I’m excited to share updated before-and-after photos from the entry and living room area of our beach cottage. We moved in nearly three years ago — the house came furnished — and over time we’ve made a number of thoughtful changes. Some updates happened during last year’s renovation and others were smaller fixes I hadn’t shared yet. Below are the changes we’ve made so far and what we still have planned.
During the renovation we enlarged and cased the openings between rooms, replaced carpeted stair treads with hardwood, changed flooring, moved the doorbell, and replaced an unattractive return air vent. These adjustments have made the spaces feel more finished and intentional.
We’ll continue refining furniture and details, so this isn’t a final “after,” but I hope you enjoy seeing the progress.
One of the things that drew us to this cottage from the start was its welcoming, cozy feeling. From the moment we stepped into the small entry and living room it felt like home — comfortable, classic, and a place you want to linger. The previous owners had already added nice character, which made it easy for us to envision our own updates.
Although we hadn’t planned a major overhaul initially, we knew we’d remove carpet and update floors eventually. That grew into a few more projects — the kind of improvements that make a space feel more like ours.
Here are some of the before and after transformations we’ve completed so far in this area of our home.
A cased-in opening
We cased the opening between the entry and living room to give it a more finished, traditional look. The original opening was simple drywall; we couldn’t make it larger, but we did add casing across the opening. It narrowed the opening slightly to accommodate trim, but the result feels polished and intentional rather than smaller.
New hardwood floors and stair treads
We removed carpet from the staircase and installed hardwood treads to match the new engineered European white oak flooring we put throughout the main level and upstairs. Removing carpet from stairs refreshes and brightens the space — painted or wood stairs feel cleaner and more timeless. We may add a runner later, but for now we like the open look.
We selected this oak tone because it feels timeless and echoes the soft colors of beach sand and driftwood. It brings light into the rooms and supports a casual, classic coastal aesthetic.
A smaller home lets you focus on meaningful details. I enjoy making small, well-considered changes that have a noticeable impact.
Replaced the ceiling air register
A small but charming change was replacing an unattractive return air vent with a starburst-patterned register. It’s a subtle detail that we notice every day and that adds personality to an otherwise overlooked spot.
Changed the floor heat registers
After installing the wood flooring, we replaced the metal floor registers with wood ones that blend into the floor. Our flooring contractor adjusted the fit so they sit flush. The wood registers soften the look of the main floor; we hope to do the same upstairs in the future.
Wired in sconce and moved the doorbell
We originally installed a brass wall sconce using a battery-powered bulb. While the electricians were here for the renovation, we had the sconce hardwired so it now works with a switch. We also swapped in a patterned shade for added character. Since the electricians were on-site, we moved the doorbell from above the bench into the closet behind the wall. That cleared the wall space and allowed for better art placement.
Plan for the bench cushion
The built-in bench in the living room, added by the previous owners, is useful for extra seating and storage. For now we cover the bench cushion with a reversible blanket for easy cleaning with kids and pets around. Eventually I plan to have the cushion recovered in a coordinating fabric when I’m ready to make matching covers for our dining bench.
Fresh paint
We painted the entire lower level during the renovation. A few areas need touch-ups and corrections due to some issues that occurred; we expect these to be addressed by our contractor this summer. Not every project goes perfectly, but we’re working through it.
We plan to repaint the interior and exterior of the front door. Right now the interior shows dark paint samples in the mirror; I’m leaning toward a deep blue or green-blue for the inside while keeping the outside similar to its current color. Paint is an easy way to add contrast and personality.
Paint colors: Door is Wythe Blue (Benjamin Moore), Living Room is Beach Glass (Benjamin Moore), walls and trim are Classic Light Buff (Sherwin Williams), and entry walls are Neutral Ground (Sherwin Williams).
Other upcoming ideas and changes:
I found an item I’ve wanted for the entry and bought it from a friend selling it on Instagram; I’ll pick it up in Portland and share when it’s in place. I’m also hunting for a new entry rug — I love the look of no rug during summer for easy cleanup, but a rug adds color, texture, and function in fall and winter.
A demilune entry table came with the house and fits nicely. I may repaint it or replace it over time. It has a small drawer that holds dog-walking bags, which is surprisingly handy. We’re also taking our time choosing living room furniture so the room evolves thoughtfully.
Changes made before the renovation
Even before the renovation we started settling in and defining the home’s style: a blend of classic traditional and relaxed coastal. We hung seascapes on the stair wall from our art collection to add color and personality, and installed a navy lantern that creates a strong entry statement.
Home takes time, and it’s rewarding to see progress and have plans to look forward to. We’ll continue to update and share as rooms evolve.
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