From “The Bathroom House” to a Proper Primary Suite: A Listing Transformation

If you’ve ever watched HGTV, you’ll notice that every property somehow ends up with a nickname. Some are flattering. Others? Not so much. Think “The House of Too Many Mirrors” or “The Wallpaper Time Capsule.” Once a name sticks, it’s hard to unhear it.

In real life, those nicknames show up too—and they often come from the buyer side of the table. Before I list any property, I walk through it as if I were a buyer seeing it for the first time. That’s when I’ll see where the buyer’s attention will go.

This particular home? It had a nickname that preceded it: The Bathroom House.

I’d seen this home before—back when it was previously listed—and while the home itself had strong bones, incredible Poipu Beach location and a desirable layout, the upstairs primary suite was… memorable. One entire wall had been dedicated to what can only be described as a ‘90s-era bathroom showroom: oversized jacuzzi tub, dual sinks, makeup vanity, oak cabinetry, tile—everywhere. And that was outside the actual ensuite bath.

Design is subjective, of course. But there are certain choices that stop you mid-tour and prompt a quiet “Why?” This was one of those.

The sellers saw the same thing I did. And more importantly, they were willing to do the work. Yes, it pushed our listing timeline, but the payoff was worth it. That wall of bathroom fixtures? Gone. In its place: custom closets and clean, modern finishes. The ensuite bathroom was reworked and refreshed. The dated carpet was replaced with Lifeproof Luxury Vinyl flooring. And the queen bed? Swapped for a king—an upgrade that’s especially valuable in a vacation rental. The end result is a primary suite that feels like it belongs in a luxury home, not a spa showroom. The home is now live on the market, and you can view all the details at MLS 715308.

Want a closer look? Take a virtual walk-through or to see more photos of this ocean view Poipu Beach property.