I was inspired this week by Gina’s Summer House tour series and found myself dreaming about inviting you all over for a real-life visit. Since that isn’t likely, I thought I’d offer a virtual open house instead and give you a tour of how our home looks today. I even tidied up—there’s nothing like expecting company to motivate a good cleaning! 
Come on in!
It’s a perfect day to visit—the sun is streaming in. Our entryway recently received a small makeover that brightened the whole space and set the tone for the rest of the house.
For the gallery wall I repurposed scrap wood and leftover paint to create a customized display that adds personality without a big expense. I also painted subtle stripes along the narrow hallway to bring more light and interest into that passage.
The full reveal of the entryway will be shared on Monday, but I couldn’t resist showing you the sneak peek now.
We moved into this history-rich beach house about five years ago. It was full of dark paneling and dated 1970s finishes. Here’s a look at the kitchen when we first arrived:
With a lot of elbow grease, a modest budget, and some imaginative fixes, the kitchen now feels bright and cheerful. Small updates made a big difference.
I still love my open cupboards—they make the kitchen feel more accessible and airy. You’ll also notice lots of fruit on the counter these days; I’m working on eating healthier, which is a welcome switch from my usual candy-bar habit!
I’m delighted that the pansies are blooming outside. A few on the windowsill make dish duty a lot more pleasant. 
After living with fabric cupboard doors for several years, I can say they’re charming but not the easiest to maintain. Removing them for cleaning takes a bit of fiddling, but I would absolutely use them again for the cozy look they provide.
~THE LIVING ROOM~
Recently I found a striped rug at Walmart that I couldn’t resist. I moved it from the dining room into the living room during my cleaning spree, and the change was immediate—the colors and pattern make the space feel larger and more vibrant.
I added pops of my current favorite color—sea aqua—to tie the room together and even tried my hand at a piece of modern art featured in the corner of the room.
The cheerful yellow in the bookcase is still a favorite, and I’m considering adding yellow cushions to complement it and warm up the seating area.
~THE DINING ROOM~
The dining room remains largely the same: I turned discount tablecloths into rod-pocket curtains and stenciled them for a subtle pattern. An old box received a fresh coat of paint and now serves as a charming tabletop flower display.
That covers most of the main floor. If you wandered further in today, you’d likely find unmade beds, laundry in progress, and a bathroom or two that need attention—but here are a few shots from cleaner days so you can see those rooms at their best.
Master Bedroom
Attic Music & Library Room
Basement Craft and Laundry Room
If you’d like to see detailed before-and-after photos for any of these rooms, follow the links above to the full project posts. They show the transformation step by step and include the DIY techniques I used.
Thanks so much for stopping by today—I love meeting new friends. If you’re new here, say “hi” in the comments; I’d love to visit your (blog) home as well and swap ideas for coastal cottage decorating, budget-friendly makeovers, and easy DIY projects.
Linking to: Crafty Scrappy Happy, The Shabby Creek Cottage, Funky Junk