Team Taniya’s ‘Battle on the Beach’ Season 2 House Reveal

For the second season of Battle on the Beach, host of Build It Forward, Taniya Nayak, mentored father-son duo Roosevelt and Brandyn Chambers of Chambers Development. The development company owners hail from St. Louis and have flipped more than 100 houses.

Roosevelt and Brandyn went up against two other strong teams: married couple Corey and Paige, mentored by Alison Victoria of Windy City Rehab, and business partners Wally and Jacqueline, who teamed up with Ty Pennington of Rock the Block. Each team had six weeks to renovate a three-bedroom, two-bathroom house. The homes had a starting value of $515,000, and the teams were given $80,000 to see who could add the most value to their homes.

Although Roosevelt and Brandyn wanted to open up the space and bring in an island, they opted to save money by keeping the sink and plumbing in their current spots. They wanted to take out the pantry and move the refrigerator over to have more room for high-end appliances. “It is a lot of work that needs to be done, but the work can be done. We’re the best people for the job honestly,” said Roosevelt.

With their layout change, the father-son duo was able to include more counter space for prepping, a pot filler above a newly installed, chef-approved stove and a wine fridge. And despite the home's shore location, Roosevelt and Brandyn added some of their classic French-modern design style into the mix.

Light and bright and made for entertaining, the kitchen has two-toned cabinets and warm, natural elements, like exposed ceiling beams. Taniya made her mark by taking Roosevelt and Brandyn's idea of a butcher block island and combining it with a cozy banquette. The butcher block surrounds the seating area, which gives everyone a view of the ocean. To save a little money, they DIYed the banquette and island, keeping their total kitchen budget to $25,297.

Sarah and Bryan Baeumler of Renovation Island loved the seamless countertop to backsplash transition along the perimeter cabinets. They also complimented the two-toned cabinetry and the abundance of storage. The biggest downfall was the island’s countertops. “The butcher blocks have been butchered,” said Bryan, who pointed out the wood wasn’t squared off and even.

Mostly a blank slate, the bedroom was ready for a major refresh. “The door is right in the middle of the living room, and we can’t have that,” said Brandyn. The team planned on moving it into the hallway to create a private entry.

The judges loved the overall look and feel of the bedroom and considered the bed a great feature. Fresh molding and a deeper shade of blue-gray paint create a focal wall behind the bed, while a tray ceiling with cove lighting creates a warm ambiance.

The new door off the main hall creates a true entry into the bedroom with two closets on each side. For an extra challenge, each team had to find something at an antique store to use in their design. Roosevelt and Brandyn found vintage iron pieces to hang above the closet doors, but the judges didn’t love the use of their finds.

As Taniya discussed the renovation with Roosevelt and Brandyn, she felt resistance and wondered what was going on. “To me, it’s time. At home, I can take a month to do a bathroom. Here, it’s seven days. It’s a lot of pressure,” said Roosevelt. Taniya’s response: “You’re here for a reason. Show off your skills.”

The team replaced the old double sink with a sleek, modern vanity and added matte black finishes throughout the space for a clean look. Wire-and-brass lighting adds an industrial vibe.

In order to create a spa-like bathroom, Roosevelt and Brandyn gutted the space to make room for a massive shower and bath enclave. The new bathroom boasts organic, textured stone walls, natural pebble floor tile and rustic wood beams overhead. The space was meant to be concealed by a glass shower door, but it didn’t arrive in time for judging. Their final budget for the main suite was $19,003.

Enter week three: the living room, which had nothing except a great view. Each team was challenged to add an architectural element. Additionally, they had to elevate the space with a piece from a nautical antique shop.

The new living room has a modern French-meets-beachy vibe. The focal point is the custom fireplace that stretches from floor to ceiling, highlighted by a salvaged boat beam (their antique nautical find!). A transom window above the double doors brings in more natural light. The best part: Roosevelt and Brandyn were able to include the wine fridge they wanted in their kitchen. They even built a custom credenza to show it off.

Wooden beams extend into the new living room from the kitchen. The team added a burnt wood application at the ceiling's peak. A leather loveseat complements wood tones throughout the space, while a soft beige sofa provides contrast and extra seating. A blue rug that mimics the look of the ocean grounds the entire design.

Roosevelt and Brandyn's other nautical find was an antique cargo chest and fids (a conical-shaped tool used when knotting or splicing rope). Roosevelt and Brandyn combined the two to create a chic coffee table.

It’s not everyday that seasoned pros get surprised, but Bryan and Sarah were impressed by Team Taniya’s ingenious art solution. They stretched a colorful shower curtain over a DIY frame to create instant artwork.

For the week four challenge, the competitors were tasked with transforming a blank room into a kids’ space with plenty of room for play. With no wins under their belt, Roosevelt and Brandyn wanted to blow the judges away with their design. “We have to go big or we’ll be going home,” said Brandyn.

Roosevelt and Brandyn built a handcrafted, ship-themed bunk bed, complete with portholes and a rope ladder. Brandyn did some research and discovered the oldest boat in Seaside, Texas, is the Elissa, so they created a replica of the ship and even included a nameplate. “The whole idea of doing a kid’s room is to think like a kid. They’re thinking like a kid, and it makes me so happy,” said Taniya.

To continue the nautical theme, they had a local artist paint a sunset-ocean mural. A chalkboard hung low on the wall allows the kids to let their creativity run free, while a textured rug and additional seating make the space extra cozy.

Bryan and Sarah named Roosevelt and Brandyn the winners of the kids’ room challenge. They enjoyed the nautical theme and thought the team's clever design would be sure to bring out kids’ creativity. Although the judges noted they wished the area inside the bunk was finished, and they thought the pipe railing could have been raised for safety.

During week five, the teams were tasked with transforming the guest bedroom and bathroom — their final chance to add value inside the houses. "We have almost completed the house and the money is going to be tight," said Roosevelt. "We have to really stretch it to complete the project. At the same time, we can’t fall short."

Roosevelt and Brandyn created a cozy guest bedroom with a touch of coastal charm. Woven nightstands flank the bed, which sits against a wall of shiplap. Hardwired sconces and a soffit ceiling design establish a polished vibe.

This uninspiring space needed a major upgrade. Taniya suggested turning it into an ensuite to add value. Additionally, Roosevelt and Brandyn wanted to create a powder room.

A neutral palette and dark fixtures set the scene for this sleek bathroom. Oversized wall tiles add texture as well as tactile appeal. The best part: The team was able to create a true guest ensuite, adding major value to their home.

Roosevelt and Brandyn were the last team to add a powder room to their floor plan, but they were able to rearrange a few walls to make it happen. Starburst tile decorates the floor, and a teeny-tiny sink turns the space into a functional room everyone can use.

The judges declared the bedroom a breath of fresh air with clean finishes and elegant architectural details, such as the tray ceiling. Plus, Roosevelt and Brandyn were the only team to add an ensuite bathroom for guests. Sarah and Bryan's only cons were the lack of window treatments and exposed PVC piping under the sink.

The final week was the last chance for the teams to add value to their homes and potentially win the $50,000 grand prize. Roosevelt and Brandyn needed to use every penny of their budget — $5,821 — to make the outside as stunning as the inside.

Blue board-and-batten siding completely transforms the once drab exterior into an eye-catching beach home. Complete with white trim, the renovated house now has an amped-up nautical vibe.