In the whirlwind of transforming our duplex into a highly sought-after vacation rental, we are diligently working overtime to finalize and photograph every room. Our ultimate goal is to launch our rental listing on Airbnb for weeklong summer bookings, offering an exceptional guest experience. Rest assured, when our doors officially open, we’ll make a grand announcement you won’t want to miss! While a few significant spaces – including two kitchens, two living rooms, two laundry rooms, and two additional bedrooms and bathrooms – are still under meticulous development, reaching 100% completion on four key rooms fills us with an unparalleled sense of accomplishment. This milestone marks a truly momentous occasion in our ambitious renovation journey, symbolizing countless hours of hard work and dedication finally coming to fruition.
Without further preamble, it is with immense pride and excitement that we invite you on a detailed tour of two impeccably finished bedrooms and their two corresponding bathrooms. These spaces are not merely “done”; they are beautifully realized havens, thoughtfully designed and meticulously completed to offer comfort, style, and a touch of coastal charm to every guest.
Step into the newly completed main bedroom on the right side of our duplex, a testament to thoughtful design and unparalleled guest comfort. Each side of this historic property presented its unique architectural nuances, and here, the bed wall was notably less wide than its counterpart. This specific constraint directly influenced our design choices, leading us to install elegant accordion sconces. These fixtures not only maximize the available space but also offer versatile bedside lighting, easily adjustable from the comfort of the bed. We also meticulously planned our electrical outlets, positioning them precisely by each nightstand, rather than inconveniently behind the bed. This foresight ensures a free and accessible outlet on both sides, allowing guests to effortlessly charge their phones and devices right where they need them, without unsightly cords or extra effort.
Our design philosophy centered on maximizing functionality while profoundly enhancing the room’s inherent character. A striking feature is the exposed original brick chimney, a beautiful historical element that was once concealed. Now, it stands proudly as a rustic focal point, grounding the room with its authentic charm. Furthermore, the strategic addition of a new window behind the bed has dramatically transformed the space, bathing it in abundant natural light and cultivating an incredibly brighter and more welcoming atmosphere. This particular modification was not without its challenges; it required extensive engagement with the historic review board to secure their permission. The effort, though considerable, was undeniably worth it, as the window profoundly impacts the room’s overall feel. To truly appreciate this transformation, consider a “before” image from the framing stage, capturing the nascent beginnings of this very window. It serves as a powerful reminder of the incredible journey this room has undergone.
We’ve always been proponents of placing a bed in front of a window, a design choice we successfully implemented in the front bedroom at our own beach house. The key to making this layout work harmoniously is to select a bed frame that allows light to pass through its structure. Our choice of this elegant metal frame for the duplex exemplifies this principle perfectly. Its open, airy design prevents it from feeling like a heavy, obstructive presence in front of the window. Instead, it subtly layers into the room’s aesthetic, allowing natural light to continue flooding the space. This thoughtful consideration ensures the room remains bright and expansive, contributing to a serene and welcoming ambiance that guests will undoubtedly appreciate.
Another significant improvement to this main bedroom, which you might recall, was the strategic addition of a full bathroom, transforming it into a luxurious true ensuite. This crucial renovation not only enhanced the room’s comfort but also significantly boosted the property’s overall value and functionality for future renters. Similar to the new window installation, this addition also required extensive consultation and approval from the historic review board, a process we’ve detailed in depth. You can explore the intricate approval process here, and witness the profound impact this addition had on the beach house’s exterior aesthetic by viewing its remarkable back view transformation here. We are absolutely convinced that this investment was one of the most impactful decisions we made, ensuring maximum appeal and convenience for our guests.
Capturing the full essence of this compact yet incredibly luxurious bathroom might require a few more photographs – perhaps even a video tour to truly do it justice! Despite its intimate footprint, the room feels remarkably expansive and bright, an effect meticulously achieved through a harmonious selection of design elements. The sophisticated tonal tilework provides a subtle texture and depth, while the elegant greeny-gray doors, painted in Sherwin Williams’ “Oyster Bay,” introduce a serene, calming hue. This exquisite shade, consistent across all new doors on this side of the duplex, beautifully complements the crisp, clean “Spare White” walls, also by Sherwin Williams, which unify the entire duplex’s aesthetic. The cohesive color palette contributes significantly to the tranquil and spacious feel of the space, transforming it into a perfect sanctuary for relaxation.
