Duplex Transformation Unveiled: Four More Rooms Radiate Charm and Functionality

After months of dedicated renovation, we’re thrilled to pull back the curtain on four additional spaces within our beloved duplex project! Last week, we showcased the initial four completed rooms, and the excitement hasn’t waned. We’re sharing these reveals as they reach completion and are professionally photographed, allowing us to celebrate each milestone. Today marks another significant step forward, as we present four more fully finished areas!

The journey to transform this duplex into inviting, renter-ready homes has been a true labor of love, spanning over a year and a half. Witnessing these spaces come alive is incredibly rewarding! While we’re itching to launch the Airbnb listing, we’ll hold off until every room is picture-perfect. Rest assured, we’ll make a grand announcement when it’s live, so you won’t miss a beat.

The Left-Side Rear Bedroom: A Masterful Renovation

Let’s begin our tour in the rear bedroom on the left side of the duplex, identifiable by its charming pink doors. This room’s counterpart on the opposite side was featured in our previous update. While each side of this century-old house boasts its unique quirks, leading to slight variations in dimensions, this room offered a wider bed wall. This allowed us to incorporate generously sized, quartz-topped side tables. Their glossy finish adds a touch of modern elegance, and the stain-resistant quartz is a practical upgrade from materials like marble.

These polished side tables are crowned with elegant gray lamps. Thoughtful planning went into outlet placement, ensuring they’re discreetly located behind each nightstand. This allows easy access for lamp plugs while leaving an additional outlet free for phone charging – a small but significant detail appreciated by any traveler who’s ever hunted for an elusive charger plug!

A Dramatic Before & After: Uncovering Hidden Potential

This room has come a long way from its original state. When we purchased the duplex, it featured unsightly drop ceilings, installed to conceal persistent roof leaks, and painted plastic paneling, which masked extensive mold issues. The window you see in the ‘before’ image below now marks the entrance to a newly added full bathroom, transforming this space into a true main bedroom suite with an attached bath. We also integrated double closets, flanking the left-hand wall, which now frames a new window we added to the bedroom, as the original window became the bathroom door. The transformation is remarkable.

A striking discovery during demolition was the beautiful brick chimney, hidden behind an odd black slanted wall. We’ve since exposed this original feature on both sides, infusing the space with immense charm and a sense of history. It’s details like these that truly bring an old house back to life. On a lighter note, you might spot a roach fogging can in the ‘before’ picture above. Someone had set off foggers in every room before our first walkthrough and never returned to remove them. While not on my house staging checklist, it certainly made for a memorable first impression, and perhaps it was effective!

Thoughtful Design Elements

Returning to the ‘after’ photos, we opted for an airy metal bed frame positioned in front of the window. This allows natural light to flood the room, creating a more expansive feel rather than a solid wall of furniture. Our round quartz tables gracefully fit into the angled corner, softening the lines of the room. The contrast between polished quartz and weathered old brick creates a captivating blend of modern and rustic aesthetics.

The original ‘before’ shot from this angle, with our backs to the brick chimney, reveals a window that now features custom double closets. These closets beautifully frame the lovely view of large, summer-flowering crape myrtles. This corner once held a significant roof leak, evidenced by a trap-door-like opening in the ceiling that damaged both the original and drop ceilings. Addressing this, we completely rebuilt the roof, increasing its pitch to improve water runoff and prevent future issues. The entire house was even completely roof-less and wall-less at one point during this ambitious project.

Today, this exact corner showcases those charming pink-doored double closets, painted in Sherwin Williams White Truffle, which elevate the aesthetic around the window. We also subtly shifted the doorway to optimize the upstairs layout. For a clearer understanding of these changes, detailed before & after floor plans are included later in this post.

For additional clothing storage, we incorporated a stylish dresser, identical to one we have in our own home, but in a crisp white finish. Above it hangs our favorite stenciled mirror, which, with its generous size, serves as a room-making statement piece. Its reflective quality creates an illusion of an additional window, amplifying the natural light in the room.

These two closets, flanking the window, offer ample space for hanging clothes and storing luggage, providing essential functionality for renters. Their symmetrical placement adds a pleasing visual balance to the room, making them feel like an inherent part of the design. And yes, for those who commented on our previous post, more wooden hangers are definitely on the way!

