Although we’ve shared many small updates from our beach house on social media, John and I realized it’s been nearly three months since we posted a full tour (our last full video was in December). Since then we’ve completed major projects—like adding built-in pantry shelves and finishing the bunk beds—and a host of smaller updates that haven’t been documented yet. Some were finished as recently as this past weekend, so this post rounds up what’s new.
Start with the video tour if you can—it’s the most complete way to see the progress and hear our commentary. If you prefer photos, keep scrolling for highlights and close-ups. (Note: I may have skipped the mudroom and the downstairs bathroom in the video; the mudroom is currently a tool storage spot and the downstairs bath looks much the same as in our last tour.)
If you can’t watch the video right away, here are the key updates shown in the footage. One long-awaited project: we finally built a top for a secondhand octagonal coffee table I bought for $5. For months we considered stone—marble or quartz—but the quotes we received were very expensive. Instead we plan to build a wooden top and apply a white concrete feather finish for the look of light stone without the weight or cost. We’ve completed the wood base and will share the concrete finish process soon.
In the living room we tested several seating options and ultimately kept a cane chair we’ve had for years. It’s more comfortable than it looks and fits the space well—John, who values comfort, approved—so it stayed. I added a seat cushion and a throw pillow to make it feel at home. We also hung larger art in the kitchen: a 30 x 40″ aerial beach print in a warm wood frame that complements our century-old pine floors and ties together the room’s pink and blue accents.
We finished hanging curtains on the main level and throughout the bedrooms. With 9′ ceilings, extra-long curtains help draw the eye upward and make rooms feel taller and more complete. We used Ikea Lenda panels, pre-washed to reduce shrinkage, removed the tabs, and clipped them up on substantial rods. A good upright steamer from Target made quick work of the stubborn creases.
We removed the mini-fridge and installed a cabinet and countertop in that spot, which added useful counter space. In the walk-in pantry we installed shallow 15″ cabinets along one wall—matching the cabinets flanking the back door in the kitchen—so the storage flow feels consistent. Installing the cabinets was straightforward: we built them one evening and hung them the next morning. This weekend we added hardware, cut counters, and reinstalled baseboards and toe kicks, leaving only minor paint touch-ups to finish. The pendant in the pantry is original, rewired for safety, and it feels perfectly at home in the space.
The pantry won’t be used exclusively for food since the house serves as a vacation rental, but it’s great for oversized items like family-size cereal boxes, beach coolers, and extra kitchenware or linens. Right now it’s set up for flexible storage: bins, baskets, and open shelves for easy access.
Upstairs, the bedrooms received simple, calming updates. We added more of the breezy white curtains everywhere, which instantly balanced the rooms and made them feel softer. The front bedroom gained height and symmetry once the curtains were added above a headboard that sits in front of a narrow window. The middle bedroom embraces warm brass accents—matching lamps, gold frames with handmade prints, and a delicate mobile—creating a serene, cohesive look with minimal fuss. The back bedroom, where we sleep when we visit, received lowered sconces and a simplified bedside arrangement to keep the space feeling uncluttered.
One practical detail we get asked about frequently: the plug-in sconces. We designed them with Shades of Light to be plug-in so they don’t require hardwiring or an electrician to relocate. They hang like a picture and plug into a nearby outlet, making them easy to install and reposition with minimal wall repair if you move them.
Finally, we locked in a preliminary plan for the backyard: shed placement, patio material, and a cost-conscious design for a roughly 100-foot pathway from the street to the back of the property. That’s a larger project we’ll cover in a future post once the plan is executed.
Overall the updates are small but meaningful: more storage, softer rooms, finished window treatments, and thoughtful details that keep the beach house feeling simple, airy, and comfortable. The pared-down, hotel-like calm of the rental is inspiring us to simplify at home, too—donating or boxing up items to keep daily spaces clutter-free.
*This post contains affiliate links*