After much anticipation, we are absolutely thrilled to finally unveil the comprehensive **upstairs before & after transformation** of our beloved beach house! You may recall John previously shared the dramatic downstairs reveal, packed with never-before-seen angles that showcased the incredible journey of our renovation. Now, eight months later, it’s time to ascend and explore the full extent of the revitalized second floor. This entire level underwent a monumental change; what once looked incredibly challenging has blossomed into a beautifully cohesive and functional space, surpassing even our highest hopes. Join us as we take a detailed tour, highlighting every significant transformation and the meticulous effort that brought our vision to life.
A Revitalized Upstairs Hall & Functional Office Nook
Stepping onto the upstairs landing, the initial view was grim. Facing the front room, which we later brilliantly converted into a dual-purpose mini storage room and home office, it was immediately clear that extensive work lay ahead. The entire top floor suffered from severe structural and environmental damage, including pervasive water damage, unsightly mold, and destructive termite infestations. It was a space that required more than just cosmetic fixes; it demanded a complete overhaul to restore its integrity and ensure its longevity.
Today, looking from that very same angle, the transformation is nothing short of breathtaking. The crumbling drywall and rough surfaces are gone, replaced by impeccably smooth walls and a perfectly intact ceiling. The difference is truly remarkable, creating an immediate sense of calm and order that was completely absent before. This foundational work laid the groundwork for the inviting atmosphere we envisioned for the entire upper level.
Taking a few steps closer towards that crucial doorway, we recall what this front room presented when we first acquired the house. It was a neglected space, filled with the echoes of its past neglect, offering little in terms of functionality or aesthetic appeal. The potential, however, was undeniable, especially for a dedicated workspace.
Now, this once-overlooked room has been cleverly converted into a highly efficient office nook. We achieved this by installing a series of simple yet sturdy shelves that rest on elegant brackets, complemented by a basic desktop hung in a similar, straightforward manner. This vertical utilization of space has added immense functionality to what is a relatively small footprint. It’s a prime example of our design philosophy: when space is at a premium, always think vertically to maximize storage and utility. This integrated design makes the office feel purposeful and organized, a stark contrast to its previous state.
The Bright & Inviting Front Guest Bedroom
The front bedroom, as we found it, was a canvas awaiting transformation. While it presented as a blank slate, we immediately recognized the immense potential held within its beautiful, albeit worn, original floors. This room, destined to become a welcoming sanctuary for guests, offered an opportunity to blend historical charm with modern comfort. Our goal was to create a bright, airy space that would capitalize on the abundant natural light it receives.
Fast forward to today, and this room is now a fully furnished, warm, and inviting retreat for anyone staying with us. It’s a testament to the power of thoughtful design. The exceptional natural light that floods this room makes it particularly appealing, and we delight in offering it to friends and family. Its charm is so profound that we sometimes wish it could be our own primary bedroom, though the lack of an attached private bath means we happily reserve this spacious, sun-drenched haven for our cherished visitors, opting for the cozier back bedroom ourselves.
Without a doubt, the undisputed favorite feature in this room is the stunning original chimney. It was a delightful discovery, once completely hidden behind layers of drywall. Exposing this historical element not only added incredible character but also served as a focal point for our curated dresser, sconce, and mirror arrangement. The exquisite inlay dresser, a true gem unearthed through a fortuitous Craigslist find, perfectly complements the rustic elegance of the chimney. This combination creates a unique blend of coastal charm and vintage sophistication.
To truly grasp the extensive renovation work involved, consider this photo taken from a similar angle before the new walls were even installed. Addressing the severe water damage and ensuring the structural integrity of the house meant stripping everything back to the bare studs. It was during this extensive rebuilding phase that we meticulously patched the hole in the brick chimney, ensuring both safety and aesthetic appeal for decades to come. This deep dive into the structure was essential for creating a truly sound and beautiful home.
Transforming the Middle Bedroom into a Private Retreat
The original layout of the middle bedroom posed a significant challenge: it was a compulsory pass-through to reach the back bedroom, offering absolutely zero privacy to anyone staying there. Beyond this layout flaw, the room itself was in a state of serious disrepair, complete with a thoroughly rotten foosball table, an unpleasant collection of roaches, and a ceiling that was literally collapsing in several sections. And, though not captured in the photos, a giant hornet’s nest added another layer of unwelcome residents. It was undeniably one of the most neglected spaces in the entire house.
