there’s caravan shaped
cushions and pot holder she made herself.
The caravan may be a Modern but Gabby’s
rig is anything but.