In our extensive renovation experience, bathrooms consistently emerge as some of the most challenging rooms to tackle, primarily because we personally tiled all the floors ourselves. This intensive process demands significantly more time, precision, and physical exertion compared to simply assembling furniture in a bedroom or living area. However, the transformation during the final accessorizing stage is incredibly rewarding – it’s both easy and immensely satisfying. After months of painstaking plumbing, tiling, and heavy-duty structural work, these small spaces miraculously come together in what feels like a single day during the “decorating” phase. The rapid completion of this final touch brings an undeniable rush of accomplishment and joy. Indeed, we enthusiastically celebrate every small victory along this demanding renovation journey, especially when seeing such beautiful results!
To complete this serene sanctuary, we thoughtfully added a few key elements that blend functionality with aesthetic appeal. A stylish mirror, several practical towel hooks, and an elegant extra-long white shower curtain were installed, creating a clean and cohesive look. We also included our go-to favorite toilet paper holder, a staple in all our projects for its blend of form and function. Adding a touch of understated luxury, leather pulls adorn the vanity, perfectly complementing the soft tones of the room. A few framed pieces of art complete the walls, lending a personalized and polished touch. Speaking of the mirror, we faced a unique design challenge with a window situated directly over the sink. Our innovative solution was this cool hinged chrome mirror, which we absolutely adore. It’s not only highly functional but also allows an abundance of natural light to stream in from behind, ensuring the space remains bright and airy. To maintain privacy without compromising light, we opted to frost the glass, eliminating any concerns about prying eyes or the need for cumbersome blinds behind the mirror. This inventive approach perfectly balances practicality with aesthetic appeal, a true highlight of the bathroom’s design.
A small but significant detail in this main bedroom: while most new doors on this side of the duplex are painted in Sherwin Williams’ inviting “Oyster Bay,” the two charming exceptions are these quirky, old original doors that we painstakingly salvaged and repurposed! Many of the other architectural elements—doors, trim, windows, and light fixtures—had been replaced over the years, making the preservation of these particular doors incredibly special. We ingeniously integrated them into two beautifully built-in closets that elegantly flank the newly added large window, transforming them into both highly functional and aesthetically pleasing features. The authentic, irreplaceable charm and historical character they infuse into the room is truly priceless, connecting the renovated space back to its rich past in a unique and captivating way.
To elegantly address the fact that the original salvaged doors are inherently shorter than standard ones, we ingeniously added cubbies directly above them. This clever design decision not only creates a perfectly balanced visual aesthetic but also maximizes the vertical storage space within the room. These integrated closets offer generous storage, ideal for hanging clothes, stowing away suitcases, and keeping the room impeccably tidy for our guests. The upper cubbies provide additional bonus storage, perfect for lesser-used items. As a thoughtful touch for our renters, we’ve included essential amenities: elegant high-quality wood hangers and a practical luggage rack tucked inside each closet (with even more hangers in the secondary closet). These small but significant details underscore our commitment to creating a truly welcoming, organized, and functional environment for every stay.
Completing the room’s exceptional functionality, we positioned a substantial dresser directly across from the bed, topped with a generously sized mirror – specifically, this particular mirror that we absolutely adore! This elegant setup provides even more ample space for storing clothing, ensuring guests have plenty of room to unpack and settle in comfortably. The subtle yet captivating design of the rug anchors the room beautifully. Its soft colors and beachy texture evoke a serene, coastal feeling without being overly dominant, creating an inviting visual interest. This gentle aesthetic allows the room to maintain a peaceful and understated elegance, perfectly complementing the tranquil atmosphere we aimed to create for our guests. And a fantastic bonus? It was incredibly budget-friendly, proving that exceptional style and comfort don’t have to come with a hefty price tag.
Stepping into this now-finished main bedroom evokes a truly surreal feeling. It has been an incredibly long and arduous journey, making it almost impossible to recall its initial state when we first acquired the property. Back then, this room was a distressing sight: painted plastic paneling concealed pervasive mold issues within the walls, and a suspended drop ceiling masked significant rot caused by years of an unaddressed roof leak. The floor was covered in threadbare, wall-to-wall carpeting, and the baseboard heating system was completely defunct. Our comprehensive renovation involved completely overhauling the entire house’s heating and cooling systems, installing new electrical wiring, and updating all plumbing to meet modern codes and ensure safety. To truly appreciate the dramatic transformation, cast your eyes upon this “before” photograph, captured during one of our very first walkthroughs. For a complete understanding of the extensive changes, you can explore the entire before tour of this house here, detailing every step of its incredible rebirth.
Observing the “before” image above, the window you see in its original placement served as the approximate location where we later strategically installed the door leading to the newly added ensuite bathroom. Following this structural change, we then introduced a brand-new window further along that wall, closer to the original brick chimney. This new window now elegantly sits behind the bed, as beautifully captured in the image below, significantly enhancing the room’s light, flow, and architectural character. This thoughtful reconfiguration not only improved the overall layout but also allowed us to introduce an abundance of natural light into the main living space, creating a brighter and more inviting ambiance.
