DIY Network Blog Cabin 2011: Before-and-After Transformation

This circa-1905 farmhouse, originally owned by the Tatterson family of Susan, Va., was gut-renovated in early 2011. Click through before-and-after room pictures to see the dramatic makeover of this Chesapeake Bay treasure.

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April 10, 2015

Photo By: Frank Murray

Front Yard: Before

Left in a sad state of disrepair, Blog Cabin 2011 was about to sink into the salt marsh soil. A rough gravel drive and overgrown shrubbery left a lot to be desired.

Front Yard: After

The home, lifted 7 feet above the flood plain and outfitted with a new foundation, lap siding and a slate-style roof, presents a friendly face. Southern plantation-style landscape elements, a brick and cobblestone entryway, and a crushed oyster and gravel drive complete the renovation.

Foyer: Before

Old wood floors and a creaky staircase were far from welcoming.

Foyer: After

New heart pine flooring, clad over the existing hardwood, transforms the center hall. The staircase, renovated to meet present-day business codes, becomes the focal point with the addition of a sweep oar-turned-handrail.

Great Room: Before

In the formal parlor, the horsehair-plaster ceiling and walls were crumbling to the floor and the fireplaces were no longer functional.

Great Room: After

The center wall is removed to open the space. The rear wall is replaced with floor-to-ceiling windows. Cozy furnishings, beadboard wainscot and a new gas fireplace transform the once-neglected space.

Kitchen: Before

The walls were crumbling, the appliances were outdated and a rickety folding table stood in for a kitchen table/work island.

Kitchen: After

Windows stream light into the cooking space, updated with stainless steel appliances, cottage-style cabinetry and natural quartz countertops.

Dining Room: Before

A hole in the wall marks the spot where cabinetry may have housed the family's fine china.

Dining Room: After

A coastal-chic design scheme brightens the once-dreary dining area, which features a rear wall of windows. Plantation-style furnishings, tumbled sea glass and DIY artwork add warmth and personality.

Second-Floor Landing: Before

Paint was peeling from the ceilings and worn flooring and staircase handrails were in need of tender love and care.

Second-Floor Landing: After

An updated staircase railing, a fresh coat of paint and rustic-chic furnishings make the landing sparkle. Walk-out balconies improve ventilation and open up the floor plan.

Master Suite: Before

Cramped bedrooms with outdated windows comprised the second-floor living space.

Master Suite: After

A luxurious escape, the master bedroom boasts stellar bay views and connects to the spa-style bathroom, complete with a soaking tub, pedestal sinks and a walk-in shower.

Guest Room: Before

A lack of sunlight and a drab wall color contribute to the room's gloomy appearance.

Guest Room: After

Vintage-chic linens and antique furnishings celebrate the home's history. A diagonal door leads out to a second-floor balcony.

Third Floor: Before

At some point in the home's history, the attic space was turned into makeshift quarters for tenants.

Third Floor: After

Coined the "family fun zone" by show host Matt Blashaw, the third floor now houses a game room, family room and guest bathroom. There's even a sitting room — a cozy perch that overlooks the backyard.

Backyard: Before

A series of rusted metal staircases, an outdated septic system and a lack of landscape design all point to a home long in need of maintenance.

Backyard: After

Southern plantation-style landscape design, a cobblestone patio, and a sand and rock fire pit breathe new life into the once-neglected backyard.

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