Before & After
Renovating
Interior Design
Renovated to Sell: A Chic Coastal Makeover of a Beach House
See how a designer gave a tired beach house a sophisticated Hamptons look while keeping a tight lid on the budget
In a Q&A format, we talk to the designers – and examine the creative thinking – behind some of Houzz’s most loveable homes.
The facade before works
What was the house like originally?
A dated three-bedroom, two-bathroom beach house.
What wasn’t working about the original exterior?
It was lovely and balanced, but it had an awkward front entrance at the side of the house.
How did you improve it?
We moved the main entrance to the first floor. We added new stairs and a timber gate and screen at the top of the driveway that lead you to the staircase.
We refreshed the dated exterior colour scheme by repainting the cladding in light grey and the balustrade and trims in white. New french doors add character and boost the indoor-outdoor connection.
We then created a north-facing entertaining area by adding a pool, deck and grassed area to the north side.
Inspired to start your own renovation journey? Find a local interior designer on Houzz to help make it happen
What was the house like originally?
A dated three-bedroom, two-bathroom beach house.
What wasn’t working about the original exterior?
It was lovely and balanced, but it had an awkward front entrance at the side of the house.
How did you improve it?
We moved the main entrance to the first floor. We added new stairs and a timber gate and screen at the top of the driveway that lead you to the staircase.
We refreshed the dated exterior colour scheme by repainting the cladding in light grey and the balustrade and trims in white. New french doors add character and boost the indoor-outdoor connection.
We then created a north-facing entertaining area by adding a pool, deck and grassed area to the north side.
Inspired to start your own renovation journey? Find a local interior designer on Houzz to help make it happen
Gained
- An extension to the ground level housing two additional bedrooms.
- A new layout housing a large new open-plan kitchen (double the size of the original one) with adjoining open-plan living and dining areas.
- A study/appliance nook near the kitchen.
- A new main entrance upstairs.
- A new walk-in wardrobe and a renovated ensuite to the master bedroom.
- A renovated family bathroom.
- A swimming pool and deck.
- Indoor-outdoor connection.
What were the must-haves?
- A large family kitchen.
- The property’s entrance leading straight upstairs.
- A swimming pool.
- A flat lawn.
- Maintain the original coastal character of the house while giving it a timeless, modern feel.
The kitchen before works
What wasn’t working about the original kitchen?
It was small, dark and outdated.
What wasn’t working about the original kitchen?
It was small, dark and outdated.
The kitchen after works
What did you do?
We reworked the floor plan to create a kitchen fit for a large, five-bedroom family home. We added a hidden nook [on the far side of the fridge] to create a space for study or to hide appliances away.
The heroes in the new kitchen are the cooker and the Beacon Lighting pendant. We used bevelled subway tiles to add texture and depth without overpowering the space. Most of the budget here went on the stone benchtop and new appliances.
We replaced the windows with french doors to make the wrap-around verandah a more useable space.
We also white-washed the dark timber floors throughout the first floor and repainted the walls and ceiling throughout in a warm white.
What did you do?
We reworked the floor plan to create a kitchen fit for a large, five-bedroom family home. We added a hidden nook [on the far side of the fridge] to create a space for study or to hide appliances away.
The heroes in the new kitchen are the cooker and the Beacon Lighting pendant. We used bevelled subway tiles to add texture and depth without overpowering the space. Most of the budget here went on the stone benchtop and new appliances.
We replaced the windows with french doors to make the wrap-around verandah a more useable space.
We also white-washed the dark timber floors throughout the first floor and repainted the walls and ceiling throughout in a warm white.
The original space where the dining area now stands adjacent to the kitchen
What wasn’t working in the original dining area?
The bulky shelving unit made the space feel cramped and the window was too small to adequately frame the view.
What wasn’t working in the original dining area?
The bulky shelving unit made the space feel cramped and the window was too small to adequately frame the view.
The new dining area
What did you do?
We removed the original shelving unit to create space for a dining table. We enlarged the window and added a fixed pane of glass so that it frames the view. We also replaced the old sliding doors with french doors.
What did you do?
We removed the original shelving unit to create space for a dining table. We enlarged the window and added a fixed pane of glass so that it frames the view. We also replaced the old sliding doors with french doors.
The living area before works
What was the living area like originally?
The dark timber floors and ceiling cladding made the space feel small and the ceilings low.
What was the living area like originally?
The dark timber floors and ceiling cladding made the space feel small and the ceilings low.
The living area after works
What look and feel did the new works create?
A modern coastal feel using a luxe, neutral palette. We also wanted to boost indoor-outdoor flow. This allowed potential buyers to easily visualise the lifestyle the house offered.
What look and feel did the new works create?
A modern coastal feel using a luxe, neutral palette. We also wanted to boost indoor-outdoor flow. This allowed potential buyers to easily visualise the lifestyle the house offered.
The living area before works
What wasn’t working in the existing living area?
It was lacking in natural light and the layout did not flow.
What wasn’t working in the existing living area?
It was lacking in natural light and the layout did not flow.
The living area after works, including the new entrance via french doors
What did you do?
We added external stairs and french doors to make this the new main entrance to the house.
What did you do?
We added external stairs and french doors to make this the new main entrance to the house.
How does the new layout address the limitations of the original home?
It creates a better flow between zones and brings the outside in. By replacing the old sliding doors in the kitchen/dining area with four-panel, french bi-folds we completely opened up the wall and made the stunning view the hero of the space.
It creates a better flow between zones and brings the outside in. By replacing the old sliding doors in the kitchen/dining area with four-panel, french bi-folds we completely opened up the wall and made the stunning view the hero of the space.
