Before and After Pictures From DIY Network Blog Cabin 2014
See how DIY Network dramatically transforms Blog Cabin 2014 from a 1920's bungalow into a charming lakeside vacation home in Winter Haven, Florida.
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Before: Front Entrance
Lifeless cement pots frame weather-beaten stairs that lead to the home's aged front entrance.
After: Front Entrance
Lanterns brighten the cozy entrance nestled under a bungalow style overhang.
Before: House Layout
To accommodate the lakes views, Blog Cabin 2014 was rotated 90 degrees, transforming the sides into its new front exterior.
After: House Layout
The new home's asymmetrical design, exposed brick chimney, and quirky rooflines pay tribute to the home's original 1920's vibe.
Before: Original Property
A nonexistent driveway leads to an unwelcoming home hidden behind overgrown trees.
After: New Property
Surrounded by live oaks and water views, Blog Cabin 2014 finds a new home in Winter Haven, Florida, eight miles away from its original resting grounds in Dundee, Florida.
After: New Property
This 1920's home is brought back to life with bungalow-inspired architecture, prairie-style windows, and lush outdoor landscaping on Lake Hamilton.
Before: Gutters
Eroded gutters hidden under deep overhangs allowed water damage to the outside of the home.
After: Gutters
Aluminum gutters clad in a copper are among the traditional bungalow design features utilized in this renovation.
Before: Dining Room
A cased opening peeks into the dining room and nestles between the kitchen and the family room. A square, cast-iron grate in the floor vents heat from the furnace.
After: Dining Room
With a new open floor plan, the dining room was relocated and blends the original bungalow living vibe with a contemporary twist. Original furniture was painted in shades of blue, and salvaged materials from the home were brought back to life.
Before: Family Room
While the front entryway has changed, the family room location and layout remain the same. Some of the windows have been replaced over the years to accommodate storm damage or to increase energy efficiency.
After: Family Room
A place to gather, play games, and enjoy a casual movie night, the new family room boasts warm colors, clever storage and a fireplace focal point refinished with granite.
Before: Fireplace
The 1920s fireplace is restored and designed to be an inviting focal point in the family room.
After: Fireplace
Inspired by the original structure, a gas fireplace provides warmth and a reclaimed mantel is finished with a patina copper banding that fits with the room's décor.
Before: Office
The original front entrance of the home was extra space to create an additional room. "Since it was part of the house and the roof line worked with the surrounding rooms, we decided to keep it," explains project manager Dylan Eastman.
After: Office
Warm walls, vintage design details, and custom accessories pull this designated office space together to evoke a feeling of style and comfort.
Before: Sunroom Entrance
Past the second bedroom there is an amazing sunroom full of windows and existing wicker furniture.
After: Sunroom Entrance
Preserving the original glass door of the sunroom, citrus hues, plants, and artwork brighten the look.
Before: Sunroom
Damaged wicker furnishings and antiques comprise the décor of the original porch.
After: Sunroom
With a much needed makeover and replacement windows, this relaxing sitting area is the perfect indoor spot to soak up the Florida sun.
Before: Kitchen
Decades of replaced appliances and old fashioned floral wallpaper are outdated and make this kitchen a thing of the past.
After: Kitchen
The kitchen is relocated to the back of the house, and windows cover two walls, which allow ample Florida sun to stream into the space.
Before: Breakfast Nook
In the breakfast nook, built-in seats and a flip-down table make the most of a small space.
After: Breakfast Nook
While the new breakfast nook has been relocated, it still resembles the original sitting area. Built-in seats and underneath storage preserve a look from the past.
Before: Staircase
Stairs and handrails are worn overtime leading up to the widow's walk.
After: Staircase
A subtle color change and wood trim differentiates the space from the downstairs foyer, to create a pleasing transition into the sitting area.
Before: Sunburst Railing
With a unique sunburst railing pattern, the stairs value look over safety.
After: Sunburst Railing
Transparent tempered glass has been added to the open railing to preserve the original look and add a safety barrier.
Before: Sitting Room
Evidence of water and hurricane damage are all around, but this house has stood the test of time.
After: Sitting Room
The DIY Network team added 300 square feet to the widow's walk, which is transformed into the master bedroom, bathroom, and a beautiful sitting room with an amazing view of the lake.
Before: Master Bedroom
A tarnished iron bed and wooden dresser were found in the master bedroom downstairs.
After: Master Bedroom
With the best view in the house, the master suite is relocated upstairs and designed with lake-inspired hues to create a cozy getaway.
Before: The View
Originally surrounded by roads and abandoned landscaping, windows framed grim views.
After: The View
Prairie-style windows face Lake Hamilton to provide a scenic view of greens and blues that surround Blog Cabin 2014.
Before: Light Fixtures
Small vintage chandeliers provide little light to brighten a home.
After: Light Fixtures
Antique-style light fixtures hang from vaulted ceilings to complement the home's original architecture and offer a striking visual element.
Before: Master Bathroom
The bathroom features a small casement window above the vanity, a medicine cabinet and a corner shower stall.
After: Master Bathroom
Relocated to the second floor, the master bathroom features a spacious shower, which is lined with a mix of porcelain and mosaic tile to captivate the eye and provide a spa-like experience.
Before: Ironing Board
A historic fold-down ironing board exists in the home's kitchen.
After: Ironing Board
For optimal function, the charming fold-down ironing board was preserved for the laundry room.
Before: Backyard
Wasted space is fenced in to create a backyard on the original property.
After: Backyard
A mix of cobblestone-pavers and pea gravel form the foundation of this backyard patio, which offers a space to prepare meals, dine and gather with friends by the lake.
Before: Front Door
A slap of an old screen door gives an unwelcoming sound to an outdated look.
After: Front Door
The classic craftsman-style front door complements the bungalow architecture, and is one of the many ways the Blog Cabin team has saved a piece of the past.
Before: Side Yard
An forgotten shed, damaged by termites and weather, is a dumping ground for tools and unwanted items.
After: Side Yard
Incorporated in Blog Cabin's 2014 design is an assortment of produce found growing in a custom-built raised bed garden.
