the Beach House

Follow along with the wins, the setbacks, and the real work behind transforming The Beach House.

Kate Campbell

Raw. Real. Renovation.

The Beach House is more than just a renovation — it’s a real-life adventure. I’m taking on a 4,100 square foot oceanfront fixer-upper while raising a toddler, and nothing about this project comes with a script. Every episode shares the journey as it unfolds: the wins, the setbacks, the problem-solving, and the small victories that make the chaos worth it. This is a raw look at what it really takes to transform a house, with no TV shortcuts and no endless budgets, just hard work, creativity, and a lot of passion.

You can follow the entire journey on YouTube, where I’ll be sharing new episodes as the build progresses. From the first swings of the hammer to the final touches, I want you to see the real process — the tools, the decisions, the long days, and even the mess. The Beach House isn’t just about creating a dream home on the coast, it’s about showing the heart of renovation and what happens when you take on something big, bold, and a little bit crazy.

Breathing Clean Air + Smart Home Upgrades

Episode 14
 
This week, we tackled something that’s way overdue — getting our air ducts cleaned for the first time in who knows how long! Between the musty smell, ocean moisture, and living in an older home, I knew it was time to make sure our indoor air quality was as clean as possible — especially for Griffin.

Prepping Our Fixer-Upper for Fall + Our First Halloween

Episode 13
 
It was a gorgeous fall day on the property, and I got very carried away clearing out the gardens… so carried away that I forgot to film half of it. 😂 This place is stunning but it is SO much work.

Between battling prickly plants, discovering more history about our old pool room, and trying to keep up with the leaves, every day feels like a mix of renovation, cleanup, and detective work.

Sick Days, Rainy Days, and a Surprise From the City Archives

Episode 12
 
This week didn’t quite go as planned… Griffin got really sick for the first time, and it hit me hard too. It was scary, exhausting, and one of those weeks where life reminds you to slow down and focus on what really matters. But once we were both feeling better, I finally got back to something I’ve been so excited about — digging into the original building plans and history of our 1976 oceanfront home.

Honouring the Past While Building Our Future

Episode 11
 
We received old photos from Ken, the grandson of the original owners and builders of our oceanfront home — and they completely changed the way we see this place. From the pool room with its skylights and diving board, to the “core” kitchen design that blocked the ocean view (yep, even back then!), these photos show the story behind every wall and beam we’re now uncovering. 

From Kitchen Cabinets to Concrete Cracks

Episode 10
 
We finally started gutting the pool room and in-law suite — and what we uncovered explains a lot about the state of this house. 😳

After discovering the crumbling foundation behind the brick, we had a feeling this space was hiding even more surprises… and we were right. 

Brick by Brick - It Keeps Getting Worse

Episode 9
 
Last week I left you with a bit of a cliffhanger… and it turns out things are even worse than we thought. 😬 This week, we finally take down the brick wall and expose what’s really hiding underneath — a completely sunken and failing cinderblock foundation.

Tearing Down the Brick Wall

Episode 8
 
This week has been all about family, cleanup, and tackling big projects at our oceanfront fixer-upper. With grandparents visiting, we put “many hands make light work” into action, clearing out our overgrown courtyard, pulling weeds, and uncovering hidden garden beds. Of course, we couldn’t resist some classic dad jokes along the way.

Finishing Small Projects While Facing Big Problems

Episode 7
 
This week has been a little scattered — my mom came out to visit for her 70th birthday (and to soak up time with Griffin 💙), so projects slowed down a bit. But when I finally opened up the attic, I found something I really didn’t want to see… black mold. And not just a little — it’s everywhere.

Tackling Our Dream Home Renovation from the Top Down

Episode 6
 
The rainy season is almost here on the West Coast 🌧️ and it’s time to tackle one of the biggest priorities on our oceanfront fixer-upper: the flat roof. With trees surrounding the house, months (maybe years) of debris buildup, clogged drains, and even a leaking skylight, this roof needs serious attention before the fall storms arrive.

3 Avoidable Mistakes We Made While Moving

Episode 5
 
We’ve officially been in our dream home for 3 months… and let’s just say, we’ve already made some BIG mistakes. 😅

In this video, I’m sharing the 3 biggest moving mistakes we made so far — from moving in too early, underestimating the chaos of DIY moving without professional help, and forgetting one crucial step with our septic system (yikes!).

Indoor Pool on the Ocean?!

Episode 4
 
Last week, we revealed one of the wildest discoveries in our oceanfront fixer-upper — a hidden indoor pool beneath the floor!

This week, we’re diving deeper (pun intended) into the story behind it, including what we learned from the grandson of the original owners. From uncovering how the pool was built, to measuring its massive size, to realizing it would take up the entire in-law suite — we’re sharing why we’re 99.9% sure we won’t be bringing the pool back.

Our Shocking Discovery in the West Wing

Episode 3
 
In our last episode, we toured the Octagon Room (yes, THE Octagon) — but that was only half the house. Today, we’re taking you through the West Wing... which feels like a whole other home on its own. 

This place is full of weird discoveries, strange design choices, and hidden potential — and we’re figuring it out as we go. From awkward angles to secret rooms, this fixer-upper is keeping us on our toes!

Our Dream Home Tour

Episode 2
 
Last week, I introduced you to our oceanfront fixer-upper—this week, I’m taking you INSIDE for a house tour + first impressions.

From awkward layouts and questionable “flow,” to surprise pests, hidden gems, and spaces with HUGE potential—we’re showing you what it’s really like to move into a 1970s West Coast home that needs a ton of love. You’ll also meet my fiancé Matt (and even our cat Taz makes a cameo!).

This isn't an HGTV show...this is the real thing. Real life. Real problems. Real budgets.

We found our DREAM HOME

Episode 1
 
Brave or Delusional?
There's a fine line between the two and we like to walk it.
Renovate a 4100 square foot oceanfront fixer upper with a 14 month old baby boy in tow? Why not.

Follow as I take you along for the ride. The ups, the downs and everything in between. This isn't an HGTV show...this is the real thing. Real life. Real problems. Real budgets.

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