The upstairs verandah before works
Tell us about the original verandah
It has ocean and sunset views and catches a lovely sea breeze, but the small sliding doors and old paintwork didn’t draw you outside or make it a particularly appealing space.
Tell us about the original verandah
It has ocean and sunset views and catches a lovely sea breeze, but the small sliding doors and old paintwork didn’t draw you outside or make it a particularly appealing space.
The upstairs verandah after works
What improvements did you make here?
Fresh paint and new french doors, which make the area much more appealing and usable.
What improvements did you make here?
Fresh paint and new french doors, which make the area much more appealing and usable.
The master bedroom before works
What wasn’t working about the original master bedroom?
The cupboards were small and there was no ensuite.
What wasn’t working about the original master bedroom?
The cupboards were small and there was no ensuite.
The original wardrobe cupboards in the master bedroom
The master bedroom after works
What did you do?
Removed the original cupboards and turned the master into a large, usable space. We altered the layout to make space for a new walk-in wardrobe and ensuite.
What did you do?
Removed the original cupboards and turned the master into a large, usable space. We altered the layout to make space for a new walk-in wardrobe and ensuite.
The ensuite before works
Tell us about the original ensuite
It didn’t offer a lot of privacy – the sliding glass door made the space essentially unusable.
Tell us about the original ensuite
It didn’t offer a lot of privacy – the sliding glass door made the space essentially unusable.
The ensuite after works
What did you do?
We replaced the sliding door with a wall with narrow privacy windows. We altered the layout to create space for a double shower, and added a sense of luxury with beautiful fish scale Carrara marble tiles to the wall.
We added large-format, charcoal concrete-look tiles to the floor to make the space feel bigger and visually connect it to the bedroom and walk-in wardrobe, both of which have charcoal carpet.
What did you do?
We replaced the sliding door with a wall with narrow privacy windows. We altered the layout to create space for a double shower, and added a sense of luxury with beautiful fish scale Carrara marble tiles to the wall.
We added large-format, charcoal concrete-look tiles to the floor to make the space feel bigger and visually connect it to the bedroom and walk-in wardrobe, both of which have charcoal carpet.
The original rumpus room on the ground floor
What wasn’t working in the original ground-floor rumpus room?
The nib wall made it feel dark and cramped, and the room didn’t connect particularly well to the garden.
Also, the entire ground floor had painted brickwork and cheap vinyl flooring, which looked tatty.
What wasn’t working in the original ground-floor rumpus room?
The nib wall made it feel dark and cramped, and the room didn’t connect particularly well to the garden.
Also, the entire ground floor had painted brickwork and cheap vinyl flooring, which looked tatty.
The rumpus room after works
What did you do?
We removed the nib wall and cupboards, and added generous french doors to open the room to the garden. The space now works as a rumpus room or as a second living room.
We plastered the whole ground floor and added new light fans and an extension with two new bedrooms.
What did you do?
We removed the nib wall and cupboards, and added generous french doors to open the room to the garden. The space now works as a rumpus room or as a second living room.
We plastered the whole ground floor and added new light fans and an extension with two new bedrooms.
The main bathroom on the ground floor before works
What wasn’t working in the original ground-floor bathroom?
The bathroom was outdated and did not feel like a retreat. The adjoining laundry jutted into the space, giving it an awkward shape.
What wasn’t working in the original ground-floor bathroom?
The bathroom was outdated and did not feel like a retreat. The adjoining laundry jutted into the space, giving it an awkward shape.
The main bathroom after works
What did you do?
We changed the floor plan to move the adjoining laundry to the garage and open up the bathroom to provide enough room for a freestanding bath.
As well as the new freestanding bath, we added a wall-mounted vanity and beautiful tiles to the floor and walls.
What did you do?
We changed the floor plan to move the adjoining laundry to the garage and open up the bathroom to provide enough room for a freestanding bath.
As well as the new freestanding bath, we added a wall-mounted vanity and beautiful tiles to the floor and walls.
One of the two new bedrooms on the ground floor
Tell us about this new bedroom on the ground floor
It has generous 2.7-metre-high ceilings and french doors that connect to the garden. It also doubles as a great office space.
Tell us about this new bedroom on the ground floor
It has generous 2.7-metre-high ceilings and french doors that connect to the garden. It also doubles as a great office space.
The second new bedroom on the ground floor
And the second new bedroom?
It provides room for guests to stay and the mirrored wardrobe doors bounce light around to make it feel bright and airy.
Finishes and paint colours
Your turn
What do you love about this clever renovation? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images, and join the conversation.
More
Want more renovation inspiration? Don’t miss A Budget-Friendly Study Makeover for a Big Family
And the second new bedroom?
It provides room for guests to stay and the mirrored wardrobe doors bounce light around to make it feel bright and airy.
Finishes and paint colours
- Internal walls and ceilings and exterior trims and balustrades in Taubmans Cloudburst.
- Exterior cladding in Taubmans Stormy Shadow.
- All wall and floor tiles from National Tiles.
Your turn
What do you love about this clever renovation? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images, and join the conversation.
More
Want more renovation inspiration? Don’t miss A Budget-Friendly Study Makeover for a Big Family
‘Before’ photos by Black and White Projects
Interior photos by Helen Barnett
Exterior photos by Jason Smith Photography
Answers by Maria Baron at Black and White Projects
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: The house was renovated and styled for sale
Location: Sunrise Beach, Queensland
Size after works: 230 square metres of internal space across two levels and 570 square metres of external space on a block measuring 650 square metres
Budget: Between $200,000 and $500,000
Most of the budget went on: An extension to the ground floor to accommodate two new bedrooms, a swimming pool and deck; structural changes upstairs to accomodate a new floor plan; and new french doors throughout
Designer and builder: Black and White Projects
Styling: Blink Living