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The walls were crumbling, the appliances were outdated and a rickety folding table stood in for a kitchen table/work island.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