We previously shared our beach house style inspiration while the pink house was just beginning to come back together. Now that the duplex is at a similar stage, we wanted to outline our vision for its design — from materials and color ideas to specific room functions and features we’re considering.
It’s never too early to make the many decisions a major renovation requires. Trying to choose everything at once can be overwhelming, so from the moment we put in the offer on the duplex I’ve been building a large Pinterest board to store inspirations that caught my eye. Over the last few months John and I have been narrowing those ideas down so we don’t have to scramble when it comes time to finalize paint colors, countertops, tile, fixtures, rugs, and all the rest.
We aren’t finished with every decision, but we’re definitely more focused than when we started collecting inspiration. Below is the primary design direction we’re leaning toward for the duplex.
The Overall Plan
Much like the pink house, we want the duplex to feel relaxed, uncomplicated, comfortable, and a blend of old and new. We plan to keep styling light and intentional so the homes feel airy and durable for renters. This old house has some original charms we want to preserve, like doors, floors, and the diamond grille windows. We even uncovered a brick chimney that runs through both sides of the duplex; we’ll expose that and create built-in niches with shelves for each main bedroom.
We also want the interiors to feel beachy, fresh, and coastal. Because much of the interior detail was stripped out over years as a rental, we have more freedom to introduce lighter, coastal-focused finishes than we did in the pink house, which still had many historic elements intact. We’ll keep and refinish original floors and doors when possible, but expect to bring in relaxed colors — mint, pistachio, soft pink, blue-gray, aquamarine — alongside crisp white and warm coastal wood tones.
Because the duplex contains two separate residences, we have double the spaces to consider: two living rooms, two kitchens, two dining areas, two mudrooms, and a total of six bedrooms and six bathrooms (four full, two half). We don’t plan to decorate each side identically — more like cousins than twins. For instance, both powder rooms might use the same tile pattern but in different colorways so the homes read as related but distinct.
Below is an updated floor plan for one side (the other is mirrored). For more details about the layout, see our post on our floor plan, which also includes a video tour.
Here are some more specific ideas for rooms and features around the duplex.
The Exterior
The duplex sits in a historic district, so the exterior will remain faithful to the original look: shutters, corbels, and no dormer on the roof. We’ll replace rotten siding with HardiePlank in Arctic White, but we don’t want the house to read as plain white. To introduce a coastal, cheerful feel we plan to add operable mint green shutters and paint both original front doors the same mint shade. With so much shutter coverage, the green will give the facade a lively, colorful presence.
We’re also toying with a soft pink porch ceiling as a subtle nod to the nearby pink house, creating a playful dialogue between the two homes. We tested several mint hues using removable paint decals and are planning to paint one door first to confirm the shade before committing to all shutters and doors.
The Transom Window
One recent addition to the plan is an interior transom window above the opening between the kitchen and the main living area. We’ve already widened that opening and our contractor feels confident we can raise the header to accommodate a transom. It will be visible from the front door and will add an “original” architectural detail that helps restore the home’s historic character.
We’re debating whether to incorporate diamond motifs to echo the diamond windows on the front and a vintage diamond door we found for the mudroom. Either way, a high transom will bring light and personality to the main living space and is likely to become a favorite detail.
The Kitchen
We’d like to introduce color in the kitchens. One option is painted cabinets — perhaps soft blue on one side and mint on the other — while keeping the majority of the room white to maintain brightness. An exposed brick chimney in a corner will add texture and history. Because two sets of custom painted cabinets can be costly, another approach is to keep cabinets white or wood and use colorful backsplash tile to inject personality. Each side could have slightly different palettes or patterns to keep them distinct.
The Stair Railing
After opening up the previously closed-in staircases, each side will now have exposed railings. While wood railings are classic, we’re also considering modern additions to balance the house’s vintage elements, such as a metal horizontal railing. We already have the original wood railing at the pink house, so this feels like an opportunity to try something new. We’ve spoken with a local metalworker about custom options, which is worth exploring as we finalize pricing and design.
The Main Living Area
The largest downstairs room will host both living and dining areas, and we’re considering some type of molding or ceiling treatment to prevent the space from feeling too long and bare. We haven’t ruled anything out — even shiplap — if it feels right for the room’s scale and the overall coastal aesthetic.
The Powder Room
Each side has a small downstairs powder room tucked under the stairs. Because these spaces are compact, they’re perfect for bolder treatments like wallpaper, vibrant paint, or decorative molding. The first-floor hardwood runs through most rooms, so the powder will likely match those floors and allow us to get playful with walls without overwhelming the rest of the space.
The Full Bathrooms
Upstairs bathrooms are modest in size, which gives us a chance to make a strong design statement with tile. We love the idea of using shapes and patterns — subtle stripes, zigzags, or repeating geometric motifs — possibly using the same tiles in different colorways across bathrooms. Tile budget always matters, so we’ll aim for durable, low-maintenance options that still feel special. The small footprint may allow for a tasteful splurge.
This overview doesn’t cover every room (bedrooms, backyard, laundry, etc.), but it captures the essence of our plan: beachy colors, restored original details like pocket doors and wood floors, interior transoms, and tiling projects that will keep us busy. We’re excited to keep developing these ideas as the renovation progresses.
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