Our solution was transformative: we introduced a central hallway, a strategic architectural addition that fundamentally improved the entire upstairs layout. This new hallway now provides direct access to the back bedroom, eliminating the need to traverse through the middle room and instantly granting it full privacy. To prevent the new hallway from feeling enclosed, we deliberately kept the color palette light and airy, which beautifully enhances the sense of space. The addition of these few walls and doorways redefined the flow and functionality of the second floor, making it vastly more practical and inviting. For anyone searching for stylish and affordable lighting solutions for hallways, bathrooms, or closets, these small industrial fixtures are an excellent choice, offering a clean aesthetic at a fantastic price point. Their subtle putty color on top adds a perfect touch of modern charm.
Today, this is the small but wonderfully cozy middle bedroom. We’ve furnished it with simplicity and comfort in mind, incorporating soft upholstered elements, warm wood tones, and elegant brass and oil-rubbed bronze accents. The result is a serene and stylish space that, despite its modest size, feels incredibly inviting and perfectly aligns with the relaxed coastal aesthetic of the beach house. It’s a true testament to how thoughtful design can transform even the most challenging spaces into cherished retreats.
From Ruin to Rebuilt: The Ultimate Bunk Room Transformation
Spinning around in the doorway of the middle bedroom, you would once have faced the entrance to what was arguably one of the most severely damaged areas in the entire house: the bunk room. Its condition was truly dire. The walls were not merely damaged but extensively rotten, to the point where actual light from the outside streamed through visible gaps. This meant that every rainstorm exacerbated the decay, further compromising the structure. In some sections, the floor was so badly compromised that standing on it risked collapse. It was clear this room needed more than just a renovation; it needed a complete reconstruction.
Compounding the structural issues, evidence of unwelcome animal inhabitants was abundant, with debris scattered across the floor indicating a past full of uninvited guests. The room was not just a mess structurally but also hygienically, presenting a significant challenge that required extreme measures. It was a space beyond simple repair.
Today, this same room stands as a triumph of reconstruction. The transformation was so extensive that we literally removed that entire side of the house and rebuilt it from the ground up. While our preference is always to salvage and restore, the level of damage here rendered the structure unsalvageable and unsafe. The monumental effort, however, was absolutely worth it. The bunk room is now pristine, wonderfully cozy, and, most importantly, completely free of any animal remnants! HOORAY! It’s a clean, safe, and inviting space for multiple guests.
As part of this comprehensive rebuild, we designed and installed custom built-in bunk beds from scratch, carefully crafting them to maximize both comfort and style. A particular design challenge was ensuring the new wooden ladder perfectly complemented the original heart pine floors. We’re especially proud that we managed to save these beautiful original floors and reinstall them after this section of the house was painstakingly rebuilt, seamlessly blending the old with the new in a truly remarkable way.
An Unexpected & Functional Hall Bathroom Addition
Here’s another perspective of the bunk room’s initial condition, taken from a vantage point with our backs to where the bunk beds now stand. This view clearly reveals the completely open area in the ceiling corner – a gaping hole that served as an unwelcome entry point for a multitude of animals and their friends. It was a stark reminder of the extensive damage that needed urgent attention.
During the rebuilding phase, we had a brilliant realization: the original long, skinny layout of the bunk room wasn’t entirely necessary for its function. This insight allowed us to cleverly reconfigure the space, not only creating a perfectly proportioned bunk room but also managing to squeeze in a brand-new, full-sized bathroom, complete with a refreshing shower! This was an incredibly functional update that we are immensely grateful to have implemented, adding significant value and convenience to the upstairs layout.
This newly established hall bathroom is conveniently accessible from the same central hallway that leads to both the bunk room and the middle bedroom. To infuse this compact space with distinct personality, we opted for a vibrant blue patterned tile on the accent wall. This choice not only adds a playful, coastal flair but also creates a striking visual interest that elevates the entire room.
It’s also important to highlight a particularly cherished detail: every single wooden door upstairs is original to the house. We undertook the painstaking process of stripping and waxing each one, bringing them back to their former glory. While thoroughly refreshed, they proudly retain their authentic vintage charm, complete with original latches and unique knobs. Some feature tiny ceramic knobs, while others boast larger, beautifully turned wooden ones. Each door is a piece of history, rich in character, and still functions perfectly, a testament to enduring craftsmanship.
Privacy & Comfort in the Back Bedroom
When we first purchased the house, the view upon ascending the back stairs and looking into the back bedroom was a striking example of impractical design. The room opened directly onto the stairs themselves, offering absolutely no sense of enclosure or privacy. It was an open, exposed space that clearly needed a thoughtful reconfiguration to become a true sanctuary.
