Inside a Coastal Summer House: Tour and Outdoor Living Ideas

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I’ve been inspired this week by Gina’s Summer House tour series, and it got me thinking how wonderful it would be to invite you all over for a real visit. Since that’s a bit unlikely, I decided to give you a virtual tour of our home as it looks today. Yes—I even tidied up for the occasion. There’s nothing like company to motivate a good clean!

Come on in!

It’s a bright, sunny day—perfect for a walk through. Our entryway recently had a small makeover to lighten and personalize the space.

Using scrap wood and leftover paint, I created a small gallery wall and added painted stripes to the narrow hallway for a little visual interest.

I’ll share the full reveal on Monday, with details of the process and a few tips for small-budget updates.

Kitchen Makeover

We moved into this character-filled beach house about five years ago. It was full of 1970s finishes and dark paneling, but a lot of careful TLC and budget-friendly creativity transformed the kitchen into a much lighter, happier space.

I still love the open cupboards and the airiness they bring. You’ll also notice more fruit on the counter lately—trying to be healthier has nudged me away from the candy bars I used to favor!

I’m delighted the pansies are blooming outside; a few on the windowsill make dishwashing much more pleasant.

My fabric cupboard doors have been in place for a few years. They’re charming, though not the easiest to clean—you have to remove them for washing—but I would absolutely use them again for the cozy look they provide.

The Living Room

Recently I moved a striped rug I found at a discount store from the dining room into the living room. It instantly brightened the space and made it feel larger and more inviting.

I’ve added pops of my current favorite color—soft aqua blue—and even attempted a piece of modern art for the wall. The bookcase still wears a cheerful yellow, which I’m not ready to change; yellow cushions might be next.

The Dining Room

The dining room remains largely the same. I turned discounted tablecloths into stenciled curtains and repurposed an old box into a painted tabletop flower display—simple DIY touches that freshen the room.

That covers the main floor. If you peeked further, you’d likely find unmade beds, laundry in progress and a bathroom in need of attention—real home life behind the staged photos. Still, here are some rooms on their cleaner days:

Master Bedroom

Attic Music & Library Room

Basement Craft and Laundry Room

If you want the full before-and-after details for any room, click the links above for individual posts with step-by-step photos and tips.

Thanks for stopping by today. I love meeting new friends—feel free to say “hi” if you’re visiting for the first time. I’d be delighted to visit your blog home as well!

Linking to: Crafty Scrappy Happy, The Shabby Creek Cottage, Funky Junk