I’m genuinely thrilled to share these before-and-after photos. Last month marked two years since we bought the beach house, and while we never call a project “done,” the transformation downstairs felt like the perfect moment to look back, celebrate progress, and outline what’s next.

We uncovered dozens of original photos—some never shared—and matched many of them with recent shots from similar angles. There’s a lot to show, so this post focuses on the entire downstairs. We’ll follow up with the upstairs in a later post once those photos are organized.

If you want sources for paints and finishes, check our Shop Our Beach House page for paint colors and product details. Also, if you haven’t seen it already, there’s a before video tour that’s a fun walk down memory lane.

The Exterior

Before we get inside, here’s how the house looked from the sidewalk when we bought it. You might remember it as “the pink house,” but originally it was a greenish-gray with cream trim, mismatched windows—some even boarded up—and cinderblock steps.

A closer recent shot shows how much the curb appeal improved after a new roof, new siding, new windows, rebuilt steps, and repointed brick foundation. After debating colors, we landed on a cheerful pink (Sherwin-Williams Mellow Coral) with SW Snowbound trim.

One of the worst spots was a former porch that someone had enclosed with interior floorboards instead of proper siding—so rotten you could poke through in places. That side had to be torn off and rebuilt because of a sinking foundation and damaged support beams. Today that area houses the mudroom, pantry, bathrooms, and bunk room.

We also restored original porch colors: the ceiling in a traditional haint-blue shade and the floor in a coastal gray. The porch even had hooks already installed for a swing, so we hung one immediately.

The Entryway

The foyer had crumbling plaster, unfinished drywall, and water damage when we bought the house, but its original details and proportions charmed us. After repairs, fresh drywall, and paint, we refinished the original heart-pine floors and clear-sealed them with a water-based finish so they stay warm without yellowing.

We salvaged many original trim pieces and used them throughout the first floor. The trim color inspired a non-white trim choice downstairs, which complements the wall color and the refinished floors.

The Kitchen, Dining Room, & Pantry

The largest room became a combined kitchen and dining area. During demo it was a chaotic construction zone; later, the side that had been rebuilt required reinforced ceiling joists and new systems—plumbing, electrical, and HVAC—before drywall and finishes transformed it back into a home.

We debated the floor plan but ultimately kept the general locations for the dining area and kitchen. We also preserved the original back door and staircase, which limited some cabinet placement but added so much character and function.

One change was moving a doorway about five feet toward the dining area to make room for the wall that now hosts a charming vintage pink stove. What had been a full bathroom off the kitchen became our walk-in pantry, a space we fitted with custom shelving for maximum function.

The Living Room

The living room used to be damp and cluttered, with maroon trim and a second stove sitting in the middle of the space. During renovation we removed an ill-fitting mantle and exposed the original brick chimney, which adds warmth and texture to the room and pairs nicely with the pine floors and gray trim.

We added an overhead fixture where there hadn’t been one and installed a decorative medallion to center the chandelier. The room now feels bright, comfortable, and perfectly suited to family gatherings; the dining table doubles as overflow seating when we host larger groups.

The Mudroom & Bathroom

The mudroom, laundry area, pantry, and downstairs bathroom were all part of the section that had to be rebuilt. What was once a rotted exterior wall is now a functional zone: a side-door entry with an oversized hook rail, a bench, storage baskets, and a tall cabinet that hides the tankless water heater while storing cleaning supplies.

The downstairs bathroom occupies a newly created private area with a window, modern fixtures, and a vanity chosen to echo the reclaimed wood doors used throughout the house. We framed a few “before” photos in the mudroom so visitors can appreciate the transformation at a glance.

That wraps up the downstairs tour. We originally filmed a video tour too, but the footage had a focusing issue, so we’ll re-shoot and share a better version soon along with the upstairs before-and-afters. If you missed any sources, check our Shop Our Beach House page for room-by-room details. Thanks for reading—stay tuned for more updates!

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