While we didn’t drastically alter the wall configuration shown in the previous photo, the impact of simply redoing the walls and meticulously refinishing the original floors was profound. The space was utterly transformed, revealing its inherent charm. This room also boasts another beautiful original door, perfectly showcasing the unique wooden doorknobs that are a cherished feature throughout the upstairs. These knobs are not only visually appealing but also offer a wonderfully solid and tactile feel, adding to the authentic character of the home.
If you were to spin around and stand with your back to that doorway, the initial view when we acquired the house dramatically illustrates the privacy issue. The stairs essentially deposited you directly into the room, creating an awkward and exposed entry for anyone sleeping in what is now our primary bedroom. This open concept meant a complete lack of personal space, a challenge we were determined to overcome.
After a considerable amount of brainstorming, we conceived an ingenious solution: installing pocket doors. These doors offer the perfect balance of openness and privacy. When open, they allow the beautiful natural light from the window to flood into the bedroom, maintaining an airy feel. However, at night, when natural light isn’t a factor, they can be seamlessly closed, providing essential privacy for those sleeping in the back bedroom. This means we can now enjoy restful nights without feeling exposed to the activity below in the kitchen. The pocket doors integrate so beautifully that visitors often assume they are original features of the house, a testament to their authentic feel and flawless functionality. They truly transform the room into a private, serene sanctuary.
And a quick note about ceiling fans: they are an absolute game-changer in vacation home bedrooms. Many people, ourselves included, find that sleeping with a gentle breeze provides unparalleled comfort. We didn’t fully appreciate this until we installed them in all the bedrooms here at the beach house, and now we understand the appeal completely! Finding attractive, quiet, and efficient fans that don’t detract from the aesthetic can be a challenge, but our chosen models are simply beautiful. After two years of continuous use, they have performed flawlessly, earning our highest recommendation. Their success here even led us to install identical fans in the duplex bedrooms, proving their worth beyond measure.
The En-Suite Bathroom: From Peril to Pristine Oasis
The attached en-suite bathroom was, without exaggeration, one of the most dilapidated rooms we inherited. Its condition was frankly alarming: the floors were so brittle and compromised that walking on them felt precarious, and the bathtub was perilously close to collapsing through to the first floor. Adding to this structural nightmare, the ceiling directly above the tub was actively caving in. In essence, everything in this room was in a state of advanced decay and disintegration, presenting a severe safety hazard and a monumental restoration project.
Due to the critical instability of the existing studs and overall structure, this room, much like the bunk room, had to be entirely removed from the house and rebuilt anew. Every single element, from the foundational framing to the finishing touches, was constructed from scratch. This intensive effort, though demanding, was unequivocally worth it. We now proudly boast a lovely attached bathroom that is not only structurally sound but also completely free of hazardous holes in the ceiling or floors on the verge of collapse. It’s a complete victory!
This was the jarring view as you faced the tub, standing just inside the bathroom doorway before the renovation. The layout was cramped, uninspiring, and utterly dysfunctional, making it one of the least appealing spaces in the house.
And here is that exact same view today, a testament to thoughtful design and painstaking craftsmanship. We strategically reconfigured the tub, relocating it to the right and centering it perfectly beneath another beautiful, large window. This ingenious move allowed us to incorporate a stylish freestanding shower to the left of the room, creating a much more luxurious and functional layout. A true labor of love was the intricate hex floor: we meticulously laid each small tile by hand, forming the charming little blue flowers one by one. This process, while time-consuming, imbued the floor with an incredibly unique, original, and undeniably beachy character. We are immensely proud of this detail; it’s one of our absolute favorite features in the entire house, showcasing our commitment to personalized design.
Our Beach House Backyard: A Coastal Oasis Blooms
Our initial inheritance included a backyard that was, to put it mildly, significantly overgrown and rather lackluster. It was a small space, choked with an abundance of poison ivy and very little else of visual appeal. It presented a formidable challenge, requiring a complete reimagining to transform it into a functional and inviting outdoor extension of our beach house.
However, the “after” shots of this space capture one of our most cherished and successful transformations to date! What was once a daunting patch of neglect is now a stunning, well-manicured outdoor living area, a true testament to vision and hard work. It has evolved into a vibrant extension of our home, perfect for relaxation and entertaining.
