Breezy beach cottage decor and burlap accents for the home. These DIY burlap cabinet covers hide the contents of glass-front cabinets for a clean, minimal look.
If you’ve ever meandered your way over to my Home Neat Home house tour page, you probably wouldn’t recognize the place anymore! The updated beach cottage decor, DIY burlap cabinets, and DIY board and batten have transformed the space.
Here’s what our living room looked like right after we moved in:
If you recall, when Mazen just started to become mobile, I decided to switch our living and dining rooms so I could keep a close eye on him while he played. Our living room and dining rooms swapped.
So for a while, the living room looked like this!
I really liked it that way until one day earlier this year I decided I wanted a big living room again. The house just felt off to me, so I swapped everything back.
After: New White Couch
And here’s what it looks like today!
We added a little TV, which has really brought the room to life. The room is great for playing, cuddling and relaxing in the evenings – something we couldn’t do before with the TV way down in the basement.
I also have been working towards Operation Beach Cottage where I’ve slowly been styling our house like the cottages I read about on Houzz and in magazines. That’s what inspired the white couch upholstery project!
This was once Karen’s couch and it is very well made. It has lasted many years (it’s from the 90s!) I always liked the stripes, but the fabric was starting to look a bit worn.
When I decided to go beachy, the stripes suddenly didn’t fit with my vision. I considered getting a new couch, but that seemed wasteful, so I researched getting it slipcovered.
The cost of a custom, washable slipcover was slightly more than the cost of a white, washable upholstery job, plus the black stripes would have shown through a white slipcover! Thus I settled on thick, white canvas – removable, washable, bleachable!
Yes, I realize I’m a bit crazy to have this with small children, but you can’t bleach colors y’all! I also had spare covers made for each of the 3 cushion sizes should anything non-bleachable get on them.
I’ve had the couch for over a month and haven’t had to wash a thing! I will say no one is allowed to eat in here, no matter how old you are. Food stays in the dining room and kitchen.
I loooooooooove the new couch. It’s so much softer and the seamstress improved the cushion shape in the process. Even the arms are washable because they removable and attached with velcro.
AND my slipcovered ottoman can join up to make it act like a sectional! This space is too small for a real sectional, but the ottoman makes the perfect solution.
The rug, from Overstock, was once in the basement and replaced the scratchy jute rug that is now in the dining room. This one is so much more floor-playing friendly.
Beach Cottage Touches
Other beachy touches in the room – vases from our wedding are now filled with sand and white pillar candles : )
I found this gold crab at Target and HADTOHAVEIT. Luckily he was on sale for $7.99!
DIY Painted Chest
The chest I painted has a light and airy feel now too
Here’s what it looked like before! My dad won it in a furniture store drawing.
I used Annie Sloan Chalk Paint (we have a new store here in Cville) and didn’t even have to sand it! I mixed the ombre colors myself with the teal and white getting lighter as I added more white. Note also the Target seaglass lamp and grassy basket for keys.
DIY Burlap Cabinet Curtains
Lastly, I put in a little more DIY action on this piece and covered the glass with burlap.
Before you could see all the clutter through
Some doubled sided tape and $3 of burlap later…
After! Beachy and neat.
More Beach Cottage Accents
There are more changes in the dining room……..
Starting with this old vintage family heirloom oar from Target : )
Here’s the dining room when we moved in. We added the IKEA shelf. The wall was already gray. We had the light moved so it would be centered over the table too.
Here it is after we added a bright green light back when my style was more bold and modern
Living room interlude days…
Updated Dining Room Shade
And here it is today. You’ll notice right away the green light is gone. It just didn’t fit with our décor anymore and I sold it on Craigslist in exchange for this lighter shade from Crate and Barrel.
I also added starfish (also from Target) and Pottery Barn lanterns from our wedding that had been hiding in the basement.
The glass buoy I found on sale at Pottery Barn, and the table runner at Williams Sonoma.
The green chair has followed us from Charlotte – they were my grandmother’s and I had them reupholstered! I would love to update the parsons chairs somehow – they are showing their age a bit.
DIY Board And Batten
But what is obviously the biggest change is the board and batten molding!!
It took me 6 months to get up the courage to tackle this DIY project, and I’m so glad I did!! I followed Young House Love’s tutorial to a T. They did a really good job giving me the courage with very detailed steps.
We were so worried because we have narrow baseboards, no miter saw or nail gun, but we found a miter box for $10 that allowed us to use a hand saw to angle the battens where they meet the baseboards and we just used a hammer and nails and all worked out ok in the end.
We did have some issues with the caulking – my tape job first sealed it in and then I just tried it with no tape and got caulk all over the wall. I was really nervous I’d dug myself in a hole here because it looked awful!
But I LUCKILY found the gray paint that came with the house (I don’t know the color, sorry) and touched it up by hand.
Thankfully all is perfect now!!
I absolutely love how much character it added to the room!
That’s all I got folks! Airy beach cottage in the making!
More Before and Afters
PS. Want to see more old school photos? Look at the yard before the porch!