Since before-and-after transformations are always so captivating, let’s now pivot our attention to the charming front bedroom located on the other side of the duplex – specifically, the left unit. This room’s “before” state perfectly encapsulated the pervasive theme throughout the house: a desperate, misguided attempt to conceal significant damage within walls and ceilings. Once again, we encountered unsightly dropped ceilings and pervasive plastic faux-paneling covering the walls. Intriguingly, the small front closet, identifiable by its blue door in the original layout, was entirely devoid of natural light. Our investigative demolition quickly revealed a shocking discovery: a beautiful original window had been completely covered and drywalled over for years! We meticulously uncovered it, painstakingly restoring it to its rightful place and revealing it to be one of those unique windows featuring charming diamond grills. This incredible rediscovery was a truly thrilling moment in our extensive renovation saga, bringing invaluable character and light back to the space.
The arduous task of ripping out that audacious, window-blocking drywall and painstakingly exposing the beautiful diamond-grilled window has truly revitalized this front bedroom. Now, an abundance of natural light floods into the room, not only directly from the restored window but also indirectly from the adjacent closet space, which itself now benefits from the rediscovered light source. This influx of light, coupled with the application of fresh, lighter wall colors, significantly contributes to an overall feeling of airiness and profound freshness. It’s important to remember that this front bedroom is situated on the opposite side of the duplex from the previously showcased main bedroom. This distinction is evident in the charming pink doors throughout this side, painted in the delicate hue of “White Truffle” by Sherwin Williams, creating a cohesive and inviting aesthetic. Additionally, the original hardwood floors, once dull and worn, have undergone a remarkable transformation through meticulous refinishing, now radiating warmth, historical character, and a renewed sense of elegance. You can delve deeper into the entire floor refinishing process here, witnessing another crucial layer of this property’s incredible rebirth.
When undertaking a deep renovation, before-and-after photographs, while undeniably inspiring, often gloss over the monumental efforts and profound challenges faced between those two seemingly simple points. In reality, the renovation journey frequently involves significant steps backward – sometimes quite dramatically – before any true progress can be made forward. This particular house, for instance, suffered from such extensive rot and neglect that we were literally compelled to strip everything back to its absolute bare bones. We meticulously addressed every instance of damage, ensuring a solid, safe foundation before rebuilding from scratch. Just to offer a vivid visual comparison: the new window you admire in the ‘after’ photo above is almost precisely where I was standing in the raw, stripped-down ‘before’ image below. Does that emphasize enough how deeply and extensively we had to strip things waaaaaay back to ensure the longevity and safety of this historic property?
Given the immense scope of work we’ve undertaken, it’s entirely understandable why we’re experiencing such a profound sense of accomplishment and relief now that we’re truly in the home stretch. As you step through this bedroom door and turn to your right, you’re immediately greeted by this inviting and cozy bed, a fantastic and budget-friendly find from Ikea. It is elegantly flanked by two delightful soft greeny-gray nightstands, which feature charming gold hardware that beautifully echoes the wall-mounted accordion lights, creating a cohesive and elegant metallic touch. It’s quite amusing to note that we only have two sets of these particular accordion lights across the entire duplex—one set for each unit, ensuring a consistent design aesthetic for individual renters. By sheer coincidence, the two bedrooms that happen to be completed first both prominently feature these beloved fixtures, which explains their frequent appearance throughout this post! Rest assured, the four remaining bedrooms will showcase a diverse array of different lamps, adding unique character and varied ambiance to each space. Ha!
How utterly charming and functional are these nightstands, truly a testament to accessible style! Not only are they incredibly attractive with their soft hue, but their price point also makes them an outstanding value for our rental property. We especially appreciate their exceptional functionality, each featuring three spacious drawers that provide invaluable storage – a definite win for keeping a guest room tidy and clutter-free! Their subtle color, a delicate greeny-gray, introduces a lovely touch of soothing color to the room. This particular shade serves as a clever, understated design nod to the other side of the duplex, as it is almost an exact match to the greeny-gray doors found in the opposite unit. It’s a delightful design easter egg, subtly linking the two distinct sides of the property with a cohesive color story. #MintToBe, indeed!