That initial “before” shot dates back to October 2016, while the subsequent image was captured just a few weeks later, after our first efforts to clear some of the dense brush and persistent weeds. It’s also the project infamous for inflicting John with the worst case of poison ivy of his life – truly memorable! Despite the arduous beginning, this backyard has forged a special place in our hearts.
Yes, our relationship with this backyard certainly began on a rocky note. But all past grievances are entirely forgotten now, as it has unequivocally become one of our absolute favorite places in the world. This is no exaggeration – we spend almost every evening we are in Cape Charles out here, savoring the peaceful ambiance and the beautiful setting. It’s a testament to how perseverance and careful design can transform even the most challenging spaces into beloved sanctuaries.
The satisfaction of the final result is made even sweeter by the fact that we had to wait for it longer than initially planned. Our original timeline aimed to tackle this backyard project in the fall of 2017, once our contractor, Sean, had completed the interior of the house. However, a new, compelling project (the duplex, as you might recall!) diverted our attention, causing us to temporarily put the beach house backyard on the back burner. For the first few months of enjoying our otherwise finished beach house, this was the rather uninspiring view from our back door.
Yet, slowly but surely, progress began in the backyard. We introduced a relaxing hot tub, installed a beautiful paver patio perfect for outdoor gatherings, and built a new shed strategically placed to optimize the layout and create a cozy, nestled ambiance. Thanks to a few carefully selected furnishings and an abundance of lush greenery, we have achieved our vision. This is our tranquil backyard beach house oasis today, a testament to patience and purposeful design. It serves as a beautiful extension of our home, offering both comfort and charm in a compact footprint.
The previous image below illustrates the red, rusted-out shed that came with the property. It was an unsightly and impractical structure that desperately needed an upgrade to match the renewed aesthetic of the main house.
Here’s our new and improved shed setup, thoughtfully designed for both aesthetics and functionality. We ensured that entry to the shed is conveniently from the left side, where two double doors swing open without encroaching upon the dining area positioned to the right. As a charming finishing touch, we added a delightful planter box to the front, enhancing its curb appeal and seamlessly integrating it into our coastal landscape. This new structure not only provides essential storage but also elevates the overall design of the backyard.
Directly across from the hot tub, you’ll find our fantastic outdoor shower. Our contractor skillfully installed the same highly efficient vinyl outdoor shower kit that he previously put in over at the duplex. This convenient addition has quickly become the most used shower in the entire house, perfect for rinsing off after a day at the beach or a dip in the hot tub. Its practicality and ease of use make it an indispensable feature of our beach house living.
And speaking of the exterior, this is precisely what that same area looked like when we bought the house, complete with a rather unsafe-looking awning that we promptly removed ourselves. While the structure has seen a complete overhaul, the back door itself is original; we simply repainted it a cheerful new color: SW Pale Patina. This vibrant hue, consistent with the duplex shutters and the doors of our pink shed, adds a fresh, welcoming touch to the back entrance.
I’ll conclude our tour with one final impactful before & after. This was the view down our side yard when we initially purchased the house. Our property was the one on the right, heavily obscured by dense tree cover, creating a rather uninviting and wild boundary.
And here is that very same view today, showcasing a complete transformation. The newly installed fence perfectly matches those of our neighbors, creating a cohesive and aesthetically pleasing boundary from the street. This fence provides much-needed privacy, allows our beloved dog, Burger, to roam freely and safely in the backyard, and offers a charming peek towards the shed when its gate is open. Designed with future needs in mind, the gate also swings double-wide, anticipating the convenient parking of a golf cart back there. We love how our shared fencing creates a harmonious and unified look for the entire block, a feature that will only improve as our fence weathers to the same darker brown/gray hue as our neighbors’. It’s a perfect blend of functionality, privacy, and community aesthetics.
We sincerely hope you’ve thoroughly enjoyed this extensive beach house before & after celebration! For those eager to delve deeper, remember you can find all the paint colors, furniture, and accessory links conveniently organized on our dedicated Beach House shop page – the links here are just a small selection of a much more exhaustive list available there. Additionally, you can revisit the striking downstairs before & after comparisons and explore our finally finished (though only a year overdue!) Beach House Before & After page, which is now easily accessible under the blog header in the “Before & After” dropdown menu. And, for a complete journey through every single project and post related to our coastal haven, you can browse all of our beach house updates here.
P.S. Those beautiful wall sconces illuminating our bedroom are bespoke designs from our exclusive lighting collection with Shades of Light! Discover the entire captivating range on their official website here.
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