Amazing Beach Bungalow Transformation
Well if there is one thing you should know about me it is that NO PROPERTY IS TOO UGLY for me. It’s an illness at this point. When I see a struggling little house I just want to fix it so naturally this 1000 sq ft old, eyesore of a beach bungalow was right in my wheelhouse! Once upon a time, the city of Gulfport, FL was a small fishing community and a snowbirds Winter haven. Today, it’s a mix of full time residents, vacationers and part-time residents (snowbirds). Originally a 2 bed/ 1 bath, the team knew that we desperately needed to add on to the original structure to incorporate a primary bathroom because our potential buyers would certainly require more space and privacy. Our contractor Chris drew up a plan for a simple 12 x 12 addition off the primary bedroom, and I got busy figuring out how to turn that into a luxurious bathroom and walk-in closet to make this house more functional. But first, we had to get that exterior fixed up!
Impact-Site-Verification: cccd0d82-537d-4b1d-b132-497ce3ae5594
The original exterior was dark blue with white trim and a blue metal roof. The metal roof looked a bit strange at first, but after we smoothed the texture of the home with stucco and painted it a creamy white, the blue metal roof was the perfect effect. Thus the nickname ‘Lil Blue’ was born. The exterior also received red cedar shutters (stained Early American), all new hurricane windows, new doors, a new horizontal slat fence around the property and some serious changes to the landscape. This property is one block from the beach so an ultra clean looking, low maintenance yard with salt tolerant plants was the plan. Just clearing out the old trees and bushes made such a difference, but the palm trees ringed in beds of sand ,instead of traditional mulch, gave the house an island feel. My husband built a pair of Adirondack chairs for the little fire pit area out front and I gave them a wash of light blue paint to match the front door. The vintage rattan chairs on the front porch were actually the original chairs from the living area that were left behind by the previous owners. I wanted to keep just one thing around as a nod to this little home’s past so I recovered the cushions and they now provide a comfy place to sit in the evening and watch the sunset. We painted the porch ceiling Haint blue to keep that Southern feel and added raised address numbers to a red cedar planter to give the walkway a little interest.
One of the highlights of this renovation was reconfiguring the kitchen. We wanted to create an open and inviting atmosphere, so we removed part of one wall and seamlessly connected the kitchen to the living area. This not only improved the flow of the space but also allowed for easy interaction between the two areas. I love some open shelving, so naturally I worked that into the plan, along with an apron sink, lots of white shaker cabinets, white quartz counters and some handy wall storage for cooking utensils. The natural wood pendant lights and rattan counter stools keep it casual and beachy. Just take a look at these before and after photos!
To infuse a touch of that beachy charm, we decided to incorporate a fun rattan hanging egg chair indoors. It became a playful focal point, adding a unique and whimsical element to the overall design. Imagine sitting on the swing, enjoying the ocean breeze while sipping your favorite drink—it truly brings that coastal ambiance indoors.
In order to truly embrace a seaside feel, we incorporated a white plank ceiling throughout. It made the entire space feel clean and bright and it visually elongated the living areas. In the living space, we wanted to create a cozy and intimate atmosphere. To achieve this, we installed a bio-fuel fireplace inset within a plank wood wall. This not only adds warmth and a sense of comfort but also serves as a stunning focal point. The combination of the fireplace and the wood wall gave some weight to the otherwise very bright and light room but kept the modern bohemian aesthetic, perfect for those cozy evenings by the fire. Ok let’s check out those before and after pics…
Now, let's move on to the pièce de résistance—the new primary bedroom and bath. As I mentioned above, we built an addition to the house to accommodate an additional bathroom. The primary bathroom and walk-in closet were designed to provide a sense of luxury and relaxation. The bathroom features a free-standing tub and a full glass shower in a spa-like atmosphere, making it a true sanctuary within the home. The walk-in closet provides ample storage and organization, ensuring functionality without compromising style. The bedroom is a modern, organic feeling dream space. The wicker pendant lights that flank the bed were a fun way to add some bohemian charm. The jute rug and burlap bed skirt kept it natural but brought in warmth to an otherwise very, white room. I wanted to add some vintage character to the entirely new surroundings and was able to do that by incorporating this re-purposed door that I quite literally found on the side of the road a few blocks away. I sanded it down, coated it with a distressed coat of light blue paint and had it mounted as a sliding barn door to the bathroom. Speaking of re-purposing, you’ll also notice that we repurposed the original closet in the primary bedroom and transformed it into a flex space, complete with a desk area and electricity. This versatile area allows for a designated workspace, perfect for those who want to work from the comfort of their home.
Overall, we wanted this beach bungalow renovation to showcase a thoughtful blend of coastal-inspired elements with a modern, bohemian twist. The result was a space that exudes relaxation, charm, and functionality—a little oasis by the sea. Thanks for reading about our reno journey!