Standing with your back to the bathroom, you’re greeted by a familiar sight: the area rug from our previous beach house living room. Its subtle pattern and warm tones perfectly complement the pink doors and dark oil-rubbed bronze accents found throughout the room – from the drawer pulls and curtain rods to the bed frame and door hardware. On sunny days, it even takes on a beautiful pinker, watermelon hue, which you can experience here. While this was a secondhand find, this option offers a similar aesthetic at a great price point.

En-Suite Bathroom: Bold Tile & Serene Retreat

Facing away from the dresser, you’ll find the doorway leading to the newly integrated en-suite bathroom. This addition significantly enhances the room’s functionality. We had fun creating a bold statement with the colorful patterned floor tile, while maintaining a serene atmosphere with predominantly white wall tiles and paint throughout, save for the playful pink door.

Despite the vibrant floor, the bathroom exudes a surprisingly tranquil vibe. This is achieved by carefully balancing the bold tile with minimal other colors, incorporating calming elements like a faux succulent, muted art (featuring this print and another print by this artist), and natural textures in the woven cup and leather vanity pulls. We simply swapped out the hardware on this chosen vanity to achieve this look.

Above the sink, we installed a functional hinged mirror that perfectly fits within the window frame, allowing abundant natural light to stream in. To ensure privacy without sacrificing brightness, we frosted the glass. Many wondered why we didn’t simply place the window over the toilet; however, from the exterior, it would have appeared aesthetically off-centered and likely wouldn’t have met approval from the historic review board, which prioritizes placements aligning with the original architecture. You can see more shots of the duplex’s exterior transformation here.

On a personal note, I adore mirrors placed within windows – a trick we used in our second home for unparalleled, makeup-friendly natural light!

From the wall to the right of the toilet, you’ll see a simple, all-white shower – a smart choice to let the bold floor tile remain the focal point. An extra-long, soft shower curtain adds a touch of luxury, and convenient towel hooks are mounted on the back of the door. For those curious about mixed metals, we wholeheartedly embrace the trend! The key is to repeat each metal type a few times within the space for a cohesive look. Here, chrome adorns the shower fixtures, shower curtain rod, and vanity faucet, while the door’s hinges, knob, and hooks are all oil-rubbed bronze. It creates a harmonious and sophisticated blend, proving that metals can act as versatile neutrals.

Staircase & Landing: A Bright and Open Transformation

One of my favorite ‘before’ shots captures the upstairs landing, with its mauve trim and leafy wallpaper border. The transformation here is so significant that the ‘after’ perspective is almost unrecognizable. We completely restructured the landing, shifting the bedroom access to the right (where a sconce peeks into the ‘before’ photo) and converting the original open doorway into a spacious hall linen closet. By pushing the doorways back, we effectively doubled the size of the landing, eliminating the previous cramped and closed-in feeling.

Observe the same angle now: the doorway has shifted, and the landing is noticeably larger and more inviting. I wish we had an open shot of the linen closet – it’s a true work of art! We installed chunky white shelves, perfect for organizing towels and extra bedding, and even included a compact ironing board and iron. It’s truly gorgeous, proving even a closet can be stunning. We plan to share a video tour soon!

To better illustrate these significant layout changes, we’ve included before & after floor plans. Originally, each side of the duplex had only one full bathroom and a peculiar diagonal hallway, likely added in the 70s or 80s, which wasn’t part of the house’s original design. We’ve enjoyed restoring a more classic, traditional layout, eliminating the awkward triangular hallways. The result feels much more cohesive and less “cobbled together,” not to mention the added luxury of two and a half bathrooms per side!

One of the most impactful, yet unseen, transformations involved the stairs. Originally, the steps on each side were like dark, enclosed tunnels, completely drywalled from bottom to top, blocking all natural light. It was a remarkably dim and unwelcoming space, as you can see below:

Through careful restructuring, we opened up the bottom portion of the stairs with a stylish railing. We also moved the bedroom doorway at the top of the stairs back, which now allows natural light to flood the upper six steps, creating a bright and inviting ascent.

These railings have a special story: they’re the original railings from our front porch at our Richmond home, and they fit perfectly into the duplex at both the top and bottom of the stairs – a truly serendipitous find! You can read more about “The Sisterhood Of The Traveling Railing” here and here.

Below are more before & after shots illustrating how we opened up the bottom of the stairs. Previously, the space was entirely enclosed by a diagonal drywall hallway, creating a very cramped entry to the living room from the front vestibule.

Now, a much wider doorway leads into the living room, complemented by an open railing that floods the area with light and adds significant architectural interest. The large gold globe light fixture is a real showstopper, creating a grand focal point at an incredibly accessible price. With 9-foot ceilings on the first floor, we had the luxury of incorporating such “large-and-in-charge” fixtures. (If your ceilings are 8 feet, measure carefully, or consider placing it over a table or bed for a stunning bedroom statement.)

