I’ve never been more excited to share before-and-after photos than I am today. Last month marked the two-year anniversary of buying the beach house, and while we never call a home completely “done,” this place has come so far that it felt like the right moment to look back and document what’s been finished — and what’s still ahead.
We dug up dozens of before photos, including many we hadn’t shared before, and tried to match angles so you can clearly see the transformation. There’s a lot to cover, so this post focuses on the downstairs; we’ll follow up with the upstairs once we can shoot and organize that round of before-and-after photos.
We’ll note key items in some “after” shots, but you can always check our Shop Our Beach House page for paint colors and sourcing for each room. Before diving into the photos, you might enjoy the original before video tour — it’s a great walk down memory lane.
The Exterior
Before we head inside, let’s look at the outside. This is a sidewalk shot from when we bought the house. Do you remember that “the pink house” was once a greenish-gray with cream trim, mismatched windows (some boarded up), and cinderblock steps?
Here’s a similar angle we took this summer. The transformation is dramatic: new roof, new siding, new windows, new steps, and a repointed brick foundation gave the house a much happier look. After much debate, a takeout coffee cup helped us pick pink for the new color scheme — Sherwin Williams Mellow Coral with SW Snowbound trim.
Another before shot shows the cinderblock steps and rotting siding that hid the house’s good bones.
We repainted both the porch ceiling and the floor in colors that matched the originals where possible — the ceiling in Sherwin Williams Breaktime and the floor in Behr Pacific Fog — and kept the traditional haint blue where it existed. The porch already had hooks for a swing, so we hung one and called it done.
We haven’t finished most of the landscaping or hardscaping yet, but the side of the house that had been a rotted enclosed porch was completely rebuilt after suffering a sinking foundation and severe weather damage. That rebuilt section now houses the mudroom, pantry, bathrooms, and bunk room — the second-floor exposed wall is where the bunk beds now hang.
We also removed an enormous bush that would have outgrown the house and threatened the foundation. There’s still more to do — a stone pathway and side landscaping are planned — but the house already looks miles better.
The Entryway
Despite crumbling plaster, unfinished drywall, and water damage, the foyer’s layout and original details charmed us on day one. The old fireplace mantel wasn’t original — it was one of many items left behind — but the space had potential.
The entry now has fresh drywall and paint, refinished heart-pine floors, and salvaged original trim used throughout the first floor. We painted the trim in Sherwin Williams Stone Isle rather than pure white, and the walls in White Heron. The floors were refinished and sealed with a water-based clear sealer for durability without yellowing.
We tried to keep the original wood railing but it didn’t match the heart-pine floors, so we painted the railing a slightly deeper gray than the trim so the floors could remain the focal point.
The Kitchen, Dining Room, & Pantry
Beyond the foyer sits the largest room, now an open kitchen and dining area. When we bought the house it was a mess, but the original light fixture was rewired and now hangs in the pantry.
Below are progression shots showing demo, rebuilding, and drywall, which illustrate how much structural and systems work this space required, including new plumbing, electrical, and HVAC. After debating floor plans, we kept both dining and kitchen functions close to their original locations. The layout feels open and cozy — small but very functional.
We kept the original back door and back staircase because they add character and functionality, even though they limited wall space. We shifted a doorway slightly to create room for the vintage pink stove, which fits the house’s quirky personality perfectly.
The pantry used to be a full bathroom with pink trim — another hint that the house wanted to be pink. By moving the downstairs full bathroom next to the mudroom, we freed this space for a functional walk-in pantry. There’s a full tutorial on the built-in pantry shelves we installed.
One of the house’s favorite quirks is the back stairs. We replaced the old mid-step door (which wasn’t to code) with doors at the top of the stairs for privacy. The top landing now has a built-in dresser and pocket doors that provide separation without blocking the stairs’ view from the kitchen.
We preserved and sealed an original blue door and rehung it at the mudroom entrance. We leave it open most of the time because it adds color and age to the room while being safely encapsulated.
Where the kitchen once had mismatched cabinets and appliances, we created a fresh, functional layout. We donated the old cabinetry and appliances to the local Habitat ReStore so they wouldn’t go to waste.
The dining area was once rough — holes in the floor, vines growing through windows, and leftover stoves — but now it’s a welcoming spot. We may refinish the secondhand table or add a rug someday, but the room works well as-is and is much improved.
The Living Room
Step through the dining area to the living room and you can see how far the space has come. The damp couch, maroon trim, and extra appliances are gone. We removed a non-original mantel to reveal the original brick chimney, which adds age and warmth to the room and pairs nicely with the pine floors and gray trim.
We added an overhead fixture and a decorative medallion where none existed before. The room is now light, bright, and much more livable. We plan further furniture updates, but it already feels cozy and welcoming.
One of the last views shows how the dining table doubles as overflow seating for the living room, making the space flexible for gatherings and casual meals.
The Mudroom & Bathroom
The mudroom and downstairs bathroom occupy the section that was torn off and rebuilt. What used to be a rotted exterior wall is now a practical entry space with laundry, hooks, a bench, and storage. A tall cabinet hides the tankless water heater and stores cleaning supplies.
We added a dividing wall to create a dedicated downstairs bathroom while keeping the door and window in their original positions. One nice touch: we framed “before” photos and hung them in the mudroom so visitors can appreciate how far the house has come.
The new bathroom echoes the footprint of the original downstairs bath — it now has tile floors, shower wall tile, and a vanity with a wood-accent mirror that ties into the original doors. The finishes feel fresh but sympathetic to the home’s age.
Now that you’ve seen the downstairs before and after, here’s a confession: we filmed a video tour the weekend before construction materials started filling the house, but the footage had a focus problem. Instead of sharing that flawed video, we’ll re-shoot a better tour in a few weeks. Stay tuned for that and for the upstairs before-and-after photos.
PS: If you missed any sources, you can find paint colors and details on our Shop Our Beach House page, and you can browse all of our beach house posts and projects in the beach house archive.
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