Hey friend! This is our Anguilla series about our Anguilla home renovation, the little dream that turned into our biggest adventure. We closed on our island fixer-upper, and today we’re taking you inside (and outside!) for the very first walk-through. Think sunrise views, salty breezes, and a whole lot of plans—some DIY, some save-up-and-tackle-later.
Stand at our gate and it’s just endless blue. Locals taught us: wherever the water is that’s your front yard. From here we can hear the waves, see the lights of St. Martin at night, and watch a new sunrise every season. No pool yet, but direct access to the water means swimming, snorkeling, and paddle boarding right out front. It’s the calm that makes you breathe a little deeper and remember Psalm 95: “The sea is His, for He made it.”
The house is concrete with tons of potential. We’re replacing the metal gates with warm mahogany, extending the upper patio, and adding an outdoor shower downstairs. Landscaping will come later (irrigation is a must here), but for now: hammocks, laundry with a view, and practical updates that make the shell feel like home. The roof, windows, doors, and shutters are first on the list to button things up before we get fancy. Paint will be classic white so we can ship it easily and layer warmth with furniture and wood details.
Upstairs, two ocean-facing bedrooms open to private balconies. The Sunrise Room will become a cozy king with blackout drapes, fresh white walls, and simple wood furniture. The Arch Room (named after Anguilla’s natural limestone arch) gets the same airy treatment—light, functional, and ready for guests.
Between them: a Jack-and-Jill bath we’re refreshing on a budget by painting the tile and grout, keeping the tub for families, swapping the vanity and lighting when we can. The kitchen stays simple for now (new hardware/appliances later), and the living/dining area will seat ten comfortably with one big TV for the house.
Downstairs, renovations have started: we reconfigured the former apartment into a generous bath with double vanity, a sitting area for guests, and a bedroom that may get recycled closet storage. It’s all about creating a peaceful, rental-ready space while we work in phases.
