Beach House Rental Property Receives Major Transformation
Beach House Rental Transformation
I buy fixers uppers in sought after neighborhoods. I look for the worst house in this case cottage on a good street and overtime renovate to either flip it or to rent it out.
This 1930’s cottage is a minute walk to one of Canada’s top beaches, Sauble Beach. Yet over 50 real estate agents and their clients went through the cottage and did not put in an offer of purchase. What others saw as alot of work, I saw as an opportunity.
When buying a fixer upper, there are a few key factors to take into consideration. First factor of course, is location, location, AND did I mention location? Only a short walk to one of the most sought after beaches, it should have been rented out all summer. But its poor design, neglect and poor workmanship stopped it from being the hot spot it was meant to be.
BEFORE – LIVING ROOM
There were alot of issues with this cottage. The entrance to the back hallway to the bedrooms and washroom was right in the middle of the living area. This made it difficult to have an inviting and comfortable sitting space to hang out at the end of an amazing day at the beach! Every time someone wanted to use the washroom or go to the bedroom, they would be disturbing the family and friends when walking through.
The layout of the living room was so awkward which is an understatement.
The doorway for the hallway to the bedrooms and bathroom was in a bad spot. It cut the living room area in half which made it very awkward for a functional living room layout.
Another dark, dated and dreary before picture.
The shower was jutting out of the living room. lol The chair leaning against the wall was the former shower area.
AFTER – LIVING SPACE
Painting the walls a soft warm beachy blue, transformed this dated ’30s cottage. The green couch also got an update with this pull-out couch to accommodate more guests. The analogous color scheme of blue, blue|green and green gives the space a fresh vibe that creates a relaxing and inviting environment the minute you walk in the door.
Moving the opening to the middle made it easier for people to pass through to bedrooms and washroom without interrupting the conversation or the movie on the TV.
AFTER – DINING ROOM AREA
The entrance to the back hallway was centred creating a better flow for the living area. The shower was relocated using some space from the master bedroom. The cute beach themed dining area replaced the shower. A much more efficient use of the small space.
The new trendy dining area replaces the shower & microwave stand. A fun table and benches were added to create a casual and fun area where it could accommodate alot of children that stay in the bunk bed room!!! Two trendy hanging lamp shades adds light to the subject and the retro 60’s bathing beauties artwork completes this trendy beachy eating space.
BEFORE – FORMER DINING AREA
Dated! Dated! Dated! Is the ONLY word to describe this former dining room area. Would YOU want to rent this cottage out? Yeah – no body else did either!
AFTER – LIVING ROOM
KITCHEN – BEFORE
The kitchen was a complete redo. All the kitchen cabinets and dresser were ripped out and replaced with this smaller but functional L-shaped kitchen. Unfortunately, no matter how hard I tried to make it work, because of the size of the kitchen, an island was not feasible. This cottage is 400 sq ft, and due to the layout, door openings, and the number of guests allowed, sleeps 8 in total, an island did not make sense. However, the funky table & benches were added and no one misses an island.
BEFORE – HIGH VAULTED CEILING
The ceiling was a flat drop ceiling with ceiling tiles. More like what you find in commercial spaces as opposed to a trendy beach cottage. After opening up the ceiling to update electrical, we discovered this amazing space that had been covered up for years.
After finding out about this amazing high vaulted ceiling, I decided to close it up with pine planking for a beachy look. It turned out amazing if I don’t say so myself.
MASTER BEDROOM – BEFORE
The master bedroom was in dire need of a makeover from the walls, flooring and an update for the furniture.
The ceiling received the same pine planking as the open concept living room. Part of the room was taken over to put in the shower. The walls received the same beach blue as the living room area. The laminate flooring replaced the worn out vinyl flooring, and upcycled furniture gave the master bedroom that 60’s beach vibe.
KIDS BUNK BED ROOM – BEFORE
Linoleum floors, dated furniture, boring walls. How many times can I say dated? lol
AFTER – KIDS BUNK BED ROOM
Can we say pillow fight? The former dated kids room was transformed into a space that parents will actually book the cottage because of the bunk bed room. Kids LOVE this space!!
Switching the furniture out to hold TWO bunk beds which sleeps 4 KIDS!! Crazy right? Families come back year after year because their kids LOVE the bunk bed room. It has become a little famous in the area.
The blue walls and cool art deco like flip flops and skimming boards have kids LOVING this room. They come back year after year for the cool beach vibe cottage and of course the beach!!
BEFORE – BATHROOM
YES! This was the bathroom before with its green hallway. The shower on the right actually jutes out into the living room. It needed a total makeover.
And to see where the shower was, scroll up to the living room picture. You will find the shower sticking out of the living room. lol
The shower was moved to the left hand side to take the space back that belonged to the living room. Some space was removed from the master bedroom but was not noticeable. All the fixtures were updated including a stream lined bathroom vanity which made more space for the shower. A modern shower stall was installed, vinyl flooring and of course, the signature pine plank ceiling.
AFTER – BATHROOM
THE OUTDOOR ROOM
The outdoor patio, sometimes referred to as the outdoor room, is always a great addition to a home or a cottage. And ALWAYS adds value to your home.
The 60’s beach vibe makes this cottage sought after by guests wanting to relax at Ontario’s No. 1 beach! It’s no wonder 50+ agents and their clients walked away from from this beach house rental only steps away from one of the most sought after beaches. Every each inch of the cottage needed to be transformed from the structure, layout and of course, the design. But with lots of imagination, a lot of hard work and several dollars later, the cottage is now a sought after rental property paying for itself.
Hi! I’m Debi Collinson. Designer. Color Consultant & Real Estate Investor.
I conducted my first color consult at the age of 7, for my father for one of his design | build projects. I’m an Interior Designer, a Double-Certified Paint Color Expert, with advanced training in kitchens + bathrooms!
Since 2006, I have helped hundreds of clients, just like you, to style their house to make it a stunning retreat, that is functional for the family AND that they love and enjoy their home. I was one of the first stagers in the industry when staging just started out, and I have helped hundreds of clients make money beyond their expectations when they sold their house. Throughout this time, I bought, renovated and flipped 9 “fixer uppers” for a healthy profit.
In 2020, I moved my design business online. Sign up to receive my e-mails on my awesome design + color tips to create a home that you will love and enjoy and increase the value of your home as well!
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