Old kitchen:
New kitchen:
clare @ fitting it all in says
Ugghhh Kath I want your house! Every decision you make is PERFECT. Come decorate for me!!!!
KathEats says
Haha thanks Clare 😉
Lee says
This looks great. You really have a knack for interior design.
Kaila @healthyhelperblog! says
Love the candles in the sand! What a great touch! Definitely adds that beachy feel.
Anele @ Success Along the Weigh says
Love the new improvements! I’m in the middle of improvements of my own and while it can be irritating while it’s going on, the end result makes all of the hard work worth it! Great job!
Erin Shmidt says
It all looks so fresh! I just visited Cville and loved your recommendation for Eppie’s. IT was amazing. The pimento grits were so good.
KathEats says
Oh good! I love those grits!
Ashley N says
I LOVE your aesthetic! What a great idea with the $3 burlap too. Love it all! I can’t wait to decorate when I have a place of my own.
Erica says
I have parson’s chairs that came with slipcovers. That’s one idea for their update. You could easily have slipcovers made out of a soft burlap to carry the theme or try to get a nice beachy upholstory type fabric that would be thicker so the dark leather doesn’t show.
KathEats says
I’m definitely considering that! I wonder if all parsons chairs are the same or if they vary enough that not all slipcovers will work.
Laura says
Haha! I bought that crab from Target too and then could never figure out where to put him so he travels all over my house showing up in random places.
Maryea {happy healthy mama} says
I actually think stripes=beachy, but I love your white couch! I have a 5 and 2 year old and we also have white couches. I adore the look but everyone says we are crazy. 🙂 Ours are slipcovers and they wash up so well! Thanks for sharing your home–I love seeing other people’s style choices.
Lisa C. says
Beautiful! Little details make a big difference. These posts always inspire me to update!
My biggest challenge is keeping my home cozy and family friendly for our 4 kids without getting cluttered (clutter stresses me out!).
Lisa C. says
Hey- that could be a post topic? 😉
Kim says
Kath I think what Lisa c suggested would be an excellent post topic as I would love to hear your thoughts 🙂
Fancy says
Agreed, would love a post on how to keep your house clutter free!
Hannah @ eat, drink, and save money says
Beautiful! I love the white couch. I’m so impressed that you were able to get it upholstered for less. The power of comparison shopping!
I need to repaint a few things and have been thinking of Annie Sloan paint. So happy to hear that you love it. Do you never have to sand things to use Annie Sloan? Not sanding would make the process much easier!
KathEats says
Nope! No sanding at all : )
jenn says
I love when you share your home improvement updates! I really like the beachy vibe. Great idea with the burlap to hide the clutter. Where did you get the slipcover for the ottoman?
KathEats says
I had it made on Etsy
jenn says
do you remember which seller/shop?
KathEats says
Apple Cat Designs! https://www.etsy.com/shop/AppleCatDesigns
jenn says
thanks!
Stephanie says
Is burlap = ‘beachy’ a new trend? I live about 10 minutes from the beach and would never think to associate the two. I always think of it as more of a rustic, farm/barn element, but maybe I’m just behind the times.
KathEats says
I think of it as a natural material that’s the color of sand.
Stephanie says
One other quick question–do those slipcovers get wrinkly? We currently have a leather sectional in our family room that is so easy to care for. We also have a hand-me-down sofa/chair in our living room that will need to be replaced. I might like to try a slipcovered set because they seem a little more casual and cozy than leather but not if I have to steam it or iron the covers regularly. Thanks!
KathEats says
The upholstery doesn’t get wrinkled at all but if a slip cover wasn’t custom and it was one you just tuck in I imagine they would get very wrinkled. I had one of those in our first appt. and it was always wrinkled.
Lindsay @ lifting in lilly says
You’re doing an awesome job transitioning to a beach cottage!! Love the burlap inside the windows of the small cabinet and the starfish on our high dining room shelf!
Kim says
I love these lifestyle posts kath. Thank you for taking the time to write them! Two questions….
-Does Mazen grab knick knacks off the tables/entry way table?
-Do you guys frequently use your basement? If so what for?
KathEats says
He doesn’t grab the things that stay out all the time, with the exception of the crab 🙂 But that’s one reason I don’t have a lot of clutter. I would love to have a tray on the ottoman, for example, or a vase of flowers on the side table by the chair, but those would get smashed so we do without for now.
Laura @ She Eats Well says
Whenever you share pictures of your house it always (always!) reminds me of a beach house so you’re doing a great job accomplishing your theme. I wish I was more crafty but I am absolutely horrible with DIY and crafts ha!
Jeri says
With changing over to a beachy house, do you think your family will ever move closer to the beach? I’ve thought about Blacksburg or C’ville (don’t tell my Hokie friends) once my daughter graduates college because of the small town feel and you always seem like you have some fun events to go to. But alas, my love of the ocean will keep me right here in Virginia Beach or some other beach town.
You guys are more than welcome to move here and open up a bakery here.
