Coastal Cottage Makeover: A Colorful and Casual Home Renovation

A beautifully remodeled fireplace in a coastal cottage living room.

This 90-year-old coastal cottage recently underwent a remarkable transformation, evolving from a run-down structure into a casual-living dream home. Embracing comfort and style, the renovation breathed new life into every corner of the house. Follow along as we delve into the details of this vibrant and inspiring makeover, exploring the design choices, challenges overcome, and the personal touches that make this house a home.

Get ready to be inspired by this colorful new look! The homeowners infused their personality into every aspect of the renovation, creating a space that is both visually appealing and incredibly livable.

Meet the Homeowner: Nanette Tanner

Name: Nanette Tanner

About: Nanette’s passion for home design stems from a lifetime of exposure. Growing up, her family frequently moved, each home more adventurous than the last, culminating in the construction of a modern passive solar house. With an interior designer mother, Nanette was constantly surrounded by creative ideas and design principles. Her career at angela adams since 2000 has further deepened her immersion in design, color, and pattern. It’s a world she genuinely loves.

A heartwarming scene of a person playing guitar while a woman and baby happily enjoy the music in their renovated coastal cottage.

The Renovation Project

Project: A complete renovation of our 1920s-era house, which hadn’t been updated since the 1960s.

Budget: $40,000

A significant portion of the budget was allocated to essential but unseen improvements. This included pouring a cement floor in the previously dirt basement, converting the heating system to propane (requiring a new furnace, piping, and a gas stove for cooking), and adding much-needed insulation. The remaining funds were used for essential furniture and decorative elements to complete the transformation.

Before and after: Two men are involved in the demolition process of the living room, preparing for the coastal cottage renovation.

The beautifully finished living room of the renovated coastal cottage, showcasing a bright and airy design.

Another view of the renovated living room, highlighting the coastal-inspired decor and comfortable furnishings.

Inspiration Behind the Makeover

Tell us a bit about your home and what inspired you to tackle a makeover!

We purchased this home in 2011. Its history is quite unique; it originally served as a chicken coop and later as the chauffeur’s house. It’s essentially a cottage that has been adapted for year-round living. We affectionately call it the ‘cas’ house, short for casual. Located near the beach, it’s a space where someone is always returning from an outdoor activity, often still wet! We’re comfortable sitting on the furniture in bathing suits, and sometimes we eat sprawled out in the living room… this is definitely not a fussy house! The goal was to create a relaxed and inviting atmosphere that reflected our lifestyle.

The front room of the renovated coastal cottage, exuding a welcoming and relaxed ambiance.

The Design Process

Did you start with a clear vision, or did the design evolve over time?

The vision was surprisingly clear from the start. I had been diligently collecting tear sheets for years (before Pinterest even existed!), and those clippings served as a guide for our choices. Time was of the essence, though; we only had one month to complete the project. We needed to sell our previous house before we could begin, and once it sold, we rented a cottage nearby for a month before moving in. We worked quickly to maximize the funds available for the house itself rather than rent. With two kids in tow, we were also eager to settle into our new home as quickly as possible. That’s generally our style; we tend to avoid overthinking our decisions and act decisively.

The daughter's bedroom in the renovated coastal cottage, featuring a charming and personalized design.

The son's bedroom in the renovated coastal cottage, showcasing a fun and comfortable space tailored to his interests.

Must-Have Elements

What elements did you simply have to have?

There were a few non-negotiable elements: ship lap walls, a fir ceiling, and an outdoor shower! These features were essential to creating the coastal aesthetic and enhancing the home’s functionality.

Sources of Inspiration

What were your main sources for design inspiration?

My primary sources of inspiration were shelter magazines, design blogs, and Pinterest. These resources provided a wealth of ideas and helped me refine my vision for the coastal cottage makeover.

The 'before' image of the kitchen in the coastal cottage, showing the original state prior to the renovation.

The dining room in the renovated coastal cottage, showcasing an inviting space for family meals and gatherings.

The beautifully finished kitchen in the coastal cottage, featuring modern appliances and a functional layout.

Challenges and Solutions

Any setbacks, hiccups, or unexpected design dilemmas? How did you solve them? Tell us the dirty secrets!

