I know the title of this post sounds like the latest in a string of questionable sequels to The Amityville Horror, but this is actually about a kitchen. I am a house nut, which helps explain part of the reason for my obsession with this story, and horror fan or not you have to admit 112 Ocean Avenue is a great house. As much as it pains me the owners who have lived there in the decades since the DeFeos have updated the home to meet the needs of modern living. Personally I love a kitsch mid-century/70s house but not everyone does. Recently the horror house changed hands again and new owners immediately made some changes. Lucky for us the design firm that did the work shared the before and after photos with the interwebs.

Check it out below. For your viewing pleasure I included pics from 1974 for comparison.

These are from the crime scene photos taken the day the DeFeo’s died. Don’t worry…I’m not going to sneak any photos of the victims in here.

(1974) The door to the left leads to the dining room. I assume the door straight ahead is a pantry. Nice formica counters right?

Here is the same view today. Looks like they blew out that pantry and shifted the counters back to make more room.

(1974) Here is the stove and the window overlooking the back yard. I am loving those chairs.

Here it is now. The window is gone and French doors now open up onto a small porch. The “farmhouse sink” trend can’t end fast enough for me.

(1974) Looking into the back hall. Beyond the tiny window there is the fridge. I am guessing that contraption under the window is a trash compactor.

Today. The fridge has moved and there are cabinets in its place. We can see the back door and the door to the hall bath now as well.

(1974) This is my favorite part of the old kitchen…the dinette. Check out that MURAL! And the red vinyl banquette!

Not the same angle, but you get the idea. The banquette is gone and the fridge now dominates that wall. Sad but true.

The new kitchen is nice, just not my style. Hit the link above to check out the rest of the pics, including some of the updated third floor bathroom. I am glad that we’re able to see what the inside of 112 looks like today since the chances are slim I’ll ever be invited over for dinner.

Finally…just for fun…here is some fancy Photoshop magic.

The magic of Photoshop lets the past meet the present.