KathEats says
I would love to live near the ocean, but I don’t think we’ll move ; )
Ashley @ Saving Money in your Twenties says
I love everything about this! The beach cottage look is so inviting and relaxing looking. I don’t know if I’d be brave enough for a white couch, but you have a good point- at least it’s bleachable, unlike a colored couch! Awesome decorating job 🙂
Shel@PeachyPalate says
Stunning house! You such incredible taste and an amazing way of putting things together. Cream/white couch and toddler though…dangerous! 🙂
Phoebe says
Yes, but there is a woman with a cat on her head???
KathEats says
Hahahah! That’s matt’s grandmother!
marcie says
Love love love it!
Appreciate the post.
Jeanie says
Everything looks great! I love the couch. And that rug in front of it! And the cabinet you painted. And, and…
Elizabeth says
Totally unrelated to this post, I just received your Quarterly box! Amazing! I can’t wait to order your next one 🙂 I can’t wait to dig into the Cville Clusters and start using Cook Smarts. Excellent choices Kath!
KathEats says
Yayyyy! That makes me so happy!
Jessica says
I got my Quarterly Box today and I loved everything inside! You made some great picks for your fans! 🙂
KathEats says
Yay! So glad you liked it!
Lisa @bitesforbabies says
I love the cottage theme…it looks so fresh and clean!! We have SO much to do at our house…so many ideas, but so little time (ad money!).
Kara says
I love everything you have done with your house. My kitchen is very similar to yours. I really like how you have organzied a tiny kitchen. I find it hard to find enough space in my kitchen for everything. Do you have a pantry? Or do you really fit everything in your kitchen?
KathEats says
We have a pantry in our basement, so that’s where the crockpot, canned goods, etc. are
Rosie Lucchesini-Jack says
Love your leather dining room chairs-can I ask where you got those? I like how they aren’t too big/bulky with the back seeming to have a thinner silhouette.
KathEats says
They’re from Crate + Barrel
Kristen says
Great job Kath! I’ve been doing a bit of redecorating myself while attempting to make my home a little more child friendly with a mobile 9 month old. It’s been a slow process since I’ve been attempting to do the work during miniscule naptimes…but I’m getting there. The biggest improvement will be when we get our new couch from Pottery Barn! It’s amazing how much a new couch changes a room, eh? Love your white slip covers, by the way!
ellie @ fit for the soul says
I just can’t emphasize enough how beauuuuuuutiful and magazine quality your house looks, Kath! I really do wish I could be as organized and neat as you are, but that’s definitely not my strength…haha. It’s beautiful, seriously. <3 And that teal color is one of my favorites.
KathEats says
Thank you so much : )
Alex @ Kenzie Life says
Your house is gorgeous and I love your style!
Kori says
You have done an EXCELLENT job, Kath! I love it!
Kitty says
I dig the beachy vibe you’ve got going on, but I’m not understanding why you have two completely different (styles, colors, lengths) window treatments in the same room. Now that you’ve made so many great changes, are you thinking about updating those too?
If you fixed those, your living room could totally be in a magazine!
KathEats says
We needed different lengths because of the size of the window. I’ve thought about having a Roman shade made for the big one but I’m not sure I want to spend the money.
Grace says
LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!!!!!! You’ve inspired me to go the beach decor route. The two cabinets you redid (painted one & burlap) look awesome!! I love the sand & candle vases – I have similar vases from my wedding….thanks for the ideas 😉 Great job!!
Leah (goodnight, cheese) says
Wow, I can’t get over how neat your house is, it’s like a model home! I wouldn’t even know there was a kid living there, let alone any people. So streamlined.
Artisan Health and Wellness says
Wow, so gorgeous!!! You are a fabulous decorator!! I love your self in the dining room with the beautiful display of plates, excellent touch!!
Livi @ Eat, Pray, Work It Out says
I love the sand + candle look!
Kevie says
You have such a beautiful home! I love beachy colors, too. Thanks for sharing your home decor! Tell me more about your new pendant light, I have been eyeing the exact same one at C&B. Does it give off enough light? ..even with the fabric light diffuser? Also, how was installation?
KathEats says
Yes it’s very bright. And install was Soooo easy compared to other light!
Anonymous says
Thanks, Kath!!
Cadie says
I just adore your style! The beach cottage style is definitely right up my alley! I struggle with home decor because I just like so many different styles. Sometimes I’m french country, other times I like that crisp “Pottery Barn” look, and other times I love the beach cottage feel. I love all the bright white and earthy, calming tones you incorporated. It’s so clean and neat. LOVE!
kara says
Kath,
Can you share where you found your fabric for your couch?
It looks very high quality! Thanks!
KathEats says
It’s from Second Yard here in Cville. White canvas
Jeri says
When you did your paint scheme did you find a color strip that you liked to make the different rooms flow better with the beachy scheme? I’m so scared to paint and not have that flow from one room to the next. But I finally found a palate that I like and am kind of ready to make the jump. Still scared though. This is the link: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/7388786864040074/
You like?
KathEats says
I do!
KathEats says
Go easy on the Sandy beige. I prefer white!