Lyndon Cormack, the founder of Herschel Supply Company, has transformed his waterfront house in North Vancouver, Canada, into a unique oasis with the addition of a 1950s Spartan Spartanette travel trailer and a stunning studio building.
Cormack, who had been living in the house with his girlfriend and two daughters for a decade, felt that the property was missing a cool spot for guests and a separate home office. After stumbling upon the vintage trailer on an online auction site, he knew he had found the perfect solution.
With the help of architect Mark Burkart, Cormack designed a backyard that resembles an upscale personal campground, complete with cedar staircases, decks, and a central firepit. The Spartanette was renovated to maintain its original character while adding modern upgrades, such as a streamlined kitchen with pink cabinets and Norwegian Rose marble.
The studio building, designed by Burkart, hovers above the forest floor and offers Cormack a peaceful space to work and dream big dreams. The interior is wrapped in cedar and features a 13-foot desk, a wood-burning fireplace, and a mix of vintage and new furniture pieces.
The entire project, completed in November, cost roughly 550,000 Canadian dollars ($400,000) and has provided Cormack with the perfect escape from his main house. The backyard campground has become a place for quiet contemplation, hosting guests, and enjoying the stunning views of the water and mountains.
As Cormack puts it, the Spartanette has found its final resting place in his backyard, where it will continue to have adventures but will never go on another trip. This unique renovation showcases the beauty of living small and embracing a simpler, more sustainable lifestyle.