This charming front bedroom also boasts a convenient, well-appointed closet, thoughtfully equipped with a dresser for neatly folded clothing, ensuring ample storage for guests during their stay. Adjacent to this, the room with the beautiful diamond-grilled window, which we painstakingly uncovered and restored, is now a truly sweet and inviting space. While it’s completely redone and brimming with character, we haven’t yet had the opportunity to style it fully and capture its final, professional photographs. We eagerly anticipate sharing those images very soon, as it too represents a significant triumph in our extensive renovation efforts, promising another delightful retreat for our Airbnb guests.
Now, let’s transition to the hall bathroom located on the right side of the duplex – bringing us back to the side characterized by those elegant greeny-gray doors. The exquisite tilework in this particular bathroom stands out as one of my personal favorites. Despite the considerable effort and, at times, the pain involved in laying it ourselves, the final result is undeniably stunning and well worth every bit of hard work. We completed the room’s aesthetic with a series of natural and classic touches. This includes refined leather vanity pulls and a chic floating wood shelf, which add warmth and organic texture to the space. These elements are beautifully complemented by an extra-long white shower curtain, a sophisticated round gold mirror, a clean and modern simple white vanity, and some delightful beachy art, all contributing to a cohesive, inviting, and utterly timeless design for our guests.
Originally, each side of the duplex was equipped with just a single full bathroom, presenting a challenge for modern living and rental expectations. However, through our extensive renovation, we’ve significantly enhanced the functionality and comfort of both units. Now, each upstairs unit proudly boasts two full bathrooms, thoughtfully complemented by an additional powder room downstairs. This strategic expansion dramatically improves convenience and luxury for guests, making the property far more appealing. The “before” photograph of what was once the sole bathroom on the left side vividly illustrates the previous owners’ regrettable strategy of concealing severe structural issues. Notice how the vinyl floor is notably bubbled and loose? This wasn’t merely cosmetic damage; it was a clear symptom of extensive, underlying water damage that previous attempts sought to mask with cheap sheet vinyl. This visual truly underscores the depth of the problems we inherited and meticulously resolved, ensuring a safe, sound, and beautiful home for our discerning renters.
And now, for the grand reveal of the fourth room we’ve completely finished – which, amusingly enough, bears a striking resemblance to the third! This is the hall bathroom located on the left side of the duplex, maintaining the cohesive design elements we’ve established throughout. While it shares many of the same elegant features as its counterpart, including the identical, sleek vanity and perfectly coordinated accents, it proudly showcases a distinct floor tile pattern. This subtle yet impactful difference allows each bathroom to retain its unique personality and charm, while collectively contributing to a harmonious and inviting overall aesthetic across the entire duplex. It’s a delightful interplay of consistency and individuality.
It’s genuinely fascinating to compare these two nearly identical hall bathrooms, where a single major design element – the floor tile – creates such a distinct character for each. This subtle variation makes it quite fun to try and pick a favorite! Are you drawn to the bolder statement of the blue floor tile, with its refreshing and vibrant energy, or do you prefer the intricate, charming scroll pattern of the pink and green hexagonal tiles, which exude a softer, more whimsical feel? John, without hesitation, gravitates towards the striking blue one, while I confess a soft spot for the delicate pink design. Perhaps once the entire duplex renovation is complete, we should host a room-by-room design duel, inviting our readers to vote for their favorites in various polls. I know John’s data-loving mind would be absolutely thrilled with all the statistics and insights such an engaging public poll would generate!
Oh, and while we’re on the intriguing subject of choosing favorites between the two distinct sides of the duplex, it’s a question I get asked constantly – even close friends will lean in, whispering, “Just tell me, I won’t tell anyone!” Yet, I genuinely find myself unable to pick a definitive favorite! Each side possesses so many unique elements and thoughtful design choices that I deeply love, causing me to perpetually ping-pong back and forth in my preferences. For instance, if you were to really twist my arm, I might confess a slight, almost imperceptible preference for the kitchen on the left side with its vibrant pink tile and striking blue cabinets, over the right side’s warm wood-toned kitchen with its cool blue backsplash. But honestly, it’s an incredibly close call, and you can truly appreciate the subtle differences by seeing both kitchens here. Conversely, my absolute favorite twin bedroom, by just a sliver, is the one adorned with the playful orange wallpaper, which happens to be conveniently located on the right side. So, please, don’t make me choose – both sides hold a special place in my design heart and contribute uniquely to the duplex’s overall charm and character!
P.S. For those captivated by the full story and eager to delve deeper, you can trace the entire meticulous process of bringing this duplex back to life here. From the initial exciting purchase and intricate layout planning to navigating unexpected challenges and even moments that made us want to scream into a pillow over a sad setback, every single step of this thorough and often dramatic renovation journey is meticulously documented for your viewing pleasure.
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