The Right-Side Front Bedroom: Coastal Comfort

Back upstairs, let’s explore the front bedroom on the right side of the duplex, as seen from the hallway. We previously revealed the front bedroom on the left side last week, and you’ll find some shared design elements here, including the same elegant wooden bed, matching art on the back wall, and the same inviting area rug.

However, this bedroom also features distinct choices. We selected slightly wider nightstands, a luxury afforded by the specific dimensions of this room. Instead of wall-mounted sconces, elegant table lamps introduce appealing texture and warmth.

Above the bed, a breezy mobile with gold hardware and white wooden seagulls adds a whimsical, beach-inspired touch. While subtly visible in the image, it’s more pronounced in person and in the photo below. This mobile, a cherished item from our own bonus room, found its perfect new home here. Though it’s no longer sold, this alternative offers a similar charm.

The bedside tables are a delightful splurge. Compared to the more budget-friendly mint options in the other front bedroom, these offer two drawers and an open display space, perfect for books or magazines. Their craftsmanship is evident in person, and the 24-inch width adds a sense of substantiality. For anyone seeking classic white nightstands, these are a fantastic choice. Each bedroom is also equipped with a sound machine, a feature we’ve found incredibly useful and appreciated by both our family and guests at the beach house.

Across from the head of the bed, a beautiful wood-framed mirror offers a convenient spot for guests to check their appearance. This affordable mirror, also featured in our beach house, is a practical addition for rooms without attached bathrooms. The doorway beside it, with its distinctive diamond-grilled window – one of my absolute favorite features in the house – leads to this room’s charming closet.

The curtain panel next to the diamond window is blackout lined, ensuring optimal light blockage and privacy when drawn. While all other duplex windows feature white faux wood blinds, I simply couldn’t bring myself to cover the unique diamond windows.

Opposite that window, you’ll find a diamond-fronted dresser that we custom-designed (our love for diamonds is evident!). A hanging bar provides additional clothing storage. The white honeycomb pendant light adds a classic touch – we’ve used this versatile fixture in the downstairs laundry room and over the kitchen sink, and highly recommend it!

I particularly love how the warm, medium-toned wood in the mirror, bed, and even the hangers creates an earthy, calming ambiance. This is a stark contrast to the ‘before’ state, which, like the other bedroom, featured drop ceilings and plastic-paneled walls concealing water and mold damage.

And then there’s the floor. Oh, the floor! It was a nightmare. Someone had applied peel-and-stick tiles to half of it and then removed them before selling, leaving behind an incredibly sticky residue. I’m not exaggerating when I say my flip-flops literally got stuck to the floor during my first walkthrough – I had to pry them off to move! It was like a giant human fly trap.

Thankfully, after professional refinishing, the floors are now glorious and will certainly not steal your footwear. While the curtains still need a final steam (we use Ikea curtains and customize them for this look), this room is very nearly 100% complete, and that feels incredibly satisfying. I’m also particularly fond of this rug; we purchased it for both sides of the duplex due to its casual, beachy vibe.

Key Functional Details & What’s Next

So there you have it – four more transformed spaces in the duplex, each brimming with newfound charm and enhanced functionality. We’ve poured our hearts into making these rooms as inviting and efficient as possible.

Speaking of function, we strategically installed six ceiling fans throughout the duplex. Many people, ourselves included, love sleeping with a fan on, and while we have central air conditioning, that gentle breeze adds to the beachy, calming atmosphere. Design-wise, we typically gravitate towards decorative light fixtures, but for a beach rental, crisp white fans felt like the perfect choice. We’ve been very pleased with their performance.

We selected these larger fans for the four spacious bedrooms, as seen in the rear bedroom above. For the two smaller twin-bed rooms (which are next on our reveal list!), we opted for these compact versions.

Once the twin-bed rooms are complete, our focus will shift to the two living rooms, two dining spaces, two kitchens, two laundry rooms, and the two back patios! There’s still a significant amount to accomplish, but we’re making steady progress every single day.

P.S. You can explore the entire journey of bringing the duplex back to life here. From a comprehensive “before” video tour to meticulously planning the floor plan and defining the distinct style vibe for each side, through the tiling process and revealing the stunning before & afters of the front and the rear of the property – it’s all packed with information and inspiring visuals.

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