Gypsy Wagons: Romantic, Adventurous, and Liberating Design

Sometimes we just need to get away from it all. Away from the computer. Away from the city. Away from modern life as we know it. Enter our newest tiny house obsession: the gypsy caravan. Like so many things that originated in the French countryside, it’s the perfect design solution for the urban doldrums. Complete with birdcages, crocheted curtains, wood-fired stoves and Art Nouveau details, these tiny homes on wheels will have you contemplating trading in your skinny jeans for a prairie skirt and a violin.

Researching exactly how we’re going to work one of these colorful conduits to a more romantic life into our postmodern existence, we came across the Gypsy Caravan Company headquartered in rural England. The founders explain that these enchanting mobile dwellings “can be used as a spare bedroom, a garden study, a hobby room, an artist’s studio, a writer’s retreat, a wildlife hide, a child’s gypsy caravan playhouse, a focal point for camp fires or barbecues, a romantic hideaway or simply somewhere to take a glass of wine and a good book.” Fun fact: Roald Dahl, Madonna, Billy Connolly and the Duchess of Bedfordshire have all been proud owners of one of these inspiring little hide-aways.

Click through to see some of the most whimsical and inspiring bohemian wagons out there today. Let us know in the comments if you could trade in your urban existence for a meadow hopping life in one of these romantic gems.


Image credit: Roald Dahl’s gypsy caravan at Gipsy House in Great Missenden, England. Via Amateur Gardening

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Just a thought if a Black person builds a Victorian house and lives in it, is the Black person racist towards Whites and a betrayer of his own race?!?! Give me a break. Where is our love for one another?

GET OVER YOUR Victimisations!!!! Until you recognize that people are people and diversity is good, our planet is doomed. The Romani (not roma buy the way,get it right Weaver you fool!!!) knowing the old ways realize the greatest honor a person can give another by copying their ways or how they do things, it is a way of saying your ways are good and right by emulating them!

What a great way of life Gypsy Wagons, I see some people living in travel trailers that don't look that nice. Lets just call them grey nomads like we do in Australia and they are on walkabout. I know walkabout wagons, yes people have lost all common sense.Great article. Cheers Iggle

The people here crying about racism are pretty ridiculous. People need to grow a thicker skin and get over it.. The victim mentality so many people have nowadays is sad and pathetic.

It might not be racist in the way most folks think of racism - however, when an entire culture of people is distilled down into an icon (like cute wagons) an awareness should be brought to the subject. Thought should be given to the culture which produced the icon, and an awareness that when folks look at the wagons above and read the word Gypsy cultural assumptions are made. No, this is not overt racism, but placing a stereotype upon an entire culture is a form of racism (which could be considered more insidious and dangerous since it is covert, but that's a different conversation).

its not racist. now shut the fuck up about it.

Like Marina, I come from Roma heritage, tracing my lineage from here in the UK, where my people came in 1749 from Spain, and back further to Hungary, and then Eqypt. Strikes me the only 'rascist' here is Brandon Weaver. I don't find others admiring our vardos offensive, but rather, a compliment. If I, a Roma, don't find it offensive, then why the f*ck should you? Go get a life and try to behave like a human being for once in your tiny mind.

Racist??? Really??? REALLY??? WOW...there is a level of idiocy here that astounds. What exactly about the creation of a "Gypsy caravan" could possibly be "racist?" Especially when, from the pictures at least, these constructs appear to be finely crafted pieces of art. Some of you, need to get over yourselves.

Wikipedia is never an absolute definition. Gypsy can seem to refer to that freedom of lifestyle but if you have any serious interest in the origin of the word "gypsy" I would refer you to any source from Raymond Buckland. My gypsy heritage traces back to India then Moldavia, Wales and rests here in the US. Blood or personal choice it is a beautiful life. The term is not offensive unless it is intended that way at which point is is perfectly clear it was so directed. But what a beautiful art to be shared!

One tactic I've noticed actual racists employ is the attempt to reduce the idea of racism to absurd levels. I think this is what I'm seeing here. Of course it's not racist to admire Gypsy caravans. How ludicrous! But if people can somehow attach the label "racism" to such innocuous stuff, then actual racism may be easier to overlook or dismiss. I, for one, am just not buying it.

And a quick look at wikipedia, reveals that the word gypsy, does not refer at all to one particular people or ethnic group. There are many that call themselves gypsy, and even traveling tinkers in Scotland were called gypsies. Gypsy refers to a way of life, not a people.

Ah, so basically, if someone calls you a racist, and it's not true, you're not supposed to feel at all indignant about it, or try to defend yourself? Kind of a no win situation, don't you think? Have folks lost all common sense?

just because you don't see racism...doesn't mean it's not there. a good red flag is when a bit of righteous defensiveness bubbles up just after someone calls out racism. the caravans are beautiful. i love small living spaces.

All I see is some excellent handiwork that built those wagons. Takes you back to a simpler and less hostile time. Some people are always looking for an excuse to cry "Racism", and have done it so often, the word is now meaningless.

The term "racist" no longer means a thing to me. People with no sense of civility, no sense of honor, now sense of proportion, and certainly no sense of the lightness of life itself have no business telling me how to run my life. I love this idea and I think that if only to tweak the noses of the thin-gruel-spirited people who comment as if they are God's mighty Poo-Bah to dictate what is and is not proper - I may just buy one or more of them.

The '90s called, they want their self-indulgent, over-the-top, self-righteous indignation back.

And by the way, I believe there are some other people that have used covered wagons throughout history. Maybe not usually so nicely decorated, but that would depend somewhat on the individual, just like today.

You've got to be kidding! Now you people are going to start an argument that it's racist to want to have a cool camper to hang out in? So, should we come up with a completely new design concept every year for houses and cars, because replicating anything from any era or country or people is an insult? We can't have Spanish-style homes, or Italianate, or Moorish, because it's bad to like any of those things? Doesn't it make it more racist if you don't like them? Do we knock down all the ones that have been built, unless they are purchased by someone from that country? I guess we should not buy music from another culture, or play it ourselves, so we don't hurt anyone's feelings. Although I doubt the artists would be too thrilled about that game plan. As a matter of fact if you are so concerned about Roma, you might not want to encourage keeping them isolated, but rather, promote the fact that others may enjoy their artistry, whether it is music, clothing, or living spaces. That only helps foster a good relationship among people from different backgrounds. Stop trying to find things to get insulted about and go live some kind of life. Hope none of you are wearing jeans, unless you can trace your lineage back directly to Levi himself. :o/

laharl78 - it doesn't really matter what the intention was. White folks make racist comments with out intending to do so ALL THE TIME! Just because you aren't offended doesn't mean its not racist. It means you are ignorant and possibly unintentionally being racist, but racist none-the-less. Please check yourself and your assumptions.

Brandon Paul Weaver is on the money!

Get over yourself, Mr. Weaver. Obviously this post - and the company the post is about - aren't set out to demean Roma or mock them. Those kinds of posts use language and tone a lot like yours: aggressive and vulgar. Go start a fight somewhere else! I for one enjoyed the post, and think imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

"Gypsies" are real people. They are Roma. Making a wagon in the style of many Roma caravans from over a century ago does not make it "gypsy." This is incredibly racist and offensive. Do some fucking research.