The biggest challenge was the budget; everything ended up costing more than we initially anticipated. Also, as I was working during most of the renovation process, there were some stressful days. When I felt unsure about a decision I had to make over the phone, I would ask my mom to drive over and offer her opinion! My husband wasn’t thrilled about painting the bedroom five times before I finally settled on Benjamin Moore Everlasting. I had initially wanted to remove the front stairs – I’m not a fan of front doors that open directly to stairs – to create a mudroom and expand the back stairs. However, we ultimately realized that we couldn’t afford it, so we made the best of it. We added a fun runner on the stairs and created a mudroom at the back door, which flows into the laundry room. It actually works quite well, as we often have wet gear. So, we primarily use the back entry and the laundry room as our mudroom.

The 'before' image of the kitchen and dining room area, showcasing the original layout and condition of the space.

We also wanted to add a closet to my daughter’s room, but there simply wasn’t enough space or a suitable location. We ended up opting for built-in drawers instead. And, we attempted to create an open cabinet in one section of the kitchen, but it fell apart during the process, so we built open shelves instead. Adaptability and problem-solving were key throughout the renovation.

The finished dining room and kitchen in the renovated coastal cottage, showcasing a seamless and stylish design.

Another view of the finished kitchen, highlighting the attention to detail and coastal-inspired elements.

Favorite New Feature

What is your favorite new feature?

It’s a toss-up between the ship lap walls, the kitchen banquet, and the ladder for the loft. Each of these elements adds a unique touch and enhances the overall character of the house.

Proudest DIY Moment

Your proudest DIY moment?

This might sound boring, but I changed all the door knobs from a mix of brass and pewter to oil-rubbed bronze. You’d be amazed at how something as simple as changing door knobs can transform the entire look of a house. It’s a small detail that made a big difference.

The 'before' image of the loft in the coastal cottage, showing its original condition before the renovation.

The ladder leading to the loft in the renovated coastal cottage, showcasing a unique and functional design element.

The colorful loft in the renovated coastal cottage, featuring a vibrant and inviting space.

Advice for Home Makeovers

Any advice for others about to start on their own home makeover?

Start collecting images early! Even if you don’t know when you’ll have the money or time, the longer you collect, the more common themes you’ll start to notice. Double the cost and time that you think it will take. Don’t be afraid to pull the trigger or take risks – and don’t overthink things! We used black piping for our banister and the ladder to the loft; people were a little skeptical, but it turned out to be one of our favorite features. Embrace your vision and trust your instincts.

The entryway of the renovated coastal cottage, showcasing a welcoming and stylish design.

The colorful stair runner in the renovated coastal cottage, adding a vibrant and playful touch.

Use bold color with your accessories (pillows, rugs, throws). Put rug pads under your seat cushions to keep them from sliding. Use sails for banisters for a beachy feel. If your kids ask for a heavy color like blue or purple in their room and you want to keep it light, ask them if they would like a painted graphic in that color. Hopefully, they will; it’s easier on the eyes! These are just a few tricks we learned along the way.

The casual front room of the renovated coastal cottage, exuding a comfortable and inviting atmosphere.

Another view of the front room, highlighting the coastal-inspired decor and relaxed vibe.

What’s Next?

What’s next for you? Any other makeovers or exciting DIY projects on your list?

Our clubhouse! It’s currently my son’s band practice space, but I really want to work on the inside. I’d like to add pipe berths so guests have their own space, but still make it work for dinner parties, art sessions, and, of course, band practice. It’s a space with a lot of potential.

My husband and I really had a good time with this renovation, as much as building a new house, so we would love another project beyond the clubhouse. But I don’t think we’ll ever leave here; we’re in love with the ‘cas’ house. It’s truly become our dream home.

The 'before' image of the clubhouse, showing its original state prior to any renovations.

Thanks Nanette!

Check out Nanette’s interior design inspirations on Pinterest or follow her adventures on Instagram. For some beach-inspired decor, take a peek at her hand-painted driftwood signs on Etsy!

Photo credit: Elli Shea Carter

Do you have a makeover tour you’d love to share? Let